Same but Different

Be prepared because I will be writing something that may shock you...



Eric (baby Eric) will be starting High School next week!!!



If we had talked about this step when he was in 6th or 7th grade I would have expressed my great fear for him, but the strange thing is... Maturity does wonders, he is totally ready to go.



Last year he went through a "Gothic" phase, he was wearing all black and looking very odd ( but I thought cute). Steve and I thought we were letting him show his individualism but then we had a wake up call and realized that his mood and the mood of our home and family was darkened by his taking part in this "Goth" lifestyle. We as parents took action, explained to our son that we had made a mistake in letting him enter the world of paranormal and darkness, he was feeling uncomfortable as well so it took little persuasion to bring him back to the world of color. I am proud Steve and I can admit when we are wrong, I have no problem saying "I was wrong, I am sorry" I will even say "You were right" when necessary.



So off to the store for school clothes we went, he had a great time choosing his clothes and hats needed to tame his "White Man Fro".



I remember when Cam started High School, we got him all set and the first week his backpack broke, within a month he had gone through three backpacks so it was time for research, I found the best backpack, bought it and he still has it. Got Eric a good backpack at the start of 6th grade and it is tired and missing zipper pulls so I told him we would invest in a new High School back pack and he could get any one he wants.



At the backpack store I am expecting him to get one of the super cool new ones they have that cost more than an arm and a leg but have features galore...He came up to me with the same back pack he has been using for the past three years.



"Mom, do you mind if I get a replacement one like the one I have, I really like it and I know all the pockets"



Starting the new world of High School with a trusty old friend....Perfect Choice!



God Bless You Eric, my wonderful, amazing, exceptional son.

Craft Nazi

This week is Vacation Bible School at our church. They asked, and since I am on vacation I took on the role of teaching the crafts. I love teaching crafts and have done it several times before but this week has been so busy with all I have to do in my home life, I feel like I am living in a blur of glue, paint, and paper and driving.

Sunday night we set up and went back to my helpers house to prepare for Monday, we finished and my helper crashed, then her mom and I got into one of those amazing heart to heart talks neither of us wanted to end. We realized we were in trouble when Steve had Eric call me at 2:00 am. I finally got to bed at 4:00am.

Monday- Walking and driving around like a zombie, I had tons of errands to do and never had time to rest. I realized the foil, newspaper hats for Tuesday were just not working out so at 8:30 pm I had to go shop for a replacement craft. I prayed...

"Lord, please provide a solution for this problem in one store!" He took pity on the poor sleep deprived heart in the right place craft teacher and provided the perfect silver paper and I went to my helpers cause I was in dire need for her assistance and this time made sure I avoided her mom. (Just kidding)...

I got home and decided the best way for the kids to do the craft in the time allowed was for them to be pre-made to a certain point so I got to bed at midnight.
ZZZZZZZZ

Tuesday- still no time for napping but I was able to figure Wednesdays craft after VBS so I was feeling good about myself... UNTIL... I remembered at 8:00pm that we had switched Wed and Thurs crafts. Wahhhhhhh Origami boats! Thank you Lord for video origami lessons cause this gal could not follow diagrams with crossed eyes for nothing. The foam boats for the babies were just plain dumb and again God provided an alternative WITH COLORED TEMPLATES. God loves the sleepy craft teacher. In bed by 12:00

Wednesday- "Eric, we must get to bed earlier!

I love doing crafts and teaching them but there are some things I will not release control of and you can call me a Craft Nazi if you want.

#1 Cutting- I have mad cutting skills and get all OCD when my helpers can't cut. I catch myself saying "I will do it" as sweetly as possible without GRABBING the project out of their hands.

#2 Folding- I love my Martha Stewart bone folder and the crisp lines and corners it creates. "Here let me fold that for you" when really I am saying "Yikes! your corner has a kink in it"!!!

#3 Glitter glue- It should be illegal for anyone under 10 to use a tube of glitter glue or puffy paint for that matter.

#4 Sharpie pens- They are mine... All mine... And put them, the tape, and the adult scissors back in the basket or I will give you my smile with no teeth.

Tomorrows craft is done and Fridays is a kit so I can only hope to get to bed before midnight.

I have received confirmation in this ordeal this week, I realized I am a no nonsense Mom Of Dudes, God didn't give me girls for a reason. I can't be bothered with drama in the high speed world of crafts on a tight schedule "I am sorry you spelled Jesus wrong! get over it!!!"

But really folks, Vacation Bible School is a blast, the kids are wonderful and the memories of three year olds humming while they color, the hugs, and the word "Origami" make it all worth while.

We need a Sunday School teacher Troy will you do it?... I will have to pray about that one...

