I am in the place of in between: do I continue to wear maternity pants, and feel a sense of satisfaction that they fit me loosely? Or do I embrace the fact that I still have yet to fit into my normal pants?
Yes, it has only been two months, but I am well aware of the fact that the older my dimpled one gets, the older my excuse gets for why my clothes still don’t fit.

This is a mental battle of course, and I know you know what I mean, it is some kind of self-inflicted torture that I put myself through. I think I have come up with a solution though: if I cut the tags off my pants that shout glaringly “MATERNITY,” then I won’t have to face them every time I prepare to put them on.

At least for now that seems like a viable solution.

recipe: Ginger Lemonade

I’ve been feeling down lately, for no particular reason apart from my occasional desire to wallow in self-pity. It is really very silly of me considering that I am so blessed compared to so many. And even without comparing myself to “many,” I am still so blessed compared to where I was 10 years ago, or where I was yesterday, simply because I have lived to see today.

I was reminded this morning of the story of Job, one of my favorite books in the Bible. After suffering many trials and difficulties, Job says “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” Ultimately my point is not to debate from where trouble stems in our lives, but rather when trouble or difficulties do come, how should we respond, especially towards God? In Habakkuk 3:17-19, despite the dismal circumstances, he says “...yet I will rejoice in the Lord...”

It’s kind of hard to rejoice when you are busy feeling sorry for yourself. It reminded me of the old adage: when life deals you lemons, go ahead and make some lemonade. I am not usually that literal of a person, but today I decided to take this lesson literally. Of course it doesn’t hurt that I love lemonade.

If I have it, I have not lost it, and that alone is reason enough to give Him thanks.

Lately I have had conversations with various friends regarding their frustrations in the kitchen and the meals they serve their families.

Being in the kitchen and cooking is like second nature to me. It comes from a long line of powerful women on both sides of my family who ran their homes from their kitchens. In their kitchens dwelt smells from varying lands, laughter from various friends and families, and a love that showed with each meal they served.

To hear of others who see cooking or being in the kitchen as a fearful and scary endeavor is so foreign to me, but I stand here not in judgment but rather hoping that my little insight will serve as an encouragement.
I have been sharing recipes and ideas with various ones by email, and so I have decided to start bringing them here to you. From time to time I will post recipes for any and everything, whether from my mental stash or from other sources.

First let's dispel some myths:
1. It is not expensive to cook with fresh fruits and vegetables; they are not as scary as you think, even though they are not sold with directions.
2. Cooking a good meal does not need to take you two hours.
3. Dinosaur chicken fingers do not count as a balanced meal.

I know not everyone enjoys the kitchen or the cooking process. So I promise I will try to keep it real simple. If you have any ideas or recipes you want to share, feel free to let me know.

I found him outside more than once yesterday after hearing the chime on our door that lets me know someone just opened it. My little princess emphatically denied opening it and so my glare naturally shifted to the chubby-fingered little man who I had just recovered from a soon-to-be exciting adventure outside.

This morning I witnessed the act: he is now tall enough to unlock the exterior doors.
Joy.
Just in time for his second birthday and thankfully only one day after I sat myself down to begin reading The New Strong-Willed Child, a book I avoided up until this point but that I am now looking forward to reading so that I may gain some sort of insight into what keeps my little ones ticking.

I am hoping the insight will be therapeutic. And for this reason I will first admit that I have a problem:
Hello, my name is Ace, and I am mother to a strong-willed child.

Thankfully he is adorably cute and very loving towards his mommy, who melts with each chubby-fingered hug that he gives.
Let the games begin.

Pure necessity has caused me to dig deep into the archives of my memory to those days when I would endure the sewing section of home economics. Some would say it is in keeping with my role as a stay-at-home mom, others would say that wiping snotty noses and cooking each day more that fills that role. I, however am fully embracing the expectancies once cast on the 60’s housewife and embracing them as my own: I have decided to make my own curtains.

This necessity stems from the fact that we have really big and tall windows in our home that have remained uncovered and thus highly inefficient (energy-wise) since we moved here.
The length of curtain required is not commonly, nor reasonably sold in stores without the order being custom, and so I have decided to dig deep into my inner housewife and take on the project myself.

Now before you oooh and aaahh let me just say that those of you who take on such crafts varying from gourmet cookery to scrapbooking, cake baking, painting, jewelry making, photography, etc. amaze me everyday. And with that said I can now say that I amazed myself (note: this is not a blog on humility).

I borrowed a book from the library, bought my fabric, cut, stitched, hung and completed curtains for our living room. The result…drum roll please…

This morning my little ones and I read about being happy and grateful, for big things and little things. Little did I know that this lesson would so quickly be applied in my life.

I ventured out to the stores afterwards with three little ones in tow. For those of you without three little ones, this is a little thing; for those of you with three or more little ones, you know that though small, this is a BIG thing.
My kids surprised me! I did not yell; there was no bribing involved; and they behaved so well – for three kids all under four! They received complements from strangers and they acted shyly giving the knowing grin that says ‘…don’t worry we have our days…’
And they do, but today, they were angels and I found myself thanking God for this little gift to me.

While we talked earlier this morning, my little princess said that one of the little things she was thankful for was her milk; a little thing, yes and yet so major for children worldwide who don’t enjoy a cold glass of milk every morning.
So, I ask you…what else?
What other little things do we have in our lives for which we can be grateful? Maybe the warmth of the sun on your cheek this morning, or the chill in the air, maybe the beautiful leaves falling all around, or maybe something as little as the breath you just took.

“I have learned the secret of being happy at any time.”
– Philippians 4:12 ICB

Be grateful.

There really is no need for structure per se – just move! I figure we can spur each other on in this venture. I found myself dancing on the treadmill and around the room to today’s mix. So here’s the deal: I’ll share today’s mix with you if you promise to listen to it WHILE running, walking, dancing – aka moving.

Not because it will help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low; or because it will help raise you metabolism and strengthen your heart; or because you will probably look silly while doing it and smell funky afterwards, but do it because if you do you will realize that it can be a fun time for you, and just you.

So go ahead, be selfish, take some time and get moving!
This was my mix today. Feel free to suggest your own.
Atmosphere – TobyMac
Catchafire (Whoopsi Daisy) – TobyMac
Pump It – Black Eyed Peas
Don’t Phunk With My Heart – Black Eyed Peas
Dum Diddly – Black Eyed Peas
J Train – TobyMac
Lose My Soul - Afterparty (feat. Kirk Franklin & Mandisa) – TobyMac
Mas Que Nada – Sergio Mendes & The Black Eyed Peas
More Life – Papa San
Step Pon Di Enemy – Papa San
Where Is the Love? – Black Eyed Peas