An Idea

After my last post, I learned that I am not alone. Such feelings are normal. Still, regardless of how normal they may be, it's still no fun to fall into the rut of feeling frumpy!

Satan wants us to compare ourselves to others and belittle ourselves for our weaknesses. He wants us to forget that we have our own strengths that make us wonderful, even super women and mothers! The Lord said, "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27) I KNOW this is true. I know I can turn the weaknesses I see in myself as a wife and mother into strengths. So, instead of complaining that I don't have the same strengths as the cute mothers and women around me, I want to learn from them (from you!) and become a better me. Hence, I am starting a new blog. And on that new blog, I will survey a lot of other moms. Perhaps I can learn a small tip or trick from those who have strengths different from me, and then I can work on obtaining that trait myself. Maybe there'll be something there for you, too!

So, feel free to check it out:

http://momsbeingsuper.blogspot.com/

I'll let you know when I get my first survey up there, but in the meantime, what are some questions you have for other moms? What desirable traits/skills/talents do you notice in the women around you? Is there a specific woman you want me to survey? Let me know.

Thanks,

Elizabeth

"That's a bad word in our house."

That word, is FRUMPY.

Why is it a bad word in our house you may ask? Because my dear husband is tired of hearing me use it in reference to myself. So he banned me from saying it at all.

Just so you know...

Web definition of frumpy: an unattractive woman who wears dowdy old-fashioned clothes.

Husband's definition of frumpy: a saggy old woman.

My definition of frumpy is the same as the web definition, but with lots of laziness and lack of motivation added in.

Why do I use frumpy so often to describe myself? Because it just fits how I feel some days. No, most days. Hear me out--Most days, I do not wear make up. And my hair usually gets pulled back into an unattractive ponytail. I only shower every other day, sometimes every 3 or more. I pretty much hate my wardrobe. Almost all of it. It's either old, doesn't fit right, or makes me feel frumpy. And that's all three definitions of the word.

So what have I done about it?

Nothing. Well, nothing besides gripe and complain and dream of becoming one of those cute, fun, fashionable moms with great hobbies that I see everywhere I go. Example: go look in the mirror--you're probably one of them!

SO. My new goal, again, because I've made this goal about a million times and have failed every time, is to slowly and surely work my way OUT of frumpy-ness. Maybe if I blog about it I'll feel more pressure to keep at it and actually do so for more than 3 days. Yeah, that's about what my record is thus far. Sad, I know.

Now, I need to be realistic, because I'm not a SUPER MOM. Really. I thought that was supposed to come naturally once you became a mother. The SUPER part of ME must have missed that memo.

Back to my realistic aspirations... If I am really determined, I think I can:

1.) READ MY SCRIPTURES! DAILY!! Family scripture study doesn't count.

2.) Be sure to shower at least every other day. I could shower at night before bed. Just thought of that.

3.) Wear make up and do my hair more days in the week than I don't. So at the least, that's 4 days a week!

4.) When doing laundry, set aside the clothes I consider frumpy, and get rid of them. Then, slowly and one at a time, add pieces that I really like.

5.) Go walking/jogging at the new track with Jopes and the kids every night possible. We went down there tonight to let Joseph run around, and decided it was very do-able for both of us to get exercise that way if we take Everlit in the stroller, and rotate--one of us runs around the track while the other walks with Joseph and Everlit, then we relay switch so that the other gets to run around. Do it for as long or as little as we (or the kids) can handle! Oh, and some nights we'll go swimming instead, because we've done that a couple times, and now Joseph asks for it every day.

6.) Make sure at least ONE room is clean before Jopes gets home from work, with one exception day a week. Because quite frankly, some days, I just don't get anything done but watch the kids.

What do you think? Got any tips for me on how you stay out of the frumpy zone?

How about on keeping your house clean?? Anyone who's ever been to my house knows I need help with that.

QUESTION!

What does the 'Follow' button do? I follow lots of blogs, but I've never pushed a 'Follow' button. Should I?

Best. Husband. Ever.

NO JOKE!! My husband, Joseph Jamison Free, is the best husband ever! And for many reasons, but here is one that I'm so grateful for today.

Best-husband-ever didn't have work today, so we had planned on cleaning the house. Again. Because all the cleaning we did yesterday has already been un-done. Somebody pleasetell me this happens at your house, too! Anyway, later this morning, we were out of diapers for Everlit, and she had just gone down for her nap. Best-husband-ever wanted something from Walmart for the planted fish tank he's setting up, so he volunteered to take Joseph with him and get the diapers, too. I volunteered to take a 20 minute nap while they were gone. Sweet of me, I know. Well, next thing I know, Best-husband-ever comes in with Everlit, and I find out that he had closed my bedroom door when he got home so I would sleep longer (which I did--a LOT longer than I had planned), AND he changed 2 poopy diapers while I was snoozing! I have been so tired lately, I can't tell you how much I appreciated Best-husband-ever's sweet act of goodness today.

Thank you, Jopes! I LOVE YOU!!

P.S. Isn't he the most handsome guy ever?? I think so.

A Day Late, But HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We were at my cousins' house for New Year's Eve. Joseph made it to midnight, but this was him not long after.