~Complete Rambling~

I think if I ever had to write on a schedule, I'd be destined for failure.
Deadlines and I don't like each other.
Deadlines + Me = Unwanted Pressure.
Like people who write books. Authors ALWAYS write more than one.
I think I'd be so excited to have written ONE, that I'd never do it again.
Maybe not, but I do know for certain that I have very limited creativity.
I'm just creative enough to find myself extremely frustrating.

That being said, one of my dream jobs would be to write for a living.
At this juncture in life, It's not necessary for me to have a paying job, and for this luxury I am very thankful.
I have awe inspiring friends, who work a job, dream or not, AND run a household. They amaze me.

Moving on.

One of my precious, (but not a lover of spelling) children, is in a spelling bee tomorrow.
Ironic is a word that comes to mind. I-r-o-n-i-c.
I would not call this child my best speller. At all.
However, as luck would have it, my child was the alternate, and low and behold, someone dropped out. Figures.
This fun loving, SO responsible for the cat chores, almost ALWAYS responsible for coach directed at home exercises, awesome at math child, has not once studied for this bee tomorrow.
In the last month, I have purposely not reminded, forced, or significantly encouraged this kid to study. Trying to let them fail little now in hopes they may learn and not fail big later.
....ask me in about 10 years how this worked out.
My thoughts on spelling bees and math olympics are these:
***WARNING***  If you're in love with academics, don't read this next paragraph.
I frankly, don't care whether or not my kids are in a spelling bee or math olympics.
*gasp*
If they are naturally inclined to spelling, as I was, then GREAT.
Go for it. Spell your head off.
I will be so proud.
I happen to think that hard work is to be commended but whether or not you are super bright is no different than being beautiful. You either are or you're not.
It's part of the way God designed you. We get no credit for something He did.

I think our society values people's heads more than their bodies, or hearts, or "fix-it" skills or creative ability and I'd like to know why.
Don't get me wrong, my kids are more than smart enough. We just work hard around here.


So yesterday, we had great conversation about character, working hard to represent your school well, and all that that entails. That convo was followed with unforced desperate studying.
So if "we" sit down on the first word tomorrow, then so be it. We've at least learned a little about choices, consequences, and grace.
I, for one, am praying for mercy, because there is definitely an element of luck in a spelling bee. :-) .....and because I'm not afraid to ask for just a little mercy.

Moving on.

You know what is one of the worst smells ever?
Wet peanut butter.
You know when you've made a sandwich for someone and you rinse the knife off?
I HATE that smell.

Moving on.

The other day, Jake told me he wanted to go to New York with me.
Just he and I.
He really loves me.
He also wrote a girl a note today. "I like you" it said.
...So it begins.
God help me love him and let go when the time comes.

missing my Ma today. I found a letter she wrote me while digging through my closet earlier.

in it, she gave me and "emergency" $1 bill so I would never be broke. I think I should frame it.

Such a precious gift this lady was.

Looking forward to seeing her again.

this was the last time I saw her on earth.
I cried a lot that day.

Every day is a blessing!


~stacey

~Though She Be But Little~

Go against the grain, girls.

Be strong but feminine.

Don't wear a shirt and call it a dress.

Take pride in modesty.

You are beautiful.

Kindness, gentleness, resolve, and determination are some of the things that make you beautiful.

The sky is the limit for you.

Compliment men, don't compete with them.

Never underestimate your value as a woman, young or old.

Be fierce, my girls.
In the softest, sweetest, most steadfast way, be fierce.

You are more precious than jewels.
You will open your mouth with wisdom.
The teachings of kindness will be on your tongue.
You will pursue love.

 

~stacey

~All You Sweet Young Mothers~

Today I had brief encounters with two different young mothers.

Both of these sweet Mamas  quickly took me back to those days.
I've heard it called "baby soup".
For me, it was about 2004 to 2008.

It's those fleeting years, that when you're there, seem never to end. You are completely consumed by babies, toddlers, diapers, potty training, toys, nap time, pacifiers, cribs, car seats, and special blankets that you'd better not misplace.
It's the time your closet is a revolving door of clothes. It's contents include the pre-baby cute jeans, maternity clothes, that at first, are SO much fun to buy. Then there are the 37 to 41 week maternity clothes that are too huge to even talk about. You have the post baby clothes that for a while, consist mostly of pajama pants and husband's t-shirts. There's an abbreviated selection of, "I'm dying to wear real clothes, but really want to get back in my normal clothes, so I'll just buy this and this that will enable me to go to Target in something other than sweats" clothes. And if you're lucky, you just might cycle back around to those pre-baby cute jeans.

