The Measure of A Man...

Today Eric came home from school very upset. It seems he was yelled at by the locker room attendant who told him to get his S___T! out of here.

He is a new kid in a new place and was unsure of where to put his backpack, after the lovely comment he still needed his help to find out where to properly store his belongings.

"Mom, no one has ever spoken like that to me before" My heart sank and all I could say was "I am sorry"

It kills me but I had to tell him that this was probably not the last time someone will speak harshly to him. I remember when Cameron and I had this same conversation, Cam was a youth Umpire for Little League and he could not believe how horribly the coaches would speak to him in front of their own children and he was a kid too!

We talked more about life and the people that you will encounter and I became more grateful for my Steve in that he has only been a supportive and uplifting father.

After awhile Eric came to me and said "You know what mom, he is probably frustrated by the kids who are disrespectful to him so I decided that tomorrow I will go up to him, shake his hand and introduce myself to him. I am going to show him that I will never be disrespectful to him. I know it might not work, but I hope we can become friends since I have to talk to him every day for the next four years."

What a wonderful young man, that boy of mine...

"I say the measure of a man
Is not how tall you stand
How wealthy or intelligent you are
'Cause I've found out the measure of a man
God knows and understands
For He looks inside to the bottom of your heart
And what's in the heart defines
The measure of a man

Open Doors

When the transfer denial letter arrived we were ready for it and reminded ourselves that God knows best for us.We relucantly accepted this as fact.

My son was sad, I was sad for him then I remembered what God had told me so many yeas ago, "Eric is Exceptional and I gave him to you because you are his Champion"

He was right, I am his Champion, although the thought of me squeezed into shining armor would be pretty hysterical I then began the quest, to offer my son the best start to High School mentally and educationally which meant a transfer to the new school in town.

Months before Eric had begun the transformation from a Gothic middle schooler to a young man deserving of all that can be provided for him. Gone was the attitude and unhappiness he had worked and gotten his best grades ever, he deserved this, he desired this, and I desired it for him.

Communication began with the principal of his school, who agreed the new school would be a great for Eric, I was then put in touch with the director of Special Education who informed me the school was at maximum capacity. my thought was he is only one child, he deserved this and I put my faith in her to see understand my passion about this.

Our faith was tested when he received his "Welcome to High School" packet from the other school he was mentally ready to attend the other school and we were patiently waiting for an answer...

One evening, Eric's friends brother got in the car, I had never met him before so I began my normal interview process where he mentioned he had been in ROTC. I then said "Oh you must know my son Cameron?" He gave me a look that sealed the deal, he gave me the look I never wanted Eric to see, the " You mean Eric is CAMERON MILLER'S brother?"

Cameron's shoes would be hard to fill, he had a great reputation in school where he was the shining star. Eric has always been completely different than Cam, besides my own brothers I don't know of two brothers more opposite.

"Eric has put forth so much effort Lord he deserves this transfer..."

Finally I could stand it no more and I asked, God opened the door and Eric was transferred, he was given a stern talking to by the director, excellent attendance, grades, and behavior are required for him to keep this transfer, he gleefully accepted the challenge. I knew by my sons joy that this was indeed the right thing for him.

The minute we walked into the school, doors began to swing open in confirmation.

Eric got his enrollment the day before freshman orientation so he didn't miss a thing.

Eric's friends parents have offered to drive the boys to school which is great because I was blessed with a second job which starts early and now Eric won't have to be at school early.

School began and when I got home Eric could not control his excitement about the day, he LOVED all of his classes and LOVED all of his teachers, he could not choose a favorite. How great is that!

He is taking Art!

Even little things like his friend shares his last class of the day so they don't have to find each other to carpool home. How cool is that?

Eric instantly came home and started his homework, this has always been our rule but a chore and Eric said the words I never thought I would hear from him "I don't want to fall behind".

"Eric is Exceptional, and I gave him to you because you are his Champion"

Thank you God for opening doors, for Eric's maturity and obedience as a wonderful son. Again all I can say is Thank You...Amen

How can she be a Senior? She's only Eight!!!

People have been shocked this week when I have told them Eric is starting High School.

For me I remember most of my friends kids at the same age they were when I met them.

So I was very shocked when my friend Susan told me her daughter was going to be a senior.

But Maddy is only eight!

I know she is older, I have watched her grow into a beautiful and wonderful young woman but with my loving soft eyes I still see her as the shy little girl hiding behind her mom at Cub Scouts.

I was discussing this subject with another girlfriend and mentioned Eric starting High School and she said.

But Eric is still in his stroller with a pacifier!!!

Guess I am not the only one...

Lord, please bless all of our children as they grow into the wonderful young adults that you have planned, please help and guide them to make excellent decisions in difficult situations and bless them with terrific friends. Amen...

The perfect cup of coffee... And Thou

Each morning I start my day with a devotional from a little book I get at church called "Our Daily Bread". I think this book has been around for a really long time cause I remember seeing them in relatives homes as a child. I thought the name odd because I did not know that devotion to God sustains life just as does bread (it's a metaphor).

Now I get it!

In a past posting I told you of my NEED to have all my ducks in a row when I finally sit down to do my bible study with a cup of Tea.

Here is my silly but important list,

Coffee version.

I must have my favorite coffee cup of the day, I have several depending on my mood.
#1 Starbucks mermaid cup (if you are specal, I will let you borrow it)
#2 Pink matching friendship cup with Leighann (no borrowing)
#3 My Mother's day Anthropologie initial cup (I FREAK cause Steve likes this cup too, but come on it has a giant T on it with flowers all over!!! MINE!!!)
#4 My newest Anthropologie cup I got to have matching cups with my daughter in love Beka.
#5 Now if it is near Christmas, this list starts over with my favorite Christmas cups, but lets not go there (for now...)

I also must have my favorite Brighton pen, My groovy red Bible that looks like a wallet ( in case you are wondering it didn't come in pink) Journa,l and just in case I cry I have my tissues in the beautiful embroidered case Carmen made for me, and now... Reading glasses Yikes!...

Ahhh Ready...

Troys Perfect cup of coffee...
Steve may have just made a pot but I still make my own individual cup using my coffee press. It makes a pretty strong cup of coffee but I learned from my brother Sterling and I like it this way...

Favorite coffee... Seattle's Best Cinnabon 1 1/2 scoops into the press
Luckily for me, I have a hot water dispenser but if you don't then boil about two cups of water and add it to the press. Four minutes later (potty break) press down the handle and you are ready to decorate your coffee (Troy is writing this remember)
Coffee embellishments (decorations)
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Caramel creamer
4 pumps Caramel coffee syrup ( I like sugar free decorations)

Ahhhh Coffee perfection Troy version, all is right with my world and ready to begin my daily bread...

Amen sister friend...

In case you are saying "I remember those little books and would love to read one" here you go...

Our Daily Bread
www.rbc.org

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...