Men of Honor

This is a double standard:
http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7551&Itemid=48
I want to marry a man, love him and cherish him. I want to marry my best friend, someone I respect and honor. He will be my hero. He will not be "one of the children" or a "dumb buffoon" that my children and I will mock. He will provide and care for our family and I will give him the dignity he deserves. These expectations and desires of mine should not come as a surprise to anyone, nor should they be made fun of or laughed at. But, alas, there is a chance I will be scoffed at. It is demanded that the dignity of women be upheld and revered within society. Why shouldn't it be the same for men?

Goals

It is almost the end of January. 4 weeks into the new year. I have never been one to set or follow through on any new year resolutions, but this year is different. I have things I want to accomplish, I want to follow through and achieve something.
I am going to run a half marathon. So far, the training is going slowly, and there are days when all I want to do is throw in the towel. I think I'm crazy most days-who in their right mind agrees to run 13.1 miles? Me, apparently. I'll keep updating on how this is going. I just bought new running shoes and I got all excited again. Hopefully that excitement will stay with me once I hop back on the treadmill tomorrow :)
I am praying a 54 day rosary novena and put myself on a dating fast for the entirety of it. My heart has been in 5 different directions lately and I want to re-center myself on the most important relationship I can have: me and the Lord. I'm on a dating fast because I'm praying for my future spouse and I don't want to be distracted by all the men, dreams or wild imaginations that come into my life and make me want to settle for mediocrity. I was made for greatness, even in my relationships. Sweet heart of Mary, pray for me!
Lastly, and possibly the most important goal I want to achieve: gain my self confidence back. I want to believe that I am worthy and good. I used to believe in myself and love all of my traits, talents and strengths. Now, I become flustered because I don't like sushi and my friends do, or I happen to like a different football team...ridiculous and crazy thoughts run through my head daily, and I never used to be so insecure. A lot of who I am got covered up and hazy these past few months. I am determined to not only prove to my coworkers, family and friends that who I am is lovable and wonderful, but I need to prove it to myself.

So here I go, stepping out in the direction of confidence, prayer and 13.1 miles...ready, set...GO!

Soy-My New Best Friend

I am by nature a picky eater. I know what I like and I'm not the first one to suggest trying something new. I have been like this my entire life. Now, because of doctor's orders, I am to eat a strict, Lactose free diet. This is supposed to help me feel better, but all I can think about is how I'm not ever going to be able to eat ice cream again. Ok, yes, maybe that's a little dramatic, but when I came home last night, all I wanted was a big glass of milk-and I couldn't! So what's a picky girl like me to do? My wonderful mother brought home some lactose free milk. I tried it, and promptly told her I wouldn't be drinking any more of it. It tasted funny and I can't handle "tasting funny." So, good thing there was still one more option to try: Soy milk. Many of my friends drink it and told me I would like it. I was still hesitant, but this morning I bought 2 little bottles of chocolate and vanilla soy milk. To much of my surprise, I do actually like the soy milk! YAY! I think I have found a solution to my picky-problem and will be venturing further into the goodness of soy milk products. Now all that I need to do: find out if ice cream comes made with soy......

Appreciation

I have a new appreciation for stay at home mothers. They are my heroes. I am not a stay at home mom, and I don't have children but the last week and a half have opened my eyes to what my future might have in store down the road. I am living at home this month trying to fundraise a little bit more of my monthly income before heading back to campus. This is a hard enough job in itself, really because I'm a chicken and it's the hardest thing for me to do! On top of that though, now that I am home my mom is loving the fact that she has more hands to help her around the house. Now don't get me wrong, I love helping her and I want to pull my weight, but man am I exhausted at the end of the day! The work never ends! There are always loads of laundry to be washed, animals to be fed, carpet to be vacuumed and dishes to be put away. It is inspiring to me that many women wake up to these tasks every day AND take care of their babies. I am inspired because there are some days that all I have wanted to do is complain and believe me, I have. I whine about the mess I just cleaned up and how laundry seems to grow by the minute. Only today have I stopped to think, maybe I'm being prepped for the future. Maybe this is a chance to get a glimpse into the beauty of being a stay at home mother.....

It isn't a glamorous job! No one even knows what gets done! But these are the tasks that must be done every day to keep a house in order and a family clean. These small, simple, tedious tasks are expressions of love.

I'm wondering now if I could be ready to accept this day to day work as my job right now. With all the complaining I've done, I'm thinking I still have a ways to go! I want to gracefully accept all this work and do it out of love for my own family. It's funny thinking about the ways the Lord chooses to bless me with preparation!
So today I'm saying a prayer for all the mothers and wives who do this every day. God bless them for their "yes" to their vocations, and their willingness to serve in all the small and unnoticed ways they do.