by Kimberly | Sep 6, 2012 | Books
Ok – I know I may be wishful thinking, especially with a due date sometime this month, but what do you think nap time and feeding time is for? I know, staring into my newborn’s face, but I can read too – and know many that do. Or those nights when I can’t get back to sleep (like last night when I couldn’t fall asleep) – this is what I can do (or play Angry Birds)
Devo Books: These are ones I use to pray for my hubs and baby or as a Bible help or just short devotional reading: Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons, Boyhood and Beyond, Keep a Quiet Heart, and Psalms by Boice
Reading Books: James (for writing purposes), Hobbit (not shown, but we are getting it to read to baby), Godliness, and The Fruitful Wife. This is a new book coming from Crossway – and I’ve read a couple of DiMarco’s books for teen girls and they are really good and relevant. So, I expect nothing less from this one.
What are you reading?
by Kimberly | Aug 22, 2012 | parenting
I have a pair of shoes that I love. Found them at a consignment shop in Belmon, NC – a pair of JCrew Zebra peep toe 3 inch heels. They are fabulous. Heels are amazing and so are flats – gorgeous shoes that make any outfit. What about the lipstick I just found in a perfect shade of purple or that great gray knit clutch I have that goes well with any outfit I have on – any time of the year?
Should be there some boundaries in what I allow my son to wear/try on?
Read this article in Parenting magazine. I couldn’t believe it.
“Picture this: you are a single mother raising a son. You walk into your 4-year-old’s room and find him wearing his sister’s tutu and his face smeared with lipstick. What do you do:
A. Get on the phone with your pediatrician, sure that the lack of a male role model at home has caused irreparable harm
B. Tell him peach is more his color and grab your tube of Coral Sea
C. Shrug and reach for the wet wipes.
Parenting Answer: You are a fine parent if you do any of the above. Children from single parent homes are always experimenting with perceived ideas about gender.
This article frustrated me so much. Really…here are my thoughts.
1. God made you the parent to help shape your son or daughter into who they are going to be. That is a significant role. And I don’t think it is right for a boy to dress up in girly fashion, try on lipstick, or really, play with barbie dolls. I think boys struggle with their identity as it is. Just like girls do. But, fathers – step up and be a good positive manly role model for your son – starting before he is even born. Women – teach your daughter how to be feminine even when she is a baby. You have this charge! God created each of us male and female. We display the glory of God by being who God created us to be.
2. If you are a single Mom – see if there are dads in your local congregation that you can ask to help show your son what it means to be a strong man of God. Ask the children’s pastor or youth pastor if there is someone he would recommend. Single Dads – do the same thing – but with a godly woman (aunt, sister) who might mentor your daughter on what it means to be feminine.
3. Don’t feel like a failure. If I catch baby trying on my heels or lipstick. I may laugh then tell him that those are not things that he is to wear. Then I’ll go grab his daddy’s cologne and spray it on him, put a tie around his neck, or maybe put his ball cap on his tiny little head. Much grace is needed in parenting – we don’t need gender bending.
I’m not talking about teaching your son how to cook or make a bed, or teaching your daughter how to change the oil in her car. These are life skills that each person needs (and I still don’t know how to change the oil in my car). I’m talking about gender-specific activities or apparel. Lipstick, dresses, soldier play, guns, etc.
The one part I liked about the Parenting article: “Parents are a key influence!” Will you be an influence for biblical masculinity and femininity – that hopefully will give them rich insights into the Gospel of Jesus Christ – or will you allow you children to determine their “preference” in who they want to be.
Photo: These aren’t the shoes I’m referring to in the post, but aren’t they gorgous. I saw them in an NYC store front while we were on our honeymoon. Fab.U.Lous!
Two books to recommend on this topic: Boyhood and Beyond by Bob Schulz and Girl Talk by The Mahaney Family and this link by Randy Stinson
by Kimberly | Aug 22, 2012 | marriage
A hot cup of morning coffee? 20 minutes alone when he comes home from work in the evenings? His favorite dessert for his birthday? A night out with the boys? A Saturday alone to watch all the college football games and finish it up with all the recaps on SportsCenter?
