I got a few moments to catch up on a lovely blog I have saved in Bloglines but neglected to read in recent weeks, Charming the Birds from the Trees. What a shame. I missed some very nice articles, not the least of which were these posts about modest fashion for spring and options for postpartum wear. She has a few posts called What I Wore Wednesday. I could easily import her entire wardrobe I think lol! Probably the odds that she is five feet tall are probably pretty slim however. Nevertheless, it was great inspiration. To be candid, not all the modest wardrobe entries in blog world are as inspiring.

Also of note was the link to the Russian Orthodox women’s fashion show. I haven’t the foggiest idea what the text says, being in Russian and all, so if you you happen to be fluent and just linked to a radical anarchist site or something please excuse me.

For you modest moms who are expecting, Helen shared this link to maternity skirts which was GREATLY appreciated. Perhaps the most intriguing tip she had was the Bella Band. Wow! I think I need one! Apparently these things adapt your non-maternity separates to your changing shape. This could revolutionize my life. I was telling her that being short, I am not happy with the way larger size non-maternity skirts hang from my belly. I end up looking like a hovercraft as dear friend Jen says. REALLY wide. The band would fit the top to your profile though instead of the fabric standing out from your body. Let me know if you have any experience with these ok?

Make and model to be announced later. : )

It is with a very full heart that I tell you we are expecting. We have safely journeyed through the first trimester and got my first look at the baby today. (Allen is home sick and sadly missed the appt) I wasn’t really expecting to see such perfection in miniature. Most of my ultrasounds have been very early or later in pregnancy. I had low expectations let’s just say. To my surprise there was this tiny person kicking and sucking a thumb, waving the tiniest fingers I have ever seen. The image doesn’t do justice to the experience but suffice it to say, I am beside myself with joy this evening.

Never in our wildest dreams did we guess we would be blessed so abundantly. Your prayers for a safe and peaceful rest of the pregnancy and birth would be much appreciated.

“while there may have been a time when a woman could keep a house, tend a garden, sew and spin and raise twelve children, things are different now; life is more complicated. You owe your husband something; you owe yourself something. I want to get on, to study, to travel, to be a companion to my husband. I don’t want to be a mere servant!”

“How many of you are there?”
“Seven.”
“Seven? My heaven-seven children!”
“My grandmother had ten. Imagine having ten children.”
“Everything’s different now. Everything’s more expensive. Life’s more complicated.”

A ’60s feminist overheard? Women analyzing the Duggar’s latest announcement? No. These lines were published in 1911 which completely surprised me. I really assumed the sentiments were fairly contemporary. Apparently not.

I have a stack of new books here and this one was devoured in two days. Mother, written by Kathleen Norris in 1911 tells the tale of Margaret Paget, a small town schoolteacher who gets the opportunity to pursue a career in New York. She sees this as her ticket out of what she considers the drudgery and hopelessness her parents are locked into. She finds plenty of sympathetic, encouraging voices in the world. Somehow they begin to ring hollow in time.

I don’t think I give away the ending any more than the book jacket does when I say that she comes full circle to reject the self-absorbed lifestyle rampant in her new world and embraces family in the end. She learns that:

“Travel and position, gowns and motorcars, yachts and country houses, these things were to be bought in all their perfection by the highest bidder and always would be. But love and character and service, home and the wonderful charge of little lives…..these were not to be bought; they were only to be prayed for and worked for and bravely won.”

This is the book I will share with my daughters by way of explanation. This is the book I will hand those who ask “Why? Was it worth it? Didn’t you want something more?”

More? More than everything, you mean? I have some wonderful apologetic type books but nothing is as compelling as story. This story richly demonstrates the bible verse that:

“…whoever wishes to save his life will lose it and whoever gives up his life for my sake will find it.”

(note – You will want the Vision Forum restored edition. It seems later editions of the original edited out the heart of the story. )

The boys ‘crossed over’ this weekend. A very eventful day even if the weather was not entirely cooperative. Aidan became a Bear Scout:

Kieran, after waiting patiently lo these past two years, will now be a Tiger Scout. I think he has had the scarf on since….

Brendan’s fondest desire is to be a Cub ‘cout:

Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion online supplement. had an article about the midcentury magazine covers of illustrator Al Parker. In particular the article highlighted his mother/daughter series. The author says:

The simple compositions often depicted the daughter learning something from the mother or helping her in some way. Everywhere I looked, moms and daughters were happily skating, swimming, making holiday decorations, or buying war bonds together. I guess there was no such thing as a generation gap in those days.

The illustrations are as wonderful as described. They made me think of my own daughters and how our relationship is growing and changing. Both of the older girls are becoming delightful young women. Both are eager and capable workers, one more domestically inclined, the other more at home outside. Both of them fall into step with whatever task I have at hand, quietly and confidently filling in where extra hands are needed while happy chatter passes the time.

Moira is my right hand in the barn. She never needs to be told, just quietly works her way around the barn feeding and moving stock in or out. We don’t need words as we milk together. We each know our part and can work together comfortably.

Alannah has become quite adept at seeing what needs to happen with homemaking and little ones. She took it upon herself to reorganize the little boys’ drawers and closet a few weeks back. I overheard her admonishing them to try to keep them up because “mom has a lot to do”. I snapped this picture the other day. I walked into the kitchen and she was sorting the drop pile at the edge of the counter without prompting. Now, I love my boys with all my heart but I don’t think it has ever occurred to one of their gender to stop at a pile and sort it on the spot.

All is not drudgery. We laugh and shop and pray and play a good deal. It is just a different relationship from that which I share with my boys and I feel so blessed to have both experiences.

We were firsthand witnesses to a massive grassfire this afternoon. It started near the highway just moments before Asher and I passed by. The nearby fields were already charred and smoke was billowing high in the sky as the flames marched relentlessly across the prairie fueled by 40mph winds.

Allen came home a different route and found himself right alongside the fire which by then had traveled many miles. He got these pictures which were sobering to say the least. As he was passing, a barn and home caught fire. It is shocking to see how quickly everything you have can be reduced to ashes.

911 has sent a number of reverse call messages today. We got the last a few minutes ago. The fire is finally contained some 7 hrs later after burning over 9000 acres. We are grateful none of them were ours but we mourn for the ranchers who lost so much. It was heart wrenching to see the stock trailers racing by to evacuate horses and cattle.