SHOES

Have you ever thought about the different shoes you’ve worn in your life? I don't think about it often, but when I do, my mind automatically went back to my FAVORITE pair of shoes when I was a little girl. They came in a hand-me-down bag from my cousin, who had worn them as part of her ensemble for a family wedding. They were purple patent leather Mary Janes, and I thought they were beautiful! I was absolutely convinced that they went with everything I owned – shorts, orange plaid pants (think Partridge Family), swimsuits… it didn’t matter. It was a huge blessing that my dad was in graduate school and my mom was working full time when I was little. Dads don’t tend to pay attention to the details that we moms think are so crucial, and he let me wear those shoes everywhere. I felt empowered by my purple patent leather shoes. I was so upset when I outgrew them.

The next pair of shoes I distinctly remember were also, surprisingly, purple. They were the popular Nike shoes with the purple “swoosh” on the side, and I remember they were the must have shoes in 6th grade. They separated the “haves” from the “have nots.” They were almost as important as the Gloria Vanderbilt jeans and the rabbit fur jackets we all wore back then. I had a problem with these shoes, though – my mom wouldn’t buy them for me. She thought they were too expensive, and encouraged me to save my own money to buy them if I really thought I needed them. By the time I saved enough money, the sense of urgency I once had for these shoes had worn off. But, a seismic shift had taken place: I realized I was not going to be part of the “popular crowd,” and this was determined primarily by my wardrobe. I didn’t realize I wanted to be in that crowd until I wasn’t, and it stung. No one enjoys being excluded, and many times, the reasons for exclusion are as silly as not approving of their clothing.

The most important pair of shoes I owned in college were my running shoes. Image, fitting in, again, were priorities to me. Being 4’10” leaves no room to gain the dreaded “freshman fifteen.” Before I left for college, I bought a pair of running shoes. Nothing fancy – I was on a BUDGET- but they served their purpose. Some days after my last class, I would change into shorts, lace up those affordable shoes, and hit the track. I did not (and DO NOT NOW) enjoy exercising, but I learned to be disciplined about it. I even had myself convinced that my shoes might get lonely if I didn’t use them every day!!! And, they did their job. The freshman fifteen was avoided, and I made some friends at the track. It was a win-win situation.

How many of you had your shoes dyed to match the EXACT color of your wedding dresses? I did, too. They were satin 2 ½ inch pumps that I selected so our wedding photos wouldn’t make me look so short! I felt like such a beautiful bride in those shoes that I kept them around, and every once in a great while, I pull them out and try them back on. I may not be able to get my wedding dress buttoned, but those shoes still fit! And, they identified me as a new person – one half of a unit. Married. Those were very important shoes.

These days, I enjoy my flip flops. They aren’t the most attractive shoes, but I don’t care. I really just want something that is comfortable, quick to put on, and practical. They identify me as a mom in a hurry. When you have kids, there is just much less time to worry about where and how you fit in – and it is enough for me to just be the mom. There are some moms who still buy the expensive, trendy, “gotta have them” shoes, but not me.

I’m guessing Jesus never owned a closet full of pretty shoes. He wore practical, sturdy sandals. His feet were probably never perfectly pedicured. He was humble enough to wash the feet of others. People didn’t believe He was who He said He was, because He didn’t look the part. John the Baptist tried to tell the people who Jesus was.

"I baptize with[i] water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in? Has it been because of something as superficial as your shoes? How you dress? What you drive? Where you live? Be encouraged, my sisters! The Lord God Himself knows just exactly this kind of rejection!!! He stood in front of His own people, and they denied Him!!! They placed bets on His clothing (which I’m sure they never intended on wearing!). They humiliated Him by spitting in His face. They were the ULTIMATE “mean girls and guys.” And you know exactly what Jesus did? He made room for all of us in His house. So, bring your comfy shoes. Come barefoot. He doesn’t care – He just wants you to show up!!!

I think I’m glad I never owned those purple swoosh Nikes. Maybe because of that little experience, I learned that fitting in isn’t as important as growing up. That friends can be anyone – people you least expect- and in times of crisis, we don’t look down and say, “I just LOVE your shoes!!!”

FAVORITES!

1. What time did you get up this morning?
At 7:30

2. Diamonds or Pearls?
Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
27 Dresses with Leslie

4. What is your favorite TV show?
In the summer, DESIGN STAR on HGTV... series: Greys or Boston Legal. And, of course, AMERICAN IDOL!

5. What did you eat for breakfast?
M&Ms and a diet coke with extra ice from Sonic

6. What foods do you dislike?
Any raw, uncooked meat.

7. Your favorite potato chip?
Ruffles

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
Listening to Taylor Swift & Rascal Flatts to get ready for the concert Sat. nite!

9. What kind of car do you drive?
'03 Honda Odyssey

10. Favorite sandwich?
My dad's ham & cheese

11. What characteristics do you despise?
Deceptiveness, people who can't take responsibiity for their lives/situations, etc.

12. What are your favorite clothes?
Jag jeans & a fun blouse, heels since I'm 4'11"!

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Turks & Caicos

14. What color is your bathroom?
Um, beige... what an interesting question!

15. Favorite brand of clothing?
Nordstrom petites!

16. Favorite time of day?
Right after I drop everyone off at school!!

17. Where would you want to retire to?
I'd love to have a lake house in East Texas.

18. Favorite sports to watch?
Football (college & NFL), gymnastics, hockey & basketball

19. Coke or Pepsi?
DIET COKE WITH ICE & A STRAW, preferrably from Sonic.

20. Are you a morning person or night owl?
Used to be a morning person, turning into a night owl.

21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
NOT MOVING TO LONDON!!!

22. What did you want to be when you were little?
A teacher and then a stay-at-home mom...done both, second gig is much better!

23. What is your best childhood memory?
Neighborhood hide & seek, Pizza Inn on Friday nights, football games, Salado Creek!

24. Nicknames?
WINO, momma (hee hee!)

25. Piercings?
Ears, one hole each.

26. Eye Color?
Blue

27. Favorite day of the week?
Friday night

28. Favorite restaurant?
Asia de Cuba in L.A.

29. Favorite ice cream?
Can't do ice cream. It hurts my tummy.

30. Where would you max out a bredit card?
Container Store or a SPA!

31. Bedtime?
GOAL: 10:30 REALITY: 11:30

32. What are you listening to right now?
On the phone with Holly Clemons

33. How many tattoos do you have?
Not a single one!


34. Next film you'll see?
I have no idea!

GIRLFRIENDS!

Here are some SWEET pictures of Chloe and her cousin, Maddie, getting "caught" eating Girl Scout cookies at bedtime!

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

We are 4 days from the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Can't believe that in August, I will have a 6th grader and a 2nd grader! Time certainly flies!

This is my first attempt to post with pictures! I found a few snapshots of the kids I thought were "blog-worthy," so here they are! If all goes well, I will post pics later this week from awards ceremonies at school.