My Dad

I have been blessed with many things in my life but above all I have been blessed with wonderful parents. Being an only child, in my case, really drew me closer to my parents. I have been devastated by the loss of my mom and I remember my dad saying, “It’s just us now – we gotta stick together.” Well, together we have stuck. We talk at least twice a day, every day and weather permitting we see each other every Sunday. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful father who instilled in me a love for the Lord and brought me up in the church but most importantly led by example. It is really impossible to teach your children how to do things “the right way” if they don’t see it lived out in your life as a parent. I was so blessed to have seen in my father “the right way.” He taught me to care about your actions. I never wanted to see “disappointment” in my father’s eyes (even though I am sure I disappointed him at times because I was disappointed in myself.) He taught me how to throw a football and catch like Joey Jones (for all of those who are not Alabama fans you will just have to look that one up.) He always told me “I could do it” and “you look pretty” every morning when I got ready for school or work. He gave me a love for country because he served his country. So this Memorial Day and this Father’s Day I salute the best Dad in the World, My Father – Thanks Dad!

New Parenting Resources

I am so excited about two new resources I have found recently. I am sure some of you have probably known about these for a long time but I have only recently stumbled upon it. I am so glad that I did. It has literally changed our daily routine at our house and has just given me a renewed confidence in what God has called me to do with my children. The resources are from http://www.thelearningparent.com/ and they are by Rick and Marilyn Boyer. I am sharing especially today because they have a coupon through May 27th. Check it out for yourself on their website. There are two that are my favorites.

Home is the basis for human society

I have begun a new study that was recommended by a friend and I came upon this passage at the very beginning of the book. It totally floored me how accurate the description was of our America today.

"Five Basic Reasons Why Great Civilizations Withered and Died (taken from The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon – 1788)

1. The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis for human society.
2. Higher and higher taxes; the spending of public money for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The made craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more brutal, more immoral.
4. The building of great armaments when the real enemy was within – the decay of individual responsibility.
5. The decay of religion; faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life, losing power to guide the people."

Uh oh! We are there people.

Become Amish?

As some of my friends know, I have, as of late, been immersing myself in Amish and Mennonite culture. I have been fascinated and have felt drawn to these lifestyles for a number of reasons. Who wouldn’t want an entire community that loved and supported you in your faith? Who wouldn’t want a strong work ethic among the young people, as well as the adults? Who wouldn’t want to know the “skills” that are becoming obsolete? Who wouldn’t want a rock solid faith that withstands the test of time and consequences? Who wouldn’t want to “stand out” for Christ? For me other than the not having electricity for my air conditioner – I do live in Alabama you know – and giving up my clothes, accessories, and make-up I would say where do I sign to become a Mennonite : ) So, I started reading an awesome book the other day called Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I highly recommend this book for everyone, whether you care about the Amish lifestyle or not. At the very beginning of the book she totally “hooked” me when she quoted an “Uncle Amos” article about becoming Amish. I thought it worthy to pass it along:

Become Amish?
“If you admire our faith, strengthen yours. If you admire our sense of commitment, deepen yours. If you admire our community spirit, build your own. If you admire the simple life, cut back. If you admire deep character and enduring values, live them yourself.”

Wow! That says it all. I think I will work on becoming Amish in my heart and maybe leave the rest alone for now ; - )

The Girl I Used to Be

The Girl
I Used To Be
by Rowena K. Lewis


She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be.

And she gazed at me with her earnest eye, and questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?

The great career, the splendid fame, all the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height, with all of its gardens rare?

The silken robes that I dreamed for you, and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad, for I wanted her pleased with me.

This slender girl from the shadowy past, the girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay, innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;

That silken robe is my motherhood, of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls, for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.

And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl that I used to be.

How to get the most from your wardrobe

I know, sounds like a funny topic for the blog but you would be amazed at how many comments I get a week about something relating to clothes. Like, I can never find anything good where do you shop? Think about the questions we ask someone when we see them in something we like. Where did you get it and my typical answer is the thrift store but we will get to that later. So, as I was cleaning out my closet this past week getting ready for spring I started taking notes and here is the result of that “note taking” session.

