Full of Boys

I have not posted many of my cakes but I wanted to share them with you. Here are some recent ones I have done. Hope you like them!

Pete did a post yesterday. Anne did a post last week. If you have not heard about the Boobies post, I suggest you check it out. But really, this is my blog, so I am talking about it my own way.

Moms of boys…this is a challenge to you all now.

You are the closest thing your son might have to learn about modesty.

There. I said it. I mean it too.

Especially if you have only boys, like me.

Our boys are bombarded with images and ideals of what makes a woman attractive. Prettiness is becoming a character trait that now replaces values such as integrity, honesty and trustworthiness. As a woman I do want to feel pretty. As the lone female in my house, I want to feel attractive. But in my quest for this, do I miss the chance to teach my boys that the heart is far more beautiful than my figure?

Does this mean I have to wear a loose pair of jeans and sweatshirt that are too big in hopes that no one notices me? No. What it does mean is that I need to put more thought into everything I wear or don’t wear. My boys already see me put on make up when we go out. I am not going to stop putting it on. However, I am more aware of making sure I don’t put it on all the time..and believe me, I used to do that. Running to the store? Yep, make up had to be applied first. Going outside in the backyard? Absolutely I need a good foundation. Laying out by the pool? I could not imagine not having my hair perfectly positioned. I don’t want them to fall into the trap of believe that foundation, mascara and hair spray make me pretty. Even if I am very thankful for concealer and a flat iron on certain days!

I want to be the ‘cool mom’ or the ‘trendy friend’ but at what cost? This really came up on vacation recently. I love a two piece swimsuit. When I am alone or with just Heath, I will most likely have this on. However, when I am with the boys, I don a one piece. (Disclaimer: if you are a mom in a two piece, that is just fine. I just feel that is something that I don’t do…hear my heart, there is no judgment).

I don’t think I am being a prude…I think I am being realistic. Our boys look to us to model what kind of wife they look for in the future. So tell me, would you be satisfied if you son brought you home?

I am totally blessed to have great friends. It is interesting that stepping out of my comfort zone to start the Dickson campus would cause wonderful friendships to bloom. I have been praying for years….yes years for some great girl friends to walk with me in life. I have had a couple but I longed to find community within church. While I hate to say it, it was lacking at the Nashville campus. Most of it stemmed from living so far from that campus, it just made it hard to connect. A lot of that changed when I moved to the Dickson campus. All of the sudden there were certain women (ahem…Rebekah, Melissa & Rhonda) that I found allowing me into their lives. At first, I simply pushed back. I did not think I was ready to trust…but over a few weeks, I found that these women were exactly the women I had been praying for over the last few years. Add to them, some fabulous friends I already had out here and I have found a true sense of community in friendships.

(L to R: Lori, Robin, Rhonda, Rebekah, me, Jen and Brandi…Carrie is taking the pic!)

If my birthday was not already one of the best ones before, it quickly has become the best one this year. Last Friday night I had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday at the Cheesecake Factory. I was surrounded by old and new friends that night. I keep saying this was the best birthday not because of gifts but because of friendships. I am so thankful for my friends that take time to think of me. Just in case any of your girls are reading this, you are all the best! Life is so much fun with you all in it!

What are you thankful for this week?

