Category Archives: Mama Loves
Mama Loves Fall
I am a summer girl. Flip-flops, tank tops and hot, humid weather … it’s the best. The only other season I have any use for is fall. It’s just so vibrant and festive!
Mama loves apple picking.
Mama loves hay rides through autumn colors …
… and happy cuddlers …
…. and “forced family fun.” Even if it involves the most intricate corn maze I have ever seen.
I’m not kidding — This thing went all the way back to the far trees on the horizon …
… AND extended about 50 yards BEHIND where I stood while taking this picture.
Mama loves hot apple cider with whipped cream, drizzled with caramel.
Mama loves the smell of a fireplace floating on the crisp breeze.
Mama loves the picture of the Gospel that these things provide. (I wrote about this HERE.)
Mama loves that Ellie has finally stopped calling these things “ejaculanterns.”
Random things Mama loves
Mama loves that I haven’t felt a bit guilty for not blogging this week. I haven’t felt the need to explain or offer excuses. I’ve been perfectly at peace in my silence.
Mama loves Zach’s imagination! He recently proclaimed a house fly as his new best friend. He named him “Chung” and cried hysterically when I set Chung free out an open door. Later he explained that Chung would be back. He was on his way to Africa and would soon return with lots of pictures.
Zach has also been very vocal about his “big brain.” If ever I ask “How did you know that?”, the answer is always the same: “My big brain told me so.” Today he said that he didn’t remember a particular thing because his “big brain flipped over dinners” and made him forget. I’m not sure what that means, but I love it.
Mama loves summer! Yes, we have a lot going on, but there is something absolutely delightful about sunshine and sweet breezes and days free of regular routines.
Mama loves that no matter what happens, God is in control and we can rest contentedly in His mighty embrace. I really wish I had an update for y’all about the house. I want to show you pictures and celebrate, but it still feels premature. This whole process has been a tremendous roller coaster, and we’re not unbuckled yet. I wish we were! But we’re not. And that is perfectly fine because we KNOW who is ultimately in charge.
Rick and I have been talking about Zach lately, and the truths he represents to us. Now, I’m going to be totally honest here, so don’t judge me. We didn’t want him. When we found out I was pregnant — again — we both kinda freaked out. Ellie was only 8 months old; we were still figuring out this whole parenting thing. It had taken us four years and a butt-load of tests and procedures to get Ellie, so Zach coming — while we were actively trying NOT to get pregnant — was a shock, to say the least. And neither of us was happy about it. It took us time to adjust to God’s plan. We are SO THANKFUL that He didn’t listen to us!! I look at that gorgeous son of mine and am overwhelmed. I can’t imagine my life without him! He is absolutely precious … a miracle … and I love him to pieces.
So, who am I? Who am I to know what my life should contain? Whatever God wants me to have — or not have — I’m there. Bring it on! Because I know from the depths of my toes that God’s will and timing are perfect. They’re PERFECT! I love it.
Your turn! What are you loving today?
Ellie’s Cooking Show
This was supposed to go up yesterday for “Mama Loves” because I simply LOVE cooking with my kids!
Yesterday proved … well, it was rather eventful with details I may share at a later date. (Or I may not.) So you’re getting it today instead.
I considering titling it “How We Survive Blizzards.” This is pretty much what we do during every snow storm: the kids put on obviously unmatched summer clothing (Ellie’s skirt/shorts is at least two sizes too small, but when you’re stuck inside for hours, who cares? Then we cook. Usually it’s cookies or brownies that we can frost and decorate. This time it was caramel corn. The kids loved it, and I ate almost all of it. 
Without further ado, here is Elle’s cooking show. You may or may not find it entertaining. From my perfectly unbiased perspective, I think it’s absolutely delightful!
Come so far to the same spot
I found an old letter in the bottom of a cluttered closet yesterday.
“Every year I intend to get out hand-stamped Christmas cards complete with letter and photos, and every year I crumble under the pressure of time and responsibility. We’re setting more realistic expectations now as you hold in your hands our ‘Happy Groundhog’s Day!’ family update!”
The paragraphs that follow detail the news of 2005: Zach’s birth, an update on Rick’s job, Ellie learning to walk and then breaking her leg on Christmas day. It talks of the personality contrasts between our two kids and Zach’s perpetual ear infections and severe eczema. (I wrote this just weeks, perhaps days, before we learned of Zach’s food allergies.)
“If these are the biggest of our problems (runny noses and earaches as opposed to hurricanes and tsunamis), we are indeed very, very rich!”
It’s funny how much and how little changes in five years.
The last paragraph was about me.
“And then here am I. My life may not seem glorious or even notorious, but it is definitely full and challenging. I am constantly overwhelmed by the responsibility God has granted me. It is an honorable charge! To raise these two to know God and His Truth in a world that rarely recognizes His existence … I am humbled by the task, and grateful that Rick is leading the endeavor.”