Mama #1 was one I didn't know. I just happened to get behind her in the check out line at the grocery store. It was crowded, she had a cart full, I had a cart even more full. She had a happy four year old, and a less than thrilled two year old on her hip. My kids were not with me. I found myself staring and smiling at her, vividly remembering being in the same shoes. You just need more hands and you SO need to get the heck OUT of the store as soon as possible to get that sweet two year old some food and a nap. As I helped her unload the heavy stuff from underneath her cart to the belt, I was struck by her patience. We talked a little and she said, "He's just having a bad day. You know, it used to bother me when they cried but it really doesn't anymore. It's just the way it is." She calmly stroked his head, gave him a strawberry out of her stash she was buying, and handled that frazzled moment with such sweet grace.

Mama #2 is a sweet girl from church who just had baby boy number 3. Avery and I rang her doorbell, hands full with supper. I heard squeals and little feet stampeding to the front door. Little faces were soon pressed against the window and I heard, "YAY!!!" I don't think they had any idea who I was or what I was bringing, but those cute, energetic boys were e.x.c.i.t.e.d.!!!
Grandma was there, helping hold the fort down, mama looked beautiful, and baby #3 was tiny and precious. It was loud and cozy all at the same time. Those boys were flying around that house, screaming, and pushing trucks like there was no tomorrow.
Sweet Mama asked the boys to please go color.
I just smiled because little does she know, I'm right at home in the "baby soup" chaos.

I'm only a few years removed from this sweet, exhausting, all consuming season, but if I could hug all you young Mamas and tell you these things, I would.

1. What you do is really, really important. It's all done in secret, nobody really sees you, which is the very thing that I believe makes God extra proud.
You know the verse about if you've done it for one of the least of these, you've done it unto Me? You, my friends, are serving "the least of these". These precious, selfish, fussy, pooping babies and toddlers.
My heavenly Father sees your exhaustion, your tears, and your never ending piles of laundry and dishes. He knows and He's the only One that really matters. He's the One your serving.

2. Be okay with saying no to other things. Even good things. Don't feel guilty or like you should be doing more.......maybe you shouldn't be doing more than what you are doing. Maybe your hands are full. It's a short season. I promise. Know your limits. Your husband needs some of you too.

3. Lower your standards. Like a lot. Really a lot. Cleanish is clean enough. Happy is better than perfect.

4. Take refuge in the evenings. Put those sweet things to bed early and use your evenings to recharge. It's an important time of the day. Take a peek at those same sweet things sleeping before you go to bed. That mental snapshot really helps when tomorrow comes, and it's all go, no quit.

5. Two hours out, all alone, will do you a world of good. Know when you're about to loose it.
I remember on a few occasions, meeting Brad at the door at about 6:00 pm, keys in hand, passing off a child, and saying, "Honey, I'm sorry, but I have got to get out of here. Just a couple hours. I have to go somewhere...anywhere.....just somewhere alone."
He had the wisdom to just know and said nothing more than, "Sure. Okay. Yeah, go. Take off. I got this." I came back from Starbucks, Target, or wherever,  a new woman. Ready to go again....and so very grateful.

You are a special breed in a special season of life. 

I pray grace and strength for you. 

I pray for lots of laughter and contented joy. 

Run your race. 

Fine tune your focus on what God has for you right now. 

Don't get distracted or discontent with where you are. 

Don't look left or right. 

No one else can do your tasks at hand. 

~stacey

~birthday and a costume party~

My littlest chickadee turned four recently.

Selfishly, I tried really hard to have just a family party. Up to this point, she hasn't known the difference.
This year, though, she was determined. She had her own opinions.

I suggested "just us", she said,

"But I need ALL my friends to come to my party."

"Okay!" I said. "We can do that."

"How about we go to Chick-fil-a and have your friends meet us there?!"
( I'm thinking....I need simple. Chick-fil-a is simple....please go for chick-fil-a)

She pauses, thinks in her little four year old brain and says,

"But I need ALL my friends to come to my house for my party because I want a dolphin party."

"We can have a dolphin party at Chick-fil-a! How does that sound?"

"We can't have a dolphin party at chickalay. My friends need to come here."

Can't argue with a four year old with curls about her very first birthday party. It's just not possible.

So we had dolpin cupcakes, four sweet little friends came over, played upstairs, made little rings, and played on the trampoline.

It was easy. It was fun.

And her little day was complete.

My first and probably last costume party. SO much fun.

Finally got my chance to dress up like a 50's housewife.

Seriously wish clothes still looked like this.....

I was taken aback at my 8 and 10 year old daughter's responses.
Reese almost cried.
They were enamored. Don't know if it was the crinoline, the red lipstick, or what, but you would have thought I was the Queen of England.

The sweetest comment, other than, "Oh my goodness, mom. You are so beautiful.", was this:

"I sure hope Abby is still alive when I'm grown up so she can fix my hair and I can look like that."

Maybe we should dress up more often.....break out a little red lipstick and crinolin. ;-)

 

~stacey