What's on my heart

Heart of Hearts

I remember when I was in my last year of High School and in my late teens, I was so bummed because all my friends were paired up in serious relationships and I had never had a boyfriend.

I felt like an outsider looking in to their world. I just didn't fit in with them because I was alone. I desperately wanted a someone but no one seemed to want me in return. I had crush after crush but that was all they were unreciprocated crushes. It was a sad time for me and very depressing. I was in school and working so I was busy, but I had plenty of room for more. For me it took the friendship of a special girl who was in the same boat I was, we enjoyed the same things and hanging out so it easier to forget my "pitiful" loneliness.

When I read about that time in my life in my old journals (OK Dear Diaries) I tell 19 year old Troy, "you should have lived it up more!" I should have really enjoyed myself, gotten a sports car, learned Spanish, travelled to Hawaii because in In no time at all, my life took a turn, I met Steve and the rest is history...

My heart has been sad lately for a few girls I know, All of our friends have children the same age so they are getting married and in our church the youth are pairing up and getting married like crazy. My friends say I attend more weddings than anyone. It's true! But as much as I LOVE Weddings, what I love seeing even more are couples truly in love with the right ones for them.

Desperation does strange things to us and if we serve a loving God who only wants us to be happy, why would he let us be lonely? I have been praying alot about this and God told me, He is not sending the right ones because he wants his gift of a loving spouse to be appreciated so he asks, "What are YOU doing to prepare for the love of your life?" are you crabby, eating junk food and ice cream galore? sitting home feeling sorry for yourself in your baggy sweats? These are very selfish things and selfishness is not what a relationship is all about. You want to prepare your heart for sharing. You are wonderfully made, accept this and relish in it and smile. Go to school & work with a happy heart, go out with friends married and single, let everyone set you up, go on E-harmony, Why not? the worst that can happen is you will sleep less cause you have had too much coffee on your Starbucks dates, Just because you meet him doesn't mean you have to touch him!

Lift your head...make yourself lovely inside and out, get a new, current hair style and put effort into your look, learn new make-up tips, try wearing lip gloss regularly, step out of your comfort zone. You say this is not your style, well, is your current style working for you? Switch it up! Become an excellent cook or at least master one really good easy recipe. You should become so busy getting ready for your bridegroom you have no time for desperation.

God wants you to be happy, do you want to prepare a place for the one He has for you, or do you want to settle for the one desperation provides.

I think not...

I have attended the weddings of nine terrific young couples in the past year and will attend at least two more before this year is out, but even more wonderful is my knowledge of or participation in just as many 25th anniversaries including my own.

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control" Gal 5:22 (NLT)

Now that sounds like a great wife, that's the good stuff that makes God Smile.

Blessings...

The Gene

In the past I have mentioned what I believe that some are born with the Star Wars gene and some are not.

My husband has the Gene so bad that he left our wedding rehearsal dinner to go see the first showing of Return of the Jedi. When we were married just one day we saw it again. I like Star Wars but I am sorry to say, I do not have the Gene.

Our sons have the Gene but the force runs stronger in Cameron than Eric. Star wars has always been a part of our lives and family, we wear the clothes, have all the DVD's and my garage is filled with action figures. One thing that we did not get into however was Transformers.

The toys were just too complicated to put back together once transformed so we just left it at that.

When the last Transformer movie came out I had no interest in seeing it but the men folk in the house went and loved it! The first day it came out on DVD we purchased it and they insisted I watch it and I liked it too. (Liked, enjoyed but did not love)

Last weekend we had a wonderful dinner to celebrate Eric's middle school graduation and we decided to go to the movies to see the new Transformers movie.

To me, it was entertaining, a little loud, a little confusing, but I did manage to stay awake the entire time which is a real positive for me. What I loved most about the movie however was the audience reaction. The kids LOVED the movie, they love the characters and cried when it was sad(one little boy had to be taken out of the theater cause he was so upset) and cheered when the good guys did good. I really enjoyed hearing the reactions because it reminded me of the good old days when my sons were younger and really got into the movies. If your child has the Transformer Gene then I suggest you take them for a fun ride. It made me smile...

Life is such a gift

This week sad passing of celebrities Ed, Farrah, and Michael have me sad, but they got to live, parent and decide things for themselves.

When babies die I wonder, what's up with that? I know there will be a lesson learned and a testimony to share but still... why?

Why don't we get to play and lovie on them? That's what I miss the most when a baby dies, the opportunities...

For Smiles- My babies brought me smiles from the first minute, I can close my eyes and see baby Cameron "Smiling at Angels"

For Joy- The joy a baby brings to a loving household. Babies are tough work, but it is joy-filled. Our friends baby Anthony is now home after months of hospitalization and finally a heart transplant what joy! but now the work begins...

For Tears- I was so grateful for my baby Eric, I would cry out to the lord in thanks.

