So I'm working at MOPS today and was flitting around here and there and I'm telling you, I got a lot of compliments! Seriously, I got compliments on my weight loss, my hair (which I just colored) and really, I was floating on a damn cloud and feeling all kinds of sassy!
Yes, it's shallow and all that because I was there working for the ministry and I was having a great time having people tell me how good I looked! It's not right, I tell you and yet...It just felt SO GOOD!!
What is wrong with me??? Oh, and here's something to think about, I have had several people tell me that my butt looks smaller and out of all of my body flaws, I never had an issue with my butt, but suddenly I do! I mean, how big was it before I started Weight Watchers??
So, I left there at noon, feeling really good about me and yet really bad about me at the same time. I loved the compliments and I'm glad that people are starting to notice the change in me and yet...petty and shallow.
Not a good combination...
Showing posts with label MOPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MOPS. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
It's like living with a giant!
Michael is on track-out right now and so today when I went to work at MOPS, he came with me. He is 10, the kids that I watch are in the 12-18 month category. Most of them do not talk or they can say less than 10 words. They are as cute as can be but by the time my 3 hour shift is over, I am usually relieved that I no longer have little ones.
So today Michael is with me and he is rolling around on the floor, reading books, playing, etc. with all of these little kids and at one point he was standing up and handing out animal crackers to them (he looked like the Pied Piper!) and he just looked so darn big! I don't ever really notice it at home because he is the youngest and so no matter what, he usually seems small. Actually, that's not totally true, the boy has big feet - they are as big as mine and I wear a women's 8-8 1/2. He can wear my work boots with no problems. I notice when I hug him that he is getting taller but something about how he looked today surrounded by those tiny little adorable people just made my heart ache a little.
NOT that I'm saying that I want any little tiny people in my house that belong to me, it is just another reminder of how time is flying and there is no pause button to push to enjoy your kids while they are young.
Sigh.
So today Michael is with me and he is rolling around on the floor, reading books, playing, etc. with all of these little kids and at one point he was standing up and handing out animal crackers to them (he looked like the Pied Piper!) and he just looked so darn big! I don't ever really notice it at home because he is the youngest and so no matter what, he usually seems small. Actually, that's not totally true, the boy has big feet - they are as big as mine and I wear a women's 8-8 1/2. He can wear my work boots with no problems. I notice when I hug him that he is getting taller but something about how he looked today surrounded by those tiny little adorable people just made my heart ache a little.
NOT that I'm saying that I want any little tiny people in my house that belong to me, it is just another reminder of how time is flying and there is no pause button to push to enjoy your kids while they are young.
Sigh.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Would someone please tell me how to comfort this child?
So as another way to make a little extra income, I am helping out with the local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at my church doing childcare twice a month. I am working in the room with the 12-18 month old children. This is a pretty fun age because everything is so new to them and they are still snuggly.
They also have extreme separation anxiety.
Seriously, I had forgotten about this phase and how traumatic it can be. The look on their little faces as mom hands them off and waves good-bye is just heartbreaking. Today was our second meeting. Most of the mom's learned from the last meeting's experience and brought some comfort items for their children - a stuffed animal, a blanket, a favorite snack, etc. But there was one mom who was not here the last time so this was the first time she was dropping her child off. As she's handing the child to me she tells me, "Oh, she just has shots so she's pretty cranky and she's cutting like five teeth and it's her nap time. I'll give her some Tylenol." Then hands me the child and leaves. Can I just tell you what a MESS this poor little person was for two and a half hours??
So when the mom came to pick her up, I told her how upset her child had been and how we tried rocking her, pushing her in the stroller, playing on the floor with her and the woman just nodded and left. Um...HELLO??? A hint or two on what we can do to lesson your child's trauma would have been nice! I mean SERIOUSLY??
