Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Girls ROCK!

(me, on the right, with my sister, Kendra...1973)

So I've been feeling a little outnumbered in my house lately. I'm the only female and well, Noah's not really interested in ANYTHING female at all right now. And that's ok. I don't expect him to want to brush my hair or paint my toenails. :) But I'm also the only one interested in watching The Golden Girls....or reading a silly message board thread....or thinking that it's cool that they have a new Swiffer on the market. Noah's biggest interest is seeing how high he can kick while jumping off of the highest point of the couch, wearing one of my kitchen towels as a cape. Or announcing each and every time his body makes a *sound.* Stuff like that :) I'm not complaining....I'm just sayin'. I cherish this little boy and his Daddy and all of the boy stuff that goes along with them. I grew up in a family of all girls...no brothers. So every day is a learning process for me around here!
You know, I don't think God always speaks to us in the same way all of the time. I think he reveals things to us thru other people or in the blessings he bestows upon us each day, but I think on special occasions he speaks *directly* to us. So direct you can feel His voice wash over you. I experienced that tonight. I went to an orientation tonight for Noah's kindergarten. He'll be attending a private Christian school and the parents have a very strong role in the education process. As I listened to the board of directors talk about the vision of the school and the parents' role this year, I was sitting there thinking, "I already know a lot of this. I know how to help Noah with this." Just something about it felt so *right* and so comfortable, like I had already been there. Then I heard God's voice, as if He were speaking in my ear, say, "THIS is why you became a teacher, Jennifer. Not to teach others, but to be the best mother for Noah." WOW. JUST last night I was feeling a little blue, not feeling like I was accomplishing much or knowing what direction I was supposed to be going. I think lots of stay-at-home Moms must feel that way once in a while. When I was teaching elementary school I knew exactly what my goal was each day. And I had evaluations. And raises. And gifts and notes from parents. But now my evaluations and raises are in the form of snuggles on a rainy morning, or an unexpected rub on my back, or the sweet voice of "Mommy, play with me." I have always wondered in the back of my mind if I'd go back to teaching someday...but I have honestly NEVER had the desire to do so since becoming a Mommy. And now I know why. My years of schooling and teaching weren't for the classroom. They were preparing me for this time right now. I'm amazed at how God used that moment tonight to give me direction. I feel strong again. :)
I love alone time in the car. I listen to the radio loudly. And whatever music I choose! Tonight I heard the Martina McBride song "This One's For the Girls" and thought was so cool. :) (had to put the video on my blog!) I was alone having ME time, God had breathed new life in me as a Mommy and wife, and I had my new copy of Simple Scrapbooks in the passenger seat. Ahhh...it was definitely a chick moment! :)
So I'll share another chocolate recipe just because chocolate is girly!
Toll House Pie
(sooooo rich! From allrecipes.com)
2 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1 9" single pie crust (bought or homemade)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the flour, white sugar and brown sugar; beat until well blended. Blend in the melted butter. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Pour batter into one unbaked 9 inch pie shell.
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

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And can I just say how AWESOME it was to get so many comments and emails in the last couple of days? Wow, thank you so much! What a treat!
Off to paint my toenails, put on my mud mask, and read Simple Scrapbooks! :)
- Jennifer
"God will never, never, never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him. He will always look after us. So we must cleave to Jesus. Our whole life must simply be woven into Jesus." - Mother Teresa

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can so relate to your post, Jennifer. Although I am teaching while my kids are starting this journey I know this will help me be a better mother of twins in a kindergarten class. We all have those times of feeling down...you know mine lately! lol Hope you enjoyed your mud mask while reading your scrapping magazine!!

Anonymous said...

Jennifer, this entry touched my heart. I am so glad that you heard the voice of God at just the right time. He loves you and knows you, and this was another confirmation of His infinite love. Your words gave me tingles. Thanks for sharing.

Jana said...

Jennifer, can I just say how much I really needed to read your post today. THANK YOU for sharing your experience & thoughts with us, it's so nice to know we're not alone. A big ((hug)) to you today!

Unknown said...

That sounds delicious!!! Such a cute pic of you and your sis :)

Liz said...

Thank goodness for clarifying moments like these! Glad to read that you are once again re-energized and re-focused. You go GIRL! =)

Heather said...

::ears perking up:: a new swiffer??? ROFL . . .

So glad to be back home. . . for many reasons. One, getting back to the blogs.

So right on the teacher thing. Allie's teacher that was supposed to be a 2 year rotation (K and 1st) decided to stay home mid-rotation with her kids (had a second this year) and be the SAHM she didn't get to be the first time around. . . understood as I'd done the same thing. And it's soooo worth it and so what I was meant to do.

Don't even get me started on how I've been thinking lately about pulling the oldest out of school to school him at home. . . .we'll see how this year goes.