Quit

Moving in a week (or two). Husband hasn't decided on the exact date. Packing--boxes, tape, paper, empty bookcases and walls.

Dishes piled, yes piled, in the sink. Food stuck on. Soiled panties strewn wherever daughter has an accident and strips. Recycling spills from the containers designed to hold it. Folded laundry lounges on the coffee table. Another load wrinkles in the dryer and the underwear wait in a basket.

Flash cards. Books. Toys. Create an obstacle course throughout the house.

Still in my pajamas and little one without underwear.

I want to quit! Send in my two week notice. Retire somewhere with books and time and no one to intrude. Where I can drink a cup of tea without witness to the mess awaiting me when I am finished.

Ahh, but God whispers. All this is witness to life. Sometimes messy. At times overwhelming. But look at the little girl dancing without panties--just joy.

Maybe the lows are less about low and more about my vision.

Those hard days when nothing seems to get done regardless of how I work can bring condemnation

or

those hard days when nothing seems to get done regardless of how I work can give witness to the lives that are lived here in this home.

And that is reason to celebrate!

Uniontown Public Library Info

Hello Ladies! Our MOPS DAY OUT at the Uniontown Library on Tuesday, September 30th was awesome!! We had so much fun, oh & the kids did too!! We had a great time socializing, talking about the daily adventures, and even meeting soon to be new mops moms!! I am leaving the Library's information listed below in case anyone would like to take advantage of their wonderful programs in the future. I will look forward to running into you all there throughout the year!!



Uniontown Library is located downtown Uniontown
24 Jefferson Street
724.437.1165
http://www.uniontownlib.org/

The Uniontown Library has a Childrens Library on the second floor designated just for our little ones! They will be supplied with an endless supply of books to quench their thirst for knowledge, educational toys galore, games, & a craft of the day to complete and take home!! Throughout the year, the Children's Librarians host many activities such as; story times, game nights, family craft nights, among many others...all free of charge & all are welcome! If you are residing inside the Uniontown limits, you will be able to obtain a Library Card without charge and take home as many books you can carry!! If outside uniontown, a very small fee of $30.00 will get you a Library Card for a full year! (You do not need a Library Card to enjoy other Library features mentioned above, this fee is to check out books only.)



As always... if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me anytime ~Julia Joseph

Hello Everyone!

Thanks Sarah for getting be on, after the third attempt! Yeah!



My week. . .

With my 4 year old going on 13 and my 2 1/2 year old going on 18, it's been a trying few days for me!

Sleepless nights, temper that is out of control, attitudes that are not good, and new frustrations seem to be waiting around every corner! That's just me! Not my kids - ha!

This morning God reminded me in His humorous way - to not forget to laugh!

Being very chilly this morning (not sure about all of you, but when I don't sleep well, I'm extra cold!) I cranked up the heat and Ethan and I sat on the floor by the vent and ate Trix. After filling his bowl and my hand, I sat the box of Trix up on the counter above his head. The box didn't appear to set just right, but of course I ignored it. That box did not like being ignored and before I knew it, fell over and Trix proceeded to rain down all over Ethan! (Did I mention a BRAND NEW just opened box! There is NO 5 second rule in a house with 1 dog and 3 cats - sorry. YUCK!) In the midst of Ethan having a baffled look of "What just happened mommy?!" and the dog racing to stake her claim, and my frustration trying to return at full force, I could only laugh and laugh and laugh. It felt good! You know what, it's contagious! Ethan started laughing too! Then Brenna had to see what was up and well "Ms. Clean" felt the need to point out the mess (that's for another blog!) but after a few seconds began to laugh too! All was well and fun again. . .well for about an hour anyway. . .then well. . .never mind, I'm think of that hour . . .oh that hour . . .love that hour!

Mom's Grace

So, I've been thinking and I was remembering the Bingo game we played last week with "unshaven legs" as an entry. We all laughed with some relief when we found out how many people marked it off. How often do we give ourselves the same grace the ladies at our tables did when we admitted to having unshaven legs? Or how often is it a relief when we find out one of our friends hides her dirty dishes in the oven, too? Maybe, just maybe, part of the fun of this year at MOPS will be finding freedom in our imperfection and finding the grace spilling from other moms into those very insecure parts of our lives. How encouraging to think of practicing the gift of grace for an entire school year!

Weekend Plans

What does everyone have planned for a possibly soggy weekend?
Tomorrow we're going to the Cars, Crafts, and Kids Festival at the American Legion. It runs from 11-4ish with the kid's activities from 1-3.
Anything else interesting going on in the area?

Getting Started

Wow, I can't believe where the summer went so quickly. I remember being kid and feeling like July and August just drug on and on. Now I have a child, I can't remember July or August.

But with the end of summer comes MOPS time again and just as I may lament the end of summer, I am excited for all the things the fall is bringing. Our carnival theme sounds like so much fun and the ideas it has spawned are countless. The talk of monthly fair style food or the soaring highs and plunging lows of the motherhood-roller-coaster (anyone else hide your dirty dishes in the oven before a play date) has me alternately drooling and chuckling. Mostly though I am excited about the ladies that come to MOPS. I love the camaraderie, the shared joys and struggles, the fun we young moms have together.

And that is what this blog is for. A way to continue those conversations and keep in touch with one another between meetings. You can come here to read about whatever is going on in the minds of our authors (any takers), check out upcoming events--right now it is a list but I will figure out the calendar, I will, and find your fellow MOPS moms on the web or at work. You won't find unkind or inappropriate language or comments, pictures of your children without your express permission, or anything more identifying than your first name and email address.

So join in.

It's easy! Just add your email to the subscription box and all the posts will come to your inbox. If there is something especially interesting click on the title to come to the blog and leave a comment by clicking on the "Comments" link at the end of the post.