The Doll I'll Never Admit is Better

There was a rule. It was unspoken, but it grew from a childhood of scorn for all things branded. Whether it be chips, toys, or electronics, if it was a popular brand, our family probably didn't have it. Despite my attempts, I did not inherit this rule. Not me. I do not believe cheaper is better.


Not me. Really.


I have not broken this rule. I did not break the no way will anyone in our family ever own an overpriced, over hyped doll rule.

I did not let my daughter buy an American Girl doll. Not me. What a waste of money. It's just a doll.

Now, when I want to feel better about myself and my silly rules, I remind myself that at least I didn't buy it for her. Nope. She bought it herself.

~

Megan  literally vibrated with excitement while I grabbed a Starbuck's mocha (conveniently across from the store entrance) to help me survive the experience. Mocha in hand, I followed Megan as she marched in to American Girl with her wad of cash, fresh from her birthday card, hand in mine, and with a bit of prodding, approached a gentleman and asked, "Can you show me where Lanie is?"

He  led us to the middle of the store, past fantastic glass encased displays of dolls, to her choice: this year's doll that looks amazingly like my own girl. Blond with long curly hair. And a penchant for outdoor adventure. And bugs. At least, that's what the book about her says.


Megan took her time. She looked at the accessories, weighed the cost of doll plus one extra. Is the doll laptop worth $26 or is the hammock? If she had a couple hundred more dollars, would she buy Lanie's camper and where would she put it? She made a full sweep of the store, admiring doll couches, puppies, sunglasses and endless matching outfits.

She chose carefully. The doll and the hammock. Oh, the decisions of a nine year old.

She filled her big red bag and checked out, chatting comfortably with the cashier.We made our way to the van, and I clicked the light on so she could immediately open the box. She fretted that the doll's hair would be mashed in the back just like a Barbie's straight from the box. No worries. Lanie came complete with a hairnet, and bouncy hair.

For days, she's done her schoolwork with Lanie nearby, admiring each detail.

 

It turns out you often do get what you pay for. But I will never admit it. Not me.

Smile

Take a good look. This smile is about to change.

Filed Under Grace- Documenting Answered Prayer

 

I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, 

all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God…
— Compassion lavished, love extravagant…

Isaiah 63:7-8
The Message

Let's begin, shall we? In case you missed it, I introduced this new carnival yesterday.

For this first post, I owe you an update on John, my brother-in-law. I introduced him here and updated here. Goodness, that was 5 months ago! The reason why I haven't posted any new information is because there has been nothing to report! In this case, no news is good news. Thank you, Lord!  John has been working, and there have been no new health issues to report. His roommate had pneumonia this winter, and that was a big concern, but John has not been ill. We were also concerned he would contract H1N1, but he's avoided that as well. We are thankful.

Do you have a praise? An answered prayer? Share them here, but please read the rules first. Thanks!
Blessings to you!

Filed Under Grace- Documenting Answered Prayer

Do you pray? When God answers, do you pay attention, take note? Do you keep track of His care, write it down for yourself and for your children?

I want to remember, to keep an account of His grace and mercy in my need. He is here, with me, answering before I ask. I want to remember. The grace is His gift, to me, to you. The Glory is His. He has done these things, and He deserves the credit.

So let us gather together and bring praise to the One whose love is extravagant, whose compassion is never failing. Whether it be a prayer answered, or a desire He knew and answered before you could even ask, would you share it here and encourage the community?

I ask no great commitment. Once a month, on the last weekend of the month, bring your accounts of His answers here.We will start Saturday and the linkup will be available for one week.

They need not be great big answers to prayer, though those are indeed for His glory! He sees and cares for the sparrows, and he cares about our daily struggles as much as the agonizing ones. Bring them all here and let us tell what God has done for us. Spread the word, please?

Like any carnival, I will have a MckLinky for you to link your post. Please link to your Filed Under Grace post, not your home page. Link back here on your post so your readers can find more stories of God's grace. Thank you.

I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, 

all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God…
— Compassion lavished, love extravagant…

Isaiah 63:7-8

The Message

Shaping up my Day

I’m always looking for new ways and systems to make our home school days run smoother. We tend to lose momentum, the kids and I are easily distracted and school drags on all day. One of the great things about doing school at home is, most days, at least in elementary school years, it is possible to be done by noon. But only if everyone works hard and stays on task. And if mom doesn’t get distracted by blogging. Ahem.

  

Yesterday I made a new check list. The previous list was too detailed, had a small font, and I think was overwhelming to little eyes. We quit using it months ago. Since that list bit the dust, I’ve foolishly expected my children to remember the work they needed to accomplish each day, and then ended up barking at them until it was. So I made a new list. Simple. A little thing.

