Just For Women

Keeping my mouth shut...

2011-08-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

I feel a little emotional. Some of those emotions are warranted, earned, and deserved, while other emotions I felt today seem to come from impatience and unforgiveness.

As a mother and wife I need to have the discernment of what are appropriate and acceptable emotions and ones that are harmful to relationships.

I spent some time alone in prayer in my bedroom; taking all that was in my heart before the Lord for Him to help me process them.

It is so important to take that time with the Lord before we lash out at those we love most.

I spent the evening with my husband and children; laughing, crying, and snuggling.

A good night.

A little secret, just for women....no men.

2011-08-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

Alright, no men.

This is private female talk.

I got my menstrual cycle yesterday. I ran out of big pads, so I grabbed a baby diaper and used it at night, when flow is more.

It works great! Now, I need to run to the store and get more woman pads, but at least I have something in case of an emergency!

Choice to lay down my life for my family.

2011-07-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

It is a moment by moment choice to lay down my life for my family.

I am called by God to be a wife and mother and so I take that calling seriously. The love that I have inside for my children is such a deep love, one that can only come from the heart of God.

I knew it was real love when I even loved their cry, I even loved their poopy diapers.

In our travels I miss out on a lot of activities that once I would have enjoyed. I don't always get to kayak across the lake or down the river. I don't always get to four wheel for hours to a hidden meadow and spend time alone with my dear husband.

But, instead I get to climb the smaller boulders with my wee ones. I get the privilege to watch them when they splash in the water or hike down the shorter trail.

Reality is that I don't miss out on a thing, in fact, I have such a wonderful time when all my children and husband can do activities together.

We don't miss out on anything.

I still get to spend wonderful time with my hubby, maybe not on a weekend getaway, but in the morning when we sit outside the camper, reading our bibles together, sipping coffee as we sit at the base of a mountain or by a glimmering lake.

Put the kids to bed on time and dear Shae and I get to snuggle in bed, too exhausted to go anywhere, and watch a movie or read a book together.

No, I don't miss out on anything by giving up my rights or my "old" desires....I have gained a much better life, just like Jesus promised I would.

Sometimes on the trails, we are behind everyone else, but then we get to see the little things that the faster hikers miss.

While Dad and Cody filled up the vehicles with gas, the younger ones and I checked out the huge tractor used to harvest wheat.

We started this hike but the wee ones got too hot and tired, so we headed back to the van while the rest continued on. We played and had fun right at the van!

The mountain was too high in elevation for the little ones, so we stayed and played at the water fall while the rest went up. It was a lot of fun.

Hanging out with the little ones allows such sweet moments as this one.

Josie wasn't too sure about feeding the deer.

Taking time with my children brings such joy and special times I could not pay enough for.

Shine

2011-07-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

Let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Do I glorify God in my home?

Do I glorify God with my mouth when my children are naughty?

Does grace and love flow from my lips?

I am happy to say it does. My love for God overflows out of my heart to my husband and children.

I can only hope that my children will rise up and call me blessed as Proverbs 31 says.

Are you a blessing? Will they say that about you?

If you aren't sure, ask God to help you.

Pray for the fruit of the spirit of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self control.

Giving it all and giving it all up...

2011-04-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

I have been going through a lot lately. I can't even attempt to write it all down, but basically, I am learning to find joy not in things I thought I wanted to do, but in the little, everyday things that happen to me and around me.

I am giving up some of my own personal desires, that I don't see happening, and giving my all to the desires that are manifesting.

It is not a bad thing, it is reality. I believe we all have to be able to enjoy the day and life we have and not continually be discontent and push off today's happiness allotment for the day for when we think we have everything we need.

NO.

Enjoy today.

Still Learning Who I Am....and Who I Am Not.

2011-04-05T00:28:00.000-07:00

So often, I find myself referring to my childhood to explain the person I am today. But, does our childhood really affect us for that many years, that at age 37 I can still say I act a certain way because that is how I grew up?