Yesterday seemed like a normal day when I woke up. It was bright and sunny and the boys were well behaved! After taking Joel to school, Silas and I headed for the grocery store. It was the best he has behaved in a long time. I thought to myself, ‘finally, he gets the waiting in line thing’. When we got home, Silas ‘helped’ carry in the groceries. After we put them away, I fixed lunch. He was acting a little hyper but I knew that as soon as he got food, he would calm down. I made pizza for him. I had it cut on the plate and at the table when I realized his cup was still in the van. I dashed outside to get his cup only to return to a locked storm door. Yes, locked! Silas had managed to flip the lock but was unable to unlock it. After spending a few minutes trying to talk to and 21 month old through a glass storm door, I decided I had to do something. I had no keys, no phone and no neighbors home. I tried to remain calm…but I started to panic. Somehow, I thought to check on the side window. It was opened with the screen separating me from inside…well, that and 6 feet of siding (I had Heath measure it when he got home). I went to the shed and found a paint scraper. Then, I grabbed the boy’s small plastic table. The table is about 2 feet tall. Standing on the table, I was pretty level with the window. The entire time I hear Silas talking. Then, I hear him start to panic. I call through the screen that everything is ok, Mommy will be there in a minute. I don’t guess he was buying it because he started to panic more. All the while, I am trying to pop out the screen in the window. Finally, I realized he is panicking enough that he is going to make himself sick. I take the paint cutter and cut the screen off. And then it hits me, this window is still four feet from my feet. The only way in is to hoist myself up. Oh – and the window opening is 20 inches by 16 inches. Seriously, as I stood there, screen tore out, I thought, what the heck do I do now? And when did this window get so high? Somehow, I hoisted myself through the window. As I got a good portion of my chest through the window I realized, the window is several feet (3 to be exact) off the floor in the bathroom. When did it get so high? So now I am face with the possibility of tumbling head first into the bathroom! Somehow, I made it into the house, without breaking anything but the screen. However, my arms were beyond exhausted, swollen and bruised. Last night I could barely move my upper body. I think I contorted it into ways a body should not move. Thankfully, everything is fine…just sore.

You bet I will add this to the list of things I have learned since becoming a mom. I have learned that in a moment of need, I can hoist my body up 4 feet, through a 20 inch by 16 inch window and down three feet head first and still live to tell about it. Oh, it is comical now but I still can’t laugh…it just hurts too bad!

I have not done a Works for Me Wednesday post in quite some time. I would like to tell you it was because I was so efficient that I just could not choose one thing to highlight. Yeah - you aren’t buying that are you? I don’t blame you. Life gets busy and then I just sit in front of the computer wondering what the heck I think works well in my house! I have to tell you that one of the things that is so time consuming in this house is laundry. Just imagine, a hubby and three boys, the laundry can be endless. I always bring the laundry to my room and fold it on my bed. I can see the boys from there so I can see if they are getting in trouble rather than just hear. However, after 3 or 4 loads, the piles are overwhelming. And before you say it, I know, I could put them all away after each load. But honestly, I find it easier to make sure all the shirts are in the same pile whether they are white or black. I am just a little picky like that. So on my bed sits all this laundry. I decided some time ago that the boys would help put away some of their clothes. You know, the ones that can be thrown in a drawer with little care and still be ok. I normally hand each one a couple pairs or socks or underwear and they make a couple trips from my room to theirs. I grew a little weary of this relay and decided to fix it. I went to the dollar store and picked up a couple rectangle baskets with handles in different colors. Now, as I fold their socks or underwear, I put them in the baskets. After all the laundry is folded, I simply hand the basket to them. They have one trip to their room and then they return the basket for the next laundry day. it works for me! Check out what works for others at Rocks in My Dryer!

Last night we were at the ball park for Isaiah’s game. I really do like it there. I am not too much of an outdoor girl but I find myself drawn to ball more and more. Which is a good thing since I will be there 5 out of 6 days this week! Isaiah plays on a team of 5 and 6 year olds. I have to tell you that they are not the best team, but they DO their best! Actually, there are a couple of kids on his team that are really talented. Even with their lack of skills, they do a really good job. They even win sometimes! Last night, however, was a loss for them. I am not sure if they are getting used to losing or learning that character counts but they all come out of the dugout smiling. Some are laughing. Others are beaming with pride for doing their best. And our parents are there cheering them on. We all know the names of each player now. As each player walks by at least one parent says good job, great hit, way to hustle or something along those lines.
I can’t say the same for our opposing team. They walked out of their dugout looking beat down, tired. There were no “way to go” or “good job” coming from the parents. Which should not surprise me, given one parent who yelled the entire game. Because I am so nice (or just not confrontational with someone bigger than me) I did not let him know what I was thinking. Thankfully I kept my mouth shut because my character shows all the time, even at the ball field. Which led me to think of the following.

Dear parent who chose to yell at your child’s team last night -
I hope you understand the difficulty your child has hearing his coach’s voice on the field telling him to tag the runner when you are telling him to run home. I am sorry your child was ‘tackled’ at home plate as our runner slid on base. I am thankful he was not hurt, as were all the parents on our team who stood in the bleachers and at the fence silently. Every mother ached for him as he shed tears. I am sorry you saw that as a sign of weakness and belittled him.
Please remember that when your child’s team wins, it should be celebrated, regardless of how many catches were missed. I doubt that telling the team they played like crap gives them an incentive to achieve the success of a win next time.
Finally, remember that your words can speak volumes about your character even at the ball park. Those words will also reflect on your family and business. Which might be reason to try to refrain from such loudness when your company’s name is on the uniform.

