The Rules of Femininity

A few weeks ago we were late about to head out to church. I was dresses nicely, earrings, perfume and the kids were in church clothes (our church is of the come as you are mode so church clothes for the boy involve jeans and a nice t-shirt or sometimes a collared shirt and of course I dress the girl up on most days!). I even had on some new shoes that I had fallen in love with and was thrilled to wear them, but when I went to put them on I noticed my toes.

Of course I had noticed that I haven't had a pedicure in more months than I can count, but neither have I given myself a home mani/pedi in quite a while.

Well, we were already cutting it close and so I rummaged around to try to find a color so I could do that magic trick of painting over the existing polish.

Raise your hand if you have pulled out that trick before!

I didn't think I was alone!

But get this....I couldn't find any polish. Nothing.

I had recently cleaned out under my sink and had thrown out lots of polishes and had evidently organized it all so well that I couldn't find anything!

My husband was calling for me to get going, the kids were already strapped in the car, I couldn't fnd any shoes that would look as well without changing outfits and I haven't gotten to organizing my closet yet!

So I went to church. With unpolished toes. Not just unpolished. Chipped.

Luckily the shoes were only peep toed, but still.

Mom, if you are reading this, I am sorry. Totally goes against how I was brought up!

I seriously was very embarrased. I kept trying to hide my feet. And the worst part was that I had new, pretty shoes.

So sad.

So I came to the decision that it's about time I staop neglecting my beauty manegemant.

When I was in college and highschool I took care of myself.

AT HOME!

I didn't rely on spa's and the nail salon, I didn't have money for that then and I can't justify it (or find the time for it) now.

So, I am on the mission to do the same...to take time for me and my skin, my feet, my nails, my hair, etc.

I am on a mission to prevent, to shrink and to clear up.

So bring on the face cream, the masques, the cucumbers, the polishes and conditioners, the excercise (gasp)!

I am going to follow the rules of Femininity!
Every Wednesday I will have maybe a tip, or challenge or just a recap of what I am doing to keep up with my femininity.

This week...Shrinking my pores. I'm off to Ulta to find a good Peel and Clay Mask!

And now I leave you with the sweet song from Summer Magic....

What are your rules of Femininity? Any tips?

"Father thank you for making me a woman. For the joy of being feminine and pretty. For feeling good about myself when I take care of myself and for having the discipline to do so daily. Thank you for razors and haircuts, for make up and pretty jewelry and clothes! Help me to care for my temple in every area, what I put in it and on it and may it all be for your glory alone. In you precious name, Amen."

I am linking up @

Works for Me Wednesday

Titus 2 tuesdays

Raising Homemakers

Weekend Birthday Bash

What a fun, crazy weekend! We celebrated my boy turning 5! We had a spiderman bounce house which was a big hit, pinata with lots of candy, the cake made by yours truly and lots of fun toys! The boy had a great time!

Spring forward caught us off gaurd some so we will be adjusting today and since it is stormy on this first day of spring break and a monday, we have officially declared it as a movie day.

Oh, and a previously loose tooth is not VERY loose and will probably fall out today (which I am a little freaked out about and praying he doesn't swallow it!) I'll keep you posted!

And so the pictures....

"Father, Thank you for 5 years. Thank you for fun b-day parties and for celebrations. Thank you for my boy! In your precious name, Amen."

Half a decade

For half a decade I have had the calling of being mama, mommy, and mom.
For half a decade I have awaken to the joy of a small boy wanting "bweakfist."
For half a decade I have enjoyed shows like Curious George and Clifford.
For half a decade I have been hugged and kissed each day by sticky hands and jam covered lips.
For half a decade I have played, and chased and tickled.
For half a decade I have kissed boo boos away and prayed for sweet dreams.
For half a decade I have rocked, snuggled and cuddled.
For half a decade I have been challenged, overwhelmed and forgiven.
For half a decade I have loved and been loved more than I thought possible.

5 Years have passed, not slow but rather fast and I can still remember that first night of cries, that first smile and that first laugh that passed from you precious lips, how my heart leaped.

5 Years have passed, not slow but rather fast and I can remember your first bath, that sweet baby smell of lavender and milk, your soft, soft perfect skin.

5 Years have passed, not slow, but rather fast and now before me stands a boy. With dreams and fears, with superhero powers and time for only a quick kiss and cuddle.
5 Years have passed, not slow but rather fast and I can see glimpses into the future of a boy who grows in stature and in the Lord as his namesake. The boy will one day soon become a man and so...

the next five years I will treasure even more the ministry of being mom.

