Scout is 14 today!

I love celebrating my kids birthdays. For me, its always a journey back to the day they were born. I guess everyone does that whether they are a parent.....or they are someone elses child. The day you make your debut into this world is special! I remember when I found out I was pregnant with Scout. I didn't know what to really expect, even though I had already had one baby already. I remember talking to my mom and I think I might have been crying too...or at least starting too. But I told her, "I can't imagine loving anything as much as I already love Nick". I was so scared that I would not feel enough love for a second baby....because Nick just overwhelmed every ounce of my heart and then some. My mom reassured me, telling me that I would love my second baby, every bit as much as I do my first. She had experienced those feelings too, having two girls of her own.

Preparing to go to the hospital, I was so worried about Nick. I didn't want him to feel left out, jealous...all those things. We did the whole big brother thing and had tshirt for him, a birthday cake to celebrate Scout's arrival....you name it. Anyway, when Scout was born, he had some challenges with his breathing and ended up in ICU for a few days. We actually ended up being discharged without our baby. I was so sad. It was probably then that I knew....I could love two babies just the same and just as deep. The feelings that I thought were impossible to give to more than one child....were big enough to share...and would eventually be shared with another sweet boy 4 years after Scout was born!

Makes me kind of think about God's love. How he loves me as much as he loves you. The fact that he loves the man who is so lost and removed from him......just as much as he loves me. As a heavenly father, he loves no one greater or more than anyone else. Sometimes, when things don't go our way, we feel less loved and maybe less important. But God, always has us on his mind and ALWAYS loves us. Even when we walk through the valleys. Sometimes, we are in the valley because of choices we make. At other times - its part of a bigger plan we've yet to realize. Whatever the reason.... I'm just glad he loves me.

Scout had a good birthday morning - his favorite breakfast. Actually, I made 'Biscuits and Eggs' Irby Style just for him. The kids have been asking me to do that since vacation and I had yet to do it. So, Irby Family...if you read this, know that you were in our thoughts this morning! Your porch and some coffee....would have made those eggs even better! During breakfast we gave Scout a bag with 14 surprises inside....his favorite stuff....from man food, football cards to root beer. He was happy. This December - he'll receive his official birthday present. He'll be cheering on Brett Favre as he starts the Jets / Titan game in Nashville. He's excited. He's blessed and he is loved!!!!!

Pslam 139

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Worth = Who you are in Christ

Yesterday, I posted about Scout's day and his feeling of total inadequacy. You know, the conversation I had with him, stayed with me all day. Last night, when playing on Facebook...and reading other blogs (while Kev watched the football game) I visited Vicky Courtney's blog as I usually do. She is the author of the book Your Boy. I've recommended the book several times and a few years back, I led a mom's study on raising boys using that book. It's a great tool! Anyway, Vicky has a great blog from yesterday, Warrior or Wimp: How not to raise a mamas boy. I immediately thought about my friend Julie. We both live in boy world 24-7. The video on Vicky's blog could easily have been at my house or hers. Seriously. Our boys most recently got together and made a potato gun using household items, PVC, aerosol cans and lighters....and yes...we rated the velocity of the shots once it was finished. I guess you can say, we just go with it!

Back to my first thoughts - reading Vicky's blog, prompted me to get out my book, Your Boy. I randomly opened it, and started flipping through all my notes and found a chapter entitled, Searching for worth in all the wrong places. Inside that chapter she reminds us that our boys are just as susceptible to body image problems than girls. She also tells us that our boys (like us) can rely on the world's equations for defining self worth.

Worth = What you look like
Worth = What you do
Worth = What other people think

If you have boys, I encourage you to buy this book. Often, I hear moms say how girls are so fragile emotionally and how their son is so easy because he's just a happy kid, doesn't care about stuff their daughters care about like clothes, looks etc. And while that may be true for some, its still inside some of those boys somewhere....even if they are quiet. Don't think that your son doesn't wrestle with those thoughts just because he doesn't talk about it. Remember, boys definitely don't talk as much as girls do....but they can silently struggle within.

