I just found mine! Well, like a year ago.. but still. Do you have one? I do. It's within a mile from where we live now and every time I take Brenna on a walk, I purposefully go a certain path in hopes of there being a house for sale. Even ONE! (There has never been a house for sale there in at least two years that I've noticed.) I would take any house in this type of neighborhood.
When you walk through it, not one house is the same. Yet they're all a type of brick house. They are ramblers mainly with a big extended garage somewhere. People care about their yards. Quiet and private. Great location, great city. But it's simple, too. Simple yet beautiful!
Let me explain why I care so much. Since I was born, I have lived in fifteen different houses. I want a home for Brenna. One that she can go back and visit one day as she moves out.
I'm writing this today, hoping that for some miracle we're able to find a house there or near it, in our price range. I pointed some out again tonight as Joe and I drove past. He gave me this look again, like, "woman, you're killing me!" I think it's doable. One day! :)
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Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Still a Princess
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." --Proverbs 31:30
After reading a chapter in a book called Bringing Up Girls while in the tub tonight, I was overwhelmed as a mom! I was about to cry tears. (For me, that's pretty emotional!) :)
The Obsession with Beauty. We've all done it. Wanted to be her. Dressed up as one. Read about them. Sang like them. Princesses. It was actually refreshing to read about Dr. James Dobson's reasonings on why it's okay that our daughter's are into the princess fantasy. Yes, girls want to feel as beautiful (and they ARE!), they can sing, beautiful clothes, handsome suitor, rags to riches and a happily ever after...
This is what struck me. They also model virtue. "In a subtle way, the Disney stories present a wholesome image of virginity until marriage and then lifelong love thereafter. They also promote femininity, kindness, courtesy, the work ethic, service to others..." (Dobson). The thing is, our world is so full of SEXUALLY demoralizing messages and pictures and attitudes that this one avenue for kids, especially girls, is worth enjoying with them! Play. Laugh. Reinact. Plant seeds.
Our girls need us as moms to help them develop a positive self image. It's a huge problem and most of us have been there. Their only hope is for us to change this impeding epidemic.
Looking back to my younger years, I wish I knew how valuable I was. I wish I was told what worth I had and how I could respect myself. I wish I knew how to accept myself and how to say no and mean it when someone wasn't respecting me. Because I deserved that. I was worth that.
Oh, Lord, help us. Help us as moms and husbands to raise this next generation of girls to see themselves through Your eyes. That beauty is not what's to be valued. But that our girls are princesses for life and so are we.
After reading a chapter in a book called Bringing Up Girls while in the tub tonight, I was overwhelmed as a mom! I was about to cry tears. (For me, that's pretty emotional!) :)
The Obsession with Beauty. We've all done it. Wanted to be her. Dressed up as one. Read about them. Sang like them. Princesses. It was actually refreshing to read about Dr. James Dobson's reasonings on why it's okay that our daughter's are into the princess fantasy. Yes, girls want to feel as beautiful (and they ARE!), they can sing, beautiful clothes, handsome suitor, rags to riches and a happily ever after...
This is what struck me. They also model virtue. "In a subtle way, the Disney stories present a wholesome image of virginity until marriage and then lifelong love thereafter. They also promote femininity, kindness, courtesy, the work ethic, service to others..." (Dobson). The thing is, our world is so full of SEXUALLY demoralizing messages and pictures and attitudes that this one avenue for kids, especially girls, is worth enjoying with them! Play. Laugh. Reinact. Plant seeds.
Our girls need us as moms to help them develop a positive self image. It's a huge problem and most of us have been there. Their only hope is for us to change this impeding epidemic.
Looking back to my younger years, I wish I knew how valuable I was. I wish I was told what worth I had and how I could respect myself. I wish I knew how to accept myself and how to say no and mean it when someone wasn't respecting me. Because I deserved that. I was worth that.
Oh, Lord, help us. Help us as moms and husbands to raise this next generation of girls to see themselves through Your eyes. That beauty is not what's to be valued. But that our girls are princesses for life and so are we.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Toddlerhood
What a great phase! Communication galore. Kisses and more.
I still have yet to look back and "miss" those baby days. I am geared more for the challenges of toddlers, preschoolers, etc. Not to say I know much of anything, I just feel like I can use my skills more effectively. 18 months came so fast!
