Avenger's Cake: What's it worth to you?

I have always enjoyed searching for new and exciting recipes and ever since being a mom, finding that perfect DIY how-to for cakes that impress.

My son, my delightful firstborn, has turned eight and we are eagerly anticipating his party.  In preparation, since we are living with my in-laws, I have begun work on it quite early to ensure maximum success with minimal interruption or being in the way of a herd passing through the kitchen or random items being thrown on the counter space I find so vital during these things.

The process began when my son chose to have an Avenger's cake.  Then came the research on my part for a cake that was equally "cool," but also doable for my limited skills.  It was nearly instantaneous...Sunshine and Summer Breeze blog.  It looked really neat and all the other moms would be jealous with envy at my skills, while also being so. totally. simple.

According to Michelle, the super-blogger mom who gave a blow-by-blow on how to make this cake the first step was finding a picture to copy.  She happened across a coloring book page (how fortuitous!).  My search was not that easy.  I spent hours... days searching for a picture that would be easy enough to follow.  The black outline couldn't be too detailed because after all we're dealing with frosting, but the choices found on Google picture were everything from glossy pictures from movies and the professional renderings of comic book artists (which were beyond my skill) to crude child-like drawings which would have made me the laughingstock of all the moms (and my beloved husband).  I had to find just the right combination of elements... and I did.

Now, our super-blogger mom touted the glories of how cheap this cake was (less than $5).  And I'm sure it was for her because she used cake mix and frosting from a can (blech!).  I pride myself on homemade deliciousness... not the easy way.  Mine was still pretty cheap considering I made a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and the decoration is made from homemade buttercream frosting (less than $10).

On Monday, I made the two cakes.  Yes, two.  I used a 9x13 glass dish because my son invited around 30 people to join him at his celebration.  Chocolate cakes with added cocoa powder for richness.  Yum.  And then put them in the freezer to wait until Saturday.

Tuesday, my beloved husband helped me out by coloring the picture I had chosen (since I am not familiar enough with the characters to do it myself... it would have taken an inordinate amount of time) and he even used his computer to make the picture larger than it was... that is an important detail to note for later.

Wednesday, I was busy... so I did nothing concerning the cake.

Thursday was the day I set aside to work on the decoration portion of the cake.  I had purchased a $4 cake platter from Walmart since I didn't have one that would fit a two-layer 13x9 cake, so I used this as my "cardboard" and taped the picture onto it.  Michelle uses wax paper, but in the comments on her page, someone mentioned plastic wrap being much easier to peel off at the end; so I used plastic wrap making sure it was pulled taut from every direction and taped it securely.

I made two batches of buttercream frosting and tinted a large dollop with the gel colors I found in the baking aisle (I guess the drops are way outdated now).  It took a little while for the color to go from grey or steel to black.  One of the difficulties of living in my in-laws is that I don't have any of my kitchen tools to use, so I went with Michelle's way (the plastic bag with a tiny slit in the corner).  In theory, that method should work, but I encountered a few issues.

Even with the outstanding job my husband did of enlarging the picture, some of the lines were still too thin and detailed (like the A on Captain America's helmet and the detail lines on Iron Man's arms).  Otherwise, minus the newbie mishaps like air pockets in the bag and smearing fresh lines with my arms, it turned out fairly well.

As Michelle progresses her tutorial, she explains how to "color in" the different sections with colors. This is where it got dicey.  As I worked on coloring in the upper portions of the picture, my arm naturally got tired, so I rested it down.  But then I noticed my arm felt a little moist and sticky.  I had rubbed off part of Hulk's arm and leg!!

Another difficulty I faced was making sure I colored in all the areas for one color before moving on. The next photo you will notice one of my goofs... I forgot to fill in Captain America's face and I had to re-tint more frosting after the fact (along with two other sections you likely won't notice because they're so small).

