Revelation

So this morning, I had a revelation. It's amazing that just two days ago I announced I would be leading a parenting Bible study, and today I received affirmation as to why it is needed.


I am a mommy of a little girl.

A typical girl.

An opinionated girl.


Every Sunday morning there is a lengthy discussion on what to wear. My thoughts rarely are parallel to her thoughts.

Every Sunday I ask the same question. "Dress or Pants??" Every Sunday she gives a different answer. Some Sundays I get more than one answer. Those Sundays are difficult.

Just this past Sunday, Little announced she wanted to wear a dress. I love to see her wear a dress. If my memory serves me right, this past Sunday was gorgeous. I thought it would be wonderful to let her wear a beautiful, short-sleeved mustard colored dress. She has a pair of shoes that match perfectly.

The conversation goes something like this:

Little: "My not wear it."

Mommy: "You don't want to wear it? I like it. It is so pretty."

Little: "My not want to wear it."

Mommy: "Well, let's just try it."

Mommy makes an attempt to put it on.

Little, with flailing arms, tears in her eyes: "Nooooooooo. My not like it. My not wear. Noooooooo. My wear my pink shirt."

Mommy realizes that she wants to wear something pink. Not mustard. Pink. Mommy gets it now.

So, we slip on the pink dress. Life is perfect.





Today, as I read an uplifting newsletter, I am reminded of this past Sunday. However, I see it in a different light.

The newsletter tells the story of a young girl, about twelve, whose grandmother made her a skirt. She goes to school, only to recognize that no one likes her skirt. She goes home at lunch to change her clothes.

Ever wonder why we, as women, need approval before we wear certain things? If you ever wore something that everyone else didn't appreciate, now you know.

So what am I doing to my two-year old? Am I setting her up to need the approval of others?

Why did I tell her that I like the mustard-color dress? She did not want to wear it.

Are dresses really that important?

Who knew that our discussion on dresses, with time, may create her to seek the approval of peers?

She may always seek my approval, with the exception of those few years when she is discovering who she is. You may remember them. From about 11 to around 21. Who's approval will she be seeking then?

Introducing.....

I've neglected the need for movement until recently.

I've argued that I don't have the time, the energy, or the knowledge.

I've realized my experiences are not the same as others.

I'm aware of the differences in one another.


However, I have been inspired and encouraged to start a parent's Bible study.


That's all I can say for right now.






Please join me in prayer.

Sweetness

We really do have the sweetest little girl. She gets that from me.

This is the point where I will ask everyone but Husband to put their head phones on.

Husband, remember you have to live with me. There will be no jokey-jokes.

Everyone, welcome back.

So, Little has been doing the sweetest little things.

Last night, she kissed my eyelids. Talk about having sweet dreams. Well, not entirely. I did dream Nate West from Y101 was giving her swimming lessons. Random, I know.

Then, she is trying to whisper. There is a lot of mouth movement, but there is no understanding it. However, I must say that it is precious to have her face in my mouth as she whispers. Apparently, I hear through my tonsils.

Furthermore, I have been trying to complete her summer wardrobe. Lots of dresses.

"My like it. Put on. My wear it." She's turning into a fashionista. Sweet Little.


See what I mean..







Nothing like wearing your pajamas, Ugg boots, coat and hat. She gets that from Husband.

Well, Well, What do you know?

You can imagine my surprise when I recieved this little e-mail:

Ms. Moudy,
I would like your permission to use your 2nd assignment as an example to the other students on how and what I expect from them. You did extremely well and I think it could serve as a good model. I will remove your name and there will no reference as to whose it is. If you are not comfortable with me doing this please let me know. Thanks.

Seems like I am growing on someone.

Or maybe I just caught him at a weak moment.

One of those days...

Yep. It's been one of those days. I just want to crawl back in bed and try again tomorrow.

It started out like a normal day, but somewhere between waking Little up and getting in the car, something went wrong.

1. As her daddy woke her, she began to complain about her head itching. Upon further examination, I discovered it was more like her neck. And not itching but hurting.

2. Before I knew her neck was hurting, I put hydrocortisone cream on her neck. Big mistake.

3. I secretly assumed Husband burned her with the hairdryer.

4. I could not get Little to drink anything. Nor eat anything. Nor take a sucker. Huge red flag.

5. I was not allowed to dry my hair this morning. I was not allowed to do anything but hold Little.

6. On the car ride to the baby sitter's house, Little screamed to go back home. Another huge red flag.

7. When we arrived at the sitter's, she screamed like I was beating her best baby doll.

At this point, we have a medical emergency. Little loves the babysitter more than she loves her daddy and I combined. And most people reading this right now are saying, "No she doesn't." And to you I say, "You do not know."

We make a flying trip to Jackson, because I am sure she has meningitis and needs a spinal tap. After multiple, multiple crying and screaming fits, a strep test, and a stranger in a white coat in the room, we are told her tonsils are enlarged and red, but we do not have strep. The doctor further elaborates that she may have had a crick in her neck causing the neck pain.

Yeah. I'm aware that her tonsils are red and enlarged. She has been screaming since 5:15 this morning. And it is now 9:30. They should be begging for mercy at this point.

So, I meet the sitter for the hand off and return to work.

The doctor just stopped by to check on her. I asked him if her behavior in office is normal. He smiles and says yes. Then, I asked him to be honest.

He said it was bad.

Lovely. Now we are the people that no one wants to sit by at the doctor's office. We are the people that parents have to tell their children not to stare at. Just lovely.

Hang on

This last week has been a roller coaster. Well, that is probably an understatement.

My plan for this last weekend was to work on the insane amount of homework I had. My plan was unsuccessful.

A dear friend of mine was in terrible need of support, so two church friends and myself made a flying trip to Jackson to be there for the emergency delivery of her baby boy.

His name is Sebastain. He has fiery red hair. He is 3 lb 12 ounces. He is a sick little fellow. He has already had his first surgery. There will be more to come.

Then, not that it compares, I went to get fitted for a bridesmaid dress.
D-E-P-R-E-S-S-I-N-G. I mean, kind of.

I really excited that my sister-in-law is getting married. I even like my soon to be brother-in-law. But that seamstress, now she has got to go. Trying to get my measurements, she must have been multiplying, because it is numbers I did not even know existed. It was awful. I would have much rather her carry me out back and whip my tail than make up such terrible numbers.

So I asked my sister-in-law if she could get barf bags for the audience. Yes, I did.

And then, my husband had an unexpected death in the family. Devastating story.
It's been all over the news.

So for right now, we'll just hang on. That's all we can do. Cling to the One who saved us.

Perspective

So, currently, I being schooled by Jesus on perspective.

I need to disclose to you that there are changes in my life. However, I will disclose the details when I am ready. Not today. Not now.

I volunteered to teach a Wednesday night class for one day. That was last night.

I washed feet. Every child's feet. Even the kid with the big, rubber hunting boots. Washed their feet.

You want some perspective -- try washing some one's feet.

The truth is I enjoyed every minute of it. I learned more than they did.

I got some perspective. I am humbled. I am reassured. I am reminded.

I. Am. Listening.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3