You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2009.
Reese isn’t really into princesses – not because of anything I’ve done to prevent it, but she hasn’t been bitten by the frilly bug yet. She is, however, in love with this song:
She sings it to her stuffed animals when she thinks I’m not looking, making them waltz in pairs. Today, a stuffed puppy and a plastic T-Rex are the subjects. Reese loves the Sleeping Beauty story. She thinks her daddy is Prince Charming. She says I am the fairies three – apparently because I do the cooking, cleaning, have birthday parties, and get stuff done. Darn right, Reese. Now, where did I put that magic wand?
Here’s what I’ve been up to lately. Thanks to Sublime Stitching, I’ve become obsessed. Addicted. It’s the only crafty thing I wanna do right now. Just look at all this fun stuff people are making! I made these flour sack tea-towels for Christmas gifts. Two were for my mom, for whom I’m re-creating some of her vintage tea-towels: she received quite a few as wedding gifts thirty years ago, so I’m replacing some of the worn-out ones. Two more were for my sister, the “great and wonderful aunt Evie”, and one (the tattoo-inspired design) was for my brother, Cory, and his new wife, Hannah, to celebrate their wedding. I made all the designs on my computer and transferred them to the towels. Good thing this is a cheap hobby. I’ve got the itch to embellish everything with a little embroidery…just try to stop me!
I also have come up with a name for my little crafty ‘business’: Watched Pot. That’s the little logo you see there, too. Who knows, if I can crank out enough arts & crafts, I just may open an Etsy store. Don’t hold your breath, though. The watched pot never boils.
I just heard this letter from the Bush twins to the Obama girls on the news tonight, and got all choked up. So did Michael. So here, for your viewing pleasure, is the letter of advice written and read by Jenna and Barbara Bush to Sasha and Malia Obama. Dad, get your hanky.
I normally don’t make new year’s resolutions. However, since a word or theme to focus on this year hasn’t come to mind yet, I do have a few things I’ve resolved to do that I’ll publish here. Michael and I have talked over the past few months about how this is the year to set things straight. We’ve been a little helter-skelter in our personal lives, and now is the time to bring order. So, in the interest of having more peace, less chaos, more energy and more of myself to give away, here’s what I am planning for myself:
1. Read the Bible every day. A lofty goal, as I always fall short, but I figure as long as I’m reading it more days than I’m not, that’s an improvement from last year. I don’t know why this is such a struggle. My days are better when I do. I need to draw closer to my Redeemer. My generation doesn’t know Scripture like those past, and I don’t like that, not at all.
2. Establish fitness in my daily routine. I need to lose a few anyway, and we want to model a more active lifestyle for our kids, so it’s time to detox the temple & square up the walls. My goal is to work out four times a week.
3. Live a little more routine-ly. I hate schedules, but this hasn’t served me well. And while I don’t want to be hard-bound to one, I plan to go to bed earlier, get up before the kids (#1 & #2 ideally happening then), set aside time twice a week to create, and to get out of the house more. Cabin fever is killing me softly.
4. Get away from the screen. If I’m going to make time for these other things, then the technology’s gotta get powered down. No, I’m not swearing off “24″, Facebook, my blog or e-mail, but checking into the computer less and spending my evenings reading, socializing, or with Michael instead of watching TV can’t hurt me. I want to be outdoors more. I want to be in the world, not watching it happen on a screen. I need to cultivate more real and less virtual relationships. A wise pastor once said, “You are the books you read and the friends you have.” I think that’s true.
I hope these resolutions serve to make space for the things that need it in my life: including God, community and service. I think they will allow me a little more life between the lines, to live each day from a spirit that’s alive. To becoming a better wife, mother, and me in 2009. Cheers.
Liam turned one year old on Sunday. Our little man. As he turns one, we’re praying that he will grow in truth, strength, love, understanding of his sonship and will become one who leads as he follows his Lord. He is a strong-minded, curious, tough, joyful little boy. I feel every day that parenting is becoming more daunting, and even more sure that I need His daily help to do well. Thank goodness for grace.
We have this verse framed in his room, and when I see it, I hope that Liam will grow to be like a well-aimed arrow – flying straight and true, on target, powerful, determined, discerning, and sure:
“Sons are a heritage from the Lord; like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.” - Psalm 127:3-4
