Six year old musings

As we were getting ready for church last evening, my 13yo dd asked me if I liked what she was wearing. I didn't. Some of the layering that she was doing just didn't quite match and I'm a little particular about color coordination. It was also black and gray which are wonderful colors, but too much makes someone look rather "goth" and if the blacks aren't the same....well, you get the drift. This was too much.

She told me that The Mad Monk had told her it looked fine. Okay, while I won't get into the fashion sense of The Mad Monk let me just say that he will say almost anything if he's doing something and can't be disturbed. "Okay," I say, "then wear it." Not good enough. We went through this for about 30 minutes until she finally decided upon something a little different. Thank goodness. I thought we were done.

We load up in the van and then she asks me again, "are you sure I look allright?" So I decided that she needed a little more practical lesson here. I told her that God didn't look on the outward appearance, but upon the heart. She informs me she knows this, but still, did I think other people would think she looked allright. Hmmm... vanity, vanity. I then tell her that she shouldn't be concerned with what other people think of her, but what God thinks of her.

This is when 6yo Sis chimes in and exclaims, "He thinks she's great!"

Ah, the heart of a six year old!

Great New Site

Y'all need to go check out this new site! If it catches on it is going to be a wonderful asset to homeschoolers and those of the more conservative or "crunchy" persuasion! :) A great alternative to ebay.

So dig through yer drawers and closets and unused curriculum and go make some moola!

I'm A"Special" Mom

I normally shop at our local Costco every other week according to my husband's pay schedule. I normally have 3 of my 4 children with me. Today, however, I was childless. I roamed the store at lightening speed and stopped many times thinking I was forgetting something because I was moving through the store so swiftly. Ironically enough, I was kind of lonely. I missed them rascally kids.

I happened upon some fancier dresses priced at a most reasonable price of $18.99 and decided upon two matching ones for my 6 and 3 year old for the holidays. I then proceeded to the checkout. The lady at the checkout commented on the dresses and our conversation went something like this:

Cashier lady: Ohhhh, these dresses are so cute!

Me: I know, aren't they though?!

Cashier lady: I only had a son (frown), he's 11. He's at that smart mouth stage. Boy, one was enough for me!

Me: Oh really?

Cashier lady: O yeah! I don't know how women do it! It has to be a "special" person to have more than one kid! (knowing nod)

Me: You think? I have a son and 3 daughters.

Cashier lady: (jaw drop and eyes bugged) You have GOT to be kidding me!

Me: Nope.

Cashier lady: Oh girl, you must be one of those "special" women.

Me: Not really. It's not any more difficult having 4 than it was 2. There's just more help.

Cashier lady: You think? Ohhhh, not for me, no way, you're just one of those special women.

Me: (awkward silence) Hmmm...


Honestly, I didn't know how to respond to this woman. I don't consider my family large at all. I certainly don't think you have to be a "special" woman to have more than one child. I do think people need to view children in a different light and see them as the blessing God intended them to be.

I have had many comments like this lately and while I certainly don't join in on the child-bashing that occurs, I am finding that awkward silence seems to shut people up faster than trying to defend my stance. There seems to be a self-imposed foolishness on their part when I keep my mouth shut. For those of you that know me, you know this requires great restraint on my part. For those of you who don't know me...this requires great restraint on my part.

At any rate, I'm holdin' my head a little higher today because I'm....special.