Thread, a Needle, & Soap

Be careful when you disclose your shortcomings. I'm pretty transparent. I confided to a friend in bible study something that I've carried inside for many years now. I hesitated before doing do, but thought, what the heck. I had one of those moments of being "real" and "genuine." :) (My sunday school class knows I can really get on my soapbox on that one.)

So, what is the big secret? Okay, here goes. I've never really mastered the art of sewing on a button. There. It's out. Laugh. Okay, now stop smiling. :)

A friend, and fellow bible study sister, brought me some spools of thread, needle, and even a practice cloth. Last sunday before class, she gave me the basic information. Line up the button, knot the thread, go up, and then go back through....so on and so forth. I've put off fixing that favorite shirt of Kate's all week now, but tonight decided I'd tackle the beast, and I felt confident I could do this thing.

Here's what I learned. Threading a needle almost costs me my religion. No one was in the room with me when I became so frustrated with that darn threading-the-needle part and that's a good thing. I found a couple of four letter words reared their heads like an alligator popping it's head up in a swamp. Out of the blue I heard myself muttering those "little not-so -bad words" under my breath. I felt like someone had taken over my body! Some part of me that had been lying dormant decided to resurrect right then and there. (Don't worry about me. I''ve already repented and promised God I'll never attempt a button again.) :)

The first thing I thought of was the Proverbs 31 Woman. Yes, that woman that we usually don't like to read about. She reminds us of what we're not. Now, that's a whole other rabbit to chase, but stick with me on the sewing issue. Proverbs 31:19 says, "In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers." King Lemuel's mother goes on to speak to the fact that this woman makes coverings for her bed, and clothes herself in fine linen. She goes on to say again that she "makes fine garments."

Let's just say I was not the picture of the Proverbs 31 woman. I didn't even come close in that area this evening. If my husband and children depended on me for bed coverings and clothes they'd be covered with anything that would fit over their bodies and who knows what they'd be wearing. Jim might be in animal skins covering the essentials, and the girls and I might be donning coconut shells and leaves.

Okay, you get the point, but here's the hilarious point. The kids were downstairs watching a movie, and I finally got this cute little two-holed button attached. It was one of those Eureka moments. I yelled down to Kate, "Kate, I did it!" (What she's thinking about this fact I have no idea.) Anyway, for about 10 seconds I'm totally proud of myself and anxious to tell the sweet friend who gently coached me to this point. Suddenly, I looked closely and noticed the button looked differently than the others. Hmmmm. That couldn't be...same size...and I was sure it was the right one. I laughed out loud when I realized the button was tightly attached UPSIDE DOWN. Just when I thought I was "the stuff", the truth comes reigning down. The wrong side of the button...you know..the plain side is facing upward.

My lesson is that I shouldn't sew on buttons. If I try it again, I will need a bar of soap nearby to wash out the dormant sailor in me. YIKES.

I'll address the not measuring up to the Proverbs 31 woman later. Just writing about this incident has made me see visions of needles and thread. Better stop while I'm ahead. :)

Have a great memorial day weekend!

Marcy

I'm Alive!

Okay, someone may be wondering where I've been...or maybe not. :)

My hard drive in my laptop died for the second time in 4 months! Yikes!! We have a PC in the basement for our kids, but the filter won't allow me to come to the blog! So, this a.m., I was walking through the living room and noticed Jim left his laptop home today. I'll spare you the computer issues, etc. Just know until everything gets fixed, I'm limited on getting on here. :)

School's out for my kids tomorrow. Tori's already out. I'm looking forward to this summer. Hanging out with the kids, sleeping in, doing whatever. It will be nice.

Our church was blessed with the Crabb Family sunday night. Wow, they can sing and get down if you know what I mean! They praise God from their hearts and what a blessing they were to everyone who had a chance to be there.

Well, before I sign off, I want to share with you a verse in my devotional this morning. It's timely for me. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." This reminds me that change is inevitable, so we might as well just roll with it, and most of all, always expect it.

Have a great day! Hopefully, I'll get back on here soon!

Marcy

Blurry Weekend

This weekend was a total blur. It was a good blur though. :)

I'm super proud of my son, Jay, for making state in bible drill!! We went to Bowling Green on saturday and spent much of the day there. I'm so proud of him I can't hardly stand it! Jay is an over-comer. He has a stutter, along with oral motor deficits, but he lets very little stop him. There he was...in a room full of stranger and judges, and he recites scripture. It's obvious to anyone that Jay speaks somewhat differently. Here's the thing though. Sure, the times he was called on, he stuttered through the words, but he doesn't care. Jay lets nothing hold him back. I don't know if I could do what Jay does. He's one in a million and I'm ever glad God chose me to be his mom.

This week is busy, busy, busy. Have a great rest of the day!

Marcy

Kate

Meet Kate. She is my 9 yr. old daughter with a firecracker personality. It's a good firecracker though, not a bad one. She's strong-willed, smart, and fun. If Jim and I can channel that "strong-willed" part over the next few years we may be able to rival James Dobson's book. :)

One thing Kate is seriously into is American Girl dolls. Their names are "Katie" and "Ashley." (You can see them in the picture.) These dolls have been known to sit in high chairs when we go out to eat. (Yes, you can imagine the looks.) These dolls have also partaken of chips and salsa, and, according to Kate, they like it. :) The humdinger of all though happened last week. I found Kate in her room being particularly quiet and the door was closed. I peeked inside and saw a mound of black hair and scissors in Kate's hand. Yep, you guessed it, they "needed" a haircut. (Now, need I remind you what these dolls cost? I had to take a deep breath.) :) Kate became upset when I told her that their hair didn't grow. She was adamant that it does indeed grow and there was no arguing with her. You know what though? I didn't want to argue with her. She's a child. This is childhood. This is what it should be about.

As Mother's Day approaches, I'm so thankful God chose me to be the mother of three wonderful children. He decided to knit Kate together in my womb, and, what a creation He made. :) She's unique just as Psalm 139 explains. Fearfully and wonderfully made.

So what if "Katie" and "Ashley" eat with us and have regular haircuts. May I be ever mindful of the season of childhood and it's brevity. Jesus valued little ones immensely. Children are a reward from Him. Thanks God.

Marcy