J2's First Homecoming...

Living...loving...laughing...and sometimes crying...

All ends well for my "little" boy after his first homecoming. The girl he really wanted to take (and the one I had all the intel on) didn't want to go with him...at least another girl that openly admitted "liking" him TOLD him so. Reliable? Not so sure. Of course that made him too nervous to ask her anyhow. Can't blame the poor young man...especially for his FIRST homecoming at a school whom he's just getting to know everyone. So he asked another girl. She said yes. They went as friends and later found out being friends was best. Not too much in common. First sad part is I had an ex-coworker tell me she asked the first girl if he was going with J2??? She said, "NO. I would've but he never asked me." Ouch! I did tell J2. I didn't know what else to do...and he was a bit bummed. But I think he felt good knowing she really did think he was cool. The second sad part is this years homecoming had lots of "issues" attached to it with the new superintendent's dance rules. Apparently, the school had a dance last year that was too "full of bumping and grinding, etc" that the faculty was determined this school district would not be known for that again. In my experience, any time you have to bring "balance" to something anywhere it sometimes calls for the opposite extreme...in this case that's what happened. There were five major TV stations covering it and there was a mandatory meeting called to discuss the dance "issues". Apparently, some girls came dressed out of "code" and there was "dirty dancing" anyhow and these people were asked to leave or comply. J2 told me they were allowed to dance with their arms stretched out on top of the others shoulders swaying back and forth. Can you picture???? J2 didn't know any different...at least that's what I like to think...and the seniors were really mad. Some crying. A mother told off the superintendent at the meeting and then wrote a "nasty" note about him, in the newspaper, and all the faculty that she would never respect them again b/c of this. They ruined her daughters homecoming and was really p-d off! She said the superintendent and principal needed to "get together with the times". Wow! I'll let you all form your own opinions about that statement. But just think...can you knowingly imagine your 17 yr old daughter "bumping and grinding" with some young dude out on the dance floor? I think not!!!! The superintendent didn't either. They also required the girls to wear dresses that didn't show cleavage and had at least 3 inch wide straps. Don't know what to think about that yet. I know it would be hard to shop for a dress like that. Of course, as a mother, I want my children to remain as pure as possible...but hey, we can't avoid the world. It's tough finding that balance as a Christian mother. Being a parent isn't easy and I don't see how anyone can do it without the guidance of a "Higher Being". I know that without Christ I would not know what is okay or not okay. Obviously, to me, it's a matter mostly of the heart. Personally, if girls felt valued and good about themselves (had a great realtionship with daddy and found love there) they might not be as prone to show the "cleavage", I think. However, thinking back to when I was a teen...it was all about getting attention...almost no matter what it took. Goodness, it's so different to view life with children. I don't want to be a religious freak but I don't want to deny purity either. I want my children to remain pure and wait for their spouse until their wedding night. I realize that's a high expectation in today's world but none-the-less it's obtainable...and I know people who have proven it to be possible. If that makes me a "religious freak" then so be it. Being a parent of a teenager is one of the most challenging things I've ever faced. I realize how much I fall short of "knowing" how to be a parent...and with each stage of life it changes...the "rules" etc. Looks like back to the drawing board. I need to do some more studying from the more wise folk. Any insight? I realize I've probably stirred up a lot of opinions here...please, I'd love to hear!!!! I'm no perfect parent...don't claim to be...but I have personal beliefs and values and my goal is to do "better" than the last generation...maybe to "get a little more things right from the get-go" instead of living in regrets. I believe with Christ it's possible...and only with Him. Otherwise, I have no supernatural power to be any different than anyone else, nor my children. God can only be good...and I'm holding Him to it! Deep subject but a reality for me right now...Still love me?

First post...Introducing our 3 Champions...

Hello All,

This is my first posting so "bear" with me please...I'm not the most computer-savy person I know out there...hint, hint computer genius friends. Love ya!

My intent of this blog was inspired by some of my bestest of friends "The Chase Family". I enjoy reading their blog about their son and it has made me want to make a place in history for our three children as well. So happy (and maybe sometimes sad) reading... We have included "code" names for safety reasons. Email me if you'd like. I'd love to hear from all of you. I think I'm going to need lots of encouragement along the way b/c I already tried to post some photos and couldn't get it to work...patience is not one of my greater virtues...any tips, that would be very helpful!!!

Quick update on the kiddos...

J2 - Can't believe it but he's in 9th grade this year! My how time flies! We've moved and all three kids have just begun attending new schools. J2 wasn't too sure at first...as I can definitely relate to the "nervousness" of attending a new school where he knew NOBODY! But he braved it out and is now liking it more and more. He wants to become a pro-golfer. Big aspirations...but hey, more power to him! He is pretty good at golf, if I do say so myself. Mom's are definitely partial...that's one of our benefits, right moms???!!! He has tried out for the very competitive golf team at his school. He has made the "taxi" team. One freshmen made it. His coach told him to play some more, give him his score cards, and then hopefully he will get the opportunity to be on the "real" team. He has good chances for next year b/c most of players are seniors and will be going "bye-bye". He's presently trying out for the basketball team. When he came home the past two nights he said his legs felt like collapsing. He's not liking all the practicing part but the discipline will be good for him, we think, and pay off. I need someone to make me exercise like that! Man, we had it made back in the school days...exercising was part of our school work. Anyhow, yesterday he told me he knocked heads with a 17 year old in a charge to get the rolling ball. Needless to say, he had a sore head and the other guy got the ball and scored. He's back at it tonight so he must be okay...

C - Girls!!! Attitude, beauty, drama, creativity, determined, daddy's little girl, talking on phones, make-up, hair pretties, gracefullness, tenderness, etc...well those are some of the terms I would use to describe our daughter. She's so in love with her daddy right now that she has a note posted on her door that says, "No boys allowed. Only Daddy." So cute! I have to admit I am jealous of their relationship sometimes. They are close and I'm so thankful for them being blessed with that close of a relationship. My prayer is that every girl born would have a great and close relationship with her daddy. She just started cheerleading about three weeks ago. She had some new friends in her class that were cheerleaders...she asked to cheer...so we were able to get her on the team with only about four games left in the season. Her cheer-coach is very sweet...loaned her a uniform, taught her the cheers, and added her right to the squad. C had only one week to learn the same cheers all the other girls had been learning the whole season. I have to say I'm proud and impressed at how quickly she's catching on. I was emailing a dear friend earlier that it's amazing what kids are capable of when they WANT to do something. Aren't we all that way? Ha! Guess being an adult doesn't change that...

I - The boy loves football!!! But hasn't officially played on a team yet. We missed the sign up for this season b/c we were trying to move. So...he had to settle for soccer...and boy is he fast out there! His little legs move so fast I can't keep up with them. He hasn't scored a goal yet (only had one game - give him a break!) but I don't doubt he will try his best to get the ball in that goal. He's very aggresive but sensitive to the other players at the same time. I'm such a proud mom when I watch him play. Yesterday on the way to school, he told me a girl hugged him. I asked him who it was and he told me she was older. I said, "Did you hug her back?" He said, "NO!" I told him good job! Don't wanna be hugging girls we don't know. Those are MY hugs! Right moms???!!! Back me up here!

My fingers are tiring...more later. Be blessed!