I am so very thankful that this seasons wedding trends are moving back towards the classic gracious beauty of previous generations. I do adore planning weddings. Such a magical, spiritual moment when two people confess before the entire universe that they have chosen to walk together, work together and end together this fabulous journey. Having said that, may a take a moment to speak to the bride-to-be, the girlfriend, the daughter?
You are beautiful. You are individual. You are a whole a complete spirit created in the image of the almighty. Part of me would like to say that every young lady should have at least one over-the-top, utterly excessive dress whether that be prom, homecoming, beauty pageant or otherwise. Every young lady should feel the spine straighten with pride and glow as she dons a magnificent piece that makes the world stop and stare. Let it be a TAD BIT risqué. A little cleavage (not a lot), OR a nice SIDE slit, but don't show all God's creation to all God's creation. Get it out of your system so that on your wedding day, you can slip into your dream dress with no shaded motives. Imagine a dress that will make him say "that is MY wife, my best friend, the mother of our future children" not "I'm gonna hit that later."
And while I'm on the subject, when you do become the mother of said children, understand that your role in the world has changed. Dress your body in a way that will honor that commitment and that responsibility. I cannot tell you how many times my heart has ached to see a mother-of-the-bride show up in a skimpy INAPPROPRIATE pageant dress. It is no longer your day, MA'AM. Today is the day you present your daughter. You get to brag and say, "look at the magical beauty I have protected, guided and shaped up to this moment. She is part of me. She is my magnum opus."
We just celebrated my daughters first birthday and already I am trying reminding myself that in everything I do I must remember that I am guiding and molding a young lady. This is no small task and one that deserves much praise on the day you give her hand to her husband. But that day and that task will be celebrated by her father and I. Not because I will be in the best shape of my life (which I will be :) ) but because it is a private accomplishment. I will wear no sash, no tiara, no slinky evening gown and no pomp and circumstance. I will proudly wear an age appropriate gown fit for the queen and be touted by the inner voice, His voice, reminding me "well done."
The Little Mrs.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
mondays.
I gotta tell ya, these Mondays are really starting to kick my butt.
We had a fabulous weekend. Ari went to her first soccer game, her first Easter service, tried eggs for the first time. It was a big deal. But holy Christmas I'm spent!
We started really working with her personality this weekend also. She is definitely not shy about telling us. So we started working with her to mold that opinion into a strength not a weakness. Kevin kept saying, "she is just so obstinate" with fury I would respond, "no she is not. she is no different than any other kid that has an opinion." Yes, she tests the same thing 3 times but then she gets it and its over. Having said that, IM EXHAUSTED! So While I am encouraging all parents every where to invest in your children, teach them to use their powers for good and not evil; I'm also commiserating with all of those frazzled and frayed moms out there who are just praying for their sweet baby to return.
So, here are some pictures from this weekend. Please don't just the bags under my eyes, or the lack of official family photo. It just didn't happen.
We had a fabulous weekend. Ari went to her first soccer game, her first Easter service, tried eggs for the first time. It was a big deal. But holy Christmas I'm spent!
We started really working with her personality this weekend also. She is definitely not shy about telling us. So we started working with her to mold that opinion into a strength not a weakness. Kevin kept saying, "she is just so obstinate" with fury I would respond, "no she is not. she is no different than any other kid that has an opinion." Yes, she tests the same thing 3 times but then she gets it and its over. Having said that, IM EXHAUSTED! So While I am encouraging all parents every where to invest in your children, teach them to use their powers for good and not evil; I'm also commiserating with all of those frazzled and frayed moms out there who are just praying for their sweet baby to return.
So, here are some pictures from this weekend. Please don't just the bags under my eyes, or the lack of official family photo. It just didn't happen.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Babara Streisand is a liar!
Sorry Babs. Please know that I love you and you have always been one of my musical icons but, "people who need people" are not "the luckiest people..." People who HAVE people are the luckiest people... innnn....theeeee...wooooooorld!
So listen up you young ladies out there. You not marrieds, almost married or barely marrieds take heed. Strike out on your own. Have an adventure. Move overseas if possible. Backpack, fly, skate, run whatever. But do it. And do it before you consider having babies.
** that is not to say everyone, all marrieds should have babies. that is certainly not the case and I absolutely respect anyone who says parenthood is not for them. There is wisdom in that decision.
But, if you, like me, burned way down deep in your uterus for the tiny feet big blue eyes and of course giant hair bows... heed my words. MOVE BACK HOME!
Again, I realize not everyone has the family that I am so generously blessed with. So moving home may not be for the grandparents. Perhaps you have a tightly knit circle of friends in your current city. Great! But no matter what, find yourself somewhere with a support system.
