A New Hairdo

Mothering Matters

A while ago (I think it was in the fall) I posted about my "identity crisis". It isn't something that bothers me or makes me cry, but something I don't completely understand. I feel like this is a growing season. When you have a kid and everything that mattered before suddenly does a 180, what is left? Who am I anyway?

I feel myself called to be a wife and mother. When I think about all of the things I can do, those are the two things that I really want to do well. And I don't feel like it is a season, I feel like that will be my life's work. And yet it sometimes seems to pale in comparison with other "callings". People who are called to teach, or to medicine or to help the poor, whereas I just stay in my comfortable house and..."play". I know that it is important (or course it is), and I keep reminding myself that it is a valid calling.

My friend Becky lent me a book last night that she had just finished and said I had to read. It is a MOPS book (Mothers of Preschoolers - an international group that I attend a local chapter of and love). I have to admit, my expectations were low. 1. I've been avoiding most books in the "self-help" category for awhile and 2. I am skeptical of these religious organization books (it is a business, after all). I had some time alone this morning thanks to a friend who watches Elinore on Tuesday mornings for me, so I started the book. Wow. I am so excited to read it. I would even like to do it as a study with other moms! It would be so good to talk about/process this with other women! Anyway, the book is called What Every Mom Needs, and I just wanted to include a little excerpt from what I read this morning:

"While some organizations focus on making a better world for their children, at MOPS International, we put our focus on making better children for our world. Going a step further, we believe that better moms make better children.
Mothering matters not only to the child and to the mother, but also to the world in which they live. As Leo Tolstoy observed in The Lion and the Honeycomb, 'Yes, women, mothers, in your hands more than in those of anyone else lies the salvation of the world.' "

I had not thought that far. I had only gotten to the "mothering matters to my child and to me" part. Now I feel empowered and excited. My calling can/will make a difference. I don't know if this makes any sense to anyone but me, but I suddenly feel a bit more sure of myself (even if I feel slightly more intimidated!).

ps - if anyone wants to read it with me...

Spring Puddles

What a relief the weather has been. I am so grateful to stand out in the sunshine and fresh air. Elinore couldn't be happier to just walk down the sidewalk. Amy and I rode to a local park and let the girls splash in the puddles. The water was freezing (snowmelt), but they didn't seem to care. They splashed, jumped, ran their fingers in it, Elinore even put her face in it and tried to drink it (followed by a talk about how this water is dirty and not for drinking). Then she fell in. Several times. You can tell from the second picture that she is wet halfway up her chest. When I pulled her boots off, I had to pour the water out of them. She rode home with only half her clothes on and a nice fleece blanket.

Swimming

Well, Thursday was Elinore's last swim class (it was only 1 month long). I'm so glad we did it. Obviously, Elinore did not learn how to swim, but I have lots more ideas of ways to play with her in the water. It also was great to have something to do during this last cold month. We were beginning to get cabin fever! Kevin and Mom W. both made it to watch a class and take some pictures for us. We're planning to go sometimes when they have open swim hours.
We got blasted with snow last night. I have no idea how much we actually got since the wind was so strong. Our driveway was like one big drift. Can't believe we have this much snow in March!