Vanity

If you happen to review my older (ancient) posts you may think "Wow-that was deep." Well, I can do shallow too...

Are you ever out in public and it seems like everyone keeps looking at you? Well, that happens to me ALL the time. Like every time I go out. And normally my mind is thinking "What's so wrong with me that everyone has to look!" Like I really have an insecurity issue.

I see lots of mothers and I think, "How does she have kids and manage to look like that?!" With her perfect hair, cute clothes, ginormous wedding ring and all that skinny-ness...

Seriously, just go to Chick-fil-A at lunch time. Or the pottery studio.

So I've been fighting this internal battle about who says I have to look what way when I go out in public.

I want to look cute; it makes me feel better. But first I have to feed my kids, get our stuff ready to go, get them dressed and make sure THEY are cute and then it's my turn. I hate getting ready. And it takes forever when I am interrupted so many times during the process. And it does take a process to transform me into the vision most of you (Rebecca) see.

So by the time the children are beautified, I am tired and too impatient to get out the door to deal with myself.

But today I had an epiphany! All of the sudden I realized why everyone is staring at me...I'M HOT STUFF!

pause for laughter...please laugh

Seriously, I am going to tell myself that from now on instead of worrying about all the negative things they could be thinking. I hope it works.

Bath, Bed & Beyond!

Yes, I am aware that my words are not in order. But my pictures will go with the title:) Ella got to play outside twice today so she was pretty dirty. She LOVES taking a bath but she freaks out when I rinse her hair. She stands up and wants out of the tub. Her shampoo doesn't bother her eyes but I think having water poured over her head scares her. But all is well once I get her out and wrap her all snug in her towel.


She got a tooth brush for Easter and she is addicted to it. While I am glad she thoroughly enjoys brushing (actually chewing) I have to be very careful about when I allow her to have it. I can just let her do it anytime because she won't let it go and I can't let her walk around with it because that is dangerous and would make me a bad mommy. So I let her have it while I get her ready for bed because her bottle is on it's way and she'll go to sleep and forget the toothbrush:)


She is learning what it means to go outside and that she really like it:( I am not an outdoor girl but I don't mind it at all late in the evening. Robert and I took her back outside and let her swing about 7:30. We just sat in our chairs and talked while I pushed her. I was quite nice. The funny thing about the swings is that Ella specifically wants to be in the pink swing! We probably sat there for half an hour and then it was time for a bath and bed. I love having a family and I'm so thankful for all of our blessings.

Being Still

Hey Rebecca! If you get bored you can stop reading:)

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

I have heard this verse at least 100 times in my life and it never meant a whole lot to me. It was the main topic in my devotional this morning and I read it with a whole new meaning. I usually have to wait until Ella takes a nap to read my devotional so I can really focus. And honestly, I wasn't even doing a daily devotional until several months after Ella was born. Before Ella, I was too busy and had so much activity in my life that I didn't even notice my need for daily fellowship with Jesus. I am not proud of that but I do know that God uses our circumstances to draw us to Him.

It wasn't until I was home alone with my baby all day that I felt something missing. Aside from my calling to be in Point of Grace, being a stay at home mom was my life's goal. So I was surprised when it didn't completely fulfill me. Anyway, for a while I had too much time to be still and it drove me crazy. Now I am chasing Ella and trying super hard to de-clutter and organize my house. I'm striving to have it all together but sometimes I think God may not let me ever get there. He may keep me this way so that I am always aware of my need for Him.

I hope this is making sense; I do have a point:)
Today when I read that verse I really thought about the meaning and I emphasized the words still and know. I wanted to know more about what being still meant. The footnotes in my bible said this:
"Be still (lit. "to sink" or "to relax") encourages the hearer to stop all struggle and find the peace of faith. Such peace comes only as we acknowledge God's Lordship in our lives and surrender to His will."

So I imagined sinking into my comfy chair and just relaxing and thinking about nothing other than God is God. God is sovereign and holds this entire world in His hands. Even though our society is filled with sin and horrible things are happening, God really IS IN CONTROL! We should care about what is going on and we should be burdened for the salvation of the lost people around us but at the very center of all that we don't have to worry one bit. I think God wants us to just stop sometimes and acknowledge who He is.

I guess that about sums it up. Now I am starving and want to eat my Hawaiian sandwiches!! I'm bringing some to you tonight, Becca:)

Be Thankful!

As my first ever post on a blog, I thought I would share something I have been reminded of a lot lately. I need to be (and probably most of us) more grateful for what I have. Like most people, I tend to be unhappy with my body and this, that and the other. After a great deal of crying, whining and complaining about my body I finally joined Curves in an effort to be proactive. I have been going there for about 2 months now and I have lost a few inches...and gained a new perspective!

First of all, I came to the realization that we are created in the image of God and He designed every detail of who we are. I bet it breaks God's heart when we gripe and complain about the way he made us. I don't want to do that to Him! Second, I am reminded every time I go work out that it could be so much worse. There are so many other people who have a lot further to go than I do. At least I'm starting to take care of myself now, when I don't have as far to go!

Lately it seems like so many people are suffering from serious illnesses or tragic situations. Thanks be to God, I am not. No one in my family is. When I stop and think about this it makes me realize how petty so many of my complaints are.

So to the one person who may read this (my husband), I hope this makes you think about what you have to be grateful for!!