If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join Em!

I've never been a big follower, not really a leader either...just like to do my own thing. So, when half my friends and family joined Weight Watchers I wasn't the least bit interested in joining. Maybe it's my rebellious nature, I just don't like to do what everyone else is doing - even it's a good thing! I wasn't about to jump onto one more diet bandwagon.

Well, after watching my friends get smaller and smaller I thought - I thought "what have I got to lose?" (I know...40 pounds). So today makes day seven of my Weight Watchers journey, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with the rest of America - Weight Watchers really IS the best way to lose weight! I can see that this is not really a diet, but a lifestyle change.

Tonight is my first weigh in since starting WW......

to be continued....

My Ballerina...

Samantha decided she wanted to take ballet lessons, so we signed her up for ballet camp at church. She is going every day for 2 weeks. I love that she is so into it, and wanting to the girly thing - but still doing it with her own personal style and twist...

To God Be The Glory

My recent blog about the loss of femininity in our culture today has led to me to reflect on my attitude toward my own role as a woman, wife, and mother. There are so many days when I don't act like the crown of God's creation that I am. And there are days that I don't appreciate who God has created me to be, or the role He has called me to play. It is evident when you look at my messy kitchen, or the stack of laundry in the hallway - I am not living up to the what God created me to be. As Brian's helper, it is my job to lighten his load - but I fear I often just add to it. I should be showing my love for Brian (and God), by making my home a peaceful sanctuary where he can rest. That's not easy to do with two children and a dog, but isn't it my job to try? This needs to be a home he longs to be in. He should be able to walk into the house after a long day at work and not have to worry about if there will be any dinner tonight, or if he has clean clothes for tomorrow.

Even if Brian wasn't the wonderful husband that he is, all of this would still be my "job" because when it comes down to it - it's all about God, not Brian or me. That's Ephesians says "submit to one another as to the Lord."

I should be running a better household just for the pure glory of God!

Ok, I'm off to put on some dish gloves and get to work! :)

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

--C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Not In Vain

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

EMILY DICKENSON

Femininity Lost

I've been involved in an ongoing discussion with a group of moms in my area concerning the website www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com. The women who contribute to this site are really articulate writers, especially considering that they advocate girls not needing an education. While on a VERY basic level, I agree with them, their views are extreme.

I don't conider myelf a feminist in the least, and I think the feminist movement has contributed to taking away something very precious - our FEMININITY! Woman is the crown of God's creation. It was the the 6th day, and everything was perfect - but God said "it is not good" without woman! Creation came to a finale with woman, and I personally think we should bask in that and enjoy what God created us to be.

Woman was created in God's image, just like man. That means that not only are the things that make us women ok, they are reflections of God himself! We are sensitive because HE is sensitive, we are jealous because He is jealous, we long for adventure and romance because God does too!!

I don't want to be a man, or anything like a man. I think it's pretty cool that the world, in all it's perfection, was incomplete without ME. Creation reached it's zenith in me! We're pretty darn special girls, why would we want to give that up?

Now, was I created to change diapers, clean and cook dinner for my entire life? NO - thank God for that because I would lose my mind if that was all there was for me! Proverbs 31 clearly explains that woman has been called to do so much more, including providing for her family financially! As a SAHM, it is my job to keep the house clean, etc - that was my choice when I decided not to work. But I also conribute to my family financially through selling on Ebay. I also enjoy studying languages, and just learning new things in general.

So, while I appreciate these ladies' conviction and agree with them on the surface- I think they are way on the extreme side of anti-feminism. This site encourages women not to get an education past high school, and that they need either a husband or parents to take care of them. What about relying on God? I know some very strong, independent, Christian, single women who live on their own and still maintain their femininity. And I can submit to and serve my husband joyfully and still be a strong, intelligent woman.

God did not call us to be weak and desolate, but strong in Christ.

If you're reading this and this topic interests you at all, I recommend reading the book Captivating by John and Staci Eldridge - it has rocked my world.

HOT HOT HOT

What is it about the Memphis heat that gets to me? I've lived in/visited places where it gets much hotter. The thing about Memphis is 1)it's so humid I feel like I'm suffocating and 2)there is NOTHING fun to do to keep cool. Yeah, we could go to the mall yet again - but then I would just buy something, and God knows I don't have the money. Yeah, we could go see a movie AGAIN - along with everyone else in town. If we had a pool, I would definately be in it right now instead of sitting under a fan guzzling diet coke.
At the same time, I am kinda thankful for a day at home with the kids. They've been really good today, too, except for when I talked on the phone for a little too long and Jack got bored. So, he decided to paint his toenails...pink...along with the rug and the couch. Yeah, I worry about that boy. The scariest part is that he did a pretty good paint job, especially for a 2 yr old. Maybe I'll get him to paint mine for me when he wakes up from his nap.
Tonight is "daddy date night" for Samantha. They're going to have dinner at the American Cafe, and then walk around the mall. She's pretty excited about it. I may let Jack decide what him and I will eat...I'm sure we'll have a McWonderful time.
Wow, this may be the most boring blog ever written. If you've stumbled upon this site, I'm sure you're thinking "good grief...get a life!" - that is if you've even made it that far. Some of you have forgetten than you were even reading anything, and are watching tv or talking to the person in the cubicle next to you.
Well, if you want to, bear (bare?) with me. I trully can be quite interesting. Just wait until I start rambling about minivans, Dragon Tales, and scrapbooking...now that will be gripping!