Vicky ends that chapter talking about visualizing yourself as anyone in the world. She talks of a time where she spoke to a crowd of women and held a frame in her hand as she asked a few women to come up on stage and view the frame in her hand to see who she would pick to be....if she could be anyone in the world. This means not only looks - but who that person is in life - and keeping the stuff that person has too. :) As the women came up on stage - Vicky would ask them if they too would choose to be this person if they could be anyone in the world. To their surprise, when they looked inside the frame, they saw a mirror,with their own reflection staring back at them. Then Vicky would ask them the question, would you actually choose to be yourself if you could choose to be anyone.

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know this full well

1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord said to Samuel; "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"

Lastly...I have not posted pictures in a while...so here are a few of our game last night. It was Scout's first game of the season..... not too much play time, but he got in there and seemed to cheer on his team even when standing on the sideline! That is a good thing too! Max...endured some funny stuff. There was a kid that felt the need to talk to Max and follow him everywhere.

This totally cracked me up. Max announced a few times he was just going to go for a jog...and when he would come back that kid would plop down right beside him again. I couldn't help but laugh. Nick was also there - kind of laughing at how funny it is that one person can have the ball and run it the length of the field for a touch down in one play. Oh...the days!

Even though he seemed to be annoyed, he was a great big brother after the game and took Scout seriously as he discussed his thoughts of the game and stuff like that. The van ride home was fun....and we were entertained by Nick's boy humor.....and I too...a very girly girl...found myself laughing and the laughter of my crazy boys! It was a good night and there were no tears. :) Life is good.


I love this one. It was cool to see both sides praying together after the game.

Money can't buy you love....or happiness...but it sure can make you feel good at times!

We know that's true. If you disagree....then you are not being honest. I didn't grow up with tons of money, but I always had everything I needed and more. But I do remember as a young teenager taking notice of those who had 'more' or 'better' things than I did. I guess that is just human nature. You know?

Yesterday morning started out like any other day - we enjoyed breakfast together...everything calm.....then we realized our chatting over breakfast lasted 10 minutes longer than usual and both kids missed their buses. This is just the beginning of chaos for my son Scout. First you need to know he gets hives even thinking of being late to school. Yesterday was worse because he is doing the weather this week on his morning TV broadcast and they want you to go early. Oh...if you know Scout you can only imagine how this was starting him off for the day. Kevin got him to school....and called me to let me know he thought the day was salvaged.

Scout usually wraps up football practice around 5:30pm on Wednesday. Kevin was a great husband and decided to pick Scout up for me. I was happy. One less trip for me! So Kevin, shows up to pick Scout up along with his buddy to take everyone home. To Kevin's detriment....Scout was still in a mood - only the mood had taken an even more downward turn. By the time they got home, Kevin came in alone....and Scout stayed in the truck for a bit.

OK...now I know you are thinking...I don't need the play by play...but remember...I am girl, and this is what we do. If I don't describe everything for you, you might miss the feeling of the story. :) You hear me? Back to the story...

After Scout came in we began to talk and he shared that he had just had a bad day. He was pretty emotional too. We got past the whole bus thing, and even the bad attitude and through alot of tears and frustration on his part it all came out. He's just not happy when he compares himself to the other kids at his school. He measures his self worth against the other kids and they seem to be worth far more to him. You see, Scout sees large homes, lots of stuff, and then the car pool line. He was picked up in our 16 year old's teal green 94 Ford Ranger - when his buddy was picked up in front of him in a Porsche'. He went on to tell me (like I hadn't noticed) that he attends a school where there are tons of rich kids and they have million dollar houses and lots of stuff. It just came to a head for Scout and because he's used others success and outward appearance as his definition of happiness, he falls short every day. And this is a kid who has to have things right. He has to be on time, has to do homework right, has to make As and Bs. And he needs to fit in.