I help clean up the room and I walk out to the lobby and stop to speak to another mom from my group of kids and this same rude woman just comes over and pulls the mom I'm speaking to away! I mean, physically grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away! Honestly, I'm ready to slap this woman! So basically, not only is she seemingly unconcerned about her child, she clearly is just a selfish individual all around.
Charming.
They also have extreme separation anxiety.
Seriously, I had forgotten about this phase and how traumatic it can be. The look on their little faces as mom hands them off and waves good-bye is just heartbreaking. Today was our second meeting. Most of the mom's learned from the last meeting's experience and brought some comfort items for their children - a stuffed animal, a blanket, a favorite snack, etc. But there was one mom who was not here the last time so this was the first time she was dropping her child off. As she's handing the child to me she tells me, "Oh, she just has shots so she's pretty cranky and she's cutting like five teeth and it's her nap time. I'll give her some Tylenol." Then hands me the child and leaves. Can I just tell you what a MESS this poor little person was for two and a half hours??
So when the mom came to pick her up, I told her how upset her child had been and how we tried rocking her, pushing her in the stroller, playing on the floor with her and the woman just nodded and left. Um...HELLO??? A hint or two on what we can do to lesson your child's trauma would have been nice! I mean SERIOUSLY??
I help clean up the room and I walk out to the lobby and stop to speak to another mom from my group of kids and this same rude woman just comes over and pulls the mom I'm speaking to away! I mean, physically grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away! Honestly, I'm ready to slap this woman! So basically, not only is she seemingly unconcerned about her child, she clearly is just a selfish individual all around.
Charming.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Defending Your Faith
So I'm still unemployed. Still trying to figure out what to do with myself. The job market is pretty sucky and with a nine year old, my time is kind of limited because I refuse to let him stay home alone on his three-week track outs due to year-round school. I know that when I was his age I was coming home alone, but we were living in a different world then.
I ran in to a gal from church while at the library a couple of weeks ago and we stopped and chatted and she told me of an opening in a ministry at church that I was part of for around ten years. It is a ministry that is very near and dear to me and I figured if I am going to be out of work, I should at least try and find something purposeful to do with myself.
I called the woman I was told to and we set up an appointment to get together and talk. I have to admit, I was kind of unprepared for what would transpire - not because it was so horrible but basically because of my own pride. I was asked to defend my faith, so to speak. How did I become a Christian? What have I been doing with myself to stay in the word? What book of the bible am I reading? What studies am I involved in? What can I bring to the table of this ministry? I mean, I worked in it for TEN YEARS!! Anyone at the church who knows me, KNOWS that I was deeply involved in the ministry. I kind of felt like it was redundant to ask things like that. Now, I know the woman who is essentially interviewing me and although she kept saying things like "I know, but I have to ask..." I still had to answer. When she asked where I had been going to church...well, I had only just started going back to this church a couple of months ago and before that I had taken two years off from going to church.
Okay, here's my problem with that whole line of questioning: First, I was very honest with her in my telling of how I took two years off. I mean, if I am going to work in a ministry that I want God to bless, doesn't it make sense to not start off by lying? She appreciated my honesty but said that others might have a problem with my being out of church for so long. Okay that brings me to the second point: There are TONS of people in churches everywhere, every Sunday, that are NOT there because of their love of God or their need to grow closer to Him. They are there to be seen by others so that no one can say "Hey, I didn't see you on Sunday..." blah, blah, blah. Just because a person is IN the church building does not make them a good Christian. There are many people who come in, stand when they are supposed to, sing when they are supposed to, place their offering in the basket when it comes around, and then go home and beat their families. Or drink until they pass out. Or try and steal from innocent people while on the job. So I'm not seeing why my NOT being in church should count against me. But possibly it will.
I have to admit, I have very strong opinions on that topic because my husband was taken advantage of by MANY "higher ups" in the church. The type of people who stand at the front of the church and LEAD on Sunday mornings and then on Monday are trying to rob from the little guy who is just trying to make a living - and they do it all with a smile on their face. So yes, I have issues. I try not to judge others faith based on Sunday mornings because that all means nothing. How are they living their lives? What is their family like? If you saw them on two separate days of the week, would you see the same person? THAT'S what should be looked at, not where they are on Sunday morning. Anyone can walk in to a building, smile and look like the other hundred people in the room. We should be looking at who they are when they are not in the building.