I thought I was in the home stretch and so excited about being nearly done.  But the worst was yet to come.  I decided to do red first.  After getting over the pink stage, I got a semi-decent red (my husband says I'm being too picky; but I think it's still too muted).  I eagerly colored in the red portions of Captain American and then moved on to Iron Man.... but in my haste, I rubbed out Hulk's arm and leg... again!  Off to make more black to redo it.

But no worries. Next came blue.  It turned an ugly teal.  I tried to darken it, but it still looks too bright (maybe more picky-ness?).  As I was coloring in Hulk's pants, one of those ugly air bubbles got out of control and a blob of blue buttercream bubbled out of the bag (my son would love my use of alliteration!) and fell right onto Hulk's body.  More rubbing out and re-doing the black outline.

By the time I reached the green, I was desperate to finish.  No longer was I carefully filling the space.  I was squeezing that bag as hard as I could and minimally directing it into place and smudging it into the cracks.  By all appearances, however, it looks pretty good. One tip I got from Michelle's comments was to use a knife to smooth the back.

 It has been in the freezer for about 8 hours and I practiced peeling off a corner of the plastic and it came off cleanly.

The finished product came out very nicely... though I must say for all the comments on Michelle's blog about being able to maneuver it into place, that didn't work for me.  I nearly decapitated Capt. America since it thawed immediately upon contact with the fresh frosting on the cake.

Thanks to Michelle.  For all my griping, she really does have an ingenious method.  Maybe all my troubles are just mine because I'm simply not that good at all this crafty stuff.

Until next time... decide what your children are worth to you and aim higher than you think you are able.  The results may surprise you!

Does He Really Care about Apples?

I have struggled getting back into my writing groove since the holidays.  So much tends to keep me preoccupied with other things... like life.  Homeschooling my children, grocery shopping, budgeting and seeing how much money I can't spend.

It was a little disconcerting this morning.  I went to the store with my two helpers and I had a list of items I "had" to get for food and was under orders by my Beloved to spend no more than $50.  I thought No problem.  My list isnt' that long.  The thing is... I failed to think of how many of each item I was going to purchase.  After buying three orange juices (since my boys guzzle it down so quickly), two cereals, two canned mushrooms, a bag of chocolate chips (for those cookies we're going to make), two bags of Doritos, two packages of butter, salad dressing, two loaves of bread and some fishy crackers for the boys, I had used up all my allotted money.

I had picked out some yarn for the new afghan I wanted to make (three skeins at $2.88 each) and a booklet of some patterns since I'm still new to the world of crotcheting and need some help.  I put those back since they weren't part of my necessities.

But then, I realized Jonah was still holding onto the bag of 4 apples he had picked out.  He is on an apple craze.  My money was run out.  I promised my Beloved that I wouldn't go over $50.  I already used the $10 in cash that I got from selling an item on Craigslist just that morning on a birthday present.

I couldn't take those apples away from Jonah.  He was so excited while picking them out.  He sniffed and kissed each one before putting them in the bag.

Since I had already paid for everything by the time I found out about those apples, I can't believe I seriously thought about just "forgetting" they were there and walking out of the store with them.  I can't do that!  I'm supposed to be a Christian.  But I DO NOT want to take them away from my child.  He deserves to have his apples.

I went to the woman who oversees all the "self checkout" items and told her about my oversight on the apples.  I told her that maybe I could pay for them with the change in my wallet.  Two quarters, several dimes, and about ten pennies.  Maybe a nickel was thrown in there for good measure.  All four apples rang up as only $1.88.  Whooo!  I should be able to afford that.  Right?  After counting up my change ("Sorry, Jeremiah.  You won't be getting your allowance this week"), I had a little over one dollar.  I asked her to take out two of those smelled and kissed apples, and I had just enough to cover it.

I HATE MONEY.  All it does is show you what you're not able to afford, even when it is a good thing for  your child.  Jeremiah saw the yarn he helped me pick out discarded on the table beside the checkout counter and asked me why I wasn't getting it.  Trying to explain... Food is way more important than buying yarn.

