3 Oct 2013

31Days (Day 3): Frumpy Motherhood

by | posted in: 31days, mothering, Quotes, Women | 0

no frumpy allowed

“Frumpy is not a fashion statement…” – Jodi Bryson, MomLogic

Note: This blog does not apply in the same way to every woman. Maybe, if you are married, as what your husband likes and doesn’t like you to wear – and try to please him in that simple way. If you are running around with toddlers all day, you won’t wear dresses. I get that. Feminine is of course more than outward appearance, that is why I put the 1 Peter verse.
In more than one way has my husband had a positive impact on my life. As we come up on our two year anniversary (more on that next week), I’ve seen some changes in me because of him. One of them is: I don’t wear t-shirts anymore. Yes, ok – I’ve still got some and I’d like to pair that down’ to 8 – only to wear them to work out in when he isn’t around. He doesn’t usually say much about what I can and can’t wear. His only stipulations is that it is modest and not a t-shirt (you know the kind you get for a youth outing, camp staff, church bowling leagues, or running 5k races). He declares them to be mostly unfeminine (on me) and looking better on guys than not. The only reason I keep them around is for cleaning the house (hard scrubbing days) and working out – when he is not around. I can’t seem to pull myself or our budget to buy Lululemon workout wear (though I would love to have some).

As I near the end of my second pregnancy in as many years, I look so forward to getting out of maternity clothes and getting to wear the clothes that normally hang in my closet. Most of my maternity clothes have been given to me, which has been very gracious – but only a handful of them do I love and that included 2-3 things that I’ve actually bought. I don’t foresee some of my frumpy wear coming back into my wardrobe anytime soon (unless its the occasional hoodie just around the house).

I was talking with a friend yesterday and she asked me what some favorites are in my closet since I don’t tend to go trendy – I said classics. Like Ann Taylor A-line skirts that you can “Trend up” with a different shirt, shoes, and accessories (which I love). Or just a simple pair of jeans that you can also wear with new flats, booties, or a long cardigan and/or eternity scarf and it would be perfect for this fall. I look forward to when my feet get back to normal size so I can wear my black booties that I bought the year the Mister and I met. I look forward to being able to wear my fave jewelry set: my wedding rings.

I’m definitely not saying you have to break the bank for new clothes every season or dress to the hilt to take care of toddlers. But…

“Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4

That doesn’t mean you have to forgo style and fashion all together. Not as a woman, a wife, or a mom.

Here are some blogs I read for style:
JessLC
Lauren Elizabeth

With each of these, I take what I see, make it my own (and modest), and go from there. And we don’t have a lot of money to spend on clothes, so I love good sales. Believe me, most of your husbands would like to see their wives with their hair done, makeup on, and clothes other than moomoos and yoga pants (which are two staples for me around the house when pregnant). Bring on the non-maternity clothes!

31days

2 Oct 2013

31 Days: Quotes (Day 2)

by | posted in: 31days, Books | 1

Rest in Him

Multi-tasking, calendars (whether electronic or the old fashioned way), waiting in lines, instant gratification…all of these things point to the business in our lives. This can also apply in a sense to our spiritual lives as well. One of my pastors used to say most religions are spelled DO while Christianity (life in Christ) is spelled DONE. What do you spend your time doing in order to earn God’s approval?

Today’s quote comes from an Elyse Fitzpatrick book I’ve been reading Comforts from Romans. Such hard truth to rest in as we persevere and live with joy this Christian life.

“Will you rest in the righteousness of God bestowed on you simply because you believe, or will you determine to try harder so that you can approve of yourself and earn God’s favor?”

“Return O my soul to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
Psalm 116.7

31days

1 Oct 2013

31Days 2013: Quotes

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Comfort

Each October bloggers go on this quest to find a great topic to write about for 31 days straight. Last year I wrote about everything being new – because, well, everything was. I had a new baby and was moving into a new apt in a new state.

This year, I’m weeks away from having our second little boy and about the only thing I have energy to do while Little Buddy is napping is to read.  So, I thought I would do 31 posts on quotes that I’ve read – and what I think about them. This will keep me reading and keep me writing – and hopefully introduce you to new-to-you books/authors.

“One must have faith that no one hurt can be so painful that God is not able to comfort the hurting one.” – Gloria Furman, Glimpses of Grace, pg 131 (Crossway Books)

Hormones or not, this has been an emotional and sometimes painful season for me. Sometimes I have turned to food, sometimes I have turned to my husband or son. Others times I have turned to blog reading for comfort. Whichever of those I choose – they still let me down and don’t ultimately comfort me. Who does when all else fails?

God.

“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” – Psalm 119.50

And for those interested, I’ll also be contributing to 31 Days of Proverbs over at the OSP blog

31days

31 Oct 2012

31Days: New Service (and wrap-up) – (31)

by | posted in: 31days, marriage | 0

Want to write a quick note to the wives out there.  Do you know what you do that pleases your husband – or what would please your husband?

Here is a simple thing:

My husband likes the bed made.  Since he told me that that one act of service makes him smile for the day – I have tried to do it every day.  There are a few days when E makes it, but that is a blessing to me.  He knows that if he were gone for a week, I probably wouldn’t make the bed until the day he returned.  That is why he knows it is a sacrifice for me – to do something that doesn’t matter at all to me – and does matter to him.

Here has been my thought lately – if I know of something I could do that would totally bless my husband (and is not sin), and I fail or choose not to do it – for me that is sin.

What is something you could do today that would bless your husband?

Wrap-up:

I’ve enjoyed being creative in thinking about the daily stuff to write these 31 posts.  I’ve also had to cheat a few days and write two on one day.  But, I learned that while writing is important to me, spending time with my family is more so.

