"Mom, did you know Zoey is going to have a baby?"

That was my answer when I asked Max how he was doing the other day. I've actually been meaning to comment on this. Truly, wondering if any of you with girls have been answering questions from your sweet girls out there. Max was totally appalled at the thought of a teen movie star having a baby. Quite frankly (because we did not discuss the logistics) I'm not certain if he knows exactly what happened....just that she should not be having a baby...while she herself is still a baby. He seemed much older than 9 asking me this question. Was not embarassed in the least! It was just the way it was. Anyway, after I told him that I did hear she was going to have a baby and that I thought it was sad. I told him she was probably feeling scared too. I don't want to just judge in front of him. I was thinking it was a good time to teach some empathy too. You see he has jumped on this train of judgement (that I jump on too from time to time) but need to be reminded that yet by the grace of God and some smart choices.....I could be where any other struggling person is. I've been that struggling person at times too. So, I want to be careful about throwing those stones! So as I was sharing my compassionate thoughts with him, he said, "Mom, she is going to turn out just like Britney". Good grief....I'm thinking....What all does he know about Britney? He is only 9 and we don't have her stuff in the house! So, I ask the question, "Max, what do you know about Britney?" He replies, "Mom, everyone knows she does drugs and she does not want to be a mom anymore". Again...sadness. We talk about that for a moment. I also want to be sure I am careful when I address these situations because I want my kids to learn kindness to everyone, especially those who need it more than some. Some day, it may not be a celebrity who's doing drugs and who is pregnant before its time. It might be their best friend or a family member. I need to teach them through these situations with media the ideal of how we should handle situations like this as Christians. In all things....we are teaching. Basically, I am reminded that my kids know more than I think they do and they have conversations when they are away from me that I would probably never dream of. I need to constantly ask the question, did you know...and did you hear. I want to be the one explaining current situations with them. Just because he is 9, I can't assume he does not know these things. I remember Kevin and I having to talk to Nick about sex in the 3rd grade after he asked a girl in our neighborhood if she had sex with her boyfriend. We were totally shocked! After talking with him, he thought that sex meant kiss. Oh....that at least made us feel better. He felt more empowered too. After our conversation, he proceeded to tell us that Joseph had no idea what he was talking about! We need to be the source of correction and knowledge for our kids. A great resource that we have used is a series of know your body books from Lifeway. You can start as early as 7. Sex and all issues related should be something that you talk openly about in your home. If we don't, our kids will constantly turn to their peers and they'll think they have the correct information. Open communication. That's what we have to keep open. Even when they ask us something that TOTALLY shocks us....pretend it does not...don't react crazy. Just take a moment, gather yourself and choke out the best answer you can...with a smile of course. Then, go grab your spouse or a friend and totally let go if you need to.

Oh, to wrap up the conversation with Max - we finished our chat on Jamie Lynn and Britney Spears. We are walking toward the door of the restaurant and Max says, "Mom, I guess Jamie Lynn might be ok, but what are they going to do about Lindsey Lohan? You know..the girl from Herbie??" I love being a mom!

Back from Birmingham Tres Dias #18! What a great weekend!!!

I am just back from a Tres Dias weekend. If you aren't familiar with Tres Dias, I URGE you to visit my local Tres Dias Group website. www.btresdias.org The website, is kind of dated - but the group is nothing short of authentic and totally amazing. So, just get past the cheesy clip art! Anyway, Tres Dias has truly been an anchor for me in my spiritual walk. It's not magical - Tres Dias itself does nothing...it merely a tool that Christ uses to make an impact in the lives of Christians. Like me! I love these weekends! We spend quiet time with God - We are silly - We are crazy - we dance....yes DANCE late at night and just have a ball! All while we learn to put into practice the many calls' on our lives when we become Christians. I think you get it....it's just 3 amazing days with God. Anyway, my 15 year old will be serving at his first Vida Nueva weekend this coming April. Vida Nueva is a Tres Dias weekend for teenagers. Nick made his walk back in the fall of 2007 at Birmingham VN #4. Our Tres Dias community started our VN community about 4 years ago with the help of an already established VN community in North Georgia. I can tell you that Nick is so excited to serve. He will start his team preparations meetings in one week.

I was thinking about how some of my closests friends have come from this community. Kevin and I made Birmingham Tres Dias Walk #2. I can honestly say Tres Dias has given me not only a closer walk with the Lord but friends, that are irreplaceable. Friends I know...I'll have for a lifetime. I am excited that my son will have this too through VN. I encourage you if you have teenagers to look into VN. In an age of playing church, our kids need to find other kids who practice authentic Christianity. I believe VN is one of those places.

If you want to find out more about Tres Dias or even Vida Nueva, please let me know!!! I would love to talk with you more.....