I don't have a moral to this story.  This is my heartache right now.  Maybe I'm just being too emotional for other reasons.  I have never had to count pennies and take something out of my cart before.  This isn't about my ego or pride.  The only thing I want (and I know it is the same desire of my Beloved) is to provide for my family all the good and healthy and fun things in life.  It shouldn't be this difficult.

Reminder:  God will provide all we need.

I guess we only needed two apples today.  And we will get more of what we need tomorrow.  And the day after that.  For all the days of our life.

Until next time, remember that God loves you and is always near.

The End of 2011

When reaching the end of the year, people usually reflect on the past and look forward and create resolutions for their future.  As I look back, I remember several deaths, sicknesses, acts of God, political upheaval (RECALL WALKER), not to mention the list in my personal life.  Our world is falling apart.  No, I'm not an alarmist.  I am merely watching our world collapse from the inside out.  The structure on which our country was founded is no longer active (in a perfect world, it would be ideal... but it is no longer practical with millions of people) and our leadership is corrupt and destroying our alliance with the one country that is important... Israel.

Before I get into doomsaying, there is one thing of which I am absolutely certain: our world will not get better.  It is the end, so prepare yourself.  I guess that would be considered doomsaying; but it is true.  Our country has made some decisions that are now irreversible.  Our economy is failing and is in such a death-spiral that it is not recoverable.  The choices all of us ("we the people") are making in leadership and living are corrupting everything, from sickness to general life.  We are not going to be the richest, most prosperous "free" country in the world for much longer.


My Precious Gifts

But, to look ahead in the next year (and future years to come)... for me, I see my family.  I see two precious little boys who are growing up so fast.  They need structure and strong teaching to mold their minds and hearts to be courageous in the times to come.  I want my boys to be men who lead and stand for Truth and righteous living.  My role, as their mother, is so important because they see me everyday, all day.  They listen and watch.  I am their model for life and attitudes.  Their father is just as important, but he isn't present all day long. 

I am going to teach my sons how to respect and love their wives and lead their families to serve God.  I am going to show my sons strong work ethic and teach them how to be diligent in whatever task they have set before them.  I am going to encourage my sons to see the weaker person and find the compassion to help in whatever way they can, to not neglect the widow and the orphan.  I am going to teach my sons to stand strong for what is right, even if it is not the popular choice and they lose friends in the process.

Mothers have such an important role.  Where else will they learn everything they need to know for their own lives: school, daycare, babysitters?  I don't think so.  No one cares for your children like you do.  Take the time and effort to train your children in the way that desperately needs to be done, especially in these scary times of uncertainty and nearing the end of the age.

Until next time, hold your children tight and teach them what only you are able to teach.  Teaching them to be responsible, loving, respectful adults... and that Mom loves them the most!

Motherhood: The Greatest Job on Earth?

... or the easiest, according to my beloved husband (when he's not being his usually sensitive self)?

Can I just be honest for a second?  I know this is the "season of joy and peace" and all that other nice, cushy sentiment, but right smack dab in the middle of our celebratory week, I'm having a terrible day.  I know, how cheery of me.

It all began this morning.  The boys woke up at 6:30 to have breakfast with their Dad.  Now, before you start berating me about how that's such a wonderful time and your children all woke up at 3:00 a.m. all dewy-eyed and beautiful, that's not how my experience with motherhood began with the boys so I am still adjusting to this phenomenon. Besides, when they wake up that early, the rest of their schedule is off for the entire day and possibly even the next few days.  So, back off!

After my Beloved left for work, the boys started the cocophany of bickering and sniping back and forth, culminating with Jonah's peircing screams.  Of course, they were at the Christmas tree "touching" ornaments and discussing who would get to eat the candy canes.  Mama Bear came out from the den with her hair raised in terrifying proportions, growling that they better knock it off before she started knocking heads together.  So, they calmed down... in my dreams.

