31: sew/craft something

I chose a craft because my sewing machine needs repaired. My craft project was a Valentine shirt for Elle. I saw this idea in the Disney family magazine. I already had the shirt and paint so it only cost $1.88 for the doilies. I put a piece of paper inside the shirt and then centered the doily on the shirt. I used one of Elle's paint brushes to dab paint over the lacy part of the doily. Then I peeled the doily off and let it dry. It took maybe 5 minutes.

In other valentine news here's a special snack I made Elle. I love the muffin tin food ideas, but hadn't done one yet. For a valentine theme I used pink yogurt melts, strawberries, marshmallows, mozzarella cheese cubes, mini pepperoni, and a mini heart nutella sandwich.

31: pick a virtue

I began my 31 list a couple of weeks ago, but we've had issues with tantrums and then I was sick so I'm behind in posting. My first task was to pick a virtue to work on. Jane Austen's books highlight particular virtues through her heroines and this was my inspiration as one way to become a better woman. I have picked purposefulness as the virtue to cultivate in my life right now. I almost feel like this virtue picked me. I had already started reading Becoming a Woman of Purpose by Cynthia Heald. Then a job possibility came up for Chris, but will most likely not pan out. This led me to think about what our purpose is supposed to be as a family. I have contemplated this topic before for my career and feel certain teaching is my calling, but hadn't really thought about it in terms as a family. Reading this book has made me realize the times Chris and I have been most frustrated at church is when we feel like we're not being used and we've felt this frustration whenever job possibilities come and go. I've only begun this study and will post again as I read and study more. Each chapter suggests a verse to memorize. I used Elle's window crayons to write the verse on our bathroom mirror and this has really helped to keep it fresh on my mind.

31 to a better woman

Chris attended Mayfair's men's retreat last March. Sounds like he had a good time bonding with the males, and he came home with some homework. One of the guys discussed "The Art of Manliness", which is a website devoted to reviving the lost art of manliness. The website did a series of posts titled "30 Days to a Better Man", which is a list of tasks. John took the list and adapted it some, reported about his experiences, and challenged the guys to do the tasks. Chris worked on his list and I found it intriguing.

I found myself wondering if there was something like this for us gals. I did some internet searching and came up with little to nothing about improving yourself as a woman. Mostly it's geared toward women trying to get a man, and they don't have very detailed tasks. So I made my own list and started working on it. Then morning sickness took over and I let my list fall by the wayside. i thought since it's a new year and time for setting goals, now would be a good time to start on my list again.

I came up with 31 things because of Proverbs 31, which seems to be a good model of a woman, but the list isn't based on this passage. A few of the tasks are borrowed from the guys list, some are things I want to be better at, some are things inspired by my love of Little House of the Prairie and Jane Austin books, and some are focused on what I consider to be feminine. After I started making my list I discovered the book called Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A 90-day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life by Donna Partow. Sometime I might try it, but for now I like my list. I tried to make it so that you could be at any station in life (single or married, children or none). When I first attempted this list I found it easier to not try and set myself up to sticking to a particular order or time frame. I am hoping to blog about my experience completing each task. It may not be your cup of tea, but if you want I'd love to have you join me on this journey!

Here's the list:

1: pick a virtue
2: groom
3: find a mentor
4: snail mail
5: planning
6: get something girly
7: sew/craft something
8: be an early bird
9: mind your manners
10: get your apron on
11: read the bible
12: organize/clean
13: make it from scratch
14: healthy habits
15: preserve something
16: pray everyday
17: use a handkerchief
18: finances
19: plan a girls night
20: no electronics for entertainment
21: respect/support a guy
22: go green
23: host someone
24: plant something
25: charity
26: change a tire
27: be a better friend
28: education
29: self-defense
30: take care of someone
31: reflect