Fashion Friday--Hide Your Tummy!

Whether you are generally slender with some leftover "mom tummy" or you are a bit on the heavy side all over, there are ways to hide your tummy.

Be advised, however, that this is all just an optical illusion.  If you really want to look like you don't have a big tummy, you'll need to work that sucker off.  And for that I suggest Elise Gulan's Straight to the Core 10 minute ab video!

But in the mean time,  create the appearance of a smaller tummy by defining your waist with structured clothing.

1. Get the girls up where they belong.  A good bra might cost but will help ease back discomfort, stop bra straps from falling (or crawling) and will help define your bust v. your waist.  It the girls are sitting on your belly button (and you aren't a size 40 DDDD) it's time for a new bra!

2.  Define the smallest part of your waist (generally up higher than the belly button--sometimes right below the breasts) with a wide belt.  Pick a belt made of elastic because it will stay put better than a leather one.  And avoid skinny belts which may actually emphasize your tummy.  Please know you can belt anything--a cardigan, a dress, a white button down top, a blouse, a tunic ...

Shortsleeve Tops by Amy Byer
Belts by Forever 21

3.  Get a structured jacket or blazer.  Okay, this isn't dreamy for summer (except for cool summer nights) but this holds true the whole rest of the year. Get a blazer that fits well and you will instantly look slender!

Jackets by Old Navy
Jackets by Ann Taylor

4. Wear jeans that are slightly higher in rise.  Note: the band should still be BELOW the belly button but should be a few inches above the pelvic bone.  If pants are too low, hello muffin top!  But pants that are too high (the dreaded mom jeans) make your arse look huge and turn your extra tummy into a "front butt."  Not flattering.  Remember this rule: a bit higher but below the button.

5. Opt of empire waist clothing.  This naturally defines the smallest part of your body (waist) and flows elegantly over that which you wish to hide (without making it look like you are actually hiding something).

Plus Dresses by Calvin Klein
Black Dresses at Last Call by Neiman Marcus

WARNING
Avoid clothing that is the wrong size.  Too tight pants=muffin top.  Too big pants=look heavier.  Too tight shirt=too much information.  Too big shirt (especially if it is boxy)=an upper half that looks bigger than it really is.


For more information, watch what style gurus Clinton and Stacy have to say by clicking this link.

What I Think About: Slut Walks

Have you heard of slut walks? 

Essentially, a woman in Toronto was raped and one of Toronto's finest said that women probably wouldn't get raped if they didn't dress like sluts.

Classic.  Blame the victim.

Spoken like a true man (expect that all the "real" men I know would call that line a crock of crap!)

So women in Toronto and the US are putting on "Slut Walks" to bring awareness to the oppressive and hypocritical nature of the word "slut" and challenge the belief that a woman who shows a bit too much skin is "asking" to be raped.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about dressing nicely and modestly. 

If you remember I did a post a while black on Little Black Dress Disasters where I sound off on why I hate "slutty" LBDs.  I don't want women to show too much to cover up for a lack of self-esteem.  However much I disdain these little dresses I simply cannot subscribe to any rule that says a girl who wears barely-there dresses deserves to be sexually assaulted.  Such clothing might make a girl lose a man's respect but it shouldn't cause her to lose her safety!

Confidence makes me sexy--not my lack of clothing. 

However, not every woman gets this memo.

From the time we are little girls we are getting "roped" into the man's world of what women "should" look like.  There are bikinis and thongs for toddlers.  Huge chested "Angels" on pink billboards beckon our men to crave those airbrushed bodies.  Even our beloved princesses are scantily clad sex symbols asking to be loved because of their looks and NOT their characters. (P.S. I go on a princess tirade here).

It appears we first make sluts and then punish them.

Men want to see skin.  They want to see sex.  But if a woman buys into that lie (or has the audacity to grow breasts in 5th grade) she is labeled a slut.  And sluts get what they deserve when the dress EXACTLY the way billion-dollar campaign advertisements tell them to?

I'm calling FOUL!

Women are molested, and raped, and abused for many reasons and there is NOT. ONE. REASON. THAT. JUSTIFIES. THE. PERPETRATOR'S. ACTIONS.