With lots of hugs and reassurance, I shared with Scout that those feelings are normal and that sometimes we all still struggle with those feelings. But...only Jesus can fill that space inside that we try to stuff and fill with other things. Our soul longs for happiness and fulfillment and we surely find it temporarily in things of this world...but they quickly fade...and then we look for the next thing. But God....He is there...and never leaves. He fills again and again, every day we choose to walk with him. Although Scout smiled and gave me a hug, I know in his 13 year old mind, he still wishes for what some of his friends have. I am in my late 30's (that sounds really good) and I find that I am just now reaching that point in my life where I am good. I am content because I've tried to fill my life with things. Been there done that...and paid lots of credit card bills to prove it. And guess what....the happiness just didn't stick! Have you been there too? We may not have the biggest or best house, but we have a home that I would not trade for any amount of money. I am IN LOVE with my Sienna Mini Van....to me, its the top of the line luxury car right now! But...it is the season of life I'm in too. I'm not a crazy person. :) I think that as we change and grow, our wants do to. I am not saying stuff is bad - I like stuff. I enjoy my Dooney & Bourke every now and then. What I am saying is that kids today have so much...and our culture breeds more is better...you must have the best. And it hits our home today....because my 13 year old, who God made to be extraordinary feels less than ordinary because he doesn't see in our lives what the world says is good. I know that God is working in him, and that soon, he will see differently. This is just kind of new for us.This was not an issue with our oldest. He is pretty much content...doesn't care about stuff like that kind of kid. He in fact, can't wait to master the stick shift so he can drive that teal green 94 Ranger to school! And he'll proudly park in between the Hummers, Land Rovers and Mercedes that are filling his parking lot these days at the high school. But he's found a certainty in Christ...that Scout is still searching for. And I'm praying he finds that as well. I know it took me a while too when I was his age.

All of this, is just a reminder that I need to be sure I am talking to my kids...and I know their hurts and I pray for God's working in their life. Scout is loud...and can make you think that he is sooooo all that. But inside, like so many other young teens, he too just wants to know who he really is. I can tell you who he is. He is a child of the king...and that...beats anything you can buy!

Something just for fun

Ok...so my brother in law is a HUGE Beatles fan. I mean HUGE! If you know me, then you also know my husband loves Elvis.....that's the same kind of love that Ken has for the Beatles. Now you might get it. Anyway.... Ken saw this one picture of The Fab Four and thought...hey...we have 4 cool looking kids....let's see what we can do. One hour on a Sunday and BAM.....here is our tribute to The Beatles...Johnson Style. Enjoy!





Who are these great looking boys??? From left to right, there is Nick, Alec, Scout and Max Johnson. Now get the JohnSONS? Ha! We had fun....they, surprisingly had fun too!

Playing Games

Do your kids like to play games with you? We love games at our house. All kinds...cards, boardgames, DVD games, you name it...and we probably play it! Tonight Max and I took on Kevin and Scout. It was fun for all of us...until Max and I took the lead. When that happened, Scout started taking his little brother down. I mean letting him have it verbally....Poor Max! Of course we asked him to stop and we didn't allow him to make Max feel bad. It was just obvious that Scout was not going to be happy, or play nice unless he was winning.

Max was enjoying it and totally having a great time! Scout was sulking and getting a bit smarty. We've seen this behavior a bunch lately. Even in the car after football practice with his friends - there is so much smack talk! I mean, there is more cutting on each other than complimenting what they see each other do on the practice field. Why is that?

It seems to be a struggle for Scout to compliment his peers and brothers when they do something good. Have you found that to be the case in your children? Do you find that they only seem to enjoy games when they are the one winning? I know that is normal for some kids and its a learning process to become a gracious winner and a friend who can truly wish the best for his friends at all times!!! That takes maturity. I am praying that Scout soon grows into that kind of friend. I also know that right now, his negative comments come from a place that feels insecure about his reality. That is why he feels a bit intimidated by others who may be doing better at some things than he is. Hey...I still struggle with that some times and I'm about to hit 40!

