A Lady's Uniform

The last few weeks of spending oh-so-much-time-on-my-couch has lent itself to my being clothed in leftover maternity shirts and yoga pants. And being dressed that way day after day just makes me feel even more tired and ick. I remember the early years of raising kids all too well when I was dressed in t-shirts and sweatpants...I always looked tired and run down. I wish I had learned then to take better care of my appearance and how good I would feel if I did.

As I began feeling physically and emotionally back-to-normal this week, I have wanted to feel pretty and "together" as a wife and mother and woman again...which for me means I get back to wearing my very simple standard uniform. A simple skirt..either knit, cotton, or denim. A solid v-neck colorful cotton shirt. And always always a necklace...this one being my newest and happiest!

I have learned over the years that how I dress in our home affects my mood, my work ethic, and even the quality of interactions with my husband and children. When I wear a skirt and some jewelry, I feel very "professional" and confident...which spills over to my wanting to cook and create and organize for my family. I am more excited about working and doing things in my home when I am "dressed" in a flattering and womanly way.

I even tend towards speaking to my children more "motherly" when dressed in a skirt...kindly and gently as I picture a 1950's sitcom-mom speaking to her children. And somehow my feisty and flirty nature comes shining through with my husband (which he loves! :) when I have taken time to look cute or pretty or sparkly or fun.

And donning a cute little half-apron (always keep your eyes open at thrift stores for these!) while I clean makes the job all the more fun and I really do seem to get more done in less time.

Dressing nicely for the day at home communicates to my husband and children that I love my role here...that I delight in who I am as a homemaker and what I do. It says that I take my "job" seriously and want to do it well. It also gives my appearance a "softness" that my husband and children are drawn to...and for some reason my heart truly does seem softer when I feel womanly and feminine.

Ultimately though, I have come to realize that I must daily be clothed with Christ (Romans 13:14) as I walk about my home. Even though I believe that our outer appearance does have an effect on us, we must seek the beautiful clothing of a Jesus-like loving heart. I meditate on these words often:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14

Pretty women, may we shine and be clothed with true beauty and femininity inside and out as we go about our daily, simple lives.

Inspiration

Just wanted to pop on here and share a few links that have inspired me lately!

• Katherine's post on Trusting is exactly what I needed to read right now. Exactly.
• Great ideas for gift-giving.
  
• You (especially if you are a blogger!) must go see the movie Julie and Julia...it's wonderfully light and fun!
• I am in the midst of making these cute felt alphabet letters for my son who is learning to read!
• I saw this photo of little boy linen pants which inspired me to buy this pattern to make some for Will and Luke for the fall.
• Sew Mama Sew is sponsoring Hand Sewing Month and this post has great ideas of sewing you can do with children.
• And I just received my copy of Handmade Home by Amanda Soule...and I am in love! Can't wait to make a beach blanket!

photo by Geoff...

Thoughts from Recovery

Although I have enjoyed my sweet little boy and the absolute cuteness of his littleness, I have not been enjoying "recovery". Week One was fine..."it is what it is" was my mantra. But by the end of Week Two I have been wanting to "be me" again but my body is resisting that right now. It's saying to me, "Rest, Aimee" but Aimee is whining back, "But I don't want to!"

Why is it so hard to accept just "being"? To receive a time of stillness as what I need? Especially since I know that this is just a "season" and a short one at that? Hmmmm. There are definitely good lessons to be learned as I literally "sit" in this place (the place being my couch!)

Trusting.
Asking for help.
Thinking.
Praying.
Pondering.
Healing.
Nurturing the baby.
Bonding.
Nurturing myself.
Listening.

These are things that are largely unseen, and I derive great satisfaction from activities that are seen, measurable, and tangible. Do I trust that the activity of the unseen is valuable, satisfying, and needed? That it lays the strong foundation for what will one day be seen? Am I willing to live by faith and not by sight?

My dear friend Andrea (who is in the midst of post-partum recovery too...isn't God good to give us special friends who walk seasonal paths with us?) reminded me to say "Yes, Lord". And that's where I am starting off with today. Enough resisting. Enough whining. Enough striving.

Yes, Lord.