Vertically Challenged

What Short Women Wish the Rest of the World Knew

1. Not all women who wear 'petites' are over the age of 70.  We actually like cute, inexpensive things.

2. We are not afraid to climb on the shelves of the grocery.

3. Big purses look ridiculous on us.

4. Yes, we covet long legs.

5. We prefer a table over a booth in a restaurant.  Why, you ask?  Horizontally moving food directly from the plate to my mouth is not fun.

6. We propose a new vehicle law: both front seats must have a vertical adjustment button.

7. Our tall friends should not feel bad about looking down on us... we are used to it.

8. Gaining 10 lbs is equivalent to the average woman gaining 20.  It has fewer places to settle.

9. Kitchen counters are a little too tall.  Using a knife that close to my sternum is very dangerous.

10.  I know, we always get the tall guys.  Know why?  We have to ensure our offspring do not face these same challenges.

Joy in the Dairy Aisle

I love the little pumpkin pictured below.  

Finding joy in the big moments of life is easy.

Finding joy in the difficult times is hard, but good for us.

Finding joy in the daily grind is sometimes forgotten.

But not lately...

There was much JOY in the dairy aisle when my long lost friend reappeared for the season:
Welcome back, oh beautiful velvety, spicy thang.  You have been missed.  You make mornings so flavorful and soothing.  You are the best thing that has hit the dairy case since this guy was around for the holidays:
Mmm... talk about doing a dance in Walmart.  When I saw that the Gingerbread Man was back in town, I nearly wet my pants! What a delicious time of year.  
 Joy in the everyday is a lot more fun with one of these in your hand!

Excuse me while I go indulge in the flavors of the season.

May the Force be With You

Over the weekend we celebrated our baby's 5th birthday.  I had a hard time with this one.  My baby is no longer a toddler.  5 seems so big!  My momma heartstrings were having trouble letting go a little.  Lots to look forward to, many memories to cherish.

Enough sentimental (can't take it, or the tears will start).

I've talked about my Manly Man before.  His blog name is description enough.  He is all about the outdoors, hunting etc...

But did you know that he could do this:

I had my doubts.  I didn't know such talent lurked beneath.  I also had a little control issue when it came to planning the birthday party/cake thing. But then I came home to this and had to eat my words:

Guess who never has to make another birthday cake again?  Me!  

He has a new job in our family.  Watch out, Ace of Cakes, my Manly Man may give you a run for the money!

Having two older girls, I did not realize the ease of throwing a boy birthday party.

They don't need crafts or cooking or crowns.  

Boys just want to play!

While we did have a few games, a hayride and a scavenger hunt, the rest of the party was all about the lightsabers.
Yes, that is Anekin Skywalker (aka. birthday boy) in the white oufit.

See how easy it is?  I even had time to enjoy the balloon game with the kids.

Happy Birthday, little man.  You are such a little spark of fun and a bundle of snuggles.

Sunday Rest

The fruit of righteousness will be peace...

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,

in secure homes 

in undisturbed places of rest.

Psalm 32;17-18

I've Been Tagged

Sandy Toes over at A Shell in Your Pocket

has tagged me.

So in the spirit of the game, I give you an average day:

Oh, wait.  I don't have those!

Here is what 3 out of 7 of my days look like:

5:20 Hit snooze button

5:25 Slap the alarm and get up

5:45-6:45 Meet my walkin' buddies and hash out the world's problems before the sun even rises

6:50 Arrive home to be greeted by the only two morning people in our house:  my middle child and that cute furry guy pictured above

7:00-7:55 Shower, make breakfast, get fashion advice from one daughter, give fashion advice to the other, dress my little man, kiss my manly man goodbye, feed the dog,  referee an argument or two, read the Word, make coffee

8:00 pick up carpool, eat my breakfast in the car, sip coffee

8:30 drop older children off at school

8:45-12:45 teach 14 adorable 5 year olds

12:50-1:15 run (quickly) to the library, grocery etc...

1:30 pick up older children (I know, it's a charter school that offers a shortened day ... love gettin' my babies back so early in the day)

2:00 drop off at riding lessons

2:15-3:15 mommy down-time: snack, rest, blog, email, read

kids start on homework

3:15-4:45 help with homework, play with kids outside, start dinner, clean, laundry

5:00-7:30 Family Time:  dinner, game, baths, cartoons (my hubby loves them), reading, laundry

7:45 get the kids ready for bed, more laundry, make lunches, lay out clothes for tomorrow

8:00-8:30 read with the older two, snuggle

8:30-10pm time with my Manly Man

10pm struggle to stay awake for the news, fall asleep trying

Since we are playing tag, 

Kellie

Jen

Tracey

Lacy

tag, you're it!

I want to know what your day looks like.

Smiles!!!

Hutch Transformation

We have had this little hutch for many years.

It was a hand-me-down from my husband's grandparents when they were downsizing.

We've used it in just about every room of the house, but it has found its home in our green room.  It is tucked behind the french doors, so it sort of became the dumping ground for various what-nots.  See the shadow on top?  That is my teddy bear from my childhood.

He feels very safe up there, away from the dog's reach.

While it has good bones, it needed a little something.  The paint was still great (just needed to peel that soccer sticker off the right front).  So I spent $2 in paper and ...
Now she is a beauty.  No more dumping!  

I love using stuff from around the house to freshen things up.
The only money I spent for this whole project was the paper and a new ivy plant.

Under $5.  Love it.

Trusting His Will

We have a certain little someone at our house that is going through a phase.

When we tell him to clean up his room, he usually melts into a little puddle-of-a-boy and wails, "I caa-nn-'t do it."  He is so overwhelmed by the task at hand, he just shuts down.

He doesn't seem to grasp that the two people who love him the most in the world are not asking the impossible.  We are asking the attainable.  

We know what he is capable of and we want to stretch and grow him.

He sees a huge mess.  We see 10 light sabers and swords lying on the floor.

He sees it as a punishment.  We see it as a lesson in responsibility.

He wants the benefit and the blessing of having his own room without necessarily wanting the accountability.

My, my, my doesn't that sound familiar?

So often I hear the Lord calling me to a task, and I melt into a little puddle of self doubt and pity.  

He sees the whole picture.  I see the here and now.

He sees the long term blessing.  I see the momentary inconvenience.

I wail that I can't do it, that I'm scared of defeat.

He gently reminds me that His ways are higher than my ways.

He is not requiring the impossible.  He is providing the attainable.

Do I seek the benefits and blessings without being willing to trust His will?

What is the Lord calling you to do today?

Do you trust Him enough to obey?