Isn't it so wonderful how funny kids are??! How smart?? How spongey? I just find my head racing as I lie in bed at night about how the things we do each day at home will impact her life so incredibly... boundaries, independent play time, reading, singing, dancing, playing, expectations and lots of hugs and kisses!
There isn't a word Brenna can't say now. Once she hit 18 months it's like she became a parrot. A great imitator. It doesn't always sound right, but that's the beauty of it. Some favorite news words or phrases:
-love you mommy (la-loo mommy)
-outside
-meche (medicine)
-where it go?
-Mommy... shoe-sies/sockies
-Minnie Mouse
-Jesus
-amen
-Harley, Buddy (Bu-ee), Scooter (Cooer)
Favorite new foods:
-red pepper sticks
-blueberries
-cherry tomatoes
-cheese
-cucumber
-grapes
Sleep: is great! Bed at 7:30... up around 8ish. 1-2 hour nap. Still a stomach sleeper.
Interesting things...
-She is now asking me to go on 'walks' daily and heads to the door. She is crushed when I don't take her out! I feel bad but she's been sick and the weather isn't always pleasant.
-She now cares about TV. Sigh. I have to limit her time to 1-2 shows daily, although some days I purposefully keep it off.
-She can put coins into her piggy bank
-She likes to sit on the toilet (closed), wipe and flush.
-She is an observer with friends. She doesn't say "mine!" or take toys away. She watches the kids play with her toys. She even lets them take them away from her often without protest. SUCH A SURPRISE!
-She likes to call people on the phone
-Rubs her hands together and smiles, which means wash hands or lotion please!
-Knocks on doors now and says "naw-naw"
-When she hears someone knock, she yells "COME IN!"
-Says "ch-ch" and pats her chest- this means, perfume please!
-Loves getting chapstick on, as she tries to lick it
-She is starting to understand "hide-and-seek"
-She enjoys imitating the "Itsy Bitsy Spider"
-She tries to help with chores, such as sweeping, vacuuming, cooking and feeding the pet
-Prefers certain groups of friends
-Really into pets. She loves to look for the dogs through windows.
I still have yet to look back and "miss" those baby days. I am geared more for the challenges of toddlers, preschoolers, etc. Not to say I know much of anything, I just feel like I can use my skills more effectively. 18 months came so fast!
Isn't it so wonderful how funny kids are??! How smart?? How spongey? I just find my head racing as I lie in bed at night about how the things we do each day at home will impact her life so incredibly... boundaries, independent play time, reading, singing, dancing, playing, expectations and lots of hugs and kisses!
There isn't a word Brenna can't say now. Once she hit 18 months it's like she became a parrot. A great imitator. It doesn't always sound right, but that's the beauty of it. Some favorite news words or phrases:
-love you mommy (la-loo mommy)
-outside
-meche (medicine)
-where it go?
-Mommy... shoe-sies/sockies
-Minnie Mouse
-Jesus
-amen
-Harley, Buddy (Bu-ee), Scooter (Cooer)
Favorite new foods:
-red pepper sticks
-blueberries
-cherry tomatoes
-cheese
-cucumber
-grapes
Sleep: is great! Bed at 7:30... up around 8ish. 1-2 hour nap. Still a stomach sleeper.
Interesting things...
-She is now asking me to go on 'walks' daily and heads to the door. She is crushed when I don't take her out! I feel bad but she's been sick and the weather isn't always pleasant.
-She now cares about TV. Sigh. I have to limit her time to 1-2 shows daily, although some days I purposefully keep it off.
-She can put coins into her piggy bank
-She likes to sit on the toilet (closed), wipe and flush.
-She is an observer with friends. She doesn't say "mine!" or take toys away. She watches the kids play with her toys. She even lets them take them away from her often without protest. SUCH A SURPRISE!
-She likes to call people on the phone
-Rubs her hands together and smiles, which means wash hands or lotion please!
-Knocks on doors now and says "naw-naw"
-When she hears someone knock, she yells "COME IN!"
-Says "ch-ch" and pats her chest- this means, perfume please!
-Loves getting chapstick on, as she tries to lick it
-She is starting to understand "hide-and-seek"
-She enjoys imitating the "Itsy Bitsy Spider"
-She tries to help with chores, such as sweeping, vacuuming, cooking and feeding the pet
-Prefers certain groups of friends
-Really into pets. She loves to look for the dogs through windows.
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