The joy of being the one who knows how he likes his cereal, the one who knows which super hero squad he likes, the one who knows he hates being dirty, the one who knows where he left his DS and the one he still goes to when he's hurt.
I'll be the one he kisses goodnight for a few years more, the one who will continue to face his challenges with him head on and on my knees as well, the one who will love him more always.

I have a few more half decades of all those joys. A few more half decades still.

"Father thank you for blessing me with the greatest ministry of mommyhood. Thank you for my son. You knew I needed him more that he needed me. Thank you Father. I pray over the next 5 years. I pray that he grows into a strong, sweet, confident boy and that he finds all that he needs in You. In your precious name, Amen."

Linking up

@works for me Wednesday

@titus 2 Tuesdays

@ Thankful Thursdays

So Thankful...

The last few days I have had a sort of heaviness weigh on me.

Not really sure why? But I have been in prayer over it and trusting that the Lord is moving in all matters.

As I was praying I kept thinking about all the things I am so thankful for and the verse came into my mind, "Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, enter into His courts with Praise."

What better way to fight heaviness than Thanksgiving!

So...what am I thankful for?

1. My husband is so good to me.
2. Sammy and Emma are the sweetest blessings
3. Our home is lovely
4. Grandparents that love and enjoy my kids
5. A little puppy that my son adores
6. A daughter that likes to sleep in!
7. A son that is such a great help to me
8 A husband who works hard for us everyday.
9. A son who makes me laugh out loud
10. little girl kisses and hugs
11. a little girl who is girly to no end!
12. Friends
13. Friends who encourage me
14. Amazing women who inspire me
15. Awesome men of God who my husband calls friends
16. Sewing
17. My productive business that keeps me just busy enough
18. Being able to sew my kids clothes and my clothes!
19. beautiful days
20. Spring time
21. DVR!
22. The food we eat.
23. Coupons that really save us lots of money!
24. The ability to buy things we need and even want.
25. Being able to play with my kids
26. Being able to clean my home.
27. Yummy meals for my family.
28. Spending time with my family.
29. The roses my husband brought home to me yesterday.
30. My God and Savior.

I could go on. But that was refreshing. There really is so much to be thankful for.
What are you thankful for? Go and make a list! God is so good!

"Thank you Lord. Really, thank you for all these things. I don't realize all that you give me and have blessed me with. You constantly show up in my life and I am so thankful for that. I know you are always working on my behalf and that of my family. I love you Lord. In your precious name, Amen."

Armed and Ready

I talked about over here how I felt that this year was the year for prayer. A year where I was going to learn how to be and become a prayer warrior. To daily and without ceasing, even, pray. Over my husband, my children, my church, my friends, my family, myself....

I want my prayer life to grow. I want to hunger for it. To miss it. To really just pray!

So I have found myself doing so...conciously thining about it and therefore doing it..

I pray in the shower. I pray in the car. I pray when I open my eyes. I pray when I am sitting at my sewing machine. I pray in the middle of the night when I wake up. I pray all the time.

It's been refreshing and sweet.

And then came the fight.

I didn't think about the trials that would come my way... I thought I would pray and all would line up nicely because...well, I'm praying!

But the trials have come and  you know what...I have been ready for them. I have been "prayed up" as we use to say.

And these trials have been different. We are not sick like last year. We are not financially hurting, in fact for the first time in our marriage we have extra money and we are desiring to use that money for his kingdom more so than ever. No one is hurting, no one is fearful...but the trials have come in a different light.

And I love how the Lord prepares you. He gets you ready to fight before you even know a battle is on its way.

So, I am fighting. I am praying like never before. It is a battle "against principalities and rulers of this dark world" Eph 6:12, and I am fighting them. Hard. With the sword of the spirit and the shield of salvation and breastplate of righteousness, Eph. 6:11 --

So, whatever you got, Devil...Bring it on. I have been and am on my knees and you have to flee!

Prayer works. Period.

Are you in a fight now? Can I pray for you? Let's fight together for where two or more are He is in the presence with us...He's in my corner!
"Father, thank you for always preparing me for battle. For giving me training before the fight. Lord you know what we are facing and I ask you to be in our corner. Be in the hearts and mind of all who are involved and win. Thank you for your perfect timing, for  your deliverance, for you making the enemy our footstool. You are so good and so worthy of our praise. I Love you Lord, in your precious name, amen."

Linking up at works for me wednesday! Again...Prayer works! It's the greatest tip!

On being quiet and gentle

" You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands." 1 Peter 3:4-5 NLT

"A gentle and quiet spirit."
"unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit." Amplified
"Gentle and gracious" The Message
"Meek and quiet" KJV

The Lord has been teaching me so much of what it means to be "gentle and quiet."