EVER!

I want women to feel safe and secure in who they are.  I want them to feel sexy and empowered in jeans and yoga pants.  I don't want women to EVER feel like they have to wear daisy-duke shorts and barely-there tops to be valued by men.  However, if women want to dress like that, they should still be safe to walk about freely without "asking" to be raped.


So what I think about Slut Walks is that if one comes to a town near me--I'm signing up!  You'll see me there in my normal clothing (plus some awesome stilettos) supporting the right of women to be safe regardless of what they are wearing.


Thanks to Shell at Things I Can't Say for hosting my random Wednesday rants!

Days of Play: It's Classified

When M.E. did her kindergarten screening she was encouraged to classify items.  Luckily, she was able to do it with ease.  I like to thank my intense OCD organizing bone for this.  She's been able to tell fairy shoes from Barbie shoes for about three years.

Anyhow, I got inspired to do a classification game with my children.

First, I got all of my shoes and put them into a massive heap on the living room floor.

Can I take a minute hear to say that I do not have a shoe problem.  Shoes have a Reagan problem.

Moving on.

When the shoes were good and mixed up, I had Paxton and M.E. put them into "groups" or classifications.  We did this several times.  One time we classified by color.  Another time by pattern.  Another time by "type" (ballet flat, boots, etc.).  It was pretty entertaining to watch my kids toting shoes and grouping them.

And now I feel pretty good about M.E.'s ability to learn about animal taxonomies.

Happy playing!

Unnecessary Censorship

Need a good laugh this Monday morning?

Then watch this video.



How's that for a dirty mind?!?!

Happy Monday!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope no one actually reads this post but instead, enjoys a special Mother's Day with the people they love. 

But, if you are dying to hear from me today, check out my guest post on Good Tots.  <--click that link

It's all about what I've learned ... from my children.

Happy Mother's Day!

Date Night {IN}--Drinking Games (spicy but non-alcoholic!)

If you went to college or have seen any "teenager" movies (Animal House, To Save a Life, etc.), you've probably witnessed or played a drinking game or two.

For tonight's date, challenge your husband to a few drinking games (minus the alcohol).

What you'll need:

• 20 plastic cups
• 2 ping pong balls
• long table
• 2 juice glasses
• 2 quarters
• The Princess Bride (the movie)
• TV/DVD and cushy spot to snuggle and watch a movie
• Bar food: sodas, peanuts, pretzels, popcorn ...
• "All Night Long" station on Pandora

What to do:

1. Set up your Pong area.   At each end of a long table, set up 10 cups (in a triangle like bowling pins) filled 1/3 of the way with water.  They should look like this:

2. Explain basic rules to your spouse (if he doesn't know them).

Essentially, you each stand at one opposing ends of the table.  You have to try to throw the ball into the cup of water at the other end of the table (no bounce).  If you sink a ball into the cup, your spouse removes the cup and one piece of clothing. (Oops, did I forget to mention it was strip pong?). Switch turns until one spouse has removed all the cups (and clothes) of the other spouse.

Want more info? Click this link for a video (WARNING: video shows drinking)


3.  Now, move on to quarters.  The basics premise of quarters is to bounce a quarter into a glass.  Yep, that's it.  Want to see a video on how it's done?  Click here.

Now for the date-night rules.  Every time you (or your spouse) gets the quarter into the cup, the other person has to give one compliment.  If one person gets a quarter into a glass three times in a row, that person gets to make a rule.  Rules can be: anyone who smiles has to give their spouse a sexy kiss or if anyone talks with their hands they have to remove one article of clothing .... you get the picture.

Play this until you are ready for the most relaxing part of the date (or until you are out of clothing).

4.  Finish off your date by moving to the couch to enjoy a cheesy show.  Pop in The Princess Bride and play this fun game.

• Every time a character says, "as you wish," pick one person to get a shoulder rub.  Switch who is giving/getting the shoulder rub every time this is said.
• Every time a character says "true love" give each other a kiss.
• Every time someone says "I'm not left handed" give each other a high-five.
• Every time someone says, "I'm not left handed either" give each other another high-five.