I decided to sit down in my recliner and supervise until I woke up.  Then the arguing and snatching started with their lego rocket/submarine/spaceships (yes, they are convertible transformer-type air/watercraft, which makes them especially coveted).  "Jeremiah, leave your brother's legos alone.  He can make it however he wants."  "But Mama, he's not doing it right.  Here.  I'll just show you."  **piercing screams**  "JEREMIAH!  LEAVE HIM ALONE!! It's NOT YOURS."  *Huff*

Okay, that minor catastrophe averted... for now.  Okay, boys.  I need to read my Bible.  Now, that's gotta impress them.  Mama is going to spend time with God and everything shall be as it is meant to be.

Ahhhhhh....

Hmmmm....

"Mama, Jooosh peeese"

Maybe if I don't answer him, he'll go away.  Oh crap, here's the other one.

"Yeah, Mama.  Can I have some juice, too, please?"

"Okay, fine.  Let's get some juice.  Once I sit back down, though, you're on your own.  Play nicely.  I get to read my Bible and spend time with God.  In peace.  Alone.  Got it?"

Okay, that's done.  Now, where was I?

"Mama, look!  Watch me!"

Ignore.

"Mama, did you see what I built?"

"Jeremiah... this is MY time with God.  Please just play."  "Jonah, stop touching the tree." "Get out of my room."  "Sit down! You just threw a block at your brother."  "Stop pinching him, he's on time-out."  "Just be quiet!!!  I'M TRYING TO READ MY FREAKING BIBLE!!!" (Yes, that last one was a word-for-word quote from mother dearest).

Now, if that just doesn't warm God's heart to hear me screaming at my children because I'm trying to read my Bible, I don't know what will.  What better example to show to my children than a mother who is cranky and irritable and screams because she's going to "spend time with God."

Might as well just throw in the Mommy-towel right now.

It didn't get much better from there, either.  My son lied to me... again.  What am I supposed to do?  Spank him?  Again?  I'm tired.  I'm a failure.  I don't know how to reach him.  They just are not getting along and are not listening to me (as though, that's something new).  I did what any other sane mother would do in that situation.  I cried.  I talked to my child and cried.

So, he cried.

I think he just felt bad that Mama was crying.  Does a 4-year-old really understand the seriousness of lying and how trust is now broken?  Maybe.  But, he has a sinful, rebellious heart that has not, yet, been touched by the Holy Spirit.  Oh, how I pray it does.  Soon.

Rather than fight the natural forces of sinful children, I did the only thing I could think of.

We watched tv.  All morning.  So there.



----  Almost lunchtime  ----

We're still watching tv.  The boys have been quiet.  Once incident when I went out to get the mail where Jonah was tempted by a talking snake and stole the candy cane off the tree and offered some to his brother.

When talking with a two-year-old about sin, be very careful how you phrase things.  I told Jonah that he stole my candy, that before he takes some, he has to ask.  So, he very sweetly (and stickily) asked me "Mama, tandy peeese??"

Jeremy called me about buying some eggs from a local farmer and told me that I'm not really a failure.  Can't tell you how much that lifted my spirits.

Now, I have to go.  Jonah has bonked his head for the 5th time this morning.  More crying.

My day of tears has only begun.

Imagination: Friend or Foe?

"Child-development experts are recognizing the importance of imagination and the role it plays in understanding reality. Imagination is necessary for learning about people and events we don't directly experience, such as history or events on the other side of the world. For young kids, it allows them to ponder the future, such as what they want to do when they grow up" (Wall Street Journal, 12/2009, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204844504577100713531520358.html?mod=business_newsreel).

The article also states that children who are more creative and imaginative are able to solve problems with their imagination and have a greater social understanding and taking the perspective of others.

Yesterday, when talking to my oldest (who is 4 years old) about planets in our solar system and looking them up in the encyclopedia, he began relating to me the history of Star Blazers and how the planet Gamilon, a world beyond Earth's Solar System, declared war on all of Earth. The nations of Earth fought against the Gamilons, but one by one, Earth's fleets were defeated. When the nations of Earth refused to surrender, Gamilon began bombarding Earth with Planet Bombs.

