Little Bear's Philosophy on Teenagers

Little Bear and the Pretty Little Princess both earned "Gold cards" today at school. To earn a "Gold card" you have to do something extraordinary like being extra helpful or being quiet without being told, etc. I don't ever recall our children earning a "Gold card" on the same day, so their daddy and I decided we needed to take our precious ones out on a date.

Daddy took his Pretty Little Princess to Isaac's for their dinner date.

I let Little Bear pick where we would eat. I suggested Panera Bread, he suggested McDonald's, so we compromised and went to the ever classy...

His daddy taught him well, because even before we left the house, Little Bear opened the car door for me, and when we got to Pizza Hut, he opened the door there, too! He was grinning ear to ear when the waiter seated us. The waiter even asked why the big smiles, so I explained that we were on a "date".

I love this alone time with the kiddos. Three weeks ago when I went on a "Mommy date" with the Pretty Little Princess, I asked her who she plays with at school. Her reply was so typical..."I only play with the boys. I don't know why, but I only play with the boys." She's my little tomboy and yet she can be quite the prissy little princess, too. A great combination!

I always treasure our talks on our dates. Tonight was no exception. Little Bear noticed some teenagers walking outside of Pizza Hut, and thus his little "Philosophy of Teenagers" began.

He proceeded to tell me that he believes when the "teenagers were younger they had a heart for God, but when girls and boys become teenagers they sort of 'go away'." I asked him why he thought that and he said,

"Well, Mom. I often see teenagers being inappropriate - wearing inappropriate things, doing inappropriate things..."

"So, Gabriel...do you think that when teenagers get older that they come back to what they learned as a child?"

"YES!"

It's always interesting to get an 8-year-old's take on the world around him.

His daddy says I need to remember this conversation in about 6 years!!!!

God is Good - all the time

"God is good all the time. All the time, God is good."

One of my church friends had that quote on her Facebook page. Isn't that SO true?!!? No matter what we face, God is good. He is there for us to walk us through the good times and the difficult times.

"For I am convinced that neither death no life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

These 2 verses are SO true! I have several friends who are going through such difficult times right now. It's not easy, as a bystander, to just "sit by" and not actually do something for my dear friends. But praying for them is actually DOING something effective. I'm reminding myself of this as I'm typing! Talking to our Lord - the King of the Universe - is HUGE!

Some More Spring Pics

Cute Cousins

One amazing creation - 2 amazing females

The Empty Tomb

Sweet Siblings!

Brother/Sister Love

Easter 2010

My parents' grandsons...

Their granddaughters...

My mom and my daughter

The "red - heads"

The cousins who can wear the same clothes even though one is 8 and one is 5!

All my parents' grandchildren!

The girls who dressed alike

The Glessners

The Sensenigs
The Mellettes

The Martin Girls

The Creators of this Fantastic Centerpiece

Pretty Little Princess and Little Bear

"We believe Jesus died and rose again..."

1 Thessalonians 4:14

No Freaking Out

My most quoted phrase in my classroom is "No Freaking Out!" It's just not something I want my students to do. Together, we can do "all things through Christ who gives us strength", I tell them. But, I broke my own rule.

On Monday, I developed some complications due to my recent surgery. The doctor sort of freaked me out when I saw him late Monday afternoon.

He was so sure that he'd have to put me "under" again and do more surgery that very night. He actually told me today that he WORRIED about me all Monday night thinking he'd have to come to the hospital to do surgery on me! That's not something you really want to hear your doctor say!

But, wonders never cease...yes, a stitch came undone, but God is healing me and after another doctor visit today, it looks like no additional surgery will be needed!!!!

Although I've developed a nasty cold, sore throat, nose bleeds, and a cough, I'm delighted that I won't need to go under the knife again! I can put up with a little aaaaachooo! If my one sister keeps me stocked with Honees cough drops....

...and if my other sister keeps me entertained....

...I should be okay!