Alright....I've been out of town for a few days, there is much to do.....I better get going!

Psalm 138:1 Lord, I will thank you with all my heart; I will sing to you before everyone!

Lord, I do thank you for an awesome weekend. Thank yor for all that you have done!!

Two in one day....but good grief

Ok, this will be quick - but I am at home - getting ready to go on a church retreat and listening to a news show. The subject - the latest American Idol buzz about two promising YOUNG stars that have scandalous photos of them roaming around the internet.

Ya'll - we cannot tell our kids enough that what they put out on the internet is NEVER private. Pictures that seem fun at the moment and among 'friends' are NEVER a good idea. The book I talked about a few days ago, Logged in and Tuned Out talks about just this. The author, Vicki Courtney explores the idea of how kids posting things on Myspace and Facebook or where ever can come back to haunt them when they apply for jobs, (recruiters now search applicants on Google images and stuff like that to see what comes up) or even run for office or win beauty pageants. We've seen the controversy there too many times!!

Anyway....let's just keep checking their myspace and facebook pages and THANK YOU to all my friends who tell me from time to time what they find on my kids pages or about my kids on other pages!!! Let's keep each other informed!

That game is insane!!!

Before I start this blog....I have to say, I am laughing because I just looked through my photos to put with this blog. I had intended to put on of Max playing Guitar Hero that totally cracks me up....and then i found this one. Kelly is my sis-is-law and she is totally crazy! I love her....and this just made me smile. I think I am going to know if she reads this blog - because I'll hear from her I am sure. If my phone starts singing 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA - I'll know she read it! But in talking about video games...this is case in point that we all love them!! Right? Kelly, we won't even talk about the fact that your 9 year old nephew can beat the two of us with his eyes closed. What fun we had!!

Alright, on with the blog of the day! How do you feel about your kids video games...or do you totally trust what is out there?? I look at some of the games my kids play...and some they want to play....and there are times I just cringe. I wish I could ask the makers of Guitar Hero 3 why the girl guitarist can't seem to find jeans that fit her. I could help them her.....just get her some jeans that are long enough to cover her thong, or put her in a thong especially for low rise jeans...they make those. I am sure they are very comfy with the jeans that you really can't sit down in anyway. Total picture of comfort...but anyway, they are out there. There is never a need to show everyone what kind of underpants you are wearing....ON PURPOSE!! Anyway......that was my rant for the day.

Game of choice among Nick and his friends - Halo 3. They like to play online together. The XBOX live deal. It totally amazes me....seriously. The fact that you can be playing with your friends while you are in 4 separate houses.....that is so Jetson's. You know? Very cool. But there are other games, like this new Bioshock game. I'm not a fan. Very similar to the Halo game...but some creepy stuff as far as the characters, voices,graphics and story line. I wanted to find out more so I went to James Dobson's website www.family.org From there, you can look for links to movie/game reviews etc. I also encourage you to sign up for a free newsletter that is from Plugged In. You'll get some great free information on this site and within the newsletter. Sign up...it's free. Anyway, follow the links to game review and you'll see one for Bioshock. I'm not a fan. Here is a piece of the review;



Yes, in an era in which the majority of games are developed, marketed, sold, played and discarded with nary a deep thought of any kind entering anybody's head, BioShock is exceptionally stimulating. That doesn't make it exceptional, though. Far from it. To deserve such an accolade, a game must have more than artistic vision and engrossing gameplay. It even has to do more than merely make you think—or grapple with the differences between life and death.

Constant drug use, obscene language, high levels of violence and gore, warped spiritual worldviews ... and the perverse idea that one might be able to benefit from murdering children: these are the kinds of things that are often ignored when people—be they grizzled game reviewers in dim cubicles or fresh-faced teens hanging out after school—get to talking about video games. BioShock vividly reminds me that they shouldn't be.


I put the link within the blog....click on that to read more!

The game choices that are out there vary. Some are fun and our family really enjoys them. The Wii has great game choices and it seems to be more family oriented. For XBox - they always seem to be pushing the envelope. I feel we have to be on our toes and really look at what is coming into our house. This Bioshock game crosses many lines for me and I thought you might be experiencing the same thing. Especially if you have a teenage boy in your house! Unfortunately, this game has been in my house for a couple of weeks now. I was told... yeah.....by my son that it was really just like Halo. Not true. Needless to say...this game is leaving my house. The story within this game is dark and has some whacked out seeds that are being sown into the minds of way too many children. Read the review. Tell me what you think. I want to know!!

http://www.pluggedinonline.com/games/games/a0003855.cfm


You know, there is only one way to look at this and other things we are faced with daily. It's so hard...and I guess it really shouldn't be. But as parents, we want to give our kids the latest and greatest stuff, don't we? But...is it really great for their spirit man?

Phil 4:8
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.