I had to stop him because I realized he thought all that was true.  When I informed him that Star Blazers was a pretend story, he was stunned.  "Really?  Oh..... really??"  Thanks to his Daddy, he began watching Star Blazers at Nana and Poppy's house during our Thanksgiving trip.

My children have no lack of imagination, especially my oldest.  He is teaching my youngest how to have one as well.  They are constantly playing superheroes and, just this morning, were singing "Row Row Row Your Boat" while swaying together in a diaper box (which has also doubled for a fort).

Regardless of what "the scientists" say and their reasons for encouraging this development, I am pleased when my children show creativity.  It does cause raised eyebrows from some and a couple of socially interactive issues when my oldest goes to school, but in the end, I am certain he will be the one to come out on top with his being well-adjusted and pursuing whatever avenues in life he wishes.

Until next time, appreciate and encourage your children to be who they are.

The Season has Arrived

My intentions are pure and yet I am unable to keep up.  Life is so busy when entering the winter gauntlet of parties and dinners and hosting and presents.  We have already been to two parties and I have been shopping for our many nights of Hanukkah, plus Christmas (no, we don't do Kwanza) and keeping the boys from wrecking our tree.  I already caught them hiding out opening presents without permission.  Boy, did they get it. 

"If I catch you doing that again, I will return everything you opened!"

And they know I will.

My hope during this season is to not go crazy.  I have my goals and I would love to survive this time with as few scrapes as possible.  The difficulty is even in accomplishing grocery shopping, I have to brave the crowds.  I insist on 20 uninterrupted feet surrounding my person at all times.  But holiday shoppers are out and about even while I am food shopping.  Growling and hissing accompany the trip.  Everyone, usually very courteous, has grown horns and green monster-eyes and are cutting and weaving through the aisles.  Where are those police officers when you need them??

Until next time, give a smile to those harried holiday-shoppers.  They will need it.. and so will you.

A Week of Thanksgiving

Last week, we were in Pennsylvania celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with my Beloved's family.  Yes, the trip there is always a bit strenuous because when you cramp two boys (it cannot be two girls, nor a mix) with limited toys and books with blankets, coats, hats mittens and pillows in a small-sized "family" car (which is what my Beloved had in mind when he purchased this abomination of a Saturn... not that all Saturns are abominations, of course) for 16+ hours, it is bound to get interesting.

This is the first year, since having children, that I feel like I actually relaxed and had an enjoyable time... the entire time.  My lack of ease had nothing to do with my in-laws (or, at least, very little), but moreso the lack of scheduling for naps and feeding is far more dire when dealing with children under 3 years old.  Now that my monsters are older, they coped much better... and so did I.

My favorite part (or one of the favorites) is talking with my mother-in-law.  How many women do you know that would actually call their spouse's mother to talk about his imperfections?  Hmmm... that's risky behavior.  And, yet, I am blessed enough to have someone who can divorce herself from the fact that she birthed and reared this man and can give me good, solid advice and counsel when dealing with his imperfections (the very few that there are).  During our week-long vacation, we always get some time to talk about life, raising children, marriage and family issues.  She is such an encouragement to me.

This trip, my boys got to go with Nana and Poppy all by themselves on an adventure to Chocolate World at Hershey Park.  Oh, boy.  They are still reminiscing about the singing cows and how much fun it was eating chocolate and getting matching soccerballs.  Talk about spoiling the boys!

After this wonderful week away, we had to pile back into the cartrap and endure another 16+ hours back home where I listened to my son continue asking (as he had all the way there), "Why does it take so long?"  But, he said he wants to go back to Nana and Poppy's next weekend, so the trip must not have been too terrible.

I am thankful:
-for my husband's family (and they are now my family)
-for my two monsters
-that my husband has promised to love me even when I am unlovely (there was some of that on our trip)
-that my sweet puppy was well-cared for while we were gone
-for the blessings of presents and things that make us happy (I have two hand-crafted, by my m-i-l, hanging flower baskets for my front porch)
-for our safety in traveling
-that we got to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel (normally we stop at a small diner with food that sits heavy in your stomach)

Well, I think I'm finished for today.

