The Business of Being Born

I am honored to be hosting a Grassroots Film Presentation here at my Teaching Studio of the new film "The Business of Being Born" on November 7th! It is a fundraiser for the Midwives of Maine. I am actually the only New Hampshire location offering the film that I know of.

Ricki Lake Produced the movie and her homebirth with her second child is part of the film. This documentary was the only film to receive a standing ovation at the Tribeca Film Festival. Having this type of film out in the mainstream will change the way people view birth. We are on the cusp of a evolutionary change regarding birth in our culture and I am honored to be part of it!

I also asked Flatbread Pizza if they would be interested in donating a few pizza's for the film showing. They offered to bring 10! I was so happy! The cost of the film and pizza is $15. My goal is to raise $200 for this cause.

My First Talk at the Museum

A few months ago I received a call from the Mount Washington Valley Children's Museum asking me if I could come and do a presentation on Breastfeeding and Parenting for new mothers. (You can check out the press release here) I was honored and happy to do so. When I go there yesterday there was a sign outside with my name announcing my presentation. The Museum director was so positive and happy to have me there.

The discussion went great and I was so happy to have helped a group of new and veteran Moms with issues they were dealing with surrounding breastfeeding and mothering. The conference director asked if I could come back regularly to offer different presentations. I am leading a "Babywearing Workshop" there soon.

An interesting little tidbit. Two days ago I was mentioning to Joe that I wanted to use cloth diapers again with our new baby. He was sharing that it was too bad we sold all of our old ones that we used with the other kids. We put it out there to the Universe that we are looking for cloth dipes. Well, one of my talk attendees brought in a huge bag of brand new Newborn cloth diapers and asked if I knew anyone who wanted them! I was blown away! So, we are joyfully ready to wrap this little new baby bum in cottony softness! I was so grateful!!

Joe's Adventure to the Big City

Last night Joe headed to Boston to attend the "Art of Allowing" workshop by Esther, Jerry & Abraham Hicks. We decided last minute that it was something he just had to attend. It was the perfect time in our lives to "see" and hear Abraham live. We have been listening to Abraham CD's for almost a year now. We live the Law of Attraction and since doing so our lives have never been so joyful and abundant. Joe and I have a better relationship now than any other time in our lives (and we've been together for almost 20 years!)

Late last night Joe drove out of town to head down to the big city of Boston. (about 3 hours away) I snuggled in bed with my three babes all warm and cozy. Joe took the RV so he could sleep and eat and wake up early to head to this amazing workshop. I'm so proud of him going to something like this with 500 other people by himself. I can't wait to see him tonight and hear all about it.

Little Explorers Homeschooling Group

This morning we met our local homeschooling group, "The Little Explorers" at Sherman Farm in Conway, NH. We had a great couple hours together hiking through corn mazes, going on a Hay Ride, picking pumpkins and playing in the corn box (like a sandbox). It was great to connect with the group again after this busy summer! We all had a nice lunch together and the kids got to spend time with tons of the friends that they have had for over 3 years within this group. Next week we are all going apple picking together and coming back to our house to make caramel apples.

I enjoy the diversity within our local group. We all carry a mutual respect for one another which is so wonderful. I am so grateful to have so many other homeschoolers in our area.

Playing With Fire

Today Devin and Dakota were interested in lighting the Halloween candles they made over and over again. During Ivy's nap I sat with them as they explored fire and hot wax. They were every so careful and so intrigued. We discussed how quickly the wax hardens and what is used to create matches and why they catch on fire. We played with fire for over an hour until the kids were done.

We went through 2 match books and the house still smells like sulphur. It was a very interesting time and the kids learned so much. Devin finally said, "Mom, I'm sick of playing with fire. Let's do something else now."

So many parents tell kids never to touch matches. Kids are then forced to sneak around to satisfy a natural interest and curiosity which is very dangerous without adult supervision. I am proud to say that my children can "play with fire" whenever they feel the need to with Joe and I by their side. They have no desire to do do it when we aren't around because they trust us and wouldn't feel safe doing so without us there.

We trust our kids and they trust us.

What an awesome side-effect of a respectful, peaceful life together!

