Proverbs 31 Woman?

As I begin the journey to becoming a wife (which is a role that I have never tried to prepare for) I am faced with so many "expectations"...all self-imposed. I remembered that Proverbs 31 described what a virtuous woman is... so I figured I would start there. Here are verses 10-31...the part in blue is me...as if you couldnt' tell.

10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

So far so good...I'm certainly worth more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

Still good...I'm sure Anthony has full confidence in me...at least I hope he does.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

I certainly want only good for him....this is going to be a piece of cake

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

Now we are starting to get a little hairy here..."works with eager hands"...I'll work,but that doesn't mean I'll be eager about it!

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

Afar???...does Winn Dixie count?

15 She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

Okay now this is just too much...I am just not a morning person..."still dark"...I'm not so sure about this virtuous woman thing...

16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

So now I have to earn the money, make the business deal and plant the vineyard...this is totally out of hand...

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

Not only do I have to do the work...I have to do it fast and with strength?

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

My lamp does not go out at night?....certainly I don't have to work 24 hours a day to be considered a virtuous woman.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

So far I have had to make the money, buy the land, plant the food, harvest it and now you want me to make clothes too?

20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

Finally something I can actually do!

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

God does provide...so I guess I can handle this one too.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

I have made the clothes and now I have to make the linens...not just any linen...fine linen...not just in any color...purple...the color of royalty...I starting to wonder what the rest of the family is supposed to do

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

What is he sitting down for? He shouldn't be tired....I've done all the work!

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Now I have to hussle the linens I've made....I'm sure this is in addition to another job that I certainly have..
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

I better be wearing some Prada and Gucci in addition to that strength and dignity...after all it appears that I'm a hard worker.

As for the laughing....that's because at this point I am delirious from exhaustion.
26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

If she is wise she better "instruct" her husband and kids to get up and do some work!

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

That's an understatment.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

Everybody needs praise, but it seems like the virtuous woman could also use to help from her family.

29 "Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

No kidding!
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

AMEN!
31 Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Now I am not one to try to "mock" bible verses...so I hope I didn't offend anyone....it is all just in fun! However, I am just going to have keep searching for a less literal interpretation of the scriptures above...Proverbs 31 is a bit intimidating for me! Gotta go... I'm off to church..no really...I am. I have a Vacation Bible School meeting, but that's a different story for a different day!

Progress is being made!

I was sure when I got engaged that I would write tons of blogs about planning my wedding...not the case! I really haven't written anything other than that fact that it's more expensive than I expected. So now that the initial sticker shock has worn off, I've started making some real progress.

I have booked the reception site...the florist....the church....the photographer. I also believe that I have found the dress, but I haven't ordered it yet...secretly in hopes that if I wait a while I can order it in a smaller size! (not too small,but maybe just one size smaller). By the way...why didn't anyone tell me that wedding dresses don't run true to size...I almost died when I tried them on! I kept thinking....I've gained a few pounds, but certainly not enough to wear THIS size! Anyway, back to the progress that has been made.

We have decided on where we are going for the honeymoon and I'm sending "will you be my bridesmaid?" cards out this week...I'll post a picture of them once they are done. My checklist really doesn't seem to be getting any shorter, but at least a few decisions have been made!

Cayden Has arrived...okay so she arrived a week ago

We have another addition to the family. My cousin Anthony and my dear friend Crystal had their wonderful baby girl at 2:28 a.m. April 29th. She weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. 19 1/2 inches. She is adorable and I try to visit her at least every other day. It's amazing how much babies change each day.

That should be it for a while with babies...although I have another cousin who is due in September...we are one fertile family!

Cayden with big brother Cam

Cayden Elizabeth

More Babies!

It seems like most of my posts are about babies. That isn't that uncommon in the blogging world, but the only difference is....I don't have any babies. With that said, here is my lastest baby update. My friend Crystal still hasn't had her baby yet. I am so ready (not as ready as she is) for her to have baby Cayden! At this point Crystal is miserable...she gained 13 pounds last week! I'm not sure she would want me to tell anybody this, but oh well.