Until next time, continue your thankful attitude through Hanukkah and Christmas and any other holidays you have that make you crazy.

Choices

That title is so vague, this could be about anything.  It was funny, though, because my son brought home a magazine from his teacher.  I guess, that in itself isn't that funny; but the fact that it is a parenting magazine made it more so.  And also the fact that his teacher is a young lady (yes, quite young), doesn't have children and isn't married made it just hilarious.  Some of the articles sound interesting, like -- just from the cover -- Toddler Agression (since my Jonah is right at that age) and The Truth About Lying (since we've been dealing with that in Jeremiah lately); but as I was flipping through the pages, some "expert advice" jumped out at me.

The picture immediately caught my eye because it is an explicit photo of a woman breastfeeding a child.  And right next to it in bolded capital letters it says "YOUR CHOICE".  Naturally, I jumped back to all the old feelings I had when I was pregnant with my first child, hearing all the advice and observing those quintissential mothers with 20 children (you know who I mean.. you know at least one) and always has one hanging on her wherever you see her.  Breast is best.  Well, duh.. of course I know that the way God made a woman would be the best way to feed her child rather than the processed foods provided by our government and large chain grocery stores.  But what a way to set a woman up.

In this article, the next thing that caught my eye is that it was written by a man.  Hahaha!  A man.  What the heck would he know.  I don't care that he's a doctor.  The last person I want assuring me that it's "okay to choose not to breastfeed my child" would be a man.  What does he know about the pecking order of women?  Does he understand the burning desire of a woman to do the "right thing" for her child?  And does he know of the feelings of ultimate failure when she can't deliver?  No, probably not.  Even if he were the most sensitive, empathetic man in the universe... he could not possibly understand what a hormonal, post-partum women feels in those situations.

This expert advice column was merely touting all the benefits breastmilk gives a newborn.  We already know all that stuff and then it has a couple of short paragraphs discussing why it might be difficult for a woman to breastfeed and her concern about not being able to bond with her child as a result.  But never fear, the man says it is still possible even "for those who choose to bottle feed".  Phew!  What a relief.

As a seasoned mother of two, I had a lot of anxiety about not producing milk and not "loving" to breastfeed.  I didn't like it.  I didn't want to do it.  Rather than being in pain with my child in my arms, I'd much rather throw the hated pump at the wall and be angry at "it" rather than my baby.  I had post-partum depression for the entire first year of my firstborn.  I was medicated for the first year of my second-born.  It can help.  But it certainly doesn't mean you're less of a woman or less of a mother for being stretched beyond yourself, being overwhelmed by everything going on in your house, not feeling able to leave without falling apart, or not producing that "life-giving milk that helps your children's immune systems and brain development".  I guess that is why my second child is a little more dense and sickly?  Sheesh.  I might as well hand in my mother card right now.

There is no wrong way.  I had to learn that after I became a mother.  You make choices.  You see the result.  If you don't like it, switch it up.  Then again, it may not change much.  :-)  Isn't that a relief?

Well, my children are causing ruckuses upstairs.  I guess it's because I didn't have enough milk to give them.  I better just fix the situation by throwing them in bed.

Until next time... consider all the ways you are valuable to your family.  Trust me, breastfeeding won't be one of the ways.

Sharing Sinful Secrets

Our computer crashed again.  The hard drives kicked us off because our version of XP decided that we need to register again... and since our code had been scraped off the bottom of my computer, we were unable to complete that transaction.  My mighty beloved utilized his skills of persuasion with Microsoft customer service--the best contradiction of terms ever because they don't service their customers--and convinced them he would be a huge pain because he planned on calling them repeatedly until they gave him a new code.  YEA, he succeeded. All that to say, being away from the computer for two days has been difficult... strange as it sounds, I actually missed being able to write.  It is a good outlet for me, apparently, and I plan to continue.