As I begin the month of November to try to write a James Bible study for women, I hope I can remember grace in the midst of the goal.

30 Oct 2012

31Days: New Tiredness (30)

by | posted in: 31days, mothering, parenting | 1

I think this whole sleep deprivation thing is setting in.  To both of us!

Sweet Buddy has been kind enough and sacrificial enough to take the morning shift – that oh dark thirty hour before anyone really should be awake.  He usually gets up with little buddy about 5 and lets me sleep until he goes to work.  So Kind!

People tell you to take naps when the baby does – but I generally can’t do that.  If I took naps everytime he did we wouldn’t: have dinner EVER unless it was take out, never have clean laundry or dishes or a bathroom, etc.  I would never get any writing done (because I like calmness to write – not a screaming 6 week old).  I wouldn’t have any time with my Buddy – and my relationship with him comes first.  We stay up watching a show or reading Scripture or just talking about our days.

Marriage is more important than naps!

And I’ll catch up on sleep – maybe I can ask that for a birthday present.

And, btw, I love watching my little boy sleep!

29 Oct 2012

31Days: New Self-Realizations (29)

by | posted in: 31days, weight loss | 0

So maybe these aren’t new, but they are on my mind this morning, and I can choose to do something about them!

1.  I’m opinionated.  Maybe its because I have a blog and think that people actually care what I think about stuff.  Maybe who knows why.  Its prideful and arrogant to think that I can offer my thoughts at random no matter who they hurt.  And the ones I love should rather know that I’m their biggest fan and that they are loved more than they need to know my preference.  Phil 2.4 – that is not love, along with 1 Cor 13.  I’d rather live like Landis Barnes (in the live like Paul sorta way, because he lives like Jesus) then share my opinions.

2.  I’m overweight.  Ok – I know I just had a baby, but that doesn’t excuse my eating habits.  And I can keep saying stuff about it and still keep eating poorly and being disappointed by the way I look and feel and the way none of my clothes fit – or I can do something about it.  Food doesn’t taste that good!

Now, my note about self-realizations – they are not self-actualizations.  Just because I am them – doesn’t mean I have to stay that way.  Phil 1.6 and my continuing gospel sanctification (Hole in our Holiness) should let me know that the Spirit is going to keep working in my life.  I’m thankful.

28 Oct 2012

31Days: New Prayer (28)

by | posted in: 31days, sin | 0

I love early mornings when little buddy is asleep and I get time just to linger in bed and think and pray.  This doesn’t happen often, probably not once since he’s been here (when I haven’t been so tired all I’ve done is slept).

My prayer and thought this morning is a quote I heard some time ago and again it came to mind:

“Unless sin is bitter, Christ will not be sweet.”

Pray that as we live out the Gospel in our marriage, parenting, church life, friendships – that we would not cherish sin because we cherish Christ more.

28 Oct 2012

31Days: New Mountains (27)

by | posted in: 31days, Arkansas | 0

Yesterday our little family took a nine hour road trip (round trip) up into the northern part of our new state through some backroads.  We had been told that one little highway was a gorgeous scenic view in the fall.

We made little stops along the way and saw the beauty of the Ozarks.  We passed through towns of Booger Hollow, Chigger Hollow, Pickles Gap, and more.  We stopped at a little store called Nellie’s Crafts and Quilts.  we left disappointed because though they indeed sold jams and jellies like their sign advertised, it wasn’t homemade like we had thought it might be.

Little buddy did great as he loves being in his carseat as long as we were moving.  We hiked the Alum Springs Natural Bridge.  We got a snack at Subway in Harrison right past the Buffalo River.  And we ate at David’s Burgers (a small chain burger place) on the way out to Hwy 7.

So, while I can’t really say it was the Blue Ridge Parkway of AR – it was God’s beautiful creation and we got to hang out all day.  And there is a little B&B that overlooks the entire valley that I hope we get to go back to some day.

26 Oct 2012

31Days: New Vocabulary (26)

by | posted in: 31days, mothering, parenting | 1

My vocabulary has definitely changed since having a baby.  I used to always talk about blogs, networking, theology, family ministry, curriculum, marriage, etc.

Now, these are my latest phrases:

“I’m giving you some Mommy slobber” – when I’m going to kiss little e

“He pooped 4 times today” – talking to E about our day

“Hey sweet boy” – when I pick him up out of the rocker sleeper

“It’s time to change you…again?”

“Sssshhhhhhhhh…” – all the time when I’m trying to get him to sleep.  I’ve even done this to my husband in my sleep!

 

25 Oct 2012

31Days: New Encouragement (day 25)

by | posted in: 31days, James | 0

I love a husband who encourages me!  Shouldn’t all husbands do that?  I got a good one!

We were driving to our date location and I just started rattling off talking a million miles a minute.

What was I talking about – another writing goal.

We studied the book of James together until August.  it was such a good time for us in the word.  So, I was telling him again of my desire to write a Bible study based on my studies.  And how I was going to do it.  NaNoWriMo is coming up in November.  That’s where you purpose (goal, intend) to write 50k words of a book – not edit or anything else, just write.  So, that is what I’m going to do.  It is only about 1300 words a day.  And yes, I do believe i may be crazy for trying to do it with a newborn, but if writing a book is one of my dreams then I gotta start somewhere.

So, what did my husband do?  He didn’t say I was crazy or ask me what was I thinking.  No.  He took my hand and said “that’s great honey.  I think it will be a blessing to those who read it.”

Thanks for your encouragement, Love.