She did not!

Ok...update on Friday's Blog! Nick got a call on Saturday that simply said his girl is no longer interested. It seems as though she (or her best friend) feels my son is a bit immature for her. That totally kicked Nick in the stomach.

You see, as you might have picked up - Nick is a romantic and loves the idea of being in love. So much so, he has a tendency to rush into something more than what the situation actually is at times.

Thankfully, he sought us out after he got the call and just wanted to talk. Didn't necessarily want me to fix anything, just listen. After listening, I told him my thoughts of him wanting to be in love. Surprisingly, he agreed. Said it was really hard because it just seems so great sometimes and then all the sudden...BAM...you are just not mature enough. Which, btw - Nick totally disagrees with. He was quite offended at her take of who he is.

I reminded him of a verse in the Bible -

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

We talked about being so willing in giving his heart to 'just anyone'. That it is to be guarded and protected for the right time. His heart was made to love. To love God, family, others, and someday a beautiful bride who will return his love.

For now....the girl missed out on a great date! That's all I have to say about that.

Trying to figure it all out!

Last night, Nick had a friend date with a sweet girl also in the 10th grade at his school. The funny thing is that this girl would come over when they were in the first and second grade to play with the next door neighbor. Eventually, all the kids would end up in our backyard. I remember this girl being very much a tomboy. Very sweet, but always a tom boy. Today, that same girl is extremely active in sports at their highschool. She plays softball and volleyball. Always something!! And she loves it.

When Nick first told me they were talking and that he was surprised by his new interest in her, I agreed with yes...that is surprising. Hmmmm. Then, he shows me her picture. My....where is the tomboy I remember? This gal is gorgeous!!! And so sweet still. She seems to be very grounded in who she is and just enjoys having fun with her friends and sports. The way it should be.

Last week as Nick was talking about her, he shared how he will see her and want to talk with her in the halls at school. But then, the closer he gets to her, the more nervous he gets and he totally forgets what he wants to say. Ah....I so remember that feeling, don't you?? Well, I guess you get the point, he's smitten.

They went to a movie last night and he came back so perplexed. Trying to figure out, does she like me or not. He was very talkative, laughing, blushing and just silly to a degree. For us...it was the first 'after date' time when I thought....take hold of this moment. I was tired...but through his open conversation, I had received an invitation to sit in his room and talk about this girl that has stolen a piece of his heart and alot of his attention!!!!

If you are the parent of boys, don't assume that your son won't talk with you about his crushes and his after date experiences. They want to talk with us. It's not just a girl thing! Believe me. When I slow down enough to sit, look into their eyes and hear my boys....they can talk, and talk, and talk and talk.

I'll let you know what happens. His friends suggested that he give her a couple of days before calling again. I quickly told him that as a girl myself...I would want to hear from him, even briefly the day after a date just to know if my date had a good time. So, I shared the idea of texting her today to let her know he had a good time. What did he say back to me????? "Mom, you said you shouldn't text stuff like that to a girl. You say calling is more appropriate". Um, I did say that and I think I blogged about that a few weeks ago!!! I laughed, agreed and just told him I am glad that even when I am not sure.....he does hear me!!

There's no place like home....there's no place like home....

Wow!!! Sitting on my couch watching the Democratic Presidential debate while I wait for my family to get home from church. Hillary is discussing how she knows and is "convinced" that withdrawing troops from Iraq within 6 months is a good idea. Now, the Commanding General of our troops is telling us....almost pleading with the powerful ones....to NOT do this. But Hillary.....she thinks....Ehh, I'm good....I'll go with my first thought. Now tonight, she does look good. The bags under her eyes are almost gone. Her skin is clear and make up really does look fab. Kudos for that Hillary. But, as far as me seeing you as my President....I just can't see it.

I think that I am going to be very unpopular for saying this, but I am not certain I want a female President. We are wired different. God wired us that way. We are important...no doubt. We were created to be help mates. If you don't believe that, read the story of Adam and Eve. Look at the many examples within the Bible where women helped men in miraculous, amazing ways. Women carry the gift of discernment, empathy, love, kindness and hospitality. We are strong too. We can do anything - but why do some of us think we should do everything?

If other countries have issues with women in leadership or even respecting a woman's right to vote or enjoy life, or making her own decisions.....will another country really take us serious if we have a women in our most important position of power? I'm just asking.....

Comment please......tell me what you think? Even if you disagree....I want to know! Alright....Obama is talking now...let me go listen to him! Later...

Peer Pressure

Well, as I travel this week I find that at times, I find I am back in Jr. High. Seriously. I am attending a trade show of people just like me from hotels all over the Southeast. Ah....I sense similarity of sorts with what my kids must face each day at school. What can I learn from this? I've realized the past few days, there is much to be reminded of.

Already, I've found the groups. The cool kids, the geeks and definitely the party crowd. How old are they anyway??? Last night, I was so happy to get there exactly when it started so I could leave after an hour. I was not going to miss the Biggest Loser finale!!! (oh, so I guess I let it slip that I fell into the geek social crowd) Anyway, as I was leaving, I ran into one of my new friends I met at the trade show. As I was leaving, she grabbed my arm and asked why I was leaving so early. Actually, I think her exact words were, "Don't leave, it's a free open bar". Oh....well that changes everything!!! What was I thinking???? Good grief.

But seriously, as I move through the week I have moments where I am very confident in who I am, like last night. But then there are other times when I am in the educational sessions or work groups where I feel less than some of those around me. I feel intimidated at times to contribute to the conversation because, what if they don't like my ideas? What if they dismiss my thoughts? I begin allowing their approval of me to define who I am. Do you know what I mean? It's like 17 all over again.

Like I said, a reminder of what my kids face. And with that said, I am proud of who my kids are. And I will tell them that. Peer pressure never really goes away. How unreal of us to expect our kids to glide through that time just because we've taught them well. If your kids are holding up through the pressure and are known for making good decisions.....tell them just how proud you are of them! Tell them you know its hard, but worth it. Share with them some of the situations you go through during your day to day life.


Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2