For Playing- There is nothing like watching your husband play with his baby.

Praying for sudden healing but then hearing of the loss of a young couples first born baby girl this week surprised me no end. I have heard of babies swallowing meconium before but never one dying from it. I am sadly reminded by baby Ciara that birth and life are indeed a miracle and a gift.

And I thank her for that...

Confession

Since I have been blogging, I don't think I have gone this long without writing a word. People have been messaging me from my Blogspot, Facebook, Myspace and Chicken Soup areas asking if I am OK and "why have I been so quiet?"

The answer is...

I don't know...

It has been 31 days since my last confession. Bless me father for I have sinned... I have taken the Lords name in vain (more than once I am afraid) I have watched TV shows that maybe I shouldn't have and Lord forgive me but I believe I may have gossiped. (Sorry I really am).

My lack of blogging is not for lack of inspiration. Tons of stuff has gone on, My Stevie had a health scare, our 26th anniversary (same day) Not one but THREE weddings, My Eric was the star of his 8th grade musical, A ridiculous amount of left over pizza, Eric's middle school graduation, Pride about how great my married son and daughter in love are doing, Miracles like baby Anthony coming home, Birthdays,Father's Day, and money blessings in the form of an Inheritance and a $1,000 scratcher. Yada Yada Yada...

Any of these things would have made for a great blog and yet all I can think to write about is this... Enjoy...

Tupperware Envy

We had Eric's 8th grade musical cast party here at the house, I planned for 20+ teens, ordered Three giant pizzas and only 6 kids showed up. I learned that day there is such a thing as too much left over pizza.

One girl brought some watermelon which was so nice, but did I notice her kindness?, No, all I saw was the totally cool Tupperware bowl she brought it in. If you know the world of Tupperware you will know this bowl, it is called a That's A Bowl, it is probably the best bowl for making cookies cause there is this really cool handle on the side for your thumb to grip while mixing. This is the largest bowl Tupperware offers and you too can get yours for 50% off if you hold a party, OR FREE with three bookings...

Over the years I have had TWO That's A Bowls at once but my abundance didn't last too long when a son left the extra bowl somewhere (such is life) I have a mini version that I like too, but never have I seen a bowl like the one that graced my home this day. It was narrower than the original, same great handle on the side but it was about 10 inches deep! to a popcorn, salad, chip serving mom like me this bowl was something to covet. (my above mentioned sin)It was obviously a Tupperware "Special Edition" and all I could think was WOW!

The party was over and guess what? THE GIRL FORGOT HER BOWL!!!!

Then the wild fantasies began to run through my mind..."The kids just graduated from middle school, the bowl owner girl is going to a different High School than Eric, they will never see each other again, I have NO WAY to contact her to return her bowl.Is it now MINE?!!!!!... Finder's Keepers! (evil laughter and wringing hands Blu Haa Haa Haa Haa)... When I washed the bowl, I noticed it was well used and obviously loved so I decided to wash it and leave it on the counter, although I have no way to contact the bowl owner she does know where I live...If a couple of weeks go by then I will claim the bowl by default and find it a home in the cupboard. Time went by... I began dreaming about my new bowl, thoughts like which font will I use when I write "Miller" on the bottom in sharpie...

DING DONG!!!!!

Eric-"Oh Hi"
Girl-"I left my Mom's favorite bowl here, do you have it?"
Eric-"Sure, it's here on the counter"
Girl-"Great, my Mom was really mad that I left it"
Eric-"Here you go"

Troy-With a little tear, waved goodbye to what was loved but never hers...

Trying A Little Pollyanna

I am crabby today, things just aren't going that great and I feel kind of blah and weary.

So I am taking pointers from good ol' Pollyanna and taking a stab at the "Glad Game"

1. I am crabby- Well, I am Glad I am not sick

2. My house is a mess- Well, I am Glad I have over an hour before I have to go to work, plenty of time to get it done

3. We never have enough money- Well, I am always Glad I am married to Steve and we live the life we do, even if it is paycheck to paycheck

4. I am Glad I got a new Pink Coffee cup, that has made my morning a little rosier

5. I am Glad that even though I have the front door open Yogi is quietly sleeping, the open door usually means my HOUND will be baying very soon.

6. I am Glad it is a nice overcast day, cool and lovely, birds singing, flowers blooming.

7. I am Glad my Son and Daughter in Love are coming over Thursday which is our 26th anniversary. Should be a fun day.

8. I am Glad School will be out in just three weeks, Sleep In Day!!!

9. I am Glad our friends asked us over for a Memorial Day BBQ. We are getting used to spending holidays alone,but it was WAY better to spend the day with friends swimming and visiting.

10. I am Glad to see Eric laugh and smile

Well, do I feel better... Yes