Regardless of how Isaiah and Joel play, I want them to know I am proud of them. I do not expect perfection, I expect them to give their all and play their best. And at the end of the game, I want them to know my arms are a safe place rest.

Have you seen this commercial? My boys (all 4 of them) love this one! They go around singing various parts often. Take a guess which part is their favorite!

It has been some time since I have done a Thankful Thursday post. I really hate that too. I think it is too easy to go through my week and forget to be thankful for big and small things. I had to really think about my list this week. Here are just a few items.

* A couple weeks ago I found out one of my closest friends, Carrie, is having a boy! Sawyer is scheduled to make his arrival in September. We dearly love Alan and Carrie. They have been wonderful to our boys and our boys adore them. I can not wait to see them raise their own little guy!

* My husband is simply amazing! Last Friday was my birthday. When I awoke, there was a new place setting (just one) at the table all in pink! It included two glasses, two plates and a bowl. There was also a pink lotion and bubble bath with it. While I am not sure if everyone woman dream of waking to this, it was perfect for me. The card simply said “So you will know you are THE girl in our house. Love your boys”. I sometimes get caught up in the day to day life of being a mom of boys (which I love) but there are times I just want to be the girl! To top off the evening, he surprised me with a trip to Target to buy this. Got to love that man!

* May has been a great month for me making cakes. I have more orders this month than the last two combined! Two of the people are referrals this month! It is so exciting to get to meet new people!

* Ball park - I live there. Ok, live might be stretching it, a little. We are there at least 3 nights a week…sometimes 4. Plus we have games on Saturday. However, I love it. I get the chance to keep score for Isaiah’s team. No one told me it was not a simple, mark a run, though. I have to keep up with hits, outs, runs and strikes. But it is so much fun. I get the chance to be in the dugout with Joel’s team which keeps me involved there. I never knew I would like ball so much. I told Heath that I just wish I knew more…then I could help the coaches!

Needless to say, these are busy but very exciting days for us! What are you Thankful for in your life today? Check out other people’s thoughts at Sting My Heart.

Hey all! I can’t remember a time I wrote out a prayer request specifically on a post but I am doing it today. I just got word that my friend Jessica just had one her twins, Avery, admitted to the hospital. He went via ambulance for pneumonia. She is due with her third son in a couple weeks. In fact, she has been having contractions for some time. She is a fabulous mom with a joyful attitude in everything! Please pray for Avery to regain his health, for her husband, Kyle, to be the dad and husband he needs to me. Can you imagine one child in the hospital and one ready to come into the world? Prayer works so I am asking you all to life them up when you think of it! Thanks!

Since coming home from Texas, life has been super busy here! However, I am not complaining! We fill most of our spare time at the ball park lately. I am still learning so much about t ball…which is not hard since I knew so little anyway! Isaiah and Joel are playing on different teams which can mean a few hour stretch at the ball fields. One thing I have noticed is how wonderful a place it is to get to know people better. Since moving to the new campus for church, we have so many opportunities to see people from church…at places like a ball park!

Last week I had the chance to see Daughtry and Bon Jovi in concert! I must tell you that it was probably one of my favorite concerts. Daughtry is one of my favorite bands so to have the opportunity to see them live was a wonderful treat. I was amused that there were two distinct generations at the concert. The younger was there for Daughtry. The older women sat in their chair quietly. However, all the self control they had with Daughtry flew out the window when Bon Jovi came on! All of the sudden they were like little school girls!

Last week I was made an offer to work outside of my home. While I won’t go into all the details, I have to tell you it was something that I really wanted to accept. I took about a week to pray and seek God’s will for me in it. I talked to my sister and best friend. I thought and cried and thought more. I really do see myself working outside the home one day. However, I soon realized that this was not the time for me. As I wrote the email informing the people who made the offer of my decision, I cried. Then, randomly throughout the day, I cried more. I was completely comfortable with my decision…but it was still hard.

See you next week…with a more regular posting schedule!