I Am Woman. Hear me ROAR!

Have you noticed in the media for a woman to be "strong" she must tote a semi-automatic gun, know how to disarm a bomb, jump start a car, skid a bullet bike under a moving semi, hack into the security system of an evil company all the while looking like she just walked out of a beauty salon?  She also needs to smile an alluring smile, run in heels, and karate kick her way out of sticky situations. This is the image of a "strong" woman that is plastered everywhere.

This is a lie. This is a deception. And I am de-bunking it. Now.

I know women who tote loaded diaper bags, while popping a pacifier in the mouth of a screaming child, piling and buckling 3 squirmy children in a car, doing three different school projects, and looking calmly at the clock while saying, "Whew, it's only 8 in the morning! I guess I'll jump in the shower."  I know women who don't know a thing about knocking someone out with karate, but know everything about putting a napping child down for the count. I know women whose knowledge of cars consists of starting a car and putting it in reverse, but who will go to any lengths to drive someone to an appointment or an activity. I know women who open their arms and hearts to those seeking security and friendship.  I know beautiful women who are stunning without an inch of makeup because they know who they are and what journey they are on.  I know women who smile bravely as they take care of aging parents who have suffered debilitating illnesses and need tender care. I know women who have teenagers...and survive!! I know women who are lonely, but search for someone to lift and serve.  I know strong women.

You know them too.  THESE are strong women.  THESE are women of uncommon bravery, integrity, and valor doing common, everyday tasks in great ways. THESE are the women I want my girls and my boys to know are STRONG women who have put aside selfish ways for self-less acts. THESE are the women who quietly, yet unknowingly change the world.

I believe it's time. It's time to show my children true strength.  If I don't do it, others quickly will. It's time to show my children "strong" women; women who make a difference in this world, not because they can karate kick their way through tricky situations, look stunning in red, or shimmy their way into favor, but because they are women who simply love, sacrifice, and save others.

I have a framed quote on my wall that I see every morning.  It reminds me of what true strength is.

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. 

The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. 

There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. 

There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. 

We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. 

We have enough greed; we need more goodness. 

We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. 

We have enough popularity; we need more purity."                                                      

  Margaret D. Nadauld

I AM woman. Hear me Roar!

Day Camp

 X-man had his first Cub Scout Day Camp last week.  After passing out the first day due to the heat, drinking some Gatorade to get revived, and seeing all the boys playing around, X-man recovered and wanted to stay (I wanted to haul him home out of the heat) to play Laser tag (water guns), paint a rocket (a bowling pin with fins), and launch rockets (made out of newspaper).  He stayed home Tuesday due to a rough night, but was back for more action the rest of the week.  He made a compass, a star chart, a sun dial, a constellation lamp, a laser ray gun (marshmallow shooter), alien pet, alien slime, and alien egg holder (gum ball machine).  He got to be active with ultimate frisbee, archery, BB gun shooting, sling-shot shooters, water balloon tag, and all variations of tag.  One night at dinner, the fire department was invited to spray the boys down.  SO funny to see these boys getting doused with the fire hose. They LOVED it., and I think the firemen enjoyed it as much as the boys. I'm sure I forgot something, but you get the idea--a very FULL week with LOTS of fun activities.  Amazing people planned a wide variety of activities. We came home stinky, dirty, exhausted, and much more appreciative of air conditioning!

Getting ready to launch some lima beans with his sling shot.

 Receiving instructions on sling-shot shooting. 

 Ping!  Shooting a bean at the pie tin. 

Dirt, Weeds, and Sweat

It's only taken 6 years.  It's only taken try after try after try.  It's only taken lots of sweat from a gal who has been known as "Never Sweat." It's only taken half-eaten, almost-ripe-and-ready to harvest veggies, detective work, and a dead possum/rat. It's only taken some manure. And compost. And water. And lots of prayer.  But finally today we had HARVEST from our garden!  AND it is even enough to eat!  As a meal. And come away a little full!

Tonight the kiddos and I went out to the garden to pick green beans, gaze at the growing zucchini, curse the birds trying to eat my tomatoes, and dig up the potatoes.  I was amazed when we came away with a bunch.  A. and I squealed like excited kids at Christmas whenever we found a potato in the dirt. It was SO exciting!

Now I hope it keeps growing, growing, growing in our heat. The weeds don't seem to have a problem.