Source

5.  Enjoy a silly evening of non-alcoholic drinking games!

Things I Love: A Good Teacher {A Gift Idea}

I'm an educator which means I love teaching.

I'm a mom which means I love a good teacher.

Hip Hip Hooray for National Teacher Appreciation week!

If there is a good educator in your life, please take an opportunity this week to THANK him or her for all the hard work that goes into educating your children.

Now, since I've been a teacher, I know what it's like to get too many cookies, bears, and apples in appreciation.  It's not that I didn't appreciate my gifts; it's just so darn hard to figure out what to do with a ceramic bear in modern decor scheme.

Please let me encourage you to make a gift for your son's or daughter's teacher that will go a long way!

Photo Source (this is a stamp!  Follow this link to order it!)

What you'll need:

• A mug
• A gift card to a coffee shop
• Some candy (Kisses, chocolate covered Espresso beans, M&Ms ...)
• Tissue paper
• A thank you card

What to do:

1. Put a $5 gift card in the mug.
2. Fill with chocolate so the gift card is "hidden."
3. Top with tissue paper (so nothing falls out).
4. Have your child write or decorate the inside of the card.  Make sure as the parent you add a personal thank you as well (along with "enjoy your gift card" to make sure the teacher digs into the mug).
5. On the thank you card envelope write "Thanks a Latte."
6. Attach to mug with tape, riboon, etc.
7. Give to the teacher (who might not need another mug but who will love the gift card instead of her seventh plate of cookies).

Photo Source

What I Think About: When to Step In {Advice Ladies!}

Last Tuesday my uber-delightful mom's group had a meet up at our local library (you can read about why I love my mom's group and why I hate Motherbitches here).

While we were there, our children were playing with a giant checker set.  About five of our kids were taking turns sharing the giant foam checkers while building buildings (which is technically frowned upon by the librarians but come on--they are kids!) and pretending to be nesting birds.

Then another girl, similar in age, joined the group.  There was no parent watching this little girl and she slowly took over all the foam checkers--stealing them left and right from our group of kids who had been sharing.

My friend's daughter was pretty bold and said, "Hey, that's not fair!  You have to share!" (and to be fair, our children were trying to share but the other girl was opposed to it!).

Even after my friend's daughter said that, the little girl kept taking checkers.  The other children in our group moved to the side and sort of let the "mean girl" take over.

My friend and I looked at each other.  When should we step in?

I mean, we want our children to stand up for themselves and to fight injustice BUT we also want them to know that we have their back and that we'll stand up for them.

So where is the balance?  Should we have stepped in and told the girl who wouldn't share that she needed to?  Did we do the right thing by letting our kids handle it?

To be honest, it doesn't feel like we did the right thing because all of our children, but one, got "bullied" away from the toys and the one girl who stood resolute, lost all the checkers because she didn't have any support.  She looked at her mom and I with big eyes as if to say, "Is this okay?"

What a tough lesson because sometimes the people with the worst intentions and the worst attitude and who treat people the worst--WIN! 

I hate that.  But at the same time, I don't want my child to be a constant tattle-tale.  I want her to use her voice and her actions to stand up for herself.  How do I cultivate that?

What I think is it is difficult to know when to step in and when to let kids handle a bullying/unjust situation.

Your thoughts?

When do you step in, when do you stay out, and how do you know what step to take?

Please, share your advice.  My friend and I would love to know.

And P.S.  BOO HISS to the parents who, by not watching their child in a public place, put my friends and I in an awkward position to have to "parent" a child we didn't know!

Thanks to Shell at Things I Can't Say for hosting my random Wednesday Rants!

Days of Play--Mother's Day Crafts and Gifts

We're at that critical week before Mother's Day so I've scoured the internet to find fun Mother's Day craft projects you can make with your children (perhaps for Grandma).

I know it is easy to get wrapped up in what you can BUY for the mom in your life but sometimes the best gifts are those you can make.  Enjoy some quality time with your children making an easy yet sentimental gift.

First up, this super cute foam-flower picture "album."  All you'll need are photos, foam, pipe cleaners, stapler, tape, flower pot and paint.  To get the directions, click this link.