Do you know what makes your husband happy? Happiest?
E and I have a lot of good conversations on the couch. I love talking with him, very softly most of time (will be harder to do that when we get older if he starts to lose his hearing), just living life with him. In a recent conversation, he said this to me: “Don’t make my happiness and idol. Search for your own joy in your pursuit of God.”
That was a receptive rebuke.
Look here for all the times joy is used in the Psalms alone. What a rebuke by the words of the Spirit. So many times wives (or girlfriends) find their joy or happiness in their significant other. This can’t be the case. If so, that person or relationship has become an idol to us. Yes, we are supposed to do what we can do make our husbands happy, live with him in harmony, pursue peace and Christ together. But, in no way should we feel the blame for when we are doing our part and other situations in life are difficult – for a season. We can’t be mainly responsible for our husband’s happiness. He has to find his ultimate happiness in God and God alone – just like we do.
Why do you think that you can be your husband’s happiness? I’m not saying he should be miserable when he is around you – and I hope the wedded bliss of the honeymoon lasts forever in your marriage (and mine)…but if we aren’t happy in Christ – with or without our husbands – then we have made something else God in our life and are leaving out the most important LIFEsource.
Photo: This was taken on our honeymoon in Philadelphia at a place called Bonte’ Waffles. A breakfast that made both E and me happy!
by Kimberly | Aug 21, 2012 | Uncategorized
I heard this song for the first time at TGCW12 in June. Then my husband introduced it to FBCD a few weeks ago. Last week it was our song we sang with our quiet times/family worship all week. I love how we have started doing this because it allows a song to sit in your heart for a while and marinate!
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
Holy Spirit, come abide within;
May Your joy be seen in all I do—
Love enough to cover ev’ry sin
In each thought and deed and attitude,
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my striving into works of grace.
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.
Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,
Giving life to all that God has made,
Show your power once again on earth;
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see.
Song written by: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
What songs have meant a lot to you recently?
How do you incorporate singing/songs into family worship?
by Kimberly | Aug 20, 2012 | random
Are you singing along yet? What a great way to start out a rainy (thankful!) Monday morning.
1. A new adventure. I am bittersweet over having to leave Durham, my fave city, a place I’ve called home on two seperate occassions, a place with dear sweet friends and fabulous eateries, and the first place I’ve lived with my husband in our first home. But, oh, how I love adventures. E and I are about to embark on two great adventures almost simultaneously. First, I’m counting down the days until baby Campbell is here. Now, with normal deliveries you have no idea when they are coming. I’m definitely hoping he comes SOON! I guess my ideal would be anytime before his due date! Second, my hubs has been called to serve the Bible Church of Little Rock as their worship pastor beginning October 1. So, once baby arrives, and (Lord willing delivery goes well) we will be out of RDU and on 40 W to the Central Time Zone and Little Rock, Arkansas. It will be a quick turnaround, but one that God has already blessed and we are ecxited about what the future holds. I am very thankful for social media to keep up with all these friends here and get advice on how to have a newborn and survive!
2. A sweet, creative girl told me about this other girl back when I did a photo shoot for her. Another friend also just told me about her blog and then I decided to look at her site. If you are looking for a blog written from a modest perspective (she is a believer, active in her church) that talks about makeup, fashion, hair, style, jewelry, etc – then Kate’s is the place to go. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and have been inspired – both for now, and definitely after baby arrives.
3. I finally have found a lip gloss that I love the color of – and it can work in between seasons! 🙂 Lancome has a line of lipgloss called Color Fever and I had a helpful makeup girl at the Macy’s Lancome counter who helped me pick out this shade of On Fire.
3. Grey and any shade of pink, purple, or blue. Like this little notebook I picked up at Target the other day. Not that I need another notebook, but sometimes its helpful for inspiration.
4. These Jane Austen Etsy pencils my best friend picked up for my last year. Love newly sharpened pencils and Jane Austen – how can you go wrong? And you can find many modern and classic literature pencils to buy for anyone!
5. Was introduced to a new store online that sells anything from pencils to stationery to skirts and hats. Great store, good sales…RUCHE.