For example, in northern Wisconsin, we just didn't drive fast. There was either snow on the ground or deer in the road. Never was there a safe hour of the day or month of the year to hit the gas.

My husband, on the other hand, grew up in north Florida, where he and his buddies new nothing but fast. The long, flat, straight roads of Escambia County was a daily race track for them and their vehicles.

Now mix slow and fast and you do not get the speed limit. Through out our marriage, I have had to try to get more comfortable with driving faster. That doesn't mean my husband drives wreckless, just faster than what I am used to.

He has had to slow it down some to help me feel safe and be able to enjoy our trips.

I could say, "Well, that is how I grew up!" But that was a long time ago. I have actually been grown up longer than I was little. So, isn't it possible that maybe I can change my thought processes as an adult that would not be based on the circumstances of my childhood?

Yet, I find myself referring to my youth often in the way I think and do things. Aren't we supposed to leave those childish ways behind? Aren't we supposed to think like an adult now, act like an adult now, reason like an adult now?

When you, and I for that matter, find ourselves justifying our behaviour with our past, pause for a moment and decide whether or not that thought is based off of childhood ways or is based off of reality as seen through your eyes, today.

Annoyed With My Husband

2010-12-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest with you; I do get annoyed with my husband sometimes. There are moments that he makes no sense to me.

Something that seems so obvious to me is totally foreign to him.

At these moments I find myself getting impatient and wanting to lash out in unkind way such as sharp words or looks on my face that show my displeasure.

This is when I have to make a serious choice.
I can either chose to be forgiving and patient or rude and nasty.

I have learned that I can be assertive with my needs and concerns without being offensive or defensive.

For example, this morning we were leaving the motel in Story City, Iowa. After 8 weeks in northern Wisconsin, we were ready to head home to our camper we left in southern Missouri. It had been a long night on the road yesterday. There was the huge snow storm in the north and the roads had been icy. My husband had to really concentrate to keep us safe in such hazardous conditions.

We finally stopped in Story City, Iowa at a Comfort Inn around midnight. Some of the kids woke up when we entered the motel room, ready to have fun. Shae was exhausted from the intense driving conditions and just wanted to shower and go to bed.

How rational that is, I am not sure. Six kids in one motel room, after a long drive, isn't exactly the atmosphere for quiet!

Some kids fell right back to sleep, while others were ready to party!

I'm not sure what time it was when we were all finally asleep, but I am thinking it was close to 2am.

We had to get up early to get on the road. Shae, my husband, had to do some work on his laptop before we headed out. The kids and I ate the continental breakfast while he worked. Then, we brought him food to the room so he could finish the work.

I noticed he seemed grouchy and short tempered. His eyes looked red and his forehead creased. He had a headache, and a pretty good one from the looks of it.

Now, as we were loading up and trying to get going in the frigid temperatures, Shae kept making mistakes. He put the diaper bag on top of the dvd player. He asked Cody to do something that just didn't make sense to any of us and was grumpy about it! He didn't seem to be thinking through leaving the motel room in an efficient manner like he usually does.

At this point, I was tempted to say something about him needing to settle down. Can you imagine how that would have gone over?! That comment would of just made him angrier! Thank goodness I didn't do that.

Instead, I chose to be patient and understanding. I did pull the dvd player out from under the diaper bag. I reminded him of a better way to take care of the chore that he had wanted Cody to do that didn't make sense.

I chose to remember that his head hurt and he needed an understanding wife more than a nagging woman.

I don't always make the right choice. Sometimes I am not as understanding as I should be. I am learning though.

There is a balance between not letting someone be unnecessarily rude to us and doing as the bible says "Love covers a multitude of sin".

Being sick does not give us right to be rude or unloving to those we love the most. Yet, I believe that we need to be understanding and loving when someone we love and care about is hurting or in a weak state.

Shae is driving right now. His head feels a little better. His eyes are still red and puffy but he says the medicine helped. I am trying to keep the kids from yelling in the back seat. They are not yelling angry, just having lots of fun. I am trying to teach them to love their father and respect him. They can show their love and respect by caring that he has a headache. This attitude is taught to children, it does not always come naturally.