I'm just saying...
So now I have a book to read, questions to answer and have to get back in to some sort of study so that I can show consistency. I don't totally agree with what they're saying, but it's nothing that is going to hurt me. I mean, really, I enjoy a good bible study. I enjoy growing in my Christian walk. All I ask is that you look at who I am - Stace. This is who I am on Sunday morning, Tuesday afternoon, Thursday Evening, etc. Any time you see me, this is who you get. I am a woman who loves the Lord, who loves my husband, who loves my children. I'm not looking to steal from you, I'm not looking to lie to you. If you tick me off, you're going to know about it. I love my friends and if there is something that I can do to help you, you can rest assure that I will do it.
All Stace, All the Time.
I ran in to a gal from church while at the library a couple of weeks ago and we stopped and chatted and she told me of an opening in a ministry at church that I was part of for around ten years. It is a ministry that is very near and dear to me and I figured if I am going to be out of work, I should at least try and find something purposeful to do with myself.
I called the woman I was told to and we set up an appointment to get together and talk. I have to admit, I was kind of unprepared for what would transpire - not because it was so horrible but basically because of my own pride. I was asked to defend my faith, so to speak. How did I become a Christian? What have I been doing with myself to stay in the word? What book of the bible am I reading? What studies am I involved in? What can I bring to the table of this ministry? I mean, I worked in it for TEN YEARS!! Anyone at the church who knows me, KNOWS that I was deeply involved in the ministry. I kind of felt like it was redundant to ask things like that. Now, I know the woman who is essentially interviewing me and although she kept saying things like "I know, but I have to ask..." I still had to answer. When she asked where I had been going to church...well, I had only just started going back to this church a couple of months ago and before that I had taken two years off from going to church.
Okay, here's my problem with that whole line of questioning: First, I was very honest with her in my telling of how I took two years off. I mean, if I am going to work in a ministry that I want God to bless, doesn't it make sense to not start off by lying? She appreciated my honesty but said that others might have a problem with my being out of church for so long. Okay that brings me to the second point: There are TONS of people in churches everywhere, every Sunday, that are NOT there because of their love of God or their need to grow closer to Him. They are there to be seen by others so that no one can say "Hey, I didn't see you on Sunday..." blah, blah, blah. Just because a person is IN the church building does not make them a good Christian. There are many people who come in, stand when they are supposed to, sing when they are supposed to, place their offering in the basket when it comes around, and then go home and beat their families. Or drink until they pass out. Or try and steal from innocent people while on the job. So I'm not seeing why my NOT being in church should count against me. But possibly it will.
I have to admit, I have very strong opinions on that topic because my husband was taken advantage of by MANY "higher ups" in the church. The type of people who stand at the front of the church and LEAD on Sunday mornings and then on Monday are trying to rob from the little guy who is just trying to make a living - and they do it all with a smile on their face. So yes, I have issues. I try not to judge others faith based on Sunday mornings because that all means nothing. How are they living their lives? What is their family like? If you saw them on two separate days of the week, would you see the same person? THAT'S what should be looked at, not where they are on Sunday morning. Anyone can walk in to a building, smile and look like the other hundred people in the room. We should be looking at who they are when they are not in the building.
I'm just saying...
So now I have a book to read, questions to answer and have to get back in to some sort of study so that I can show consistency. I don't totally agree with what they're saying, but it's nothing that is going to hurt me. I mean, really, I enjoy a good bible study. I enjoy growing in my Christian walk. All I ask is that you look at who I am - Stace. This is who I am on Sunday morning, Tuesday afternoon, Thursday Evening, etc. Any time you see me, this is who you get. I am a woman who loves the Lord, who loves my husband, who loves my children. I'm not looking to steal from you, I'm not looking to lie to you. If you tick me off, you're going to know about it. I love my friends and if there is something that I can do to help you, you can rest assure that I will do it.
