Laura's Thought on Women's Work Undone

Flaring headlines in the papers have announced that "women will fight to hold jobs," meaning the men's jobs which they took when the men went to war. What to do about the situation seems to be a very important question. One would think that there must have been a great number of women who were idle before the war. If not, one wonders what has become of the jobs they had. To paraphrase a more or less popular song -- I Wonder Who's Holding Them Now?

With men by the thousands out of work and the unemployment situation growing so acute as to cause grave fears of attempted revolution, women by the hundreds are further complicating affairs by adding their numbers to the ranks of labor, employed, unemployed, or striking as the case may be.

We heard nothing of the numbers of women who could not find work before the war. They were all busy apparently and fairly well satisfied. Who is doing the work they left to fill the places of men who went into the army, or is that work undone?

It would be interesting to know, and it seems strange that while statistics are being prepared and investigations made of every subject under the sun, no one has compiled the records of "The Jobs Women Left or Women's Work Undone."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ouch.

Not sure what happen to cause pain to the head but glad we got a picture of him wearing the cardigan Aunt Abbey gave him.

Happy Saturday

We are closing on a happy Saturday, meaning we are putting the kids to bed (early)! Woo Hoo! We had a full day of shoe shopping that actually turned out well with little to no stress. Ellie enjoyed looking at all the sparkly prom dress purses on the wall and of course her favorite normal purse was a bright red shiny one. And she really wanted me to buy some "high" shoes. I love her and her loud, three year old style. Later we enjoyed lounging at home reading library books and talking with Papa on the phone. I had a perfectly good chicken roasted but Daddy preferred Kashi cereal so the littles followed suit. I had a wonderfully big, too much feta, with almonds and chicken salad. Much better than Kashi I would say. :) Honestly, Clay would have enjoyed my chicken but we had a big lunch and I think the idea of meat was too much for him. Or maybe it was just an excuse to eat his favorite cereal. Enough of my ramblings here are a few pictures. May you have a blessed and joyful Lord's Day.



This is my life as a Mom. Trying to talk on the phone and keep Buddy away from the mysterious dog chained in our neighbors front yard. I didn't know Clay took this, but I like it. :)

Giving to the Poor

Homeless...Will work for food...Need Help...

What do you do when you see someone holding a sign like that? It is hard because Christ commands us to give to the poor but at the same time you do not want to be fueling someone's drug addiction (not that every one asking for help is a drug addict). I have a a close family member that has struggled with drugs and from experience they would much rather have a fix than food. From being so close to someone with a problem like this I have learned a couple things: first, they are human beings that our God created, second, they more than likely are embarrassed by their lack of self government and feel guilty a lot of the time, and third, think how hard it is for you and I to stop some "little" sin or habit let a lone something as gripping as cocaine. Clay and I really feel pity when we see someone in the Walmart parking lot holding a sign. I can not imagine being desperate enough to stand in front of people begging. We give to them when we can but we really don't like giving them cash. So what is our solution? I'm not sure when we thought of this or where we got the idea but, we buy little $5 gift cards from McDonald's and keep them in our car. We feel better about this.
Well, that is what we have decided to start with... what are your ideas? Any other suggestions for times like this when there is a need but, you are not sure what to do?

Our Ballerina Girl

Our Little Man

This is our saint Athanasius; we love him.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

This winter we have been listening to the Laura Ingalls Wilder books on cd. They are in the library system, and they are done so well! I love sitting on the couch with a little project like cross stitch just listening away. And Ellie likes them too, she will ask me questions about it as she is playing so I know she is paying attention. Clayton got me this book to try. Honestly, since I have been pregnant I have not read one book! I have been too exhausted at night to stay up, which makes me feel like a bum. He brought this one home, it is short and sweet and full of fun stuff! There are real testimonies from her friends and neighbors in Mansfield! I love how close we are to the setting of her life.

