Out of Control

How much of the time do we think that we are REALLY in control of our lives or the lives of our children? Every once in a while, the Lord reminds me just how NOT IN CONTROL I am. As I think back, I can recount how each one of my children COULD have died. All three by drowining. As a toddler, Sam was leaning over the edge of my mom's pool and quietly fell in while there was complete adult supervision. Thank God for my uncle John who happened to walk by the pool and saw in underwater. Another time I was in the back yard working in my garden and I had one of those large outside tubs that we stored out door toys in. One hot day I filled it with water for the kids to splash in and toddler Grace fell in head first. It is a miracle she was able to pull herself out and I only knew what happened because her hair was all slicked to one side and her clothes were soaked. And then my toddler Jessie had crawled out the bottom of the broken screen door at my mom's, threw her favorite bunny in the pool, retrieved it herself going down the pool steps, and then was standing outside the same screen door looking in when we found her. Once again, the Lord reminded me this weekend that He is watching over my kids even when I think all is well. No, there were no near death experiences.

Sam had a football game about an hour and a half away. Grace was going to a sleep over and I boldly invited Jessie over to a friend's house so that she didn't have to go to the game. She hates going anyway and since this was going to be a late night, I figured it would just be easier to have her to go to a friend's house. THis is what I found out today.

Grace came home and began to tell me about how disrespectful her friend was to her parents. Yes, Grace gets a 'tude sometimes, but once I call her on it she will back down. She doesn't like to say she's sorry but that is another issue. Anyway, she began to recount things that were said and her friends' parents lack of correction or discipline. She just couldn't belive it. I was very pleased at the fact that she got an eye witness account of total disrespect so that she could see how truly ugly it is. She went ahead and stayed the night but she was so ready to leave and said she will look for an opportunity to talk to her friend about it.

Jessie, on the other hand, came home today after she and the friend and the friend's mom came back from the mall. I KNEW ahead of time that these parents were probably not Christian. But Mike had met them once and her friend is in her class and I figured it would be ok for one night. I should have done more homework. My first clue was that I didn't even know the little girl's last name! But I gave Jessie a pep talk and we went over the basics: call us if you feel uncomfortbale or if there is something going on that you know is not right, etc. She even called a couple of times and talked to Mike and I and we questioned her about how things were going. After she was dropped off today and I began to ask her about some things did I get the whole story. This little girl's mom and BOYFRIEND are LIVING together not married. They both smoke and the boyfriend cusses when he gets mad. Oh great! And the kicker is that Jessie was okay with it all!!!

There were several things I learned from this:
1.) As I wrote, I am so not in control and I am so thankful that when I don't see all things God does and His eyes and His hands are on my kids.
2.) It is better to suck it up and take the kids with me even if I know it may be a difficult night because they don't WANT to go with me.
3.) Just like when they are little bitty, they don't see the dangers around them. Their judgement is immature and that is why the Lord put us as guardians over them.

Well, I feel horrible. But I am so glad that they are okay and we can all learn from this.

Just don't ask about the football game. I'd rather forget it..although Sam did great and his leg is doing fine.

Way Behind

Well, my mom went home yesterday and our unexpected visitors, Bob and Amy went home today.

We all had a GREAT time with my mom. She was able to see lots of football, celebrate Sam's birthday with us, meet lots of people, come to church with us, etc. We kept her going but didn't quite run her ragged. We ate out quite a bit, something I hadn't planned on and so my stomach has been paying for it for a day or two. We love her and miss her when she is not here, but it is always good to get back into a schedule.

Our long time friends, Bob and Amy, came in for an unexpected visit and we are so glad they did! We get to see them about once a year since they like to take an annual trip east and south in the fall to visit family and friends. Their original plan was NOT to come into BG, but things changed and they popped in. It was a quick visit, but so good to see their faces and to catch up.

However, due to all the busy-ness, I am behind on blogging and won't try to catch you all up but here are the latest goings on:

Sam's football team is 4-2 now. He played alittle in the varsity game Friday night and almost the whole JV game Monday night. His leg is feeling good and he is running well and making his way back onto varsity more.

Grace was cast as "Beth" in the play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She got the lead role with the most lines and we are very excited for her this year. She also made All-State Choir which means she gets to participate in a state competition in Lexington. She had to audition and we are proud to say she was selected from her school.

Jessie was cast as "Gladys", the smallest Herdman who is a terrorist in the community and to ehr older brothers and sisters. She played this role about two years ago and was really wanting this part again. we are also very excited for her.

We enjoyed an evening home tonight and watched the football movie, We Are Marshall. Very good...may make you tear up a little but soooo very good and based on the true story of Marshall University Football team of 1970.

The Body Shop is picking up and I have signed up another consultant. I am hoping to get two more before the end of the year and that will promote me to the next level. Little more $$$.

BLessings to all who read here!

My Baby is 16!

My oldest baby is 16 and since the day he was born, my life has never been the same. Sam was born by c-section and I remember it all as if it was yesterday. The scar on my body has faded over time, but the impact it has made on my heart will last as long as I have breath.

I cannot possibly find the words to describe all that it means to be his mother...and not only his, but also the mother of two beautiful and precious daughters. They mean no less, it is just that he, being the first, will bring us many, "firsts" in life. He is the first to turn 16.

I have realized something that many have already known and come to experience, you only have them as children for about 10 years. At 10, they begin to prepare for puberty as their bodies begin to change and you realize that time is moving way too quickly. Looking back and looking ahead, I only have him two more summers which means I only have my family two more years as I know it NOW. That brings a huge lump to my throat and yet I know that is how God designed it to be.

Oh, I could go on and on and never be done because there is so much feeling and emotion going on on this day. Memories, triumphs, challenges, failures, laughter, tears, goals, dreams, excess, want, etc.

I am celebrating this day with a tear in my eye and pride in my heart for things accomplished as well as hope in my heart for things to come. My baby is 16 today.