Our response to our husbands are watched closely and mimicked by our children and those around us. If the kids see us impatient and disrespectful to their father, they will be. They see if we roll our eyes or walk away frustrated.

It is the hard path to chose to be loving, although it gets easier and easier the more I chose it.

Losing Weight

2010-12-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

It seems I fail consistently in my attempt to lose weight. I look forward to getting back home after our extended trip to Wisconsin and really hitting it hard.

I have chosen a few different eating adjustments.

1. Do not eat after 6 pm. I can snack on a few veggies and can drink anything but milk.

2. Exercise an hour a day.

3. Low carbs.

4. Higher protein, but not radically higher.

5. Desert only on Sundays.

6. Drink tons of water.

7. Drink my red raspberry and nettle tea daily for my female parts.

8. Do tons of Keigles to help put my female parts back in place after having six kids.

I know I need to lose weight, not just for myself, but for my husband and children.

Relationships

2010-11-22T23:01:00.000-08:00

I find myself to be extremely relationship driven. Sometimes to the point of suffering and feeling extreme rejection. As a woman, mother, child of God, I desire positive relationships with those around me.
Yet, at what cost?
I have to always remind myself that my relationship to God, my husband, and then my children come first. Those are the most important. Next comes other family and believers in Christ.
Next is everyone else.
There are some relationships that need to end. I grieve for those just as I believe God does for those that reject a relationship with Him.
I will pray for those that reject and persecute me for who I am and who I am not.

But must not compromise who God has made me.

Priorities

2010-11-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

What do I consider a successful day as a home school mom?

1. We all read the bible
2. We all pray
3. Character training
4. They are fed and clean

If more than this gets accomplished that is a bonus to our day. But ultimately, we are preparing our children for eternity. Yes, there are many more things than the four items on my list, but on busy days, if I have finished this list, I feel it was a successful day.

Who am I?

2010-11-11T21:51:00.000-08:00

The longer I am a wife and mother, the farther away I get from the person I used to be. But, society makes it seem like this is a bad thing. I look back to who I was before my husband and children and I don't want to ever be that person again. Over the past 19 years I have become a better person; kinder and gentler, more thoughtful and caring. I have become stronger in spirit and body, yet weaker in the sense of realizing my limitations in knowledge and wisdom. There is so much in this world I do not know and never will. But, as a woman, mother, and wife, I finally feel like I am getting the hang of this. I find that things I once didn't have an answer for, I am able to handle quickly and decisively.

I don't feel I have lost myself in being a wife and mother, in fact, I have found the best me, the best parts of my inmost being have come out and hopefully, over time, the bad will be totally gone.

Finding fulfillment in my daily life, in who I am today, not who I once was, or who I am apart from my husband and children, is so important; in fact vital to my existence. It is who I am now, today that matters. I am a woman; strong and sure; smart and talented; wise yet humble. I am at my best when I am fulfilling my daily life and walking in joy within my home.

I Cannot Believe How Hairy I Am!

2010-10-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

I decided to go to the bath house for a shower. I usually shower in our camper. People have offered for me to use their home for a shower, when we stay with them, but I tell them very politely, no thank you. I don't expect them to pack up their shower stuff and take one in my camper! My camper is my home. I shower in my home just like you do yours. But, I just decided I wanted harder water pressure and thought I would head for the shower house.

Well, the water pressure wasn't much better. I kind of got grossed out when I saw hair on the floor, and it wasn't mine. I decided I am going to clean the shower house this week. But anyways, I am so excited! I not only washed my hair, but my body, too! Then, I shaved not only under my arms but my legs, too. Now, not only around my ankles, but all the way up.....yes, past my knees even.....up to the top! Hold on now, I even washed my body with soap.

I know, you are jealous. To not only wash my hair and body, but to even shave my underarms and legs all in one shower! I am so lucky! (Actually, I don't believe in luck.)

