"Vanity had struck our sweet T."

As I was taking these pictures this morning of 2 year old Bernadette with her hair and ribbons... I was saying over and over that I was doing the opposite of Maria.  "What?" Pat asked.  I then explained Maria's post on her blog yesterday when she shared how they had noticed that Therese was admiring her hair in the mirror more often and looking for compliments - "Vanity had struck our sweet T."  So Therese agreed to give her hair to locks of love.  "And, after much deliberation, she accepted the challenge and said goodbye to her hair. She now has a super cute hair cut, but hopefully the fact that it will take a lot less time to manage will keep it out of her mind more.

We are proud of you, T! This may become our tradition of giving to others while killing pride every couple years."  Wow!  These parents take to heart raising LIGHTS/Saints!

One of my most favorite things to do is to make little girl's hair look cute and special, and if there is more than one around I like to fix them the same!  I had so much fun with Berna this morning and she stood so nice for me - Nancy always says that she won't cooperate with her at all!  After we were done I knew she would appreciate seeing the bright green ribbons matching her butterfly sweatshirt, and I love the reflection pictures I can take, too!  But as I was watching her smiles and adoring looks... it struck me that I was teaching her to be vain at this young age.  Did it stop me?  No, but it made me pause and realize that I could be part of the problem with T and her hair...

This picture is misleading - I don't do the little girls' fingernails hardly ever, but it just seemed to fit with today's sharing.  Last night I had a special time getting Mary's hair ready for the Christmas Concert at school today.  I put 4 braids in her hair so that it could be wavy and look special for today.

 With both Ruth and Nancy busy with their craft and sewing and needle projects for Christmas, it just seemed familiar to think about having big projects with many parts going.  I then recalled all the sewing I would do for the girls and John.  To dress them alike and special for Christmas I had many red plaid years.  I bought probably 50 yards of this red plaid wool and sewed many many dresses for the girls, for cousins, and even for me!

I went through my old pictures and thought this one was special from the spring we had many bottle calves to feed morning and night.

 Praying in the chapel in KC on a visit while Hallel was here!  How I have this deep in my inner chapel in my heart!

 Looks like grandma put dog ears in this day!   So fun!!! 

I am digressing from my original thought for today.  Is it wrong to doll over little girls and show them how pretty and special they are?  No, but it is good to point out when it is going to their head so that they can keep their hearts pure and on Jesus!

 Ruth and Nancy in matching Greek dresses and matching hair... Yes, I sometimes treated my girls like living dolls to dress up and accessorize! 

 A church picture in 1986

 Paul with the older 3... Simon got sent home sick this morning so he will miss the Christmas program for this year.  Sigh!!!

 A special reflection picture from years back - Simon was about 2 here and now he is 10!

I am off the track distracted by pictures from years back.  Jesus, we need you and need to be vigilant against the influences that pull us away from you and your Truth.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

 Did he just lift that cow over the fence? 

 The family after Maria returns from Rome!  I had this picture on my Bible for many years and just kept adding new additions to it - now we are 22 strong! 

One of my artsy projects - quilt batting on the top of the van = Maria in the clouds!

One more special one!

 

How can I stop with these happy pictures?  They are cherished for years to come. 

From Maria's blog today of the two youngest sharing a story. 

God of wonders - Third Day