Spring Break 2010

The Zfam stayed home this Spring Break because we had hoped to be moving into our new home, but a cracked counter top delayed those plans. I tried to strike the right balance between relaxed hanging out at home and fun activities so that Abigail could return to school on Monday and not feel like the week was a total bust. Monday we met friends at Jump N Jive and the girls jumped and jived themselves silly. Tuesday, we stayed home and the girls stayed in their pajamas ALL DAY LONG. That's fun too sometimes. Wednesday, we went to the regualar Wednesday play date that Rebecca and I have been attending with other moms and kids from our church for the past few months. Rebecca usually spends most of the time sitting in my lap watching the other kids play, but I guess having her big sister there gave her just the confidence she needed to join in the fun. On Thursday, we made a trip to the library for books and videos. I was wondering what on earth I could come up with to do on Friday that would end the week with a bang, when I got a text from a sweet friend inviting us to come over to swim. PERFECT! We all had a lot of fun swimming in an indoor pool while it was cold and gray outside.

Between all the various activities, I tried to get as much done in preparation for our move as I could, but I'm afraid it wasn't nearly enough. Chris is taking next week off so hopefully together we get a whole lot done. And maybe, just maybe my next post will be done from our new address.

Lamentations of a Brunette

Matthew 10:29-31

²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a penny^a]">[a]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. ³⁰And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

The Bible tells me that God knows the number of hairs on my head so I often wonder what He thinks when I stand in front of the mirror plucking out all the grays. I don't really have many all over my head, but having dark hair makes the ones I do have stick out like a sore thumb. The gray is mainly concentrated in one patch above my right eyebrow and at my temples. You know, the places that make a man look distinguished, but just make a woman look old. I don't feel old and I'm not ready to look old. I know the simple solution is to start coloring my hair, but that takes time and money. Both of which always seem to be in short supply. I haven't found the hidden blessing in this situation. I know I should be grateful that I have hair, but if I keep plucking out the grays I might risk that as well.

Love Languages

In a previous post I wrote that I would be taking the challenge to start looking for the blessings in difficult situations. Most moms would agree that 8 months of potty training without achieving the goal would qualify as a difficult situation. At the end of January, I was at my wits end. I felt as if we were getting nowhere. My husband felt it was time to make an appointment with an urologist to rule out any health problems that could be hindering progress. I have heard horror stories about the kind of tests that might be required and I really felt it wasn't (isn't) medical. I asked Chris for one more month and we agreed that if things had not improved at the end of the month, we would make a doctor's appointment. Chris went online and found an article about how potty training can become a power struggle between parents and child. We agreed to employ the strategy suggested by the doctor who wrote the article. I also remembered a book I had heard good things about called The Five Love Languages of Children. I wanted to make sure there wasn't something I was missing in showing love to my daughter. This book is the blessing! I learned so much about how to show my daughters the unconditional love they need to thrive. I highly recommend it to all that have a child in their life whom they love.

The month has passed and we still have accidents, but much progress has been made. But the most progress has been made in the ways I show my love for the two precious girls that God so generously blessed me with.

Psalm 127:3

³ Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.