All Stace, All the Time.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Take a Little Time for You...
Today I had the opportunity to speak to a local MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group. I've said it before and I'll say it again, MOPS is one of the BEST ministries out there - it saved my life when we first moved down to North Carolina. Today's topic that I spoke on was "Taking Care of You".
I gave this talk once before to my homeschool group. That was a hilarious night. I had decorated the room with tons of candles and twinkly lights, hung gauzy fabric from the ceiling, had soft, classical music playing - and wore my jammies! Yes, my jammies. Not just ordinary jammies, oh no. I wore red silk pajama pants, a black cammi, red, fuzzy slippers and had my hair done up like Pebbles Flinstone. Oh, it was quite the sight!
Today I had no hand in the room set up, but wore the same outfit. I handed out chocolates (sometimes I threw them out in to the audience) and told these wonderful moms of the importance of taking time out for just themselves. How it is OKAY to stop being mom for a little while and go out with the girls. We talked about different ideas for pampering yourself when money is an issue - how to get inexpensive pedicures, spa treatments and massages.
Actually, I'm going to give a little plug here - Arbonne. If you have never heard of them, they are a Swiss cosmetics company. Their products are FABULOUS. Remember my spa party that I had a couple of months ago? Arbonne! For those of you who don't remember, the consultant came here to the house and we got to try out all kinds of wonderful products that made our hands smooth, we soaked our feet in tubs of hot scented water with smooth stones in it (like a little foot massage while you soak!), we got facials and ate tons of yummy, fattening food. Quite the night! No one spent a lot of money, so it wasn't a banner night for the Arbonne consultant, but for the eight of us there, it was heavenly!
I'm going to encourage all of you ladies out there to take a little time out this week that is just for you! Going to the gynecologist by yourself does NOT COUNT as alone time! Going for a mammogram? NOT ALONE TIME! Going out to a movie with a friend? THAT is alone time. Scrapbooking with some friends? THAT is alone time.
Go! Be pampered! Enjoy some time! You deserve it!
I gave this talk once before to my homeschool group. That was a hilarious night. I had decorated the room with tons of candles and twinkly lights, hung gauzy fabric from the ceiling, had soft, classical music playing - and wore my jammies! Yes, my jammies. Not just ordinary jammies, oh no. I wore red silk pajama pants, a black cammi, red, fuzzy slippers and had my hair done up like Pebbles Flinstone. Oh, it was quite the sight!
Today I had no hand in the room set up, but wore the same outfit. I handed out chocolates (sometimes I threw them out in to the audience) and told these wonderful moms of the importance of taking time out for just themselves. How it is OKAY to stop being mom for a little while and go out with the girls. We talked about different ideas for pampering yourself when money is an issue - how to get inexpensive pedicures, spa treatments and massages.
Actually, I'm going to give a little plug here - Arbonne. If you have never heard of them, they are a Swiss cosmetics company. Their products are FABULOUS. Remember my spa party that I had a couple of months ago? Arbonne! For those of you who don't remember, the consultant came here to the house and we got to try out all kinds of wonderful products that made our hands smooth, we soaked our feet in tubs of hot scented water with smooth stones in it (like a little foot massage while you soak!), we got facials and ate tons of yummy, fattening food. Quite the night! No one spent a lot of money, so it wasn't a banner night for the Arbonne consultant, but for the eight of us there, it was heavenly!
I'm going to encourage all of you ladies out there to take a little time out this week that is just for you! Going to the gynecologist by yourself does NOT COUNT as alone time! Going for a mammogram? NOT ALONE TIME! Going out to a movie with a friend? THAT is alone time. Scrapbooking with some friends? THAT is alone time.
Go! Be pampered! Enjoy some time! You deserve it!
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