The Martin Fairies

Yesterday the kids wanted to pick out their Halloween costumes. Devin chose a scary skeleton costume. Dakota decided to be a Midnight Fairy, and Ivy chose a Flower Fairy costume. I wanted to shop early before most of the good costumes were gone. Yes, I'm a planner. ;)

So far the girls have worn their costumes almost non-stop. With Halloween a month away, they will be very worn and well loved by the time we go trick or treating. I am so glad they love their costumes so much!

We have been decorating for Halloween for a couple days now. The kids are really into it and have been amazing little crafters and creators. They each made their own Halloween displays outside for all to enjoy. This time of year is so magical coming into the Holidays! We are all excited with so much to look forward to!

My Conference Audio is Ready!

Speaking at the conference was an amazing experience! It was so fabulous to discuss Unschooling Advocacy with so many people! My talk was very well received and I really enjoyed leading a talk about peaceful advocacy. It was a very empowering experience and Anne Ohman was sweet enough to share that the energy in the room was very peaceful. It was better than I had hoped for. I look forward to my next speaking engagement!

You can purchase the audio of my talk here:

http://liveandlearnshop.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=products_new&disp_order=6&page=2

Chocolate World!

We've done SO many interesting and fun things this summer! We recently returned from Hershey Pennsylvania where we camped in the RV for two nights. We went to Hershey's Chocolate World with my Mom and Step-Dad.

We were all so enthralled with the process of chocolate making and learned so much from how they harvest cocoa beans all the way to how they wrap the candy. We ate more chocolate that day than ever before! It was a new Martin record! ;)

We even had a custom make Hershey Bar with our families picture on the wrapper. It's so cool!
The kids enjoyed being "factory workers" and we all were in heaven eating gourmet chocolate desserts from the Hershey bakery.

Candle Making

Here the girls are making Halloween candles. I bought enough materials to make about a dozen candles thinking it would last us a few days of fun. The girls loved it so much that they made all 12 candles in about an hour! I think we discovered a new passion for all of us!!

Cake For Breakfast!

When the kids woke up this morning they announced that we should all have cake for breakfast! Great idea! Better than any ole donut anyday!

We all enjoyed our cake with milk and a smile. Ahhhh what a life! Hanging out in our jammies relaxing together and enjoying our cake on a beautiful fall morning!

A Rockin Time With Grandparents this Summer!

My Mother and Step-father came over from England for about 3 weeks this summer. We all had such a nice time together. They came to the Live and Learn Conference with us also. Although my Mom lives so far away, we are so close. We talk every day and the kids all enjoy their phone conversations with their grandparents. Here are a few pictures of Ebee (what the kids call my Mom), Devin, Dakota and Ivy playing "Red Light, Green Light" and "Balloon Volleyball".

Yesterday was a Beautiful Day!

Yesterday I took the kids apple picking. We picked every single apple from one tree! It was so beautiful and peaceful... We all decided to go to the lake afterward. It was gorgeous and so surreal to be there. This time of year is so interesting to me to be somewhere with my children and be the only ones there. Yesterday's adventures were no exception. I get overwhelmed with a subtle sadness for all the children locked away in a building all day, everyday.

We are out enjoying all that our community has to offer this time of year. It is so beautiful and joyful! The leaves are falling to the ground, the air is crisp. We are so fortunate to be able to live this amazing life together. My children love their lives. We came home and make a french Apple Strudel and looked at the rocks they collected from the beach. Then the girls took a nap and Devin and I enjoyed time together just he and I cuddling on the couch watching his favorite show eating popcorn. Life is Good.

The Live and Learn Conference

Attending the L&L Conference was quite an experience! I am grateful for the friends we spent time with and the fun that the kids had. Joe loved the Secret Society of Unschooling Dads meetings and I enjoyed sharing our Unschooling Community with my Mom and step-dad. My own personal highlights were the food! It was nice to not have to cook or clean up for a week! I enjoyed watching the kids at the funshops. We brought home memories that we will cherish always.

Life on the Road

We traveled over 2200 miles in the last 2 weeks in our new RV. We all enjoyed being on the road so much! Devin and I kept a journal on the way to North Carolina of all the cool things we saw. We played board games, watched TV (We brought the Tivo, which was awesome!), played video games, took naps and ate great food that I cooked while we drove! It was all the comforts of home on wheels! One of the best aspects of the RV was having the bathroom for all of us, especially this pregnant Mama! Being on the road
was more fun than we ever hoped!