On a brighter note, my cousin Khadijah had twins (a boy and a girl). She actually had them a few weeks ago. She lives in Kentucky and will be coming home in June for us to meet our new cousins. I have included pictures of our familiy's wonderful additions below!

Hopefully, I will able to post pictures of Cayden soon!

The twins with big brother Dylan

Aiden and Karson

The nursery...how cute!

Weddings, Babies, and Fires!

It has certainly been an eventful few weeks. I gave a baby shower for my friend Crystal. We had lots of fun and she is certainly ready to have her baby girl. I found out that another friend (who shall remain anonymous) is pregnant...I'm not sure she has told everyone so I will have to wait until later to reveal her identity.

I got to spend the weekend (two weekends ago) with my friends Kristi, Kelly, Alicia, and Kristi's darling son Taylor! I love hanging out with them for what used to be our "girl's weekend"...it is now 4 girls and a really cute baby!

My friend Alicia got engaged last Thursday...congrats Alicia! I am so excited for her and I am glad we get to share the wedding planning experience. It's great for us...not so great for the friends that will have to buy bridesmaid dresses.

As if there wasn't enough going on, Anthony's parents (my future in-laws) had a fire in their kitchen on Friday. His sister called me Friday night and I thought she was joking. After fifteen minutes and endless comments like..."Amy, I'm serious" I realized it wasn't a joke and there really had been a fire. They will have to move out the house for at least two months...that really bites!

I hope the next couple of weeks are less adventurous...besides the fact that Crystal should be having the baby any day now!

I have included pictures!

Crystal at her shower...I can't wait to meet Cayden Elizabeth!

Kristi and Taylor....cute baby and cute mom!

Amy & Alicia...we are both engaged!

The kitchen...after the fire!

Easter Fun!

I realize this post is almost a week late, but here it is. On Saturday night my family colored eggs for the church. We didn't finish until almost midnight. That is way past my bedtime...even for a Saturday night. We must have boiled, colored, and decorated more than 300 eggs!

On Sunday we went to church (of course). It's so funny that you get to see people you haven't seen since Christmas and won't see again until Mother's Day. After church my parents hid eggs for the children. By children I mean my brother, sister, and me. Yes...we are 16, 19, and 28...but we are still their children. My brother found the most and won $10! My parents are so cute, but they really need grandchildren to play games with. I will try to work on that in a few years.

Eggs before coloring

My sister and cousin coloring eggs

War Eagle Egg

Eggs after coloring

After Church

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

#1 I really want a Wii

This is really random for me because I have always been against adults playing video games. I completely rag all of my friends who play games. Video games are for children...right....until I played a Wii. I am absolutely awesome at the bowling and I could really get into the boxing, golf and baseball. Plus I am sore today. I played yesterday and I really hurt today...this isn't supposed to happen considering the fact that I workout 3 or 4 times a week...(okay so my "workout" isn't very strenuous and is really only walking of the treadmill, but it's something). So I called Anthony yesterday to see what he thought about me buying a Wii...he was all for it...of course he was...he kinda likes video games. I rationalized my desire to buy one by saying that it is certainly better than sitting on the couch watching tv...plus it's a good workout...it's not really a video game is it!? I'm going to hold off a week or two, but if I still want one...I'm buying it!

#2 I don't know what I want so don't ask me

These are the beginning lyrics of a Taylor Swift song...this is certainly not how I feel...especially concerning our wedding. I know exactly what I want...I've been planning this wedding my whole life...affording what I want is a different story. Weddings are expensive!!!

#3 Cut the list

Anthony and I thought it would be "fun" to make a guest list...just to see how many people we might invite. After 326 people we stopped...the "fun" was gone. 326 people...and that wasn't everyone. I actually started asking myself....do I like him/her enough to feed them???? That's awful I know, but man I only wanted to invite about 250. After some discussion we have it down to 275...but we realized we will have to add some people. We have put the list on hold....for now.

#4 My apartment is too small

I knew it was tiny, but lately I'm feeling a little claustrophobic. I don't spend a lot of time there and it's really inexpensive, but I need some space!

Okay, enough of my rambling....have a great week!