Project: Man Cave Makeover

We have a GREAT space outside affectionately known as the Man Cave.

Great for storage and working on projects.

One problem: it is kind of gross in there! The goal is not to inhibit "manliness" : ) The goal is to update, organize, paint, get out the 50 years worth of dirt that has accumulated, and make it a fun space. Right now this is what we are working with:

Spring "Break"

Ahhh....Spring Break! After a little calculating, last week I realized that this week was my 20th spring break **gasp** (K-12 = 13; UGA = 3; AU = 4). We decided that this spring "break" was going to be used to get some work done! So, in honor of my 20th (and most productive) spring break, here is what we did this week:

1. Summer hair cuts

2. Laundry, laundry, laundry

3. Pharmacy

4. Mowed the yard

5. Went to the bank

6. Nap

7. Submitted a paper

8. Got limbs off of the roof. Ok, ok. Adam cut limbs and cleaned the roof. I got on the roof to help. Then I realized that I had never been on a roof, and I was too scared to move, so I mostly sat there until he was ready to get down : )

9. Made a floor plan to update/paint/re-shelf the man cave

10. Cleaned the gutters

11. SAW MY SISTER!!!

12. Hung out with the Baker's and their dog Charlie (Cookie Monster & Charlie had an awesome time)

13. Attacked the crazy bamboo and overgrown trees in our yard

14. Bathrooms

15. Nap

16. Hung out with our baby - Cookie Monster - in the beautiful weather

17. Read about how much real babies cost(!)

18. Bleached & sealed the bottom of the house after all that rain this year

19. Cleaned the side of the man cave (check out the before and after!)

20. NAP!!!!!!

What is wrong with this picture?

This is a picture of the front of our house. A house that I so love and that has truly become our home....

But did you notice something odd? Perhaps it wouldnt be odd if it were December, but now that we are well into March...it is a little ODD!

Pulling into our driveway this afternoon, I just busted out laughing as I realized that we have become "those" people who still have CHRISTMAS LIGHTS up in MARCH!! hahahaha. Neighbors, please forgive us. It is on our to-do list, I promise.

I guess that time flies when you are having fun....all of a sudden it is March : )

Marriage is all about...

Marriage is all about....

Well, I'll get to that is a second. I started thinking about this when I heard James Dobson talk about women working on his Focus on the Family radio program (a program that I usually enjoy and appreciate the thoughtful topics introduced). He questioned how women who work can effectively be wives and mothers, and he notes that men and women have Biblically mandated roles. For women with children, he noted that our focus should be on mothering and not working outside the home. While, I do not want to stir controversy, I couldnt help but feel isolated and "put down" in a sense as a woman who really LOVES to work and as someone who is invigorated by my work.

I love the Lord, I love my husband, I love my work, and I love the thought of being a mother one day - a mother who works outside the home.

A year or two ago, my pastor did a sermon entitled, "Where is a Woman's Place?!" This had the whole congregation stirring and people anxiously awaiting to hear what he was going to say. As someone who studies gender roles in marriage, I was particularly interested in what he was going to say. He said it a million times better than I am about to explain it, but in essence...women are hard workers - inside and outside the home (Pro. 31:13-18)! A noble woman and wife is prepared (Pro. 31:21); she is a business-woman (Pro. 31:24); she is a life long learner - wise and gives good advice (Pro. 31:26); and she is a great mom (Pro. 31:28)!! Most importantly for me, her husband has confidence in her abilities and values her (Pro. 31:11).

Does that mean all women HAVE to work outside the home? Of course not, but for me I believe I have lots of energy and passion to invest in my family and my work. Should I put my work above my family? Again, of course not. I have lots of "hats" that I wear - wife, sister, daughter, therapist, student, researcher, etc., but I know that I have one goal that encompasses all of these roles, and that goal is to please God (2 Cor. 5:9) inside and outside the home : )

So....I believe that marriage is all about BALANCE!!!

What do you think?

Mal