Today began with new lists posted. And so far, my day is shaping up nicely.

  

  

 This post has been shared at I Should be Folding Laundry for You Capture. Today's focus is on shapes.

Beyond Nearsightedness

We fill our days, leaving fingerprints and smudges. It's messy.

But His light shines on our mess, and warms our hearts. 

His Spirit, our Holy Counselor,

reminds us of all things good and right and pure.

The Son never fails, though we may.

 

And if we look to Him, 

past our fingerprints and mess, 

we will see His wondrous plan,

beyond our nearsightedness.

Thanks, Lord, for the view!

This post has been shared at Chatting at the Sky for Tuesdays Unwrapped.

The Best Birthday Party Ever

On Wednesday I was panicked. I had agreed to throw my daughter a birthday party, but had NO IDEA what I was going to do to make it special. I had three days to come up with something. So I did what we all do now.

I Googled it.

And once again, Google came through for me. I found recipes and ideas for a spa party. One box of Epson salt and sea salt, a borrowed chocolate fountain, some fruit, a chapstick making kit, a pound cake straight from my breadmaker, a cake my mom made and graciously offered me, some bottles of fingernail polish, a few Mary Kay mirrors,  and one Papa Murphy's pizza later, I had a success of a party. Just look and see for yourself.

The girls made bath salts, lip balm, and a cucumber-parsley-yogurt face mask.

Izzy: "Well, that was an interesting experience."

And of course, they did each others hair. And mine. (No pictures of that!)

Megan declared it, "The best birthday party ever." Thank you, Google!

Gimme a Break

On Valentine's Day we went home. To my parents' home. Megan had a birthday to celebrate, as well as my aunt and brother-in-law. And of course, we shared valentine treats along with the cake. It was nice.

 My sister was there with her 6 week old Victoria. Can you say cute?

But you know what's almost cuter than a cute baby? A man holding and burping a cute baby.

My man happens to be more of a baby hog than me. At church, he'll turn around to our friends sitting behind us, and offer to hold their baby. He cuddles and coos. So I couldn't wait to see him with Victoria. Nevermind that we had words for each other on the way to my parents. I still conjured up fond feelings for my baby doting husband. :)

My dad and his three granddaughters. They're cute too.

When we were done with the cake, 

 

  and I'd found the right ratio of coffee and creamer and sugar,

  

  We sat down by the fire and chatted.

 

It's nice to go home. I relax. My husband calls it reverting. Maybe he's right. Maybe I revert to being 17. I let my mom take care of me and my kids. But it's nice.

Sara admitted something to me recently. Now that she's a mom, she understands why I come to mom and dad's and revert; why all those years I would come and lie on the couch and do nothing. I was tired, and now she's tired and comes to take a break too. And it's nice. Nice to take a break. And nice to be understood.

So thanks, mom. For letting us come and  rest, for offering us coffee or tea, or fruit shakes or pancakes or leftovers. Thanks for picking up legos and dress-ups and crumbs. For changing diapers on your daughters' daughters.

Now that my kids are older, there are more arms to go around. More hands to change diapers or pick up toys. More help to give Sara a break. And that's nice for Mom. Maybe she'll get a break now, too.

Victorian Valentine Adornments... and then some

 

Supplies laid around the house, begged to be made of use...

Antique postcards that have been hiding away for 20 years inspire a window treatment.

  

  

 

    you can just ignore that really long red string....scissors, coming right up

 

Love, Light.

And this is how we know what love is: 

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

1 John 3:16

~

Lest you think our home is a quaint quiet atmosphere of children happily sketching and joyfully helping me in my decorative endeavors, let me tell you how it went when I tried to make this day special.

I prepared pink heart shaped pancakes, called the children down to breakfast, and eagerly awaited their excited exclamations of joyous delight in the Valentine breakfast.

 Instead, I heard cautious and suspicious voices ask:

"What makes them  pink?"
"Did you add flavoring?"
"Do they taste the same as usual?"
"Are you sure you didn't add something?"
"Did you say fruit coloring?"

Now, really, am I that awful a mom that my children think I would ruin a holiday breakfast? Give me some credit kids!

In their defense, when I explained I had only added food coloring, they happily stuffed their mouths. And suggested that on St. Patrick's day we have green four-leaf clover pancakes....

And then they proceeded to fight over the last three of MY specially-delivered chocolate covered strawberries.

Hmmph. Laying down my life. One strawberry at a time.

Heart Ring Valentine