The world has taught us to be outspoken. To speak your mind. To say what you want.

And especially to women, the idea of being meek and quiet was out with the feminist movement.  Now I'm not saying women shouldn't get the vote but, somehow, biblical femininity has been lost.

We have lost the idea of what it really means to be a woman. The battle of the sexes has blurred the line of what is femininine and what isn't.

In the world a woman can wear what she wants, work where she wants, say what she wants, believe what she wants, is the ruler of her body, love whomever she wants....and it all boils down to pure selfishness, greed and pride.

But that is not what the Lord desires of his beloved women. He did not create us to be hard and harsh, he created us to be soft, gentle...feminine.

Again, I am not saying we don't have a say in this world, nor should we be trampled on or dictated to.

The truth is that the Lord knew all along the power that we as women have and by being gentle, meek and quiet, we are able to use our power for good. For the good of ourselves, the good of our children, husbands, homes, relationships, etc, etc.

A woman who is gentle attracts more attention. People trust her more. Feel more secure around her than a woman who is loud and over the top.

A woman who is humble and meek usually is an encourager, who speaks life and therefore has more friends and better relationships.

As a wife and mother we would be better at creating a heaven in our homes if we practiced being gentle and quiet.

When our husband comes home discouraged and disgruntled from a hard day at work. instead of getting annoyed and frustrated by his attitude, think of how his mood would change if instead you quietly went behind him, wrapped his arms around him, embraced him and said, "I'm so glad you are home."

When your kids are fighting over a turn or a toy, instead of yelling, "take turns" or "if I have to go up there..." you go in and hug them so tight and say "let's all play this game instead."

So much easier said then done! But it's quite the challenge.

I struggle with this. I am much better at the yelling or giving in to the frustration.

But God knows that a quiet and gentle spirit produces a quiet and gentle home. A home of peace. I am the atmosphere of my home and when I am not quiet nor gentle, my home is neither as well.

So this week I am going to put all my effort into this.

"Father thank you so much for your word. Thank you for your gentle spirit that is so merciful and always guides me in the direction that I need to go. Father help me this week and always to become quiet and gentle. Help me to moderate the peace in my home. Help me to know when and how to speak. And when I do speak, help me to know the words to use, that they may be honey father to all who hear them. In your precious name, amen. "

Today I am linking up.

Raising my Girl

Baby girl is so much fun. She always wants to play. And she plays very well with others and by herself too. Many times I find her in her room playing with her baby dolls and her rose petal cottage.

She has a little routine every night before she goes to bed as well.

After we brush our teeth and wash our face, and plays in "babba's" room for a bit she goes into her room and she begins by washing her hands, because she is a very clean child :)

She then takes each of her baby dolls and puts them in bed. She usually rocks one to sleep, another might have to go into the corner because "baby bad" and once she gets everyone into bed she then begins to take out the laundry in her little dryer and after it's all out, she puts it all back in.

She checks the oven. And then she goes and has a serves me some coffee (we are hispanicm we don't drink tea at night, we drink coffee :)

And once all of that is done, we read a book, pray and go to bed.

She does this every night.

You know the funny thing is that I never showed her how to do all this, atleast not intentionally.

But even as young as two she watches me. She helps me load and unload the laundry and even the dishes. She watches me cook and clean. She pretends to be a little mommy with her dolls as she rocks and sings to them just as I do to her.

It's almost innate, but also very much learned. She learns it all from me.

I am raising a beautiful little girl. A sweet, lovely little lady. And I want so much from her. I want her to be a good homemaker. I want her to enjoy serving others, serving her family now and her future family. I want her to be content with her calling of wife and mother.

I want that for her as much as I want that for myself, if not more.

The truth is that I struggle with this calling of mine at times. I struggle keeping the house in order all the time. I struggle with the mundane chores. I struggle finding contentment of being mom all day and night! I love it. But there are days when I would rather stay in bed and not want to be needed for everything.

And so everyday I pray that the Lord will help me to find fulfilment and joy in my calling. That there will be a newness to each day and a sweet content every day.

And I pray that my daughter will see the joy of it all and that she will learn from me and desire such a calling in her own life. And that she will do it so much better than I.

"Father thank you for this precious ministry of mine. To minister and serve my husband and children is wnderful work and I thank you for filling my cup each day. Father help me be a good example  to my children. Allow me to speak softly and sweetly, so that they can see that the jo I have is from you and because of them. Help me to find joy and contentment in all I do.In  your precious name, Amen

Linking up at Raising Homemakers...come by for some great encouragement for the beautiful calling of keeping your home.