Photo Source

Here's another "sweet" twist to a home-made bouquet!  Get some DumDum suckers, cute paper out into the shape of hearts and WaLa!  A sweet bouquet.  Want the directions?  Click here.

Photo Source

Finally, here is a card that you could make for mom (or grandma) but I think you could make one a bit larger and make it a small wall or door hanger.  Who doesn't love curlicues? Click here for directions.

Photo Source

 

 

Now if you just have to buy a gift to celebrate the occasion, then can I suggest ETSY? I love Etsy stores and here are some delightful, unique, and affordable gift options!

One of a kind earrings from Design Ambition:

Whimsical artwork Blendastudio:

Ruffled Scarf from 2littlefriends:

Happy crafting with the kiddos.

Happy Etsy retail therapy.

Happy Mother's Day.

Sick

Mac is sick.

Really sick.

His software is cabobbled but luckily the hardware is fine. 

If only Reagan knew where she put his utility CD then Mac could start feeling better and Reagan could do actual blog posts.

Until such time, WITMIM? might be on a short hiatus because hey, Reagan doesn't like to work when she's sick so she doesn't want to force Mac to work when he's sick.

Please leave Get Well Soon comments below.  It'll make Mac feel better.

Please leave notes of concern below as well (you know, if you are concerned that Reagan has such a good relationship with her computer that she calls him by his first name and stops blogging when he is ill).

3 Way

To learn more about the 3Way, click here.

This month my challenge was to wear a dress three times.  I chose to rock a little Mossimo khaki dress I got at Target for $12.98.  It is super similar to the one below (minus the front pockets and drawn tie waist).

Day Dresses by Mossimo

First up, a little urban safari with brown boots, belt, jean jacket, and a leopard print scarf.

Look #2 was my Easter wear. Turquoise tights, a bold necklace and a brown grandfather cardigan (because it was snowy and cold in WY).

Finally, on another chilly April day, I wore my khaki dress with American Eagle jeggings, a thrifted orange scarf, self-made jewelry, and some Xhiliration sandals I got at Target for $3.24!

Given the bi-polar nature of Wyoming weather, I'm struggling to pick my next "uniform" piece of clothing to work three ways in May. Part of me says, "SANDALS!" and the other part says, "Be practical, pick a sweater!"

{Sigh}

After much deliberation, I decided that my uniform piece of clothing to wear three ways during the month May is a white T-Shirt.

Things I Love: Turquoise

As you know I've already predicted that bold colors are going to be hot from Spring.  My favorite bold color is turquoise!  Look at all these turquoise lovies I found!

Two-Piece Swimwear by Topshop
Flats at DSW

What's your favorite bold, springy color?

What I Think About: Greg Mortenson

As an avid reader, I devoured Three Cups of Tea when it became popular enough for me to notice it.

As a human, I was moved by the story (albeit somewhat vainglorious) of a bottoms-up approach to literacy and peace.

As an educator, I was inspired by the gentle reminder that what I do makes a difference (even if it looks like I'm failing kids on their high stakes tests!).

I've followed Greg Morentson since his book was published and when he came to my town to speak a few weeks ago, I dragged my spouse and in-laws to watch him.  And then I stood in line for two hours to have him sign my copy of Stones into Schools.

When Mortenson spoke, he was not eloquent.  He did not sound like a shiester buttering me up for a donation.  He talked like a man with a passion and drive to make a difference. He looked tired and unwell.  I was thrilled he seemed so human.

And then 60 Minutes happened and this man who seemed to be doing good, was called a sham.

I went on the defensive because I think 60 Minutes--whose sole purpose of raising this controversy is inexplicably linked to their desire to get more viewers because viewers equal money--did some pretty bad research and reporting.  (I'm not even going to go into the fact that John Kraukauer, who has done some not-so-honest research on his books, was co-leading the charge.)

For instance, they claim Mortenson lied about being held by the Taliban because five men photographed as Taliban claimed, when interviewed, that they were tour guides.

Think about that a minute, will you?

If you were a part of the Taliban in a country occupied by U.S. troops and you had held a U.S. citizen captive for eight days, would you admit to being a part of the Taliban--or would you lie and say that you were a tour guide for Mortenson?

