by Kimberly | Oct 3, 2013 | 31days, mothering, Quotes, Women
“Frumpy is not a fashion statement…” – Jodi Bryson, MomLogic
Note: This blog does not apply in the same way to every woman. Maybe, if you are married, as what your husband likes and doesn’t like you to wear – and try to please him in that simple way. If you are running around with toddlers all day, you won’t wear dresses. I get that. Feminine is of course more than outward appearance, that is why I put the 1 Peter verse.
In more than one way has my husband had a positive impact on my life. As we come up on our two year anniversary (more on that next week), I’ve seen some changes in me because of him. One of them is: I don’t wear t-shirts anymore. Yes, ok – I’ve still got some and I’d like to pair that down’ to 8 – only to wear them to work out in when he isn’t around. He doesn’t usually say much about what I can and can’t wear. His only stipulations is that it is modest and not a t-shirt (you know the kind you get for a youth outing, camp staff, church bowling leagues, or running 5k races). He declares them to be mostly unfeminine (on me) and looking better on guys than not. The only reason I keep them around is for cleaning the house (hard scrubbing days) and working out – when he is not around. I can’t seem to pull myself or our budget to buy Lululemon workout wear (though I would love to have some).
As I near the end of my second pregnancy in as many years, I look so forward to getting out of maternity clothes and getting to wear the clothes that normally hang in my closet. Most of my maternity clothes have been given to me, which has been very gracious – but only a handful of them do I love and that included 2-3 things that I’ve actually bought. I don’t foresee some of my frumpy wear coming back into my wardrobe anytime soon (unless its the occasional hoodie just around the house).
I was talking with a friend yesterday and she asked me what some favorites are in my closet since I don’t tend to go trendy – I said classics. Like Ann Taylor A-line skirts that you can “Trend up” with a different shirt, shoes, and accessories (which I love). Or just a simple pair of jeans that you can also wear with new flats, booties, or a long cardigan and/or eternity scarf and it would be perfect for this fall. I look forward to when my feet get back to normal size so I can wear my black booties that I bought the year the Mister and I met. I look forward to being able to wear my fave jewelry set: my wedding rings.
I’m definitely not saying you have to break the bank for new clothes every season or dress to the hilt to take care of toddlers. But…
“Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4
That doesn’t mean you have to forgo style and fashion all together. Not as a woman, a wife, or a mom.
Here are some blogs I read for style:
JessLC
Lauren Elizabeth
With each of these, I take what I see, make it my own (and modest), and go from there. And we don’t have a lot of money to spend on clothes, so I love good sales. Believe me, most of your husbands would like to see their wives with their hair done, makeup on, and clothes other than moomoos and yoga pants (which are two staples for me around the house when pregnant). Bring on the non-maternity clothes!
by Kimberly | May 27, 2013 | ethics, history, Quotes, Uncategorized
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Ben Franklin
I love living in America. Despite the problems with government that I may or may not agree with, this is still the best country to live in. There are many who have paid the price for it to be this way and I am grateful.
My two thoughts on this Memorial Day 2013:
1. Now that I’m a mom, I think one of the scariest things for me would be if little e came up to us one day and sad he wanted to be in the service. Scary because I never would know if he was going to be called into war or die somehow where I would only receive a flag and a salute in honor of him. Where I wouldn’t know if he was ever going to be at the next Christmas dinner or family gathering. Then the best because it would be such an honorable thing for him to do – to fight in serving this country, sustaining the freedom that we enjoy for generations to come – his children, their children.
2. Since we live in a democracy and not a theocracy – that freedom, as an American, has to apply to all peoples. Of all religions. Of all nationalities. If people from any country are here legally – then they should be offered the same rights and status and freedoms as we enjoy as natural born citizens. And if anyone else wants to practice their religion, worshipping their gods, then that must be allowed too. So, if we are in favor of bringing prayers back in our classrooms, than others will need to have the liberty to pray to their gods – or not pray at all. Freedom in America is not only for Christians, but also for everyone.
Are we willing to live out our faith in the One True God and let others practice their beliefs – all the while praying for them and telling them the truth that will save?
by Kimberly | Nov 22, 2011 | Quotes, Uncategorized
This post received feedback. I took all into consideration, however, still did not change my mind. Reading Noel Piper this morning, I was again strengthened as to the teaching of the Word on this subject.
“This brings up the need to train young children to sit through church services. I started easing mine into the habit when they were about three. That meant sitting on the end of an out-of-the-way-pew so we could slip out if we needed to. We knew that the best way for a child to learn how to worship is to see Mom and Dad worshiping. we wanted our children to be part of the whole congregation as soon as they and we could manage it. Yes, it’s different for different children. And yes, Mom’s and Dad’s worship is pretty distracted for a while. But that’s what parents do: we live a less-than-ideal (by some standards) life for a few years so we can bring our children up to be adults with us.”
Noel Piper, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, pg 45
by Kimberly | Nov 10, 2011 | Books, Quotes
Ok – I don’t have children (yet) but I write for children (and for teachers who teach children. And some of those teachers are parents.)
“All of us are training our children both intentionally and unintentionally. We need to make sure we aren’t leaving the important things to happenstance. We know it’s crucial that they become familiar with God, our Heirloom and our only hope for real life. We yearn for them to love and trust and follow Christ. It would be foolish just to wait for them to learn that by chance. We must plan to reflect God and teach about Christ in the repeated events of our lives.”
(Noel Piper, Treasuring God in our Traditions, pg 35)
EC and I practice things now that hopefully, one day, when our family grows, they will be able to follow us as we follow Christ, however imperfectly. New Elder nomations last night at church were asked about this question. Each answered sufficiently and were very emphatic that families are important in teaching Christ in the lives of children.
by Kimberly | Nov 9, 2011 | Books, Quotes
One of my top ten books of all times…look forward to going through it with a sweet friend this year:
“Remember that we vowed in our wedding ceremony to love and to cherish till death do us part? Do we even understand what we promised to do? To cherish means to hold dear, to care for tenderly or to nurture, to cling fondly to, or treat as precious.”
(Carolyn Mahaney, Feminine Appeal, pg 44)
by Kimberly | Nov 8, 2011 | Quotes
In light of Thanksgiving:
“Through common grace God reveals His love to all people, though not in a saving way. God’s common grace includes the water we drink, food we eat, sun we enjoy, and rain we need.”
(Mark Driscoll, Doctrine, pg 39)
