Friday, June 28, 2013

Do you like me when I wear this dress?

“Do you like me when I wear this dress?” “Do you like me when I have this bow in my hair?” “Do you like me when I twirl my skirt?” “Do you like me when I wear these new shoes?”

These are just a few of the things that Ella has asked us at different times, and I imagine are the types of things that many little girls ask.

We’ve made a habit for our response to Ella to be something along these lines: “Yes, we like you and we like your dress. But we like you and love you whether or not you wear that dress.”

My husband and I don’t want Ella’s self worth to only be in her outer appearance. We want her focus and self worth to come from her inner person. We also want Ella to know she shouldn’t have to be flashy or do crazy things to get our attention.

Raising a child, I think particularly a girl, in today’s world to not be consumed with the outer is a difficult and constant task. Most influences around her in the world teach her that she must focus her efforts on the outer person. Ella hasn’t even come close to being exposed to most of these influences at this point, and yet my task as a parent has already begun. Hopefully, by encouraging and teaching her course now to be focused on the inner person when she is exposed to more things in the world she will be better prepared to keep her focus on the inner person.

We want Ella to become the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, summed up in Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

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Friday, June 21, 2013

Farmer’s Market

It has become quite the tradition for the kids to go to the Farmer’s Market every week during the summer. They love playing in Mr. Cliff’s truck, checking out the food and items at other booths, and of course, eating peaches!

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Happy Father’s Day!

When I married my husband almost 10 years ago, I didn’t know what kind of dad he would be. I thought he would be a good dad, but I didn’t know. Now I know. Whether he is taking time to rough house with them or disciplining them or bathing them or or encouraging them or leading them spiritually, he is a great dad. We are so blessed.

 

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D-A-D photos from past years

Monday, June 10, 2013

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

Um, so I’m not sure I actually want to plan a menu considering how successful things were last week. I was only able to cook one meal I had planned due to our exciting week with everyone in the house getting the stomach bug and then losing power for an extended period of time. But, in hopes of having a week where I can actually cook, here it goes anyway.

  • Sausage, chicken, and veggie grill packs: I’ve never made this before, but it looks like an easier summer dinner.  I also plan to add chicken to the mix.
  • Chicken fried rice
  • Grilled hamburgers with some sort of grilled corn
  • Pasta with chicken, bacon, onion, and garlic cream sauce
  • Stuffed bell peppers (with ground beef), rice, and maybe some homemade salsa

Monday, June 3, 2013

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

After a crazy month of May, we’re hoping to slip back into a normal routine (at least for summer!). Here’s what I’m thinking for this week:

  • Pork fajitas
  • Sausage, chicken, and veggie grill packs: I’ve never made this before, but it looks like an easier summer dinner.  I also plan to add chicken to the mix.
  • Chicken fried rice
  • Chicken enchilada casserole