------------------------

"If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; if I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love." --Amy Carmichael

Now, I don't know about you, but having two children who daily misbehave and try the soul, it sometimes seems as though I am eager to explode and tell my beloved of their exploits the second he walks in the door at night.  Should I be this eager to unload myself and bare my boys' dirty laundry for public consumption, even if it is only to their father?

"Babe, Jeremiah teased his brother and he was disrespectful to me all day and then I had to run up and down the stairs a MILLION times during his nap because he refused to sleep."  Is it really necessary to have a running commentary from the entire day?  I certainly understand needing a father to be aware of his son's need for special training when it comes to treating his mother with respect and just giving that extra boost of fatherly encouragement, but how much should remain private especially when I, as the mother, have already dealt with the problem and presumably forgiven him for his sins?

I am guilty of this.  Terribly guilty.  When I have had my "H-E-double hockey-sticks" of a day, there is nothing better than being able to rid myself of that stress by sharing it all. But there also needs to be redemption for my son.  He does not deserve to have his sins dragged out after he's been told "I forgive you, I love you".  Privately speaking to my husband when the children have gone to bed maybe appropriate, but I must remember to consider my children first.  They are my fragile flowers.  They are beginning to bloom and if I put all the weight of their sins on their shoulders repeatedly after I've already, supposedly, forgiven them, they will, first, begin to not trust me and second, and most importantly, think that God continually holds their sins against them and will not forget them either.

How do you wish your children to see God?  I will tell you a secret... how you treat them is how they view God.  If you are unforgiving and angry about their sin, they will see God as unloving and mean and hateful.  If you forgive them and help them learn to talk to God after their sin and ask forgiveness of Him as well, they will begin to see that God forgives when they ask.

Please, Mothers, forgive your children and never bring it up (in front) to them again.  Forgive and love... show them the mercy God shows you.  I will also be striving toward that goal.  My children deserve it and so does God (since I am grossly misrepresenting His character when I disobey).

Until next time, love your children and give them all extra snuggles.

Extraordinary Women

This past weekend I went to Illinois to attend a conference by Extraordinary Women.  It has been over 2 years since I last left my family (now consisting of two boy-children and husband and Opie, the beagle puppy) to get "space", "Me Time" and regain perspective on my plight as a stay-at-home mom who homeschools, teaches piano, has piles of clean laundry for months that never gets folded and is always striving to do better.

This type of conference is really not my preference.  It was held at a stadium and felt so sterile and commercialized that it was difficult to enjoy or relax.  Part of the reason I don't appreciate such large venues is that I have had trouble, in my past, with agoraphobia and severe anxiety in large crowds.  It didn't seem to matter how much space I allowed for myself, having a pocket of emptiness... women kept bumping me with their hips.  It confused me that they had at least 10 feet on either side of me and they HAD to touch me in the process of whatever they were trying to accomplish. 

--"Back off, lady!"  So, I'm the round, dumpy lady wearing jeans that drag on the ground and a pumpkin orange-and-white striped sweater glaring at women standing too closely.--

Alright, back to my lofty thoughts.  The weekend was profitable, however uncomfortable it was in the moment.

A couple of the speakers were certainly well worth hearing... Elisa Morgan and Ann Voskamp (author of One Thousand Blessings), specifically, as well as being able to collect a couple of resources by Sheri Rose Shepherd about raising boys.  Since I have two sons (alternately Spiderman, Batman, Superman or any other kind of MAN), she had a refreshing book about God's little warriors that covers some basic life situations that my 4-year old is encountering now that he has a social life at school.  It also has prayers for each section which will allow him to become more comfortable and familiar with praying about anything and everything (another concern of mine).  The other book was about Raising Future Husbands (or some similar title).  I am waiting for it to come in the mail... so when I get it, we will have a book review.

All in all, not a complete waste of time; but I still prefer smaller women's conferences where you actually open your Bible and study.

Until next time, be a woman of prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING!