Favorite books

When my kids were little I loved reading books to them.


We would sit in my glider rocker and read and read and read.  We sometimes read till I got to the point that I had to say, OK, this is the last time.  


No more after this.


Some of my favorite books to read to them were, The Giving tree.


I love, love, love that book.

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Before my kids were born I would read this book to my nephew, Brandon.

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He absolutely loved it!  


I actually think I still have it I loved it so much.


I think this one was my sons favorite.

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We would read it over and over.


Baby Girl use to like Chicka Chicka Boom boom.

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I really like to read, I always have, I guess I was hoping to instill a love of reading for them too.

Conversation with teenage drivers

This week our daughter is  taking a friend's children to school so we were having a conversation in the car with her about how she really needed to be careful with other kids in the car.


I personally think she is a pretty darn good teenage driver, but then I am biased I suppose.
I have to say, the man tends to get uptight while riding with baby girl and he doesn't know when to let something just go.  If you know what I mean.


Anyway, we were riding in the car and here was the conversation.


Man:  "You need to stop playing with the radio and pay attention to the cars in front of you."


Baby Girl:  "I am paying attention, you do it all the time, you even talk on your phone."


Man:  "Did you ever hear that most accidents happen because you aren't paying attention."


BG:  "No, but I think I did hear something about cell phones causing accidents."


Please know that at this point I had to interject and tell the kids to stop arguing.  Really, sometimes they argue like a bunch of  babies.  I had to give her credit for the comeback though, that was a pretty good one.  But the man didn't really see the humor in it.


Imagine that?

He/We did it!!!

And I didn't even cry!

Shooting Trap

This past weekend was a busy one.   My oldest had a Hunter Safety event, and my youngest had basketball.

In case you are wondering what a Hunter Safety event is, it is a FFA kind of thing.  They have different teams that gather together and it's like a contest.

They have a Bow team, Orienteering, Trap, and Rifle.
   
My boy shoots trap or skeet.  I think there were 25 different schools that showed up and they compete and the schools with the top scores move on to State competitions.  I think his school came in 4th out of 25.  I don't know if they will get to go to State or not, I really hope so. 

He did good, I was really proud of him.  He was so nervous, but he did a great job.  He shot a 180, that means he only missed 2.  Two hundred is a perfect score.

I didn't take pictures because my battery was dead in my camera.  Things like that always seem to happen to me.  

This is pretty close to what it was like.

Looks like fun doesn't it?

End of A Season

Last night was our BG's last basketball game of the season. While it has definitely been a busy, and also very challenging season, it was hard to watch it end.  Our school didnt' have enough kids to have a JV team so we only had a Varsity team.  


Our team consisted of 3 seniors, two juniors, and 9 freshmen.  That's right I said NINE.  So needless to say it was challenging to say the least.  But I have to say that our seniors were the best.  They welcomed those freshmen with open arms.  My daughter had only good things to say about how kind they were to her.  Their parents should be very proud of them.  From the beginning of the summer when all the girls went to camp, they always went out of their way to include my baby girl.  They gave her support when she was frustrated with the coaches, and they always made her feel like a valuable part of the team.  They were not afraid to let her know that when they were freshmen they had the same fears and challenges that she did.


They are just awesome girls!  They really are!  They are all 3 going to college, one with a basketball scholarship.  GO SARA!!!  I hope they know how much their kindness meant to a little freshman coming into high school from a different school, knowing NO ONE except her brother.


So for Maria, Crystal, and Sara.  Thanks for making my girls freshman year a good one!  I hope you all are blessed beyond measure.  You deserve it!

Lessons learned

The other day, I was listening to my daughter tell a story about something that had happened at school. It wasn't exactly a "good" story, if you know what I mean.

More along the lines of a scene from "Mean girls."

Anyway, while she was telling the story, I was thinking to myself what kind of life lesson she could take away from this story. I hate to admit it but sometimes in the midst of meanness, it's hard to find some kind of lesson in the middle of it. So with that being said I decided to look back into my own teen years and see if I could lump that experience into one that I may have experienced.

As I traveled back in time (in my head, of course), it wasn't really all that difficult to compare then with now.

Did that make sense?

What I am trying to say is girls were mean in the 80's just like they are in 2010. As a matter of fact, they are pretty much the same. People will talk about you, especially the ones who know nothing about you. People will judge you by what you wear, again, usually the same group that doesn't know you but also the ones who do know you, and like you, or at least say they do. Those are probably the one's that hurt the most.

Those are also the ones that are the hardest to understand, even now as an adult, you may still come across people like that. I guess the trick is not to let them get to you.

There was a time in my young life that I really wanted everyone to like me. I don't really know why but I did, and if they didn't I would inevitably try to figure out why. As I got older that got better, in fact I may have went to the opposite end of the spectrum with not caring what anyone thought about me.

But wisdom does come with age I suppose, because I have learned that some people just will not like you, no matter how much we may want them too, and people will still talk about us, even the ones that want us to think they like us.

So what I hope Baby Girl will learn from this little experience is that she is not defined by what these girls see or don't see. She is a beautiful child of God. A God who loves her more than she knows now, but I hope will one day begin to understand just how much he wants for her. And that with his help she will continue to grow.

I also hope that she will see what it feels like to be on the receiving end of this situation just so that she won't be the one who is being the mean girl.

What life lessons did you learn as a teen?

Everything I learned. . . .

The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou annointest my head with oil
My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and Merci shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.
Psalm 23


The other day, I was listening to something on the radio that was pertaining to what our kids were learning in school.

I thought about all the things kids learn about now in school, and some of the things they don't learn.

For instance, every morning in Elementary school, we would recite the 23rd Psalm. EVERY DAY!

We would also say the Lords prayer and the pledge of allegiance.

Now I know that after 9/11, a lot of schools began doing the pledge of allegiance again, but I don't know that they still do. I am talking about public schools here, I feel sure private or Christian schools do this.

What are we teaching our kids now? I have to say that I have two teenagers and I can tell you what they don't learn.

What has happened to learning how to write? The schools spend very little time teaching kids to write. When I was in school, fourth grade to be exact. We had specific times designated to help us learn to write our letters correctly. If there was something we had trouble with, we got extra help.

How about spelling? We did spelling all through middle school. I am not sure that kids are really getting the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic. I think because of all the new testing, and No kid left behind stuff, that kids aren't getting the basics that they need.

Kids need to be taught how to balance a check book. How to write checks. How to write letters. How to be respectful.

Maybe if they were still able to recite the 23rd Psalm things would be different. Maybe.

Conversations

Yesterday, at church I overheard a conversation between a Grandpa and his Granddaughter.

She is probably 6 or 7. Here is how it unfolded.

First let me set the scene, another Grandparent was holding her Grand baby, you know showing him off which is exactly what Grandparents are suppose to do. While everyone was oooohhing and aaaaaahing over the baby this is what unfolded.
*Please note the abbreviations.

GP: One day, I want you to have a Grand baby like that so I can hold him. But now I don't want that to happen till you are 25 or so.

GD: Why do you and Grandma argue?

GP: Me and Grandma don't argue.

GD: Yes you do, like when you are in the car going somewhere.

GP: That's not arguing, we are just having a disagreement. Everybody disagrees sometimes.
When we disagree, then we just discuss what we should do. We aren't arguing.
There isn't anybody who doesn't disagree sometimes. Everyone does that.

GD: Do they argue? (Pointing to someone)

GP: Yes, everyone does.

GD: I bet there are people in that book that argue. (Speaking about the bible)

GP: Probably.

Now I have to say that when the conversation first started, I did get the giggles. When Grandpa was going on about how they weren't arguing they were just having a discussion. I really almost lost it. I couldn't stop thinking about all the time I had had a discussion with my husband in the car.

I just thought that was so funny! And I don't know how the conversation went from grand babies to arguing. That's kids for you.

Later on, you know how the kids will go up to the front for a little childrens message. All the kids went up front. The message was about fishing for men. The lady up front happen to have a fishing pole, she said if I use worms to catch a fish, what would I use to catch men.
One very smart child said chocolate. Another threw out candy. But I definitely think they were on the right track, you will surely need food if you want to catch a man.

Kids really do say the darndest things don't they?

Whip It!!! Whip it Good, Whip it real Good!!!

This weekend, BG and I went to see this movie. It was rated PG-13, for Language, and a little skin, but nothing naked. I have to say that I loved Ellen Page in Juno. I thought she was just the funniest thing. You know how some people have that dry sense of humor, and they are funny in a sarcastic kind of way, well that's the way she is. But while some people just look like a smart aleck, she pulls it off really well.


It has a good story. You know the classic high school kids who don't exactly fit in with the "cool" kids. But she finally finds something she is good at and excels at it!! I have to say it really brought back memories of Roll-A-Bout Skating ring, on Bicentennial quarter night. Man, how long ago has that been? (I know, a really, really, long time ago.) I started thinking too, when was Roller Derby big? 70's? I really don't know, I didn't watch it, and vaguely remember anything about it. Maybe it was when wrestling was big.

Speaking of wrestling that reminds me of a story, I actually know a guy who loves, loves, loves, Rick Flair. Woooo!!! Anyway, once he went to a wrestling match and stole his wrestling belt. Yes, the big, gold, shiny belt that they all wave in the air because they are great wrestlers.
The Championship belt!!!! He still has it today, because he isn't a teenager anymore either people. Sometimes, if you are really good, he will show it to you!

If you haven't seen this yet, it is soooooo good!

Get out a little, see a movie with your kids, just don't go skating and break your wrist!! Hee, Hee, that really did happen. It sucks to get old!!

Strictest Parents

CMT has a new show that has been coming on called "Strictest Parents". When I get home from work in the afternoons, this is usually what my kids are watching so I will sometimes sit down and watch it with them. If you haven't seen the show it's kind of like The Nanny, for teenagers. They take two kids, a boy and a girl, and send them to a house that has really strict parents.

After watching this show a few times, I realized the strict parents weren't really all that strict, they just expected to be treated with respect. Oooooohhhh, what a concept, treating adults with respect. Who thought of that one?

The amazing part is the way the teenagers react to someone else who isn't their parent. At first they usually try the same thing that they did at home, like back talking, or cursing at them, yelling, you know stuff like that. The difference comes when they realize the strict parents just don't put up with the crap. They usually conform to the rules and actually enjoy themselves. There are a few rebels who will refuse and they leave the "strict" house. They learned nothing. But the ones who stay have all gone away better for the experience.

You know they aren't that different, the strict parents all have kids, and the only difference in their family and the troubled teens family is usually just rules. The teens coming in have not been subject to consequences for their actions, so they continue with the bad behavior that the parents can no longer handle. One girl who kept cursing in the house had to clean the toilet with a toothbrush as one of the consequences. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be cursing if I kept getting chores given to me for doing it.

I have to say the families that I have seen that take those kids in all love Jesus. They try to impress on the kids that they are worthy of love, because you can see that some of them just don't feel like it. That is part of the reason for their rebellion. But when they are shown a little attention, and respect themselves they are new people. Their whole appearance changes, they are happier kids.

My kids don't really like me to watch shows like that with them because I usually cry because I think it is so sweet, then when they start arguing, I try to be like the strict parents, telling them that we don't yell in our house, or talk disrespectful. They will get mad, then head off to their rooms. I go into the kitchen and have a nice relaxing glass of wine. TV is great!

All joking aside, it really is a good show. It's amazing to see how someones attitude will change, when you treat them like you would like to be treated.

After 9's

Yesterday, I took my son to get his after 9's. (That is so he can drive after 9 for any one who doesn't know that, because back in the day when I got my license, once you got them you could drive all night if you wanted to but now they put limits on the kids, which is actually a good thing.)

Anyway, we didn't have a lot of time so I was glad to see that there were only two people ahead of us.

So we walk in the door, and we get in line, and the man at the desk calls us up and asks us what we are there for. So I kind of push the boy forward, because I am trying to get him to speak to adults and authority figures on his own. He's shy.
Anyhow, he reluctantly edges forward. The man (who was super nice), says "Come on up here, nobody's going to bite you." Well, the boy gets a little flustered and embarrassed by this. Which, it probably didn't help that I found humor in the mans statement. (I mean who wouldn't, it was funny!)

So, the boy is trying as hard as he can to get his license out of his wallet, and naturally, it gets stuck.
So he stands there fiddling with it until it comes out, and then, he didn't even need it, the man just gave him a number and told him to wait to be called.

So we sit down, and we are suppose to be at my daughters school picking her up from tutoring, but I just text her and tell her we will be there shortly. And in a few short minutes we are called in, this time around we didn't get THE MAN, and I have to say I was looking forward to having him, he was so witty. This time we got Misses Hair. (We'll call her that because she looked like she just left the salon. It was pretty, ummm, big.) So Miss Hair, says to him, are you 18? The boy quietly says, No, and I mean quietly. That's one of the reasons I have to stay on him, SPEAK UP so people can hear you already. Miss Hair wants to know if he has an adult to sign for him, I walk up and let her know that I am there and ready to sign.
For someone with such nice hair, she must have had a long day, because her personality was lacking.
She asks him which background he wants. He quietly replies, so quietly in fact that I couldn't hear what he said.
I am telling you, he is cute, but he is so quiet!
So, after about 5 minutes we get out of there and are off to pick up The Daughter from tutoring.
So, the boy can officially drive after 9.

I also made a cake with my mixer. I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Truth or Dare!

Remember when you were in middle school or maybe even elementary school and you would be at a sleepover and someone said "Let's play truth or dare". I wasn't necessarily a big fan of that game myself. I didn't get out much you see and I was shy in elementary and middle school. (Weird, huh that now I put my life on the Internet.)
I cried every year on the first day of school until I was in fourth grade. I only stopped then because my cousin said, "Are you going to start crying again this year?" How dare he say that to me the big weenie, so I showed him. I DIDN'T CRY! I DIDN'T CRY! I DIDN'T CRY!!!
That's right tough guy, who you gonna pick on now!

So anyway, let's just say I was a late bloomer, you know I really didn't get interested in boys until I was in High school, so when my friends would say, Don't you think _______ is cute? I would be like NO! He is gross! (And I was usually right, they were kinda dorky.)
Looking back, I am glad that I wasn't like the other girls but then, I was really embarrassed. I wish I knew now what I didn't know then. It's OK to be yourself. Kids today have a lot of pressure on them.
Getting asked if I had ever kissed a guy was my biggest worry, now most kids are way ahead of that game. I've heard of several games that are sooo much worse than truth or dare.

I remember one particular sleepover where all the girls were talking about VD, I kept asking what is VD? The smartest girl there would say "Venereal Disease", then came the question "What is Venereal Disease?" Do you know what she would say? "VD!" So let's face it, if that was the best explanation she could give me, she didn't know either.
That leads me to believe that kids are kind of the same now as they were when I was a kid. I know of some kids now who think they know everything, but ask them what VD is if you really want to know what they know.

What A Weekend!!!

We played, and we played, and we played some more.


We WON!!!

WE WON AGAIN!!!!





And we played again!




Until it finally paid off. (Whew, this one was a nail biter!!)

Memories, Good, Bad, and Embarrassing

This weekend was a busy weekend, like most of them are. With 2 kids, teenagers who are both active, we don't really get a lot of down time. This weekend was not any different. My son is involved in the Hunter Safety team at his school and this weekend was the regional for that. That involves skeet shooting (trap), archery, rifle, and orienteering. I know, I didn't know what orienteering was either. I'm not really sure I spelled it right. Orienteering is a team of guys given coordinates and a compass, and they are suppose to see how close they come to a designated spot. This event usually takes all day, or 1/2 the day anyway. It starts at 8 and is usually over around 2. It depends on how many teams are entered. This particular day there were 33 teams entered. The weather was cool and sunny, which makes for a good day for shooting things. Luckily for me, some of my good friends kids participate in this also, so for me it's a day of catching up on how things are going for everyone. One of the boys on the trap teams mom was my best friend in high school, so we do a lot of laughing and cutting up while everyone else watches what goes on.
Her mom was there this year and we were talking about some of the embarrassing things we had done. She recounted a story about using the bathroom in the woods, where she didn't think anyone was, and when she pulled up her pants, it seems there was a camp for special needs going on in the area and she didn't know it. (Even my 16 year old son got a kick out of that). Needless to say she doesn't use the woods anymore. That whole conversation came up because we had to use the bathroom and the only thing available were port-a-potties. That is not a pleasant experience, so we were trying to hold it as long as possible. Then we saw someone emerge from the woods. Then the conversation started to flow. My embarrassing story was way better than that, I worked at a bank, and our offices were upstairs away from most of the traffic. We had our own little bathroom up there for us, so we didn't have to go downstairs. The ladies in the office were myself, a very good friend, and two older ladies. One was a pastors wife, the other was the office manager. One day my friend wasn't at her desk, so as I walked into the bathroom one of the stalls was shut so I assumed it was my friend. So I go into my little stall and decide to see what my friend is doing, I am having a one way conversation with her.
What ya doing?
What's wrong?
Aren't you gonna talk to me?
Are you taking a dump? You're taking a dump! You're taking a dump!
I just went on and on, laughing hysterically the whole time and she never said a word, so I left her to her shame and went back to my desk. While I was still snickering to myself about the bathroom incident, my friend came up the front steps. I immediately asked her where she had been?
Downstairs.
Weren't you just in the bathroom?
No, I was downstairs. Uh Ooh!!
So who was in the bathroom? Take a guess,
It was the preachers wife! And she never said a word to me about it. My friend and I still laugh about it to this day. She is still in banking. I decided I better get out while I was ahead.
Once our boss came out and told us we were going to have to calm down. My friend got really offended and said he hurt her feelings. They finally had to separate us. But we still found ways to have fun.