Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

A Brother’s Hugs

I live in a house with mostly boys and I’m gonna to be honest – it’s an adventure. I grew up with a sister and a quiet brother. It didn’t quite prepare me for Mom life with three crazy boys who love to wrestle and give each other hugs. (And also, to their favorite sister!) Proof is in the pictures on my phone. Hmm. But here I am and here’s the Truth: even on the days it’s hard to not pull my hair out, I realize how blessed we all are to have each other in our lives. ❤

Sometimes a brother’s hug
Is more like a tender tug.
Or an adventure in the making –
Especially if things are breaking.
It’s a strong and warm embrace.
Usually with a dirty face.
Filled with love and care,
Even as things are flying in the air.
And it brings Mom out of hiding.
Occasionally even chiding.
If it seems like fighting,
Well, it’s them uniting.
So don’t let it get you down
Because brothers are the best around.

Children of God

Sometimes it’s easy to see everyone around you for their differences. Right? And when it comes to those, there is never an end in sight! But therein also lies the beauty. We all may have different talents or personalities and look different, but we are all here for the same reason. We are all here as children of a loving Heavenly Father to learn and grow. To learn how to be more like Him. To make the right choice as often as we can. To follow the Savior. So next time you are tempted to see someone for their differences (and judge them accordingly…), instead see them for their similarities. That they too are a precious child of God. Just like you.

You may not look at all like me
But you’re a child of God you see.
Your worth and value are just as much.
You’re just as deserving of God’s tender touch.
Your talents and love are needed here too.
Along with the kind things and service you do.
Your smile is needed to brighten the day.
Your knowledge and wisdom to show someone the way.
Your courage and strength to guide us along.
There’s beauty within your own unique song.
Know that you’re loved, on even bad days.
Know that your cherished in so many ways.
Know that there’s purpose in God’s plan for you.
So, trust Him and seek Him in all that you do.
With Him as your guide, you’re bound to succeed.
For He knows you best and your every need.
He sees the end – not just where you are now.
He wants you there, to show you just how.
To Him you’re more precious that silver or gold.
His love greater than you can ever behold.
So, keep up that chin and stay in the fight.
Keep right on trying and God in your sight.
And remember that though you may be different than me
We are both precious children of God you see.

Book Recommendation – A Little Princess

I know this is an oldie that’s been around forever, and most likely you’ve read it, but I just reread it for part of our homeschool Literature lessons and I remembered again how much I love it! So, so good! We have several copies as well as an audiobook version my daughter listens to all the time. I love this version from The Good and the Beautiful for many reasons but also because it comes with a ribbon bookmark. I am personally a fan of books having a ribbon bookmark. Such a nice thoughtful touch. Keeps me from searching all over for a scrap of paper to hold my place. Also helps when my younger kids find my book and pull the bookmark out. Like a prize or something. Maybe that only happens at my house…?

Anyways, if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading this wonderful book, this is the remarkable story of Sara Crewe, a darling girl I wish I was much more like in her kindness and imagination. It was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a wonderfully talented author, and first published as a book in 1905 but was first a play in 1902 (London) and on Broadway in New York in 1903. It’s also been adapted into film several times over the years, including a 1939 Shirley Temple version. We have a curly haired little girl in our home, so we love Shirley Temple’s movies. 🙂

Here is the plot synopsis found on The Good and the Beautiful website:

Sara Crewe is her father’s little princess, and she has an extraordinary imagination. A stuffy English boarding school like Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies may stifle some children, but Sara sees all the wonders of life and excites her fellow students as she turns the most mundane tasks into majestic events. When she receives devastating news that abruptly changes her comfortable life, Sara resolves to carry herself with dignity and grace. Her possessions and her storytelling are colorful and exciting, but it is her kindness and strength of character that leave an impression on others and come back to bless her in remarkable ways.

