Rules for Moms to Live By

A little while ago, I was over at Burnt Suppers and Scraped Knees, and I saw a list entitled "Rules for Girls to Live By."
Ever since then, I've wanted to do one myself. "Rules for Moms to Live By," I call it. With a nod to Millie.

1. Wear hats. Even if you drive a mom van, you're still you.

2. Think before you buy clothing. Take a little exploratory jaunt to the mall to see what people are wearing these days. Yes, I know. You haven't been there since you were a teenager. It's okay. This is research.

 

3. Make your home a pleasant place to be. You are responsible for the atmosphere in your home. I think I'll bold this one. It's important.

4. Let them help.

4. Read good books.

5. Wear dresses. They still fit when you gain and lose 2 sizes the same month.

6. Never be too busy to snuggle with your husband.

7. Try new recipes, but only sometimes.

8. Play with your kids.

9. Never forget when naptime is.

10. Never give up.

11. Be compassionate to your kids. Think about how God parents you.

 

12. Laugh often. If it's going to be funny in a few years, it's funny now. Get over yourself and let the giggles out.

Babies

Seeing the pictures of Nelleke's sweet new baby online, I remember how nice it was to hold a baby that small. Josiah looks so precious - now that I've had one, I am so aware, with every new baby, what a huge blessing they are from God. What a great thing to give us!
As my baby grows older, God's goodness to us remains obvious. There are lots of times when her behaviour reminds me of the facts of original sin, but grace comes to mind even more often. I love babies.
(Especially my own!)

A few things that make me smile, this week:
- The way she stands up in her crib, her chubby legs shaking with the effort, grinning at me, so excited to be standing.
- The word she says right now: "UpUpUp," which means, basically, "UpUpUp."
- The sign she does for "Daddy;" mainly when I put her in bed, as a method of staying up,
or when I begin to change her....

'Change.' she signs; 'Daddy.' I smile encouragingly. She signs it again. 'Change. Daddy. Change.'

"Oh, Honey," I say to Kevin, "She wants you to do it." So he does.

Best thing I ever did, teaching her sign language.

17 Months Ago...

Kevin signed his life away as I gleefully looked on.
I have the nicest feeling that he doesn't regret one bit of it.

I don't either.