60 Minutes goes on to attack Mortenson for receiving financial honorarium for speaking engagements (wonder if they'll attack Presidents Bush or Obama for this?), for flying on chartered flights, and for not talking to him when they accost him paparazzi style at a speaking engagement (that action in and of itself shows a complete lack of media ethics!).

I will not sit here and say that I know Mortenson to be an upstanding kind of guy because I don't.  As far as I know, he lied in his book and has pilferd some money.   

But I can't deny that he has done good things.  He wants to achieve primary education for girls around the world and he leaves his family and risks his physical safety to do that.  I have a hard time sitting in my comfy living room begrudging a man and calling him a sham because a disgruntled former employee has a different story.

When I sit back and watch Mortenson and the Central Asia Institute attacked like this, I think of the well-spoken words of Mother Teresea and how much they apply in this situation.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway. 

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.  

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.  

The good you do today will often be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.  

Give the best you have and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.  

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

What I think about Greg Mortenson is that he is still an educational hero of mine.  He certainly has faults but he's fighting the good fight and it's going to take more than some sketchy, biased research on the part of 60 Minutes to change my mind.

_____Want more information?_____

To hear "the rest of the story" click here. 

To read Greg Mortenson's response to 60 Minutes questions click here.

The Board of the Central Asia Institute answers 60 Minutes questions here.

Daniel Glick provides a good personal reflection in this piece.

Days of Play: Family Movie Night {The Emperor's New Groove}

To learn more about family movie nights, please refer to my previous post here.

I also STRONGLY encourage you to check out Family Movie Nights from Plugged In for movie suggestions and curriculum!

For this family night, we'll be watching The Emperor's New Groove!

Source

For this family night you'll need:

• Some photos or a website about Llamas
• A family-friendly meal (maybe let your kids choose!)
• Blocks
• Movie
• Blankets/pillows
• popcorn or other snacks

Start your evening off by asking kids what they know about llamas.  Show them photos or funny (previewed) videos of llamas online.

Next, make dinner together. This can be an elaborate family pizza or simple mac-n-cheese.  Let your kids pick the meal tonight and spend time cooking together.

After dinner, build a pyramid of blocks.  See who can make the biggest, silliest, tallest ...

Finally, pop popcorn, get snacks, get comfy and settle in for a show.

After the movie, ask your kids some questions (from Plugged In curriculum):

1. How does Pacha treat Kuzco even though Kuzco is mean to him?  How should we treat those who are unkind to us?  Read Matthew 5:46
2. Kuzco grew up having everything he wanted and not being disciplined.  How does this make him act?  Why are boundaries/rules good for children?  Are any of our rules unfair?
3. Kuzco is blind to the needs of others because he is selfish and greedy.  How are his actions different than Jesus'?  Read Philippians 2:3-4 and talk about how to put others first.

Accepting the Bad

Have you ever had something you needed to say but you just can't find the words?

A burning disappointment.  A broken heart.  A repentance.

I've been at a loss to explain my own feelings--even to myself.  But as I've spent time in prayer and thought this weekend, a few feelings have come to my tongue.

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like God just didn't. Show. Up?

Let down. Angry. Floundering.

When my mom was diagnosed with CADASIL it broke my heart. When I learned the hideous disease was hereditary, disappointment, fear and anger raged through me.

I like to imagine I felt how John the Baptist felt when he sent word to Jesus that he was in jail and Jesus--THE Jesus who gave sight to the blind and healed the lame and healed people from leprosy--called John great and yet--didn't go save John the Baptist from jail and his impending death (Matthew 11).  How must John the Baptist have felt?  Angry? Disappointed? Hurt?

In prison John the Baptist questioned if Jesus was the messiah.  How could He be the messiah when this bad thing was happening to John? How could Jesus not save the man who prepared the way for him?

Jesus makes a poignant statement--the prophets through John the Baptist prophesied the coming messiah.  Are we willing to accept that Jesus is Him even in the midst of a bad situation (Matthew 11:14)?  Even when bad things happen?  Even in discomfort or death? Even when we don't get what we want, no matter how noble the request?