Those of you who have babies can totally relate. Those of you who have lots of kids can identify with what I am saying. Those of you who have a baby, and lots of kids, and live in a camper, are looking at your legs right now thinking how you with you could do what I did today!

I don't think my family even recognized me!
Wow, the wonders of soap, water, and a razor. I feel like a new woman. Oh, by the way, I didn't use a man razor. I used one made for women! That was a treat. Although, I think my husband used it on his neck recently. I'll not dwell on that!
I am going to go climb in my bed now and feel the soft sheets on my not so hairy legs.

Good night!
Sheri

Frustration Cycle

2010-09-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

So often I react. Instead of responding, I react to the situation. That happened today. One child hurt the other. I scolded the aggressor, which wasn't wrong, but I did it in the wrong tone of voice. I noticed the one that got hurt saw my frustration and began to get frustrated.

I knew I needed to use a nicer tone, firm, but not frustrated. I needed to set the example of forgiveness and gentleness when wronged. I know it is ok to have emotion. I don't like seeing any of my children hurt. But, my reaction needs to be different.

I wonder how often we react to things instead of respond. Something to think about....

Part two of "I've never been so hairy in my life."

2010-07-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

Why did I never think of this? I guess I should have a long time ago.

You see, it's not that I want to be hairy. I don't think it is attractive to have long hair on my legs and under my arms. It's just that I don't have much free time anymore. I can't seem to do it all, so my hairy legs get the short end of the stick.

Now that baby is one year old, I hope to have a little bit more time to tend to other things besides him!

I was at my mother's and she brought out this electric razor to show Hanna. She can use it in the shower or out. What a great idea?

Last weekend I went to Walmart and bought an electric razor. It works great! I sat on the bed and shaved both legs without water or soap. I just ran it up my legs and done!

I couldn't believe how long a few of the hairs were! Yikes! But now I hope to keep the hair short. It should be much easier now that I have my electric razor. And by the way, I am not getting paid to say all of this. Although if someone wants to pay me, I'll take the money! He He

Having Patience

2010-06-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

I have heard so many people say, "Don't pray for patience. Then God will give you hard times to make you more patient." I know those people are joking, somewhat. Still, I do pray for patience. I believe that I have the Holy Spirit inside of me. The fruit of the Holy Spirit are Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self Control. So, I believe that I have all the patience I can ever need right inside of me. So, how do I get it out? Prayer, choices, tapping into that deep sense of peace and patience, endurance and faithfulness. I pray, "Lord, help me walk in the fruit the Spirit which you have placed inside of me.

Now, I'm sure everyone that I know would tell you I am a very patient person, yet not perfectly patient. That is why I am writing about patience. Lately, my patience has been running thin. I don't seem to have the time to really answer the ones I love in the most loving way that I could. I need to take more time for an appropriate response. I know I have been short with my dear hubby. I just need to get some major projects done before we can move in our camper again. Once I get that done, it will be better.......but what about today. Do I sacrifice today for tomorrow? What if there is no tomorrow? Or what if tomorrow is as crazy as today was? I need to remember that I will never have today again. I know I got a lot done, but did I sacrifice the patience I needed to have for my loved ones for completing a project?

Yikes, I guess I am setting myself straight.....I will try to apply it to tomorrow....

Sheri

How to find time for me...

2010-05-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what to write for this one. How to find time for me? I am at a point in my life where I am happy to be mom and wife. I love to do a good job at both of these. I find my joy and fulfillment in taking care of my husband and children. Yet, to be even better at it, I know I need to find a little time for myself. It will help me to be rested and refreshed. So, how on earth do I find the time?

I will give you a few examples:

I take a shower....by myself
I put the kids to bed and lay across my own bed and breath deeply for five minutes....by myself
I go potty....by myself
I get up a little before everyone else and be.....by myself

It doesn't have to be some huge outing that is so hard to accomplish that I never get to be "by myself". I just take little moments here and there and enjoy the silence and then they all run in and I enjoy the chatter.

