Feeling yucky and sneezy, the weather's gloomy, and so on...

I feel yucky.

I feel sneezy and stuffy.

I feel the need for a nap. (That's probably not going to happen.)

I feel like I don't even want to step one foot outside. It's windy, rainy, gloomy, and a little chilly.

But, life goes on here at Ridgedale Cottage.
(I've decided that's the name for our house. I mean, why can't we have a name for our house like all the other cool people do?) *wink* Such as:

Green Gables from Anne of Green Gables
Pemberly, Rosings Park, and Netherfield from Pride and Predjudice
Gatesehead Hall and Thornfield Hall from Jane Eyre
Tara from Gone With the Wind
Barton Cottage from Sense and Sensiblity
Just to name a few! Need I say more?


(Pop Quiz: Can you think of any more? Because, I can go on and on!)

So, as I was saying, life goes on here at Ridgedale Cottage. Children still need to be educated. Clothes still need to be washed. Meals still need to be cooked. Last night we had a chicken-pot-pie. (Yes, it was probably loaded with fat and calories, but I don't care. It was comfort food.) No, there is no time for mommy to be sick. Thankfully my husband has been a big help. Achoo! Excuse me while I run go get a tissue.


Okay I'm back. (Have I mentioned how much I hate being sick?) I haven't blogged in a few days so I missed my Sunday Character Quality post. Let's catch up real quick.

ALERTNESS vs. Unawareness

- Being aware of that which is taking place around me so that I can have the right responses.

"Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Mark 14:38

We have been plodding along lately with schoolwork. Hannah is doing great. She amazes me at how fast she can pick things up. Kayla is learning too. I focus on her a little here and there, but I don't want to push it too early with her. I can tell she'd rather play right now. Which is just fine, she's only 3. She's learning that way as well. I don't want to push schoolwork on her too early and create negative feelings towards learning. So when she wants to be like Hannah and do a little schoolwork, we jump right in. I want to encourage that learning is fun! Yes, there has to be some self-discipline and perseverance involved with education, but there's plenty of time for that.

Luke is now 6 months old. Where did the time go? He's a great eater! Which I love because my girls were and still are finicky eaters. It just doesn't interest them that much. He's so close to sitting up by himself, and is starting to really interact with everyone. I love to see him giggle at his sisters' craziness!

I have also found Pinerest! Oh, how I love it! I could spend hours on that site. There are so many cool ideas that I just don't know where to start first. But, it is soooo fun. (What's all the hype about you ask? Just go check it out... and you'll see.)

This weekend, inspired by Pinterest to see what treasure I could find and redo, I went to a thrift store. While I was there looking around I noticed a woman with her daughter. I just remember thinking to myself, "Oh, I really like her sweater." It was a really cute trendy autumn yellow knit with big wooden buttons. I remember thinking, "I wonder if I could pull off that color?" Anyways, I didn't pay much attention to them. I hadn't found any inspiring craft idea and I was in the book section, looking over a well-worn edition of Little House on The Prairie trying to decide if it was in too bad of condition to buy, when it happened. From behind me I heard the woman ask the girl if she brought something in from the car and the girl said that she had forgot it. The mother, I assume she was her mother but I don't really know, then took the Lord's name in vain and exclaimed, "You're pathetic.... just so pathetic!" And stomped off.

I was stunned. The verbal slap shocked me so much that I almost dropped the book.

I'm sure my jaw had dropped to the floor. It took me a moment to realize that I'd heard correctly. When I turned around, about to say something, they were already gone.

What was I going to say? I don't know. I wasn't really thinking clearly, but wanted to say something. That poor girl! I guess it was sort of good that they were gone, because who knows what would have come flying out of my mouth at that time! Thinking before speaking is always wise.

Now, I know I'm not a perfect mom. I have bad days where I get frustrated with my children. But this was TOTALLY unacceptable!

I was shocked. I know I live a sheltered life in our own little loving house, and don't come across situations like this very often. I know there are people out there who are hateful, even to their own children. But this was happening right there for me to see.

It bothered me for the rest of the day. I was angry and sad. That poor girl... being called pathetic for forgetting something in the car! Later I shed a few tears, because I wished I could have done or said something, instead of just standing there tongue-tied. That little girl didn't deserve to be called pathetic, she deserved to know that she was fearfully and wonderfully made by her Creator! I said a quick prayer that somehow, someway God would tell her that she was His beautiful creation. I prayed that God would use someone to tell her these truths.

Oh, how words can hurt and tear a person down! I pray that I would choose my words carefully with my own children. I might not ever call my girls pathetic, but I know I have said things in frustration. Words that were probably not the best choice.

Please Lord, help me to always use words to build my children up. Words that will encourage and affirm them. And, if they need correction, help me to correct lovingly. It's so hard at times with child training. I make mistakes. Help me to rely on You. I love my babies, and they truly are blessings from You. Help me to communicate to them how much they are loved by You and by their mommy.

I will leave you with a happy note. We went to a birthday party on Friday and the weather was lovely. The girls just love birthday parties. Me too, they're such happy occasions! Happy 1st birthday Tre!

I just love fall. (except when it brings pesky colds) October is my favorite month of the year!

(Disclaimer: Please excuse, and don't judge, any grammar mistakes and typos. See there, that's probably improper use of commas. Foggy brain today. I hope I don't go back and read this later and realize I didn't make sense. Oh well. I really need to brush up on my grammar skills.)

Until next time my friends.