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

That verse stands true in most EVERY circumstance we can walk into. Doesn't it? Does that mean that I can say something cutting when I feel bad about myself? No! It doesn't allow for us to ever say anything bad, mean spirited or hurtful to or about anyone else. It says to only say what is helpful...beneficial. Maybe if I keep that standard with my children, they will learn to be gracious losers as well as humble winners. They'll grow into people that are able to give compliments....even when they feel a bit jealous. They'll learn as we all need to learn that its just not about us....ever. You know? It's always about someone else and seeing something good.

If you know my kids...please feel free to pinch their little arms if they are ragging on each other. I need all the help I can get. I know I still have years of this ahead of me, but I do look forward to hearing more of those good comments, one brother to another. It happens....but its rare at times. Whew...I'll get psyched up for another game night soon! They are too much fun to stay away from.

The Last Day of School

Wow! I cannot believe that when my boys wake up tomorrow morning....they will be getting ready for their last day of school. Where in the world did this year go? Where have I been? I feel like I've lost some time somewhere. Really!!!

I remember some fun times from this school year. I need to journal them before I forget. Maybe I'll take my journals to the beach next weekend and jot some thoughts down. I have much to catch up on. I keep a journal for each of my boys. Funny things they've said, life lessons learned...that kind of thing. At first, I thought that I was starting them for their future wives. Seriously. I had planned on giving them as wedding gifts to my son's brides. My way of giving them a look into the life of the man they are marrying. Now...I can't imagine parting with them. I'll revisit my first thought in the years to come...you never know.

What stands out for me when I think about this past school year is Max's teacher. She is an amazing third grade teacher. She takes pictures of the kids during the day completing assignments or leading the class in some way and then she sends them via email to the parents. She allows us to peek into their days. I love that! Max loves her too. She is a Christian too. She prays for her students and truly loves them. We have been blessed.

One day, Max came home from school with a big announcement. He said that in school, they had taken a vote and he was elected the ambassador of the class. "Ambassador???" I asked. He then said, "No...no Ambassador. Um.... what do you call it when you go to other places and talk to people about stuff??" I was at a loss. He then exclaimed, "Missionary. That's it! I was voted the Missionary". For some reason (though a good idea) Kevin and I knew that couldn't be true. Even with our praying Christian teacher! The next day I emailed Ms. Thompson and got the straight story. Max had been elected to a position of service within his class. But, it was the Student Council Representative for Third Grade. Ha! Missionary. I love that story. There are more too, but that one is my favorite.


Scout had a great year too. 7th Grade was awesome for Football, friends and parties. If Kevin and I drove Scout and his friends to the Country Club once.....we drove him at least 10 times this year for various birthday parties. Kids party big these days. Full DJ set up too. He would come home so sweaty and talk about how much they danced. He lived it to the fullest. He also had a few girlfriends. But that is a blog for another day!! He made amazing grades this year. AB Honor Roll for both semesters. He tries very hard and it shows. Scout has had a big commitment with football this year and though he sometimes felt challenged for time and rest...he kept with it! I am so proud of him. He is gearing up for yet another summer of practice. He'll have a great 8Th grade year I am sure!!!

Nick had an awesome Sophomore year. We had some growing pains too. I definately spent some time in prayer. Cried some tears too. Nothing horrible....just the realization of a child that needs to walk his own journey. Walk his own spiritual walk. That...I learned, is hard, but doable with God! I remember praying to God one time and just praying Lord...what if he makes the wrong decision and then God reminded me, He would be there for him. Just like He was for me. I'll never forget that! Thank you Lord. You keep reminding me too. Going to State with the Football Team at Spain Park is something he'll never forget. I am so glad for him. He's made a million memories with that team. I can't wait to see what his junior year holds. We've already looked at class rings and in just one week, he'll turn 16. It seems like just last year Nick was leaving his 3rd grade teacher and I was thinking how blessed we were to have had Ms. Mannering. She really did bless us and our son. Where did the time go?

I can't wait to spend some time with my boys this next week! I love summer time and free schedules...though they don't stay free for long. There is always football, youth camps, mission trips, kids camp, sports camps, friends and parties. But...this too is but a season and it will pass. To think I may only have 2 more summers with Nick, 5 more with Scout and 9 more with Max....whew...In 10 years, I won't be wondering where I'll find the time to run those summer schedules everywhere.