This is good. It works for me.

The Little Things

2010-01-26T23:59:00.000-08:00

It seems like I just don't have a bunch of time to be a woman. My time is torn between being a wife and a mother. I don't feel like I don't know who I am. I feel like I am being the best I can be by fulfilling my calling to be a wife and mother. That is who I am. That is who I will always be. I hope when I die that people will remember me as just that, a good wife and a good mother, maybe even a good friend. I don't remember who I used to be, but is that bad? I think I am a better person now. I don't want to go back to who I was. I want to move forward and continually change and mold myself to who God wants me to be.

I know I must find time for little things, a woman's razor, a little make up, a sexy smile for my husband. I will try to find moments to remember that in being a mom and a wife I am all woman.

Womanhood

2010-01-23T22:45:00.000-08:00

I am woman, hear me roar! Well, not exactly, I don't roar. In fact, I try to use a gentle voice when I can, but I sure have been blessed with a really loud voice when I need it. Now, my 8 month old already growls! He likes to roar like his father.

You may wonder, who is Sheri Smith? I don't think I can tell you everything about me, but I will give you the basics.

Born 1973 in Northern Wisconsin
We were not poor, but not quite middle class. My mother worked hard at different jobs, through out the years, and gardened all summer. I remember her teaching us every year to can all the veggies and meat we could. It helped us through the harsh winter months. She could fillet a fish and pluck a partridge. She is an amazing woman. She is so smart and has wisdom from so many years of surviving a hard life. She taught me to cook and clean. My dad taught me to hunt, trap, and fish. We did it for survival.   My dad was a brick mason. He was such a hard worker. But, come winter months, it was hard for him to lay block and pour sidewalks. During those months we spent a lot of our time ice fishing, hunting, and trapping. I used to cut and chop wood, skin a beaver and carry its body out to our truck. One thing important thing is that my mother always made sure we were ladies. Even though I had to do so many hard things, I knew how to talk with love, be kind, put thought into all that I did. I took ballet lessons and played basketball. I was a cheerleader and did pom poms. I was on the Student Counsel and loved my fellow classmates.
After my 9th grade year of high school, we moved to southern WI where I attended West Bend West and then graduated at Slinger High School. I graduated half a year early and joined the Navy. We had lived at a bar for a couple of years, my mom and dad owned it. I could bartend and be the bouncer at the same time. I was able to drink more than most men.   I did all of that while attending high school with a B average.
I joined the Navy to serve my country. Someone in every generation of my family had been in the military, so I felt that I needed to carry that on. I had no brothers, so I decided it had to be me. I wanted to serve my country. It was right when the first war with Iraq started. I wanted to go to war and do my part. I was tough and ready for a challenge. I went to boot camp with the intention to give it all I had, and I did. I then went to language school where I met my husband. I was in Arabic and then Spanish. As alam alacum and Hola. I was only 17 yrs old. I met my soon to be husband 5 days after I got to my first school, after boot camp. He saw me walk in that first day I arrived. He said he knew he wanted to find out who I was. We fell madly in love and married 3 months later. We decided we wanted a baby, to share in all of our love. After having my son, I wanted to get out of the Navy and be a full time mom. I can write about that another time. Shae had to go out to sea and I was left home alone with two babies. I was so lonely and so turned to God for comfort. Since then I have had 4 more children, to make it a wopping 6 kids. I have been married 18 yrs now. We have a wonderful marriage, but with some ups and downs. We love eachother dearly and look forward to our life together. I still love adventure, so we sold our home and are off on a trip around the United States in a camper. If you want more info on that, you can go to http://www.smittysinfo.com/ and http://www.smittysinfo.blogspot.com/. I homeschool the kids and love to be a woman. Although, it is hard to feel like a real woman in a camper! I need to run, I am getting tired. I look forward to telling you about me and about my adventures in being a woman. I hope you join me. Please email me if you have any questions. Or, just post a comment. You can become a follower also.
Have a great night.
Sheri Lyn   (that is what my closest family calls me)