Happy Women's Day!

 

Women's Day is celebrated internationally, I first heard about it when I lived in Ukraine. I thought it was like Mother's Day but actually, it is slightly different. It is the idea that we celebrate the accomplishments of women over the years. And being a reader of biographies, I am always amazed at what women have done. It seems that it is the simple lives are the ones that amaze me the most!

I feel so grateful that as I woman I have options. 

I feel appreciated in my marriage, within my church and in my community. There are still places in this world and women that don't have these blessings. This lack of appreciation saddens my heart. And as the good people of the world do good and as we do good in our small ways, we can bring goodness to others in need.

I am grateful that I get to be a mom who stays at home. I have often heard the refrain of the following poem but I never read the entire poem. When I looked it up this morning, I was touched. Mr. Wallace's words filled my heart. Being a mother is the most important thing in this world. I don't need to work outside the home to be fullfilled (or to provide for my family) and I am thankful.

Enjoy the following words of truth and beauty!


William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE IS
THE HAND THAT RULES THE WORLD. BLESSINGS on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
 
Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mothers first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission,
Here upon our natal sod;
Keep—oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

---

The above poem can be found in:

Northrop, H.D. Beautiful Gems of Thought and Sentiment. Boston, MA: The Colins-Patten Co., 1890.

Finished Project

These are the hearts I blogged about earlier and this is what is left after I shared the love! The kids gave them to teachers, I sent some to a friend having her 6th baby and I also distributed some to a group of women that I work with.

I love that I have a few left over for future "love" projects! You never know when someone will need some love!

Kirstin

Replenishing

What a week it has been!

This is from being on the beach twice in one day!

These were found in two different places by two different people!

These are bases of old bottles! So smooth and round!

A collection of unusual items

Up close view - can you see the word "Hire"s on the upper right corner piece?

All from the first day but laid out and sorted!

Today's collection - the kids were big helpers!

Getting Ready...

for Valentine's Day!

 I'm not sure why, but I am so looking forward to Valentine's Day this year!! I spent a morning this last week cutting out these hearts (almost 50!). Then this week I'll work on sewing them and then the last week of January stuffing them. My goal is to hand them out the first week of February to some women that I volunteer with. Since volunteering is giving from the heart, I thought these were perfect!

I've been feeling crafty lately and realized that it could be that nesting instinct too! But I am holding off from setting up the baby room/closet because I feel like it is still too early!

On the Valentine topic - I just picked up some pirate valentines that someone was giving away on Freecycle (love Freecycle!) The pirate valentines are so cute and so creative, I am hoping Child #1 will be game enough to hand them out on V-day. They are over and above the ones you can purchase at your local drugstore.

 *

Moving on to the sea glass topic.... I pulled my kids away from the TV one afternoon (we have been sick and moving slowly but the weather has been lovely). Look what we found on our short stroll! (I had to make the photos big so you could see the textures and colors better!) Enjoy!

Child #1 found this unusual color of blue! We were thrilled with it!

Not smooth, but a cool pattern. I added it to my "unusual beach finds" collection.

What are you getting ready for?

"Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care"

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

My front porch with luminaries

the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay.
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes.
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
and stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever and love me I pray.

Just a few of the 26 luminaries around our house

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And bring us to Heaven to live with Thee there.
-Lyrics to "Away in a Manger"

With recent events on the East Coast, I have prayed for those families who hold such grief in their hearts. And I have wanted to do something more. One idea I heard about was to light luminaries, 26 of them in memory of these "dear children" old and young who were killed. I live away from neighbors, streets or anyone who would see these lights but I know God sees and hears our prayers. So as I filled paper bags with sea glass for weight and lit 26 tea candles my heart felt such sadness, 26 lives gone. I felt gratitude for my knowledge of Jesus Christ and his role as a Savior and Redeemer. And I felt a call to love and care for my children, and all children even more.

May the families who mourn at this time feel of His "great redeeming love" and may each of us regardless of our place in life, also feel of that healing love. For I know that He heals all sorrow...
Kirstin

Look what the waves washed up!

All just sitting in the sand for me to collect!

Small pieces but nice to find something!

One thing I have to say - my maternity pants don't fit so well and they don't have belt loops. So I walk down the beach one hand holding up my pants (because they wiggle down when I move and bend) and then other hand grabs the sea glass I find. I am thankful for more than one reason the beach is quiet - I looks so silly! And time to find some pants that will stay up!!

King Tides

I had never heard of these types of tides until a friend commented on them, then I heard a story on NPR about King Tides. It means (when you look at the tide charts) the waves come up really high and they go down really low! Perfect for beach combing!

Here are some speciments from the past few weeks. I have tried to head to the beach regularly (which has been hard with all the holiday happenings and sketchy weather) but with bribery the kids and I have made it!

Purple piece that Child #2 found on her own!

Piece of pottery found!

Perfect name "King Tides" for this time of year as we celebrate the "King of Kings!" Merry Christmas:)