Checking In

I haven't been blogging much this week because I have misplaced my camera, and I hate blogging without pictures.  I say misplaced because I am praying, praying, praying that it turns up.  It's not a nice camera, but it gets the job done, and John is changing everyday.  I really need to find that thing!! 

I am no good with cameras or phones.  Have you noticed?

Which by the way, Scott is going to get me yet another phone tomorrow.  The newest one that I had, broke, and to get it fixed, it needed to be sent away.  Not worth it!!  On top of all of that, it had no service in Alabama, which made it mostly useless to me.  So...I will be getting yet another one tomorrow.  This one should be around for a while.  It does mean that I will have another new number, and another empty contact list.

John is still being a little stinker when it comes to sleeping.  In fact, he is "crying it out" as we speak.  He has not had a quality nap today, and it is already 2:00, so I am trying my hardest to ignore his cries.  I think I must have taught him that I will always respond to his cries.  I didn't mean to, but I have a feeling that this is mostly my fault.  Hmmm...I am trying to remedy that.

Other events from the week.

On Wednesday, Ada, John, and I went for the first swim of the summer.  Thanks again for the invite, Jess!!  Ada loved it and has not stopped talking about it.  It was crazy what a difference I could see in her from last summer to this summer.  Last year she was very timid in the water and didn't seem to like it very much.  This year, as long as her floaties were on and she had on a "ring" float (again, thank you, Jessica--and Hannah and Grant), she was miss confident, kicking her legs and saying, "look, mommy, I'm swimming."  She also liked for me to hold her on her stomach so that she could kick her arms and her legs at the same time.  For the past two days, she will say, "mommy, do you want to talk about swimming?" and then she will go over everything she can remember about the day.  (Oh, and John was wonderful, falling asleep in his stroller for most of the morning).

And finally, this is my most recent read.

I am loving it, to say the least.

For me, it has been the most encouraging book about motherhood that I have read to date.  (My own mother gave me the book--is that correct, mom?  Did you give me this?)

It is a biography written by Elisabeth Elliot about her own mother and the way "things were done" in Elliot's house when she was growing up.  I love how Elisabeth Elliot is never concerned about culture or being politically correct but only about what the Bible has to say.  And she is not afraid to say it like it is. 

It also has much to say about Fatherhood and parenting in general, but I can't really see Scott picking it up and reading it.  Hmmm...I'll see what he says.  However, I do think Elliot's book, The Mark of a Man is a must read for men.

I have found such encouragement that I have been almost in tears more than once.  It has served as such a reminder of the importance of motherhood.  I often can't see past the dishes and the diapers and the meals and the budgeting to see what it is I am working towards.  This book quickly puts it into perspective.

Let me share a few of my favorite things so far, but please feel free to skip this.  I know this is getting long:)

The process of shaping a child...shapes also the mother herself.  Reverence for her sacred burden calls her to all that is pure and good, that she may teach primarily by her own humble, daily example. (99)

[referring to the birth of her younger sister]Once again we washed Birdseye diapers in the old machine and put them through the ringer by hand and pinned them to the clothesline outdoors and brought them in and folded and folded and folded them.  So, like Mary the mother of Jesus...and all the mothers of the world, my mother was again..."a quiet servant of necessity," doing the work no one would notice or thank her for--no one, that is, except Him to whom it could be offered as a daily sacrifice of love. (100)

And lastly, a conversation that is recorded in the book.  I loved this.

A talented woman was asked by a friend, "Why have you never written a book?"

"I am writing two," was the quiet reply. "I have been engaged on one for ten years, and the other five."

"You surprise me!" the friend said.  "What profound works they must be!"

"It doth not yet appear what they shall be," said the woman, "but when He makes up His jewels, my great ambition is to find them there."

"Your children?"

"Yes, my two children.  They are my life's work."

And so for mother, we six were her life's work.  She asked for no more.

Okay, finally, that's all I have to say.  And John has finally stopped crying, so I may take this time to snooze a bit myself.