August 15, 2011 · 5:00 am

Relaxing My Way Through Kindergarten

My firstborn is starting Kindergarten.

That sentence alone should tell you exactly what my emotional state is like right now.

I keep thinking to myself, “Thirteen years. That’s all we’ve got left. Thirteen short, precious years.”

Maybe that’s melodramatic, but I don’t care. See, I’m one of these moms that enjoys being with my children. I enjoy their presence, the routine, the activities, the daily grind, and the very blessing that I have in being a stay-at-home mom.

When I first began my career as a teacher, I wanted it to be just that– a career. I had no plans to take any breaks from teaching, and I wanted to hit that 30 year mark to retirement exactly 30 years after I began.

But life happened. Children happened. And I suddenly realized that I didn’t want my children in daycare and that the Lord was leading me in a whole new direction. And stay-at-home Mom I became.

And now that it’s my baby starting school, I am all mixed with sadness, excitement, anticipation and nerves. He’s cool and calm– I’m biting my nails to the quick.

Will he like school? Will he excel? Will his teacher have the kindness, patience, and goodness of heart to deal with his train obsession? Will he make friends? Will he enjoy the next thirteen years?

I’m working through the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I’m sure many of you are familiar with it. A recent devotion started off with RELAX.

Okay, so God was speaking to me.  It went on to say, “When you walk through the day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in me.”

This sentence made me think of my son and his happy-go-lucky personality. He’s going to be great in Kindergarten. It’s me who needs to relax.

I’m hearing ya, God, and I’m trusting. But do me a favor– slow down the next thirteen years a little. And I promise to try very hard not to cry (a lot) when I walk Big Man into his classroom the first day.

Share with Me: What was kindergarten like for you? Do you remember your teacher’s name? Did you go all day, 5 days a week? When your children started school, how did it affect you emotionally? Do you remember your mother’s emotions when you started school?

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August 10, 2011 · 5:00 am

Constructing the Perfect Man- Personality Potpourri

Okay, so last week for my Writer Wednesday post we discussed the construction of the “perfect man” based on physical characteristics.

I was surprised by two things: 
1. how many of you read the post but didn’t answer the questions. For those of you who did answer, I appreciate it so much and I loved your feedback! (Hey- it’s not too late to jump back to that post here and leave a response, ladies! I could use your input!)
2. The guys who so bravely left their comments. Way to go, fellas!

One of my theories on why some of you ladies may not have given your opinion on the last “Constructing the Perfect Man” post is that for some of you, looks don’t matter. So I expect to read a lot from you on this one. 🙂

So, we move on. Today I want to know what it is about a man’s personality that attracts you.

Do you like the funny-man? The brooder? The protector? The lover? The sensitive man? The care-giver? The perfectionist? The wanderer? The one who is outspoken? The strong, silent type?

I think we all like a combination of many traits.  But the personality traits that we love can be over-kill if given in large doses. For example, I can appreciate the man who is in tune with his emotions, but I don’t want a weepy dude who cries at the drop of a hat.

Once again, I’ll remind you that when we write romance, one of the things that is purposeful is creating a man that the reader can fall in love with. After all, if he’s going to get the girl and make all things good, the reader has to want that to happen.

Generally, romance readers like a man who is brave, strong, heroic, and eventually at some point in the book, passionate. But is this cliche?

Whether or not you like the Twilight Saga, Stephenie Meyer did a fantastic job of making Edward Cullen lovable. Just ask the millions of tweens, teens, and “Twi-Moms” out there who will tell you that E.C. stole their hearts. Why? It doesn’t have as much to do with him being written as physically attractive but more to do with the fact that he’s the ultimate protector. He’ll do anything to keep his girl safe. And that makes most girls swoon.

I know I’ve used Twilight as an example before, but it’s a well-selling series that has become not only a reading, but also cultural phenomenon.

So, I want you to think about your husband, significant other, favorite movie hero, book hero, etc., and tell me what it is about personalities of these men that makes them easy to love.

To help make this easier, I’ve listed my question below. Share your opinions. I’m interested to see what you find appealing.

Share with Me: What are the top 3 personality traits you find attractive in a man?

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August 8, 2011 · 5:00 am

Where God Put the Moon

I took my boys to swim at my parent’s house the other evening, and although the sun had not yet set, the crescent moon was high in the sky.

My boys sat on the steps of the pool and began screaming at the moon, shouting for it to come down and swim with them.

Finally, my two-year-old looked at me and with the most frustrated face I’ve ever seen from him said, “Mama, the moon won’t come down here!”

I gently explained that God put the moon in the sky and it had to stay there.

After a moment of contemplation, my son looked back at the moon and shouted, “Okay, moon! You stay there where God put you!”

Occasionally the words of children are exactly what we need in just the right moment. Stay where God put you. 

Often I’m guilty of wanting to make changes. I sometimes don’t like circumstances in my life and I think to myself, “what would it be like if things were different?” When I encounter troubles, I imagine that things would be easier if I had just been born in a simpler time.

But sometimes all I need to remember is that I’m right where God put me– in this moment in time, in this nation, in this family, etc. God knows my past, present and future, and I am right where he wants me to be.

Instead of rushing into changes I hope will someday come, I am reminded to look around and enjoy the many blessings he’s provided by creating me specifically for this fleeting moment in time. I am reminded that living in his will is what he planned for me all along.

Like the crescent moon staying put in the sky, I want to stay right where God put me. There is no greater, more perfect place to be.

Share with me: Have you ever considered how your life would be different if you had been born in another time? If you could have had the choice, in what time period would you like to have lived?

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