I could have written this today. It’s amazing how I’ve come so far to the same spot. Perhaps that’s God’s intention. We grow and we work, but every day we must face the truth: we can do nothing without Him. It doesn’t matter how much I learn about parenting or homemaking or writing or speaking, because in the end it’s all Him.
Don’t misunderstand me: this is not a license for apathy or complacency. Rather, it is cause to praise His name! No matter how far we have to go, He always meets us where we are and draws us to Himself that we might receive the life He has for us.
Mama loves grace.
Mama Loves: having a girl
I won’t lie. Some days my precious Ellie drives me nuts. But most days I simply delight in her. I look into her sweet, almost six-year-old face, blonde corkscrews framing her bright blue eyes and contagious smile, and I see the years laid out before us. I see her in her wedding gown. I see her as a gracious mother and a loving wife. I see her doing great things for God. I know that we’ll have our ups and downs, but I love that we’re friends, that we treasure our time together.
This weekend we went through a bunch of pictures. (Rick is converting them to be the screensavers on his new Kindle. He thinks it would be funny if the “sleep” screen always showed a different picture of our kids sleeping. ) I came across these. I had planned to blog about them back in November, but never got around to it. So, here you go: Ellie’s first sewing adventure.
She couldn’t reach the floor from my high sewing chair, so we used the insides of some of the book purses I’ve made.
And the finished project: a fully-lined blanket for her babies. She was so proud!
Mama loves having a girl.
Mama Loves & a couple Kid Quotes
This week I have been fully overwhelmed by the love I have for my kids. No, more than that. It’s like God has shown me in greater detail what an honor it is to be a mom. When I think about them, about the intense privilege it is to know them, to witness their growth (even if I do complain about its exponential rate) … emotion saturates my being. I told someone this week that it’s like Christmas every day. Being a mom, watching my kids learn and discover who God made them to be, it’s like every day I get a new present to open. I never know what it will be, and if I close my eyes or my heart I might miss it, but when I catch it opening … Wow.
I have no idea what God will do with these kids. Ellie has such a generous, compassionate heart. Zach is so witty, so funny and yet perfectly focused on details. He’s my cuddly little man, and she’s my sweet little mama. They both love one another to pieces. I watch them fight to bruises and blood over a junk Happy Meal toy, but the next minute they swear eternal devotion and protection to each other. God has taught me so much through them — about Him, about His power, about me, about love, about commitment, about grace and forgiveness.
Mama loves being a mama.
On a completely different note, I forgot to keep track of the December Ellie-isms and Zach Attacks. Here, however, are a few from this week.
Winter Dictionary
- flirting = snowing lightly — ie: “Mama, look! It’s flirting outside!”
- eggma = eggnog — ie: “Zach can’t drink eggma because it makes him spit up.”
- Ho Ho Ho = Santa Claus — ie: “I just saw a statue of Ho Ho Ho and Ho Ho’s wife!”
- I’m really true! = I’m not lying.
And here’s a story retold by Grandma. Since I didn’t witness this Ellie-ism, I may not quote it perfectly. Rick’s parents surprised us by taking the kids and treating us to dinner for our anniversary. While we were out, this is what Ellie shared.
“Grandma, can you keep a secret? I know what Mama and Daddy do after we go to bed! Don’t tell anyone. They study the Bible!”
Mama Loves: Surprise Savings
I’m not a shoe chick. I like shoes, but comfort reigns supreme with me. When I find something that I like that looks cute, I’m all over it, but that doesn’t happen often. This is why I’ve worn the same boots for about seven years. It may be longer. I honestly can’t remember when I bought these; I just know that it’s time to replace them.
After talking with Rick about it, I decided to bite the bullet and go shopping this week. (I’m also not a shopper. It’s just not my favorite thing to do.) A coupon determined which store.
I found some great boots quickly, but then spent at least twenty minutes arguing with myself over necessity and price. The first pair was $99. The second pair was $89. I NEVER spend that much money on shoes. NEVER! But they were so comfortable and deliciously cute — much cuter than my granny-ish Mary Janes.
I debated.
I picked them up and put them back down. Sure, the souls are detached from my current boots and the toes are all dented, but I can still wear them for an hour or two before my feet start to hurt.
The store had a buy one, get one half off sale, but even with that, I was hesitant to spend the money. Still too much.
But as I put my worn, uncomfortable shoes back on my feet, I glanced at the shelf again. They are really, really nice. Rick told me to get new shoes; he wants me to be happy. And my birthday is coming! It will probably be a few years before I buy shoes again, so that’s really only $20 a year – right? Right.
I headed to the counter, two boxes in hand and just a little guilt on my shoulder.
The grand total? $55 — for both pairs! I don’t know why or how. My coupon was only for $15 off. I may be terrible at math, but I know $150 minus $15 does not equal $55. I had the salesperson double-check the amount. She assured me it was correct, and I forced myself not to hug her. I did jump up and down quite a bit, but she didn’t seem to mind that too much. I was and am SO EXCITED!! God allowed me to get exactly the shoes I wanted and He saved me $145 in the process! How often does that happen? This is a first for me.