When you are going through infertility or watching a loved one die or worrying about your health and wondering if you've given your children a disease that will one day kill them, people like to comfort you with words of encouragement.

"This is God's will."
"Keep the faith."
"Keep praying and God will give you your heart's desires."

To these "comforts" I reply:

Even if it is God's will ... It still hurts.  It is still confusing. In fact, God's will seems much more dubious when it is messy and dangerous and not an obvious blessing.

When I'm angry ... God can handle it.  It is a testament to my faith that I trust HIM with my emotions--even the ugly, angry ones.  My faith is not lacking because I question.  My faith is strong because I know He can comfort me in spite of my doubts.

My bad situation is not a result of not praying enough or trusting enough.  And though I pray, God still MIGHT not give me what I pray for.  But He might make my heart soft toward Him and draw me closer to Him and I might come to learn that it is not my selfish desires He wishes to give me, but to line my desires up with His.  And His heart's desire is that I know Him intimately and trust Him so fully that even if everything else falls away, He is still E N O U G H.

Give me that kind of heart.

I want my desires to be so in line with Christ's that in all circumstances I can stand in full faith and with the heart of trust, I can proclaim as Job did so long ago, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21).

It is easy, oh so easy, to proclaim God's will, and God's blessing, and God's grace when things are good.

But right now as I hurt and break and bleed and fear, I cry out to God and plead with Him to help me accept the bad.

The more I cry out, the more I am being intimately drawn to Him.  And though I hurt, I sing praise.  For peace.  For joy.  For knowing that even that which seems bad, is good in Christ.

From a Sigh to a Celebration

The pain. The sacrifice. The sorrow.  All but a sigh on the winds of eternity.

For where there was despair, there is now a song.  A celebration.

Not simply because of a love worth dying for.

A celebration for the resurrection that spurs me on to do the work of the cross, to be disciplined and sacrificial in my love for God and His people.

My song is hallelujah.

Mother's Day {Shutterfly}

Mother's Day is sneaking up on us! 

Whenever I ask my mom what she wants for Mother's Day she gives me the same answer.

"I want pictures of my grandchildren."

Ergo, I head to Shutterfly for photo gift ideas.

Shutterfly has great Mother's Day Cards and Stationary. 

I simply love these personalized notebooks and notepads.  They are super cute and, hello, UBER practical!  Who wouldn't feel a little bit better looking at the grocery list if it had the faces of beloved little kids on it?

Of course Shutterfly offers other fabulous Mother's Day Gifts, like accessories.

I love accessories.  Whether its a necklace, apron, or bag, I love it!  Am I crazy thinking you can NEVER go wrong giving someone an accessory?  I think not.

If you want to get a photo accessory for your mom, may I urge you to consider this bracelet?  It is darling AND affordable; you can't beat that!

And who can resist a great summer carry-all (especially if it has the grandchildren on it)?

Though I love Shutterfly's selection of stationary and photo accessories, what I'm leaning toward most this year is a Photo Book for Mom.

Shutterfly's Photo books come in five different sizes and can be created totally custom for the mom in your life.  There are extensive background options and there are tools to help crop and rotate photos.  What I like best about this option, however, is how easy it is to sit down and create a custom book of memories to enjoy with loved ones!

I've used Shutterfly from everything from calendars to Christmas cards and I am always impressed by the quality of their products.  Shipping is fast and convenient and the website is very user friendly.

If you are searching for that "Oh so perfect" Mother's Day present, may I suggest you hop on over to Shutterfly and check out their selection of Mother's Day Cards and Stationary, Mother's Day Gifts, and especially check out Photo Books for Mom!

**Disclaimer** I was contacted by Shutterfly about doing a review of their products for Mother's Day.  I will be compensated with a code to receive 50 cards and a photo book.  However, all opinions are my own.  I've used Shutterfly without free promos because I believe in the quality of their products.

“Have a blog? Sign up for a chance at 50 free cards from Shutterfly.” 

 

Quietly Contemplating

I'm quietly contemplating what today means.

What it holds.

Why it is relevant ... 

                                     today ... 
   
                                                          tomorrow.  


From palms to passion.

From Hosanna! to Barabbas!

