A Princess Mindset

I am not quite sure why my generation chooses to raise their little girls like princesses. In my humble opinion, it is merely setting her up for failure. The truth is, as an adult, nothing stops for her. The chores won't stop when she is sick or it is her birthday, no one comes out of the woodwork and makes her life perfect and solves all her problems. Sometimes she has to do hard things as a grown woman. Sometimes she will be let down. Sometimes the housework and children are overwhelming and the work is heavy and dirty and tiresome. Sometimes, she doesn't quite feel like Cinderella during the ball. Maybe, she just stays Cinderella before and merely gets occasional glimpses of what the royal ball must have been like. I believe as a mother, it is my job to teach my girls hard work is the norm, but to also prepare them for the every-once-in-a-while chance of a ball and the importance- nay, fundamental need - to enjoy it while it lasts, because her chariot will surely turn back into a pumpkin... in this life anyway, until Glory.

Over the Fence and Exempt.

What a great weekend to be out with the kids! My wife had breakfast with a friend Saturday morning, so I took the first part of the day to rake leaves. Most people rake in the fall - I had just as good success gathering them from the fence line in the spring. The highlight of the whole experience was getting such good help from our little middle. She stuck hard with me for two hours, I learned hard work from my parents - I don't know where she's picking it up ;-). I hate raking leaves, only a few months till they start falling again.

I threw the Frisbee into the crazy neighbor's lawn though. The oldest one is apparently much less scared of dogs and women who scream at dogs than I am - so she was brave and asked while I kept an eye on her from across the alley.

I've had an interesting couple of weeks, a couple friends have approached me with interest in social marketing. I'm flattered that people want me on their team, but I have to point out that I had trouble giving away free cups of water at the homeschool book fair and I've never sold anybody anything. I couldn't even sell hot chocolate to an Eskimo. I love my predictable, everyday routine at work - starting to think it might be the best thing for me now. And being a math major, I've done the math on how much one can make in MLMs. I love all of you who work so hard on this stuff, I buy your products whenever expedient - but I'm out.

On the other hand, I've been dreaming up an idea - if you're interested in being exempted from social marketing, pay me twenty bucks and then recruit five other friends and...

Container Gardening

We were out today when "This One" announced from the backseat that she'd like to try a tomato plant this year. I have been seeing lots of gardening posts from my friends on my favorite social network site. I have been a bit jealous because I have had so much going on lately that I felt lke this was not my year to try to tackle a garden. Her idea of a plant in a pot, though, sounded very easy to me. Of course, her suggestion was great and the little kids wanted to do one, too! So, we turned the van around and headed straight for the Walmart Garden center where we each picked out a plant (minus myself - I am the irrigation supervisor).

Potting is good, dirty fun for a 2 year old boy!

I helped the "Other One" pick a canteloupe. I have no idea how a canteloupe will do in a container... (or any of them, frankly)

"That One" picked a strawberry. It looks good, too!

She is always good for a pose. :-)

And here is the idea starter - a cherry tomato plant! Her favorite!

I am not going to get emotionally involved like I did 3 years ago when my sweet little summer squash plants that I lovingly raised from seed failed to produce fruit! I won't! I won't!

Oh yeah, and as not to miss out on the fun, Daddy wanted a jalapeno plant. Ta-Da!

One of those days

Have you ever had one of those days where you are afraid to go outside after so many things have already gone wrong? Has it included any of the following:

*Made to feel a fool from someone who is older than you and might look down to you because you look young

*In all your clumsiness accidentally drop something and hurt someone causing bleeding

*Get your hopes up for something you wanted to find out so badly that you are completely crushed when you can't know

*Have someone dear to you not have any pity for you during your pity party

*Almost get run over on the road a few times

*Feel blah and unstable


I sure hope not! It's no fun. Thankfully,

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Here is a verse that has jumped out at me several times this week. :-)

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Romans 8:26

Here is to a better day tomorrow!

Go ahead, you can sing it to yourself.

Some things on my mind today:

-How lucky and blessed by the Lord I am to have been entrusted the things I have been entrusted with - my children & husband, my home, nice things, finances, friends, health...

-I'd like to put the girls in a short term extracurricular class. Up until now it hasn't worked out for one reason or another.

-How things will be so very different later this summer and the effort I will definitely be making to have quality family time - if I am not already doing so.

-How I look forward to focusing on just my kids for a few weeks this fall.

-Nice things to do with the house in the future.

-potty training.

-How quickly the kids are growing.