I don't generally support a particular politician on here, far too volatile. However, I could not agree with Hillary Clinton more... it does, in fact, take a village to raise a child. You are not meant to parent alone. That doesn't mean single parents... that means alone with no family or friends to help. You will need a break. Trust me. Also, you do not know everything (gasp, I know. but bare with me) you couldn't possibly know everything. That's why for centuries mothers and grandmothers have continued living with their families. It is their right, their honor and their joy to be there for the bad days. They have walked this path, ya know the one that leads up and down the hall when squirt just will not sleep in her crib. how could you possibly recognize that rash as an allergic reaction and not the plague? These women, these pillars of poise and wisdom, monuments to the sheer tenacity of a mama bear, they are blessings. Cherish them, honor them, show them just how much you love and appreciate them. There will come a day when you will be one. When you will watch your daughter fight thru the marathon of labor then take home a swaddled squishy and trudge thru those first few months. She will look to you for guidance, for solace and finally forgiveness for the obvious anxiety, pain and unceasing love she caused in you.
In conclusion,
Ladies you are strong, confident and capable women. You can and will conquer the world. But you are not prepared for the endless task of parenting. "Peeeeeeeople who have people. are the LUCKIEST people iiiiiiiin....theeeeee....wooooooooorld!"
So listen up you young ladies out there. You not marrieds, almost married or barely marrieds take heed. Strike out on your own. Have an adventure. Move overseas if possible. Backpack, fly, skate, run whatever. But do it. And do it before you consider having babies.
** that is not to say everyone, all marrieds should have babies. that is certainly not the case and I absolutely respect anyone who says parenthood is not for them. There is wisdom in that decision.
But, if you, like me, burned way down deep in your uterus for the tiny feet big blue eyes and of course giant hair bows... heed my words. MOVE BACK HOME!
Again, I realize not everyone has the family that I am so generously blessed with. So moving home may not be for the grandparents. Perhaps you have a tightly knit circle of friends in your current city. Great! But no matter what, find yourself somewhere with a support system.
I don't generally support a particular politician on here, far too volatile. However, I could not agree with Hillary Clinton more... it does, in fact, take a village to raise a child. You are not meant to parent alone. That doesn't mean single parents... that means alone with no family or friends to help. You will need a break. Trust me. Also, you do not know everything (gasp, I know. but bare with me) you couldn't possibly know everything. That's why for centuries mothers and grandmothers have continued living with their families. It is their right, their honor and their joy to be there for the bad days. They have walked this path, ya know the one that leads up and down the hall when squirt just will not sleep in her crib. how could you possibly recognize that rash as an allergic reaction and not the plague? These women, these pillars of poise and wisdom, monuments to the sheer tenacity of a mama bear, they are blessings. Cherish them, honor them, show them just how much you love and appreciate them. There will come a day when you will be one. When you will watch your daughter fight thru the marathon of labor then take home a swaddled squishy and trudge thru those first few months. She will look to you for guidance, for solace and finally forgiveness for the obvious anxiety, pain and unceasing love she caused in you.
In conclusion,
Ladies you are strong, confident and capable women. You can and will conquer the world. But you are not prepared for the endless task of parenting. "Peeeeeeeople who have people. are the LUCKIEST people iiiiiiiin....theeeeee....wooooooooorld!"
Monday, March 31, 2014
my my my...
How things have changed. Can you believe it has been over 2 years since I last posted. I can't believe it's been longer than that since we first moved to the polar vortex. AS you can probably see things have changed in my life just a tad. but I'm not here to talk about that today. I have some random thoughts that have been bubblin up in me and I can't seem to get them out so I'm just gonna verbally puke on this post.
1. can we please stop being fake about being a mom. It's hard. it's not glamorous. Most of the time its not fun. I mean, who hasn't thrown up their hands when "peanut" decides to spew hot pink medicine (ya, you know what I'm talkin about) down your new dress 10 minutes before you have to leave for work. But do I miss her every single day when I drop her off at school DUH!
2. I am fairly certain that I had a serious bout with postpartum depression. In fact I'm fairly convinced I still battle with it. I'm not ashamed to admit it. There were (perhaps are) days when I don't want to be a mom. When I have thought about driving to target, the target in Florida. I firmly believe I can now speak to those women who are hurting, feeling helpless and "less than."
** soap box moment: you are NOT less than. You are a survivor. You do not, should not, could not have it all together. There is a reason women have stuck together for GENERATIONS, helping with babies. There is no possible way for you to know it all. Yes, it is enraging when I have struggle with my daughter for days, countless tears from both of us. Then Mimi comes up, holds her for a moment and says, "well babe, she has _______. That's why she's upset" OF COURSE! Why didn't I see that?!
