friday links: right in the gut edition

Here are some things I've read recently that spoke directly to something I needed to hear:

Why your kids don't need a super mama - a gentle, breathtaking reminder to pull up out of "trying to be a good mom" and relying on God to meet you with grace instead.

On being approached by three young black men - I've long been an admirer of Shawn Smucker. The last line of this essay from him really got me thinking about my own reactions and perceptions. I might be forever changed.

All will be well - Micha's One Good Phrase series is supurb. This entry was so powerful that it stunned my mind into crystal-clear silence when I had been caught in a web of anxiety and worry.

Five reasons toddlers don't need diversion, and what to do instead - This is just a helpful parenting thing that has been really useful to add to my framework for parenting this toddler of mine.

friday links: old stuff edition

Here are a few things I've been wanting to share, but they never quite fit my mood when it came time to update my facebook status. You know how it is.

- If I Forget You, from Shalom Sweet Home. Jessa's blog is a fascinating glimpse into living as an expat, devoutly practicing her religion (Catholicism, in this case), in perhaps the most central location of that religion. This blog reawakens my long-ago dream of living in Galilee and/or Jerusalem.

- Sanctifying Motherhood, from Small Town Simplicity. I recently found Lydia's blog, and I loooooove it. This post popped up on my reader at just the right time. Maybe it will benefit you, too.

- Aradhna. Ever listened to them? Do it. Now.

friday link, baptism edition

Just one link today. Here's something a friend posted on Facebook recently on ways to celebrate your baptism. Just thought I'd share! It's got some great ideas for remembering your baptism and/or that of your child(ren). Maybe I'll get to do some of these with my own boy!

Do you celebrate your baptism anniversary? Would you?

friday links: quiet little life edition

- Some sweet, gentle thoughts on the magnificent and the mundane -- It really touches me to read that some moms do feel the way I do about being home with kids, deliberately, instead of drawn to work or elsewhere. 

- Such rich, profound wisdom form Ann Voskamp about failure and perspective - I come back to this post from Ann Voskamp regularly.

- An oldie but goodie from Newspaper Blackouts - This one has stuck with me. Maybe you'll love it, too?


So tell me! Do you have any fun weekend plans? We have a little bit of adventure scheduled...Gabriel has a photo shoot(!!!) tomorrow, and then there are baptisms and an ordination at the church, which I'm looking forward to celebrating.

friday links: diy edition

Christmas is right around the corner. Here are a few ideas you can pull together as last-minute gifts, if you're into the DIY approach. Because you've got all that free time on your hands...


For the kid or kid-like person: a chalkboard table! These are all the rage right now, let me tell you. Just ask Pinterest.

For someone who needs a bit of cushion and warmth, how about a knitted rug that might fly off the needles? (This is now in my Ravelry queue, and it will be on my floors once I can find a big poofy yarn I can afford!)

For your sweet friend who loves all things rustic with a touch of lovely - lace-wrapped votives. Beautiful.

For the little boy who needs a friendly bowtie, look no further than this little bowtie tutorial.

some things i'd like to share with you

I've done a very good job of crawling up into my own head lately, which means I am currently even more socially awkward than usual and more or less unable to do normal, simple things like "chat" and "make eye contact" and "not be a completely awkward weirdo." I think it's a 5 thing.

So because I am currently incapable of making a whole lot of sense or contributing in any way to this great dialogue in the sky that we call The Internet, I have for you a collection of thoughts from other, more coherent, more insightful, frankly more interesting, people. Let me know what you think of each or any of these!



Intentional Motherhood
- How to back out of your driveway
- Finding gratitude in the simplest of things
- Reflections on the tooth fairy, the easter bunny, and that big guy in the red suit


Gift-giving
- Gift Guide for the Polar Bear Lover
-  How to select toys that last (harkening back to Rosemond here)