It is so hard to come away from reading this book and NOT be inspired to be a better person. Sara is so kind and thoughtful. She is such a great example to others. These are the types of books that I love! These are the type of books I love sharing with others, especially my children. These are the types of books that should be flooding the world instead of so much of what is out there. Yikes, I’m digressing. I’ll stop eating up your time now.

If you haven’t read this book, change that today! If you have read it, it is so worth reading again! Either way, find yourself a copy and be inspired!

Happy reading!

Patience is the Game I Play

Somedays I feel like I spend my whole day just waiting. Waiting for my husband and kids. Waiting for the dog. Waiting for packages. Waiting for no one to be looking so I can sneak some chocolate. It can be maddening! But I think if the current me could go back in time and chat with the past me, I’d be happy at how much I’ve grown from all the waiting I have to do. Sometimes we have to admit, God really does know best. ❤

Patience is the game I play
As I wait throughout my day:
For my kids to get along,
To hear again, my favorite song,
Dinner to finish being cooked,
Time to read my library book,
The kids to finish up their school,
The weather outside to finally cool,
For that magical time of day
When little kids nap, and stop their play,
The clothes to finally finish drying,
Entertainment that’s actually edifying,
The traffic light to finally change,
The pillows to not be rearranged,
The dog to finally come on in,
Family Game Night, to finally win,
To finally understand the look
My teenager gives me when I buy more books,
For my package to arrive,
For my plants to finally thrive,
For chores to finally be complete,
Time to vacuum the car’s backseat,
For the answer to my prayers,
For socks to finally keep their pairs,
My husband to finally finish up
The project that he once setup…,
A vacation to finally come my way
That’s actually a relaxing sort of day,
To once and finally comprehend
The Old Testament, and not just pretend,
For a little time to paint,
To make a dinner with no complaints,
For a little peace and quiet,
For chocolate to be an accepted diet.
And while patience is the game I play
As I go throughout my day,
It somehow seems to help me grow,
Increase my knowledge and what I know.
And so, I won’t just up and quit
Even though I just want to sit.
For God must have a greater plan
Then I will ever understand.
And so, I’ll trust in fact He knows
Why I need patience to help me grow.

What a Miracle is This Tree

Do you ever look at ordinary things around you, (like trees), and ponder on how amazing they are? Pretty crazy all that they can do, huh! Once you go there, it’s hard to NOT be amazed at God’s ordinary creations all around us. Yes, even trees. They’re easily taken for granted, but what miracles they really are.

Oh, what a miracle is this tree –
With a humble blossom and a honeybee –
It works so hard and fills a need
Then helps even more with its tiny seeds.
It provides a shady place of rest.
A safe place for birds to build a nest.
It bears the heat. Soaks in the rain.
And never once does it complain
But humbly serves some more,
While those around it soar.
It never wavers, never doubts.
Never complains and never shouts.
But always knows the Lord above
Will bless it with what it needs of.
If only I could be so strong
And serve as much my whole life long.
Be a source of as much delight.
Not give in to fear or fright.
But bless the lives of those with me
As much or more, as this tree.

Life, I Accept

Recently I’ve been thinking about some of the challenges I get to face in this crazy life. It would be easy to give in and let them get the best of me. (I think most people would.) But instead, I decided I wasn’t going to be that girl. I’m going to be the girl who meets my trials head on and enjoys the journey while trying to do the best I can. Maybe you are in a similar spot in life. If so, we can do this. 🙂

I’m going to take your challenge
And rise up to the top –
Not let it pull me down
Or let it make me stop.
Other than a rest or two
As I catch my breath again.
Then pick myself up off the ground
And rise up further that I’ve been.
Your challenge isn’t going to beat me
But make me stronger still
As I take each bit of weakness
And let your challenge do the kill.
The best of those who’ve ever lived
Have beat your challenge too.
And so I’ll follow each footstep
And do the things that they each do.
For I can’t think of anyone
Better to take a stand
Then the righteous men and women
Who follow God to lead their band.
And so I’ll take your challenge –
And I won’t let it make me stop
But I’ll let it make me stronger
And help me rise up to the top.