This article made me cry and gave me hope. Praises to God for parents of boys who will be raising their sons up this way! As the mother of daughters, I thank you.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/03/after-steubenville-what-our-sons-needs-to-know-about-manhood/
Talk about relief...this is so much better than my post about the realities of parenthood
http://www.stevewiens.com/2013/03/12/to-parents-of-small-children-let-me-be-the-one-who-says-it-out-loud/
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Motherhood ISN'T Pretty
I know SO many soon to be mothers right now, and I think it's finally time I get on my soap box for a minute...more importanly, I hope to offer them a great deal of relief! Unfortunately Americans have become obsessed with all things that are asthetically pleasing, as opposed to things with REAL depth. Our culture and the media has trained us to be this way. I want to offer a real dose of reality to moms out there. Being that I am a mom, my time is limited, so here it goes...
This is what you might think your nursery will look like
When most of the time she will look like this
You might think that you will have time to look fabulous like these celebrity moms.
And last but certainly not least, you may think your baby will play and learn like this
Truthfully, it's more like this
See, she learned that tupperware can serve as a container as well as a hat!
There is nothing wrong with wanting things to look nice from time to time, but I am telling you that it is MUCH more difficult when kids are part of the picture. I've learned to ask myself, "Who am I really doing this or worried about this for?" If the answer doesn't involve God or raising Godly children, then I've learned to realize it isn't important.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
This is what you might think your nursery will look like
Give that baby just a few mere seconds and it will look more like this
And that was a GOOD day
You might think that your baby will look like this
You might think that you will have time to look fabulous like these celebrity moms.
When you really only have time to look like this
And last but certainly not least, you may think your baby will play and learn like this
There is nothing wrong with wanting things to look nice from time to time, but I am telling you that it is MUCH more difficult when kids are part of the picture. I've learned to ask myself, "Who am I really doing this or worried about this for?" If the answer doesn't involve God or raising Godly children, then I've learned to realize it isn't important.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Monday, December 17, 2012
My response to Sandy Hook
I was reading an article today about the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. The first child listed was named Charlotte....the tears return, and my heart breaks even more. Children are not perfect beings, but I believe they are God's reminder of the innocence that so defines our Savior. They are a gift.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
I am so dumbfounded by the brutal acts committed against children in this country...massacres, molestation, and abortion. Throughout history the world has been filled with evil, self absorbed people. At the same time, I know couples who have tried for months and even years to conceive. These couples have their dreams shattered time and time again, yet they have faith and continue trying. I also know couples who gave up everything to adopt children(sometimes even children that others deem "unfit").Thank God for those who know the value of children and commit their lives to the preservation of purity.
Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Genesis 21:2
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
It's time for Christians to put on our big boy and big girl spiritual panties defend our children, and more importantly defend our Savior. We have to wise up and "grow a pair"(for lack of a better term).
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
I am so dumbfounded by the brutal acts committed against children in this country...massacres, molestation, and abortion. Throughout history the world has been filled with evil, self absorbed people. At the same time, I know couples who have tried for months and even years to conceive. These couples have their dreams shattered time and time again, yet they have faith and continue trying. I also know couples who gave up everything to adopt children(sometimes even children that others deem "unfit").Thank God for those who know the value of children and commit their lives to the preservation of purity.
Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Genesis 21:2
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
It's time for Christians to put on our big boy and big girl spiritual panties defend our children, and more importantly defend our Savior. We have to wise up and "grow a pair"(for lack of a better term).
Friday, November 16, 2012
What having twins and a chatty English woman have taught me
I almost typed my little story in a facebook post...be thankful I chose to spare the less interested by making it my November blog instead ;-)
Today the fab 4(Carmen, Rachel, Charlotte, and I) picked Andrew up from school. A delightful English woman was there to pick up her grandchildren. She approached me with a multitude of questions about my girls...nothing new, people come out of the woodwork to talk about twins. The conversation shifted and I soon knew everything there was to know about the International Baccalaureate program, homecoming mums, and why soccer is better than football(cursing included to emphasize her points).
Ever since I can remember, this has happened to me. The arrival of my girls has only caused the number of oddly comfortable strangers to increase. Sometimes the sinner in me thinks, "Why me? I am not a fantastic conversationalist. I constantly worry about what to say and how to say it, and most of the time it comes out wrong." Then today God gave me a wake up call....
He said, "You listen and you empathize. They don't care about eloquence or answers to their problems, with the exception of one!" Situations such as the one that I experienced today are more than situations...they are opportunities. Opportunities to share His work in my life, and how I know that He can do unbelievable things for others.