Wow! So how has your school year been? I pray it was a good one for you and that we all have a blessed summer with lots of time for friends and family and the making of memories that keep us laughing for years to come!

Oh, Tonight was Night of Power for Nick at school. My almost 16 year old benched 195 for his max tonight. He now sports a beard most days..... Yeah....3rd grade was a while ago wasn't it?????

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!

Well, this week was the Regions Tour of Champions at the resort. It was to be a week of fun and excitement. Well, that is if you don't work at the resort. Don't get me wrong, it can be fun and exciting too at times. But when you have rain during a well attended golf tournament....no longer fun!

Thursday was the Celebrity Golf Tournament and is typically one of the highlights. We had all the Golf Pros and their Celebrity Partners ready to go....and then came the rain. At first, we thought it would pass and all would go on as planned. As the morning went on, and we talked to the tournament directors....the day was called a 'no go'. The celebrities were almost held hostage by the media. Tommy Tubberville, Nick Saban, Bobby Bowden,Joe Namath, Charles Barkley, Steve Spurrier...and I could go on were all in our Clubhouse laughing and making their exit plans. I will add that they were MOST gracious to their fans. They signed more autographs than they usually do I am sure. Though this is fun for guests of the tournament, as hotel managers, we are not allowed to approach anyone for an autograph. Ever. We tell our hotel associates that they cannot do this so we are held to a strict rule as well. Sad...because if I had been able to do that, I might have been able to get Scout his much desired Joe Namath autograph!

Kevin had the plan of checking Scout out of school that day. By the time the called the tournament, the logistics of getting Scout to the resort in time to see Joe before he left was a bit unrealistic. He and my dad had planned to attend the tournament with Scout and get another...yes another...Joe Namath autograph. Scout has been a collector for years now. It all started in the third grade when he did his 'living book report' on Joe. He had to dress up like his character and talk about his life. #12 for The JETS. He was hooked. My mom works closely with one of Joe's college roomates that still keeps close ties to him. She has surprised Scout with signed cards and for his 13th birthday...a Signed New York Jets Jersey. That now hangs on his bedroom wall! Well, needless to say, I knew Scout would be disappointed. Truly I worried that it would cause such a disruption that we would be the recipients of a less than wonderful attitude when he came home from school that day.

When Scout came home, he was a bit sad. He rather calmly asked if they cancelled the whole thing and would Joe Namath be there over the weekend. When I told him that Joe left for good - but would most likely be back next year, I held my breath. To my surprise, he said, "Man. Well I guess there is always next year right? I guess I'm lucky to have the things signed that I already have. Right mom?" I agreed and thought...wow...I guess I should have given him more credit than I did. He is growing up. And understands that the rain was not just a sabbotage on his plans for the day.

He chose Joy. Maybe not conciously, but he chose to look on the bright side. I find at times that is one of the hardest things to teach my kids. Do you agree? I find at times I too struggle with my attitude when it comes to disappointment....or struggle. Finding contentment is going to be a lifelong journey. We'll always be faced with being let down and having our plans changed. But in all things....if we find joy and keep pressing on, we'll learn contentment and to be happy with the things that we already have!

Let's just keep putting those positive thoughts in our children.

James 1:2-4 tells us
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


Though this may have been a small test for Scout, it was still a test for him. A trial of how he was going to manage his situation. His attitude. He's not there yet, but he is maturingand I am very proud of him. Seriously....I've been on the other side...and that...is something I look forward to him growing out of. I guess my heavenly father is looking forward to me growing out of that stage too. Hmmmmm

#49 Wants to get off the sideline please!

Yesterday was the first day of spring training for my middle son, Scout. He was totally exhausted when he came home. Kind of quiet.....got right to his home work. While making dinner, I asked how it went and he very quietly, with no eye contact told me that it just did not go that well. I tried to ask a few more questions and he seemed to be annoyed. So...taking the hint, I let it go.