- If you will go through your closet at least twice a year, spring and fall, you will be able to make the most of your wardrobe. You will be shocked at how many clothes you end up having (when you thought you didn’t have anything to wear) if you will take the plunge and do this. It might take a while the first time you do it but it gets easier every year.
- Be sure as you are going through your closet (especially if this is the first time doing this) not to throw everything out. Yes, I said don’t throw everything out the FIRST time. Here is what you want to do:
- I got this first idea as I was doing my daughter’s closet one year. As I was “matching up” her outfits (tops and bottoms) and hanging them together I realized, “why don’t I do that?” How much time would I save every morning if all I had to do was go to my closet and pick out an entire outfit with ease all because it was hanging together (top and bottom?) Well, I can tell you it saves A LOT of time and wasted energy by doing this.
- Okay, so now you are asking how do I match outfits? Ladies, I know you know how to do this. It is not hard – don’t make it rocket science. Start simple, like colors with like colors. Also, if you have more than one shirt that matches a skirt hang all three together. Different tops can create a totally different look and nobody will notice that you wear that “same old skirt” every week. (If you have 5 tops that match the same skirt this is when you start weeding them out. Save the best, release the rest.)
- Key point here ladies, if you like an article of clothing that you have had forever you don’t necessarily have to throw it out (unless it is worn completely out – in that case put it out of its misery and toss it.) Instead, see if you can “update it.” Updating can be as easy as putting a “modern” top with it if it is a skirt or skirt if it is a top. And by “modern” I am talking about the purchase of a new article of clothing at this point not going with the latest “trend” (trust me there is a difference.) Another way to update an item is changing buttons out – but you don’t have to be that ambitious if you don’t want to.
- Next point, as you are going through your closet start a list of items you might need. This saves you money in the long run when you go shopping. For example, I love this skirt but don’t have the right color top. If you can, just write down the color top you need and the style of the top you need (example: tan fitted T-shirt.) You want to be sure and put descriptive terms like “fitted” or dressy so that you don’t end up with literally a tan T-shirt that would best be put to work in the garden. If you question whether or not you will get the right color bring the item with you. I have brought many a bag into my favorite thrift store with clothes to match inside it. I simply go to the front and tell the ladies what I am doing that way I am not tackled by security (this could make for an unpleasant shopping experience.)

Okay now where and how to shop:
- Please get the idea out of your head that you have to spend a lot of money to look good. Not the case. I do not put a lot of money into my clothes. I would rather spend my money on good skin care (but that is a completely different blog topic.) You can get some GREAT clothes at a good thrift store (good because there are some junky ones.) And anything else you need you can get at local stores but ONLY if they are on sale. You want to walk in those stores and go straight to the discount racks. Don’t look at the regular price racks unless you have a coupon or something. I MEAN IT! DON’T DO IT!
- So now that we have where we shop, how do we shop? Well, think of it as walking into a fabric store not a clothing store. Even if you don’t know all the top designers names you can tell by the feel of the fabric whether it is cheaply made or not.
- Also, scan the racks for colors that you like. You don’t have to go through items piece by piece. I only go piece by piece when it comes to books (again a completely different blog topic.) “Scan” over the rack (meaning walk down the isle) and search for colors you like. When you see “your” color that’s when we feel of the fabric. Good fabric, good designer (if you know it), get it! Now I know some of you are saying what about price – IT’S THE THRIFT STORE JUST GET IT!

Okay, I will leave it at that for now because I know some of your heads might be reeling with this information (LOL) but I may possibly be back for a part II segment.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

To Train Up a Child

I get this great magazine called Keepers at Home. It has really great articles, recipes, etc. and the Spring issue had an article about training your children. It also had the most amazing exert from a book called Prayers and Peanut Butter by Barbara Classen.

- “Would a child learn the value of obedience, if he never disobeyed and learned the result of it? These are opportunities to teach.”
- “We parents can never teach our children so perfectly that they will never disobey, tell lies, or get angry. If we can see these situations as opportunities to teach and not results of our failings, these times will be less frustrating.”
- “God has given us children to mold and shape, not to make us feel like failures.”

Wow!! Haven’t read the book but you can bet I am going to get it! If anyone wants to go in for a bulk order to save shipping e-mail me : )