Delayed Photos

These were photos I took of the Fourth Street Live just down from our hotel when I was in Kentucky.  Yeah… talk about delayed reaction… this trip was quite a while ago and yet I am just now getting around to sharing photos from that trip.  More photos from the recent trip to DC are coming soon.

Oh well, I told you it was a hectic week.  This is all I could get to you for now….

Find yourself… keeping it real.

A Long Weekend to Remember

This is crazy week in my world.   I have a longer to-do list than normal and not enough hours in the days.  Kass’ birthday party is Friday and I don’t even have her gift yet.  But that isn’t even the problem.  I have a meeting tonight with her troop and then a three hour training class tomorrow night – leaving me exactly 2 evenings to get all that’s on my list for the party finished…

BUT…

That’s not what I wanted this blog to be about… but in saying all that… you understand why this is only a glimmer of what I want to share later in more detail…. about my long weekend.

Thanksgiving Day was great with the kiddos.  We ended up at Mr. M’s house with his mom and stepdad for our special meal… and it was just that – special.  We did watch the parade together and after the meal the kiddos had to leave with their dad.

Following their departure, Mr. M and his boys and I headed up to DC where we spent the rest of our downtime.  WHAT A TREAT!  I want to share more with pictures and details of all we did while we were there and I have to tell you about meeting his dad!

But with my hectic week… that will have to come at a later time… but stay tuned.  More is coming soon.  I promise.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo credit:  http://plus.maths.org/latestnews/jan-apr08/sand/sand.jpg

Technorati Tags: holidays,travel,Washington DC,Thanksgiving,weekends,relationships

Happy Thanksgiving… What it’s all about….

THANKFUL

I am very thankful this season.  It’s more than just about the traditions of turkey and the parade.  I have so many things to be grateful for…. so very many.

What am I thankful for?

I am thankful for….

• health insurance 
• my kiddos are doing well in school and are healthy (no swine flu yet)
• a wonderful job (I’m not just saying that – I love my job)