About 10 minutes later, I heard him faintly say..."I don't think I can do this". He was very teary. Seeing that he was fighting back the tears, I asked him if he was ok...when he said no - I asked if he wanted to talk now or did he need a minute. Shaking his head yes, I said, "why don't you go get a shower, take a moment and then we'll talk. Let's put the homework aside for a bit ok?" He agreed.

After his shower, I went to talk with him and he showed me his new bruises. One place on his arm literally had the imprints of the football seam as clear as ever. He told me he 'got trucked' and just had a really crappy day. I could go on and tell you the entire conversation, but it's really summed up with his statement of "it's hard to be small" when you play football. He sees a spring training camp and another summer of practices ahead of him...with no guarantee of first string status or tons of playing time ahead. A little disheartening to a 13 year old boy who is sometimes a legend in his own mind.

Scout has been the same height and weight for a while now. Most of his friends have at least 15 to 20 pounds of muscle on him. No kidding. He loves the game so much and wants to play first string receiver so bad it's all he thinks about. But, maybe (as we are finding) that is not what he is going to be used for. After letting him talk and just get some tears out, I knew his heart was pretty defeated. The scenario playing out in real life just didn't quite match what he sees daily in his head, and that is a hard pill to swallow. I know what that is like myself. You know, when our real life is varied from what our ideal has always been.

School is hard and our kids are under tremendous pressure to perform and live up to what they think the goal is or what they have always thought 'winning' really is. I want Scout to learn that yeah....this kind of stinks - but let's learn the importance of teamwork and the important parts that are always at work behind the scenes. Attitude and Character count too!!! I didn't give him a whole speech about that, I knew that was not what his heart needed from me. He needed me to hear his frustration and I did. He wanted me to pray with him too, that God would move him from Corner Back to Wide Receiver. :) Ah...name it and claim it. That is when I did share my thoughts with him. That what if...God's plan is for him to be Corner - not receiver. What if?? I told him that if he is in that position and the coach is set on that, then he has to work as hard as he can to be the best Corner he can be. (am I supposed to call that a cornerback or corner back??) Anyway, the point is that sometimes we may not like the current assignment we have. But, if we have been placed there, we must find JOY in the circumstance. That part..the finding joy part, is all up to us! God hasn't moved....he's there and he says, "Count it all joy...".

I'm nervous for him today. I just want it to go well...with no 'trucking' or as I see it...hard hittin' on my boy. :) I know, it comes with the territory. And as he grows up, he'll have many life lessons on getting hit, being the smallest,whatever. It's part of growing up. Look at David from the Bible. A Shepperd boy that became King. He was the smallest boy in his family - and he became not only the boy who killed the giant, but also the man that God called 'a man after his own heart'. Size doesn't matter...but heart does! And Scout has a whole lot of heart.

As Scout went to school this morning, the verse that came to mind was Philippians 4:13. I told him if he gets hit at practice, and feels like giving up, just get up and say "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength...I can do all things through Christ....I can do all things through Christ".

He can and he will succeed with Christ leading him. This week - I am somewhere I just don't want to be. So, I will take that advice myself....and say to myself, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! What can HE give you strength to do today? Remember...HE can do ALL things, not a few things, ALL things! Just ask Him.

Yo - Scout Dog

Ok...this blog - a bit different. I guess its really more for Scout! I love all three of my boys. I am always amazed at how different they are. Scout - sometimes seems that he is years beyond what he really is. He is a self motivator - grades are very important. Loves girls....but has never had a serious girlfriend. Loves being treated as if he is grown...but is always in need of a hug and one on one time with his mom. That...is priceless. We have great conversations and I love who he is. He is so helpful and I could not be more proud of him. He is always asking what I am doing on my computer - work stuff or church stuff...whatever. Before every sales trip I make to Atlanta - he wants to be the one to drive with me to the hotel and pick up my rental car. He helps me pack up my stuff.....and loves the ride alone with me. Like I said....this is for Scout so when he asks me today...what I did I can show him this...and let him know that I was just telling everyone how awesome it is to be Scout Johnson's mom. :)