God has a funny way of reminding us what our spiritual gifts are, and He gives us little and sometimes big pushes along the way. So many blessings have come from the existence of my little doodlebugs. This increase in OPPORTUNITIES is just another amazing one :-D
Today the fab 4(Carmen, Rachel, Charlotte, and I) picked Andrew up from school. A delightful English woman was there to pick up her grandchildren. She approached me with a multitude of questions about my girls...nothing new, people come out of the woodwork to talk about twins. The conversation shifted and I soon knew everything there was to know about the International Baccalaureate program, homecoming mums, and why soccer is better than football(cursing included to emphasize her points).
Ever since I can remember, this has happened to me. The arrival of my girls has only caused the number of oddly comfortable strangers to increase. Sometimes the sinner in me thinks, "Why me? I am not a fantastic conversationalist. I constantly worry about what to say and how to say it, and most of the time it comes out wrong." Then today God gave me a wake up call....
He said, "You listen and you empathize. They don't care about eloquence or answers to their problems, with the exception of one!" Situations such as the one that I experienced today are more than situations...they are opportunities. Opportunities to share His work in my life, and how I know that He can do unbelievable things for others.
God has a funny way of reminding us what our spiritual gifts are, and He gives us little and sometimes big pushes along the way. So many blessings have come from the existence of my little doodlebugs. This increase in OPPORTUNITIES is just another amazing one :-D
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Less is so so so so MUCH MORE
Experienced a revelation! Lot is a fascinating character in the Bible...if you are interested in reading about brotherly love, separation, and the the challenges that a sinful and materialistic society can produce, start in Genesis 13 and KEEP GOING!
Also, I recently read an amazing blog. Although the writer and I would not see eye to eye on many, if not most topics, I totally agree with her on this. As Americans, we place too much value on aesthetic pleasure and the amount of stuff that we have.
http://revolutionfromhome.com/2012/04/lets-all-compare-our-perfect-lives-then-try-to-enjoy-our-day/
That being said...here is my new list of goals.
1. Read my Bible every day
2. Help start a ministry for mothers and mothers to be
3. When the girls are awake; sing, dance, play, read(do not worry about cleaning house or ANYTHING for that matter)
4. Budget like the beast that is Dave Ramsey
5. WATER(been off the DP for 2 days and I already feel a difference)
6. Keep getting rid of stuff(stuff=crap)
7. pray pray pray
8. Don't plan(let God take the reins and don't develop worldly expectations)
9. Repeat the mantra that I'm allowed to be disappointed in myself if and only if I displeased God
10. Sleep
Working on being a worry wart no more!
Also, I recently read an amazing blog. Although the writer and I would not see eye to eye on many, if not most topics, I totally agree with her on this. As Americans, we place too much value on aesthetic pleasure and the amount of stuff that we have.
http://revolutionfromhome.com/2012/04/lets-all-compare-our-perfect-lives-then-try-to-enjoy-our-day/
That being said...here is my new list of goals.
1. Read my Bible every day
2. Help start a ministry for mothers and mothers to be
3. When the girls are awake; sing, dance, play, read(do not worry about cleaning house or ANYTHING for that matter)
4. Budget like the beast that is Dave Ramsey
5. WATER(been off the DP for 2 days and I already feel a difference)
6. Keep getting rid of stuff(stuff=crap)
7. pray pray pray
8. Don't plan(let God take the reins and don't develop worldly expectations)
9. Repeat the mantra that I'm allowed to be disappointed in myself if and only if I displeased God
10. Sleep
Working on being a worry wart no more!
Monday, October 22, 2012
30 before 30 at warp speed!
but first...an update :)
The Ragsdale
James wins the patience award. He has survived living in a house with 4 other women; one of those being his mother-in-law, and another being his tired and hormonal wife and mother of twins. He doesn't always understand what is going on with me but he claims he has no regrets...love this man with all my heart.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Rachel Lynn(The Showstopper)
Rachel is my little comedian. She will do anything for a laugh....whether it be snort in your face or baby bootie dance to music. She loves kissing her mama, her sister, and her own reflection in the mirror. I have yet to meet an individual quite like her. In getting to know this girl, I've come to realize my God has an amazing sense of humor.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Char Char(The Little Spitfire)
Charlotte inherited the emotions of her mother. What can I say, we feel with intensity ;) For a time I worried about my tiny baby and how she would survive in this big cruel world. I now know that she will take on the world, chew on it for awhile, spit it out and say HA! All the sudden my 3rd percentile girl is walking all over the place. Incredibly stubborn yet empathetic as all get out, the Lord will use her to move mountains.