Who knows? Maybe someday this mama will love shopping.
I think it’s Wordless Wednesday
Does a post still qualify for “Wordless Wednesday” if it’s posted on Thursday? The blog was silent yesterday (thus the Wordless part fulfilled) and the photos were taken on Wednesday (that part fulfilled), so, yeah, I think we’re good!
Besides, after laughing at CPQ for thinking it was November 3rd, I reported to recess duty at the wrong playground because I thought it was Monday. Since I have no clue what day it really is, I think I’ll just stop talking and share some pics of my honeys.
Mama loves this! Oh, wait — it’s not Tuesday either! Oh, well.
Stretch Marks
I haven’t officially done Mama Loves in a couple weeks, so today (Yes, I know it’s Wednesday and not Tuesday.) you’re getting a double — no, TRIPLE dose!
Mama loves good books.
Mama loves giveaways.
Mama loves Kimberly Stuart.
I am giving away a great book by Kimberly Stuart! Aren’t you excited? If you’ve not yet been introduced to the terrific KS, let me do the honors.
She’s funny, witty, intelligent and … well, there’s nothing not to love about her! She’s a write-at-home mom who loves her life and the God who gave it to her. Her blog is hysterical, and her books are Christian-infused without being preachy. In one word: she’s AUTHENTIC.
I mean, c’mon. How many other authors honesty write about mucous plugs in dialog or leaky boobs in the grocery store? Okay, so maybe there are thousands of pregnancy and parenting books. But how many write about those things in inspirational novels with a healthy sense of humor? I know of one: Kimberly Stuart.
Her latest book is called Stretch Marks.
Mia and her mother, Babs, could not differ more. Mia dresses retro, cares about the energy crisis, goes to yoga religiously and lives a pure vegetarian lifestyle in Chicago. Her mother, while morally conservative, sports plastic surgery, works as a social director on a Caribbean cruise ship and is passionate about steak. They drive each other crazy!
But when Mia gets pregnant, her live-in freeloader boyfriend jumps ship. Actually, he kinda slithers off into the night. Babs to the rescue. She drops everything and moves into Mia’s apartment building to “help.” Can anything can bring these opposites together? The promise of a new baby, one they both already adore, may be their only hope.
Delightful characters fill this book! From Frankie, the librarian with technicolor hair (Mia’s best friend), to Silas, the mysterious gentleman who lives downstairs, and Adam, the hottie who runs the local grocery store. Each contributes their own charm to the story. You’ll love it — I promise.
And so does the publisher. If you don’t like the book, you can send it to them under their “Good Read Guarantee!” But you won’t do that, because you’ll love the story so much you’ll want to share it with all your friends.
Leave a comment on this post and I’ll enter your name in the drawing. A winner will be announced on Saturday!
If you can’t wait that long, head over to Amazon to purchase the book today.
Or visit Kim’s blog to get to know her a little better.
The Great Neutralization
I really didn’t care what we scanned. As Rick and I chose the items that would fill our first home, I was too excited about getting married to care about any of the stuff we would get. Towels, sheets, dishes … all of that seemed rather insignificant. I just nodded my head and went along with a ginormous smile across my face.
Months later, after the wedding, the honeymoon and a few weeks back at school, I looked around our little apartment and realized it didn’t reflect me. In my giddy love-struck state, I let him choose everything. Not that I didn’t like it! We had nice stuff, but everything was either blue or beige. While I still agreed that it was all rather insignificant, I decided that I wanted more of me in the home made of us.
Blue and beige are not me.
Two states, ten years and three homes later, I felt our house was perfect. Well, maybe not perfect, but I loved it. It was finally me! A red kitchen, a green living room, bright blue for Zach’s room and bold black furniture in our bedroom. I was convinced anyone who visited us would envy our cozy cape and all the lively decor.
Rick, however, felt we lived in a clown house. (His words, not mine.)
Bright colors are not him.
His confession was the catalyst for finding center. We started out all him, then ricocheted to all me. We needed to find middle ground. And he had a good point: when and if we decide to move, we’d have to repaint everything while stressing over packed boxes, changing schools and whatever else would come with that decision. Better to neutralize now and be ready. Just in case.
Yesterday I began The Great Neutralization.
In the morning, our living room looked like this:
If you visited in the afternoon, you would have seen this:
By the time Rick arrived home last night, it looked like this:
One wall down, several more to go. And don’t worry — I’ll get my color in there eventually; it just won’t be on the walls. I’m actually pretty excited about the new room, but for the moment I mourn the cloaking of my lovely green. It didn’t help that Zach and Ellie kept singing the Imagination Movers’ color song:
“Brown and white make beige.
Boring, boring, boring, boring beige!”
Any Imagination Movers fans out there? The kids constantly tease Rick about being too much like Uncle Knit Knots. He’s the one on the far left. (Uncle Knit Knots, that is, not Rick.)
It is Tuesday.
Mama Loves color. But I love my husband more!