3. How am I going to deal with a daughter?! I was a relatively good child until I got to college. How will I ever tell my daughter to stop dating that moron when I, myself, was "in love" at 15 and "destined" to marry him. (< not my proudest moment!)
4. I feel quite ill-prepared for life. I spent far too many years preparing for a career that apparently will never come (ok a bit dramatic, but at 30, I have no 401k, only that savings my husband and I have built over the last 3 years and no visible path... yes yes yes I hear all of the preachers in my head "trust Him when you can't see the path") at the same time I feel like a terrible mother because I want to work and have a career. Conversely I am a terrible employee because I want to be at every field trip, every show, every parade (yes, she's 10 months old and her class is having a parade). Someone please speak to this. How do you do it?
5. I have a deep desire to be THAT mom. The everything awesomely mom. But I can't. I am not a good cook, I'm too lazy to be super-exerciser mom, and I have to work so I can't be the almost a teacher cause I'm always there mom, although I certainly do know how to clean with the best of them I definitely don't want to be anal-retentive psycho clean house mom/ So what am I showing my daughter. will I unknowingly fall into the jack-of-all-trades category? bummer
6. I don't want to give my daughter my grandparents religion. Don't tell me nana. I love her and the legacy she and papa have handed down and hear me when I say I have the UTMOST respect for them. But I don't necessarily agree with all of their religious choices. So how do I give nibbles of my God when I'm still trying to figure Him out?
7. Will my body ever go back to a happy normal state? I feel like a teenager again with breakouts, almost constant PMS, irritability. Ugh. I thought I already made it thru this.
8. I still want to own a bridal shop. I so enjoyed working for Kendra. I miss her environment. God, yes I'm addressing Him, not using His name in vain, is that something that can maybe happen later? I will be faithful in my current station but I'd like to keep that hope alive.
ok I think that's enough for now. I should probably go back to work.
1. can we please stop being fake about being a mom. It's hard. it's not glamorous. Most of the time its not fun. I mean, who hasn't thrown up their hands when "peanut" decides to spew hot pink medicine (ya, you know what I'm talkin about) down your new dress 10 minutes before you have to leave for work. But do I miss her every single day when I drop her off at school DUH!
2. I am fairly certain that I had a serious bout with postpartum depression. In fact I'm fairly convinced I still battle with it. I'm not ashamed to admit it. There were (perhaps are) days when I don't want to be a mom. When I have thought about driving to target, the target in Florida. I firmly believe I can now speak to those women who are hurting, feeling helpless and "less than."
** soap box moment: you are NOT less than. You are a survivor. You do not, should not, could not have it all together. There is a reason women have stuck together for GENERATIONS, helping with babies. There is no possible way for you to know it all. Yes, it is enraging when I have struggle with my daughter for days, countless tears from both of us. Then Mimi comes up, holds her for a moment and says, "well babe, she has _______. That's why she's upset" OF COURSE! Why didn't I see that?!
3. How am I going to deal with a daughter?! I was a relatively good child until I got to college. How will I ever tell my daughter to stop dating that moron when I, myself, was "in love" at 15 and "destined" to marry him. (< not my proudest moment!)
4. I feel quite ill-prepared for life. I spent far too many years preparing for a career that apparently will never come (ok a bit dramatic, but at 30, I have no 401k, only that savings my husband and I have built over the last 3 years and no visible path... yes yes yes I hear all of the preachers in my head "trust Him when you can't see the path") at the same time I feel like a terrible mother because I want to work and have a career. Conversely I am a terrible employee because I want to be at every field trip, every show, every parade (yes, she's 10 months old and her class is having a parade). Someone please speak to this. How do you do it?
5. I have a deep desire to be THAT mom. The everything awesomely mom. But I can't. I am not a good cook, I'm too lazy to be super-exerciser mom, and I have to work so I can't be the almost a teacher cause I'm always there mom, although I certainly do know how to clean with the best of them I definitely don't want to be anal-retentive psycho clean house mom/ So what am I showing my daughter. will I unknowingly fall into the jack-of-all-trades category? bummer
6. I don't want to give my daughter my grandparents religion. Don't tell me nana. I love her and the legacy she and papa have handed down and hear me when I say I have the UTMOST respect for them. But I don't necessarily agree with all of their religious choices. So how do I give nibbles of my God when I'm still trying to figure Him out?
7. Will my body ever go back to a happy normal state? I feel like a teenager again with breakouts, almost constant PMS, irritability. Ugh. I thought I already made it thru this.
8. I still want to own a bridal shop. I so enjoyed working for Kendra. I miss her environment. God, yes I'm addressing Him, not using His name in vain, is that something that can maybe happen later? I will be faithful in my current station but I'd like to keep that hope alive.
ok I think that's enough for now. I should probably go back to work.
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