From desperation to desertion.

Oh how fickle the followers who wanted freedom without sacrifice...

...the crown without the cross.

Today I quietly contemplate.


And though I don't understand, You left PEACE for your followers. 


I receive it.


I believe it.


I will live it.

Out of Jesus' affliction came a new sense of God's love and a new basis for love between men, so out of our affliction we may grasp the splendor of God's love and how to love one another. Thus the consummation of the two commandments was on Golgotha; and the Cross is, at once, their image and their fulfillment. ~Malcolm Muggeridge~

Peace be with you.

Things I Love: Water for Elephants

Have you read Water for Elephants?

It is a fabulous book about a vet-school drop out's foray into the circus and his love affair with the showstopper and elephant.  It sounds sketchy but it is so amazing.

Photo Source

Anyhow, Water for Elephants was turned into a movie.  When I read the book I kept envisioning James McAvoy in the male lead role but the movie people cast Rob Pattinson, which will do.  The lead female, however, is Reese Witherspoon, whom I adore.

The movie comes out on April 22 and I'm so excited.



Have you read the book?  Are you excited to see the movie?

What I Think About: Abundant Life

I can't even begin to count the number of times I think, "there isn't enough time!" or "I'll make time."

Isn't time tricky?  It's the commodity we wish we had more of but if you had more time, what would you do with it?

If I had more time, I'd clean the baseboards.  I'd refabricate a navy blue long sleeved T I bought at Gap for $1.97.  I'd read the novel Beth loaned me.  I'd go to bed before 11:30.

Do you hear what I'm saying? Even if I had more time, it wouldn't be enough.  I'd fill it.  Stuff it.  Smother it with things that need doing and caught up on and finished.

It's mind-numbing.  Even if I had more time, it wouldn't be enough.

How do you negotiate that?  Do you just decide that you'll make better use of the time you do have?

"I won't waste time," I think.  I'll multitask constantly; I'll cut down on phone conversations with my sister; I'll be diligent about starting laundry in the morning; I'll manage my time better.

But the more I hyper-manage and finagle my time, the emptier I feel.  Why is that?  How can a life filled to the brim with preschool and work and homework and diaper washing and soccer practice and ballet practice and church and date nights and ... feel so. darn. empty?

How does none of this stuff that I spend my time on fill me with a sense of accomplishment and peace?  Why do I continue to rush and hurry onto the next task or event when I know it will not fulfill?

In One Thousand Gifts Ann Voskamp ponders how the busyness of your life leaves you with little time for the source of you life.

Ouch.  Truth.

I'll plan date nights a year in advance.  I'll plan meals for the next month.  I'll schedule play dates two weeks out.  I have a "to do" list for tomorrow.

Spending time with God is not on it.

Perhaps why I can't grasp time is because I've lost its purpose.  In a panic to "live" life, I've lost the reason to live life.  Jesus said He came so that we would have life and so we could live it to it's fullest (John 10:10).  He came so we can have abundant life.  Life to it's fullest.  Not so I could rush.  Not to hurry.  But to savor and enjoy--a vapor of breath on a winter day.

When I look at my children they've aged over night.  Surely this fair haired girl with the nose slightly turned up isn't the baby I nursed yesterday.  She can't be.  Can't be five.

I think of memories of her.  Learning to walk. Reading books on her potty. Dropping a watermelon off the kitchen table and laughing as it burst all over the kitchen.  I smile. A happy, sad smile.

It goes so quickly, time.

And I can't hold it.  I can't get more.

Desperately I want to say, "STOP!" and just soak in the beauty of the moment.  To not have that delightful girl get older but to hold her and read Charlotte's Web and to snuggle with Bear Bear under a quilt.

I want to just stop and enjoy the moment--this moment. This moment of tantrums and tears and snot and laughter through clenched teeth holding tight to pacifiers.  This time is ours. But it will not last.

I wonder if I did just enjoy now--if I just savored these small things, these simple moments, if I wouldn't mind if time slipped right past me.

If wonder if I just wouldn't notice because time is no match for a life abundantly lived.

Thank you to Shell at Things I Can't Say for letting me Pour My Heart Out!