Already Gone

I've had plenty ideas to blog about, some of them really thought provoking. I've tried, but I just haven't been able to blog this past week or so. Why? Because my mind is already on vacation. You see, in just two more days we leave for Disneyland. If you know us at all, you know that we eat, drink, breathe, and sleep Disneyland. It IS our family vacation destination. So it should be no surprise that my hubby and I are more than excited to head out to that magical place. In my mind I am already walking through the gates and heading down Main Street as I hear that fun music and anticipate hitting our first ride. Pirates of the Caribbean? Splash Mountain? The Haunted Mansion? Eeeek! I suppose I should mention the kids are anxious too.

Don't worry, once we get back I'll blog again. I'll have lots of pictures to post and I am sure I'll whine about not being on vacation at Disneyland because it was so fun and I want to go back now. Then maybe my brain will eventually start working so I can blog deep thought provoking blogs. Until then, you'll just have to deal with the void of blogs because, baby, I am already gone!

I want to pinch and kiss these!

I love baby legs. So cute and chubby with a roll or two. Of course, these baby legs have lost some chub since they started crawling and now are walking as hard as they can. But they are still as cute and kissable as ever!

Embrace the "Mom body"

I am sure you all have heard someone complain after a meal that they shouldn't have had that last piece of pie, cookie, cupcake, etc. because now they are stuffed and will regret the caloric consequences later. Women are especially hard on themselves and their appearance, which means we like to beat ourselves up whenever we eat something sweet, greasy, carb-filled or good. We feel guilty for indulging ourselves because, for some reason, that's bad in our minds. We notice every change to our bodies like that tiny pimple, wrinkle, stretch mark, or flake of skin. Nothing escapes our hawk-like eyes.

I had a bit of an awakening the other day when I was pondering the above. You never hear any sane person say "You know, I really shouldn't have had those last two kids. They did a number on my body. That first one was okay, but I'd have skipped those last two in order to keep my small hips." Of course no one would say that. It's extremely calloused and heartless. Yet how often do women tear themselves down because of the lingering physical affects of child bearing? Stretch marks galore, a less firm chest, that pool of skin that once was a stomach, and so on. It's one thing to exercise and get back in to shape, but it's quite another to bemoan the fact that our bodies will never be the same again. Do what you can to feel good about yourself and accept what won't ever change back! You brought life into the world, of course your body went through a lot of changes. But was it worth it? Would you give up one of your kids in order to have a few less stretch marks or a more perky chest? The answer had better be a resounding "no!".

I cannot imagine life without sweet happy Jacob, affectionate inquisitive Jimmy, fiery adorable Rachel, or studious glamorous Anna. I honestly don't love my road map of stretch marks or that doughy middle that was once a flat stomach. I like to keep in shape because it makes me feel good. But I also know that I've had four kids and there are going to be some permanent affects because I am no Elasta Girl. I've come to accept and move beyond those issues. Is it really worth focusing on or getting upset about? Love your "mom body" and what it has been able to accomplish. Get over what you don't like.

After all, would you really trade in the experience of motherhood just to have a few less stretch marks?

Readings as of late

I've really gotten into reading Biblical fiction. It has been fun and fascinating to read about women of the Old Testament. Their customs, life style, and point of view. I just had the chance to finish two such books written about two famous women from the scriptures. I wish I could say I enjoyed both works, but I didn't


Up first on my reading list was "The Red Tent". I have heard so many things about how good this book is from various women. It's the story of Dinah, the prophet Jacob's daughter, and her mothers. I admit that the details of their life was fascinating, but that's where my interest in the book ended. It was rather crude, with heavy sexual undertones. I think I can figure out how people have children, you don't need to tell me about it in detail. But my biggest gripe was how the prophets and great women from the Old Testament were depicted. Jacob was apparently a man with a vast sexual appetite that satisfied himself any way he could. Isaac in his old age had a young concubine to have fun with. Rebbecca, Isaac's wife, was a priestess full of spite for her husband and contempt for the world around her. I could go on and on. Seriously, if a man is going to be a prophet, he has to be a little bit better than the rest in behavior and exercise some self control. And the faithful wives of such men aren't going to be egomaniacs. Otherwise they wouldn't be married to such holy men. The book left a nasty taste in my literary mouth. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.


That is why I am so glad my next read was "Sarah" from Orson Scott Card's "Women of Genesis" series. This was a well written, interesting, and clean book. His telling of the story of Abraham and Sarah was beautiful, romantic, and TASTEFUL. Like the rest of us, they had their struggles and doubts at times. Who wouldn't when in a foreign country and under risk of being assassinated by the king if he found out a marriage existed between you and your spouse? Or what about doubting when the Lord tells a very elderly woman, who has spent years barren and longing for a child, that she will finally bring forth a son? Yet, despite their many trials, they stayed close to the Lord and each other. Their love was sincere and beautiful. This is the kind of book I like to read. This is how I would like to think my Old Testament figures as having been.

I'd pick "Sarah" over "The Red Tent" any day and twice on Sundays. In fact, I am excited to check out more books from the "Women of Genesis" series. Well worth the read.