Proverbs 31:20-21
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
And me...
30 before 30 Challenge
Tomorrow I will be 29 and a half. That being said, I have created some goals for myself. Might as well make the last 6 months of my journey to 30 interesting. Keep in mind, some of these are non-negotiable...others may require some tweaking over time.
Without further ado and in no particular order...
1. sing karaoke(this will require a visit to a bar, but I am willing to make this sacrifice in order to show off my lyrical talent :-O)
2. stay in a town that I've never been to before
3. try something new with my look
4. attend a wrestling event(strangely fascinated with the "sport" thanks to my husband...also eager to meet Sheamus)
5. write first three chapters of my book
6. READ MY BIBLE DAILY
7. GIVE UP DR. PEPPER FOR WATER(water amplified with crystal light anyway)
8. learn 6 dances from music videos(I don't run marathons or go to the gym...I dance)
9. go to a bird watching event(that's right)
10. start a ministry(not what some might think...involves play dates, moms, and moms to be...still praying about it, but please contact me if you're interested)
11. host a dinner party
12. complete 6 craft projects(instead of just staring at them on pinterest)
13. learn 6 of Nana's recipes from the woman herself(great excuse to hang out with one of my favorite people)
14. dance in a flash mob
15. plan and carry out a fun weekend for just the girls
16. financial planning like a beast(thanks to Dave Ramsey)
17. write 12 letters to people just because I think they're special
18. one blog each month(originally I was going to shoot for every day, but let's be real)
19. take a night for myself each week
20. dance with my girls every day
21. read with my girls every day
22. walk every day
23. grow vegetables in my garden and actually eat them(tomato plants are looking luscious but there isn't a tomato in sight :( )
24. learn to carry on a basic conversation in Spanish(teacher Rachel to the rescue!)
25. clean out the computer room and garage
26. look sassy one night a week(this is asking a lot given the fact that shaving my legs has become a chore)
27. sweets on holidays only
28. early bed time every night
29. no more fast food(this will require much cooking and many leftovers)
30. dance by myself in front of an audience( might be able to cheat my way out of this one :-p)
Maybe it's an impossible feat. Nonetheless, it will be fun to try :)
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ;-)
The Ragsdale
 |
| grilling king |
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Rachel Lynn(The Showstopper)
 |
| swinging fool |
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Char Char(The Little Spitfire)
 |
| minnie mouse |
Proverbs 31:20-21
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
And me...
30 before 30 Challenge
Tomorrow I will be 29 and a half. That being said, I have created some goals for myself. Might as well make the last 6 months of my journey to 30 interesting. Keep in mind, some of these are non-negotiable...others may require some tweaking over time.
Without further ado and in no particular order...
1. sing karaoke(this will require a visit to a bar, but I am willing to make this sacrifice in order to show off my lyrical talent :-O)
2. stay in a town that I've never been to before
3. try something new with my look
4. attend a wrestling event(strangely fascinated with the "sport" thanks to my husband...also eager to meet Sheamus)
5. write first three chapters of my book
6. READ MY BIBLE DAILY
7. GIVE UP DR. PEPPER FOR WATER(water amplified with crystal light anyway)
8. learn 6 dances from music videos(I don't run marathons or go to the gym...I dance)
9. go to a bird watching event(that's right)
10. start a ministry(not what some might think...involves play dates, moms, and moms to be...still praying about it, but please contact me if you're interested)
11. host a dinner party
12. complete 6 craft projects(instead of just staring at them on pinterest)
13. learn 6 of Nana's recipes from the woman herself(great excuse to hang out with one of my favorite people)
14. dance in a flash mob
15. plan and carry out a fun weekend for just the girls
16. financial planning like a beast(thanks to Dave Ramsey)
17. write 12 letters to people just because I think they're special
18. one blog each month(originally I was going to shoot for every day, but let's be real)
19. take a night for myself each week
20. dance with my girls every day
21. read with my girls every day
22. walk every day
23. grow vegetables in my garden and actually eat them(tomato plants are looking luscious but there isn't a tomato in sight :( )
24. learn to carry on a basic conversation in Spanish(teacher Rachel to the rescue!)
25. clean out the computer room and garage
26. look sassy one night a week(this is asking a lot given the fact that shaving my legs has become a chore)
27. sweets on holidays only
28. early bed time every night
29. no more fast food(this will require much cooking and many leftovers)
30. dance by myself in front of an audience( might be able to cheat my way out of this one :-p)
Maybe it's an impossible feat. Nonetheless, it will be fun to try :)
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ;-)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Let's see how loud I can make my voice!
But Jesus said, "Allow little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14
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