Did you know she didn't start writing the stories until she was 65? She out lived everyone, excluding her one daughter Rose, to the age of 90. She seemed like a homebody in a lot of ways. Her husband Almanzo was an introvert and she was the outgoing one. Although she really wasn't that outgoing, but compared to him she was. She did not live like the famous author she was, she dressed old fashion her friends said, ate simple food, and really just loved being at home. But she was kind and generous. There is a library in Detroit that is named after her, she was asked if she would be going up there for the dedication and she replied, "No, it would make too nervous." She had so much fan mail, worldwide, that at times she could not handle it. She was constantly receiving visitors that would come from all over, even Japan! Reading all the accounts from her friends and neighbors was very interesting because sometimes the perspectives were very different. People truly loved her books.

I love her books because they almost have this medicinal balm. They survived so much and they survived with thanksgiving. Those are the stories we love aren't they? One with tribulation, perseverance, and triumph. Could you imagine your whole crop of wheat being destroyed by grass hoppers? That is your one paycheck for the year. And then the next year there might be a hail storm or drought? Ladies, could imagine living in a dugout for a season of life? Our homes would have been a castle to Ma. They loved each other and followed Pa where ever his pioneer heart took him. I know Laura was not a saint, but she was a real person with doubts and shortcomings and lived in a time that is so foreign to me; their lives are amazing to me.

When it gets warmer we are planning to visit her and Almanzo's home in Mansfield. I am really excited. Also, there are three books total in the series I have mentioned. The one I just finished is the third volume. If you read one let me know what you think!

Braids UP Top

This is what Ellie calls it. She got the idea from this ballet Clayton found at the library. I think it was Swan Lake. She really enjoyed watching it, and the ballerina had a hair style similar to this. She would probably wear her like this everyday which work out fine if Mom would be a better steward of her hair clips. They are vital in a hair style like this. :) She is our little Swedish girl.




On a side note, what do you think of the yellow on the walls? Is it too bright or okay? I really like it during the day but then it turns into neon kitchen in the evenings when the over head light is on. I know my sweet husband would prefer that I (rather him) not repaint it...probably because I want to paint the kids room and living room.

Last Year...

These were taken at our "parking lot" it is around the corner of our house in some Assembly of God parking lot. I'm not sure exactly how old Ellie is but Athanasius is small enough that he was in the stroller. She looks a lot younger. Now Nayshe is allowed to run around. When they are older it is going to be a fun place to ride bikes.






These were taken at Dowling Park. We love parks. They are free and so much fun. Clayton usually finds some stranger to talk too. Which I think is hilarious, because that is what my Dad always does. I talked to someone at the grocery store the other day and Clay said he was proud of me. :) We balance each other.





Ellie can do this now and is very happy about it. And Mommy isn't scared anymore. :)



There is something about this one I love a lot.





He makes me smile.



These last few were also at Dowling. These crazy kids crack me up. :)



And lastly, this was our pet for a couple days. He was huge and awesome. Clay and I would catch bugs and throw them in the jar and we would all watch as he devoured them. Then Mommy screwed the lid on all the way (I thought Daddy did it and it went well...) and our poor pet was no more. But it was fun while it lasted.

Hopefully more old pictures coming soon!

Creation and Comfort

Last night Clayton and I watched a documentary on the late photographer Ansel Adams. His photography is beautiful and amazing. It is amazing because our God is; He gave us a lot to work with when trying to create pieces of art. Here are some of his images. We found the documentary from the library; it was done by PBS. It seems he was quite the character, but sadly did not know the Creator of all his inspiration.


I kept thinking about Adams pictures today and it reminded me of Psalm 19. It brought me much needed peace and comfort.



"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

I am amazed at how much God allows unbelievers to enjoy Him, they would not admit that of course. There is something different about Adams' images, I am thankful he was able to take them. And I am thankful for the great canvas God allows us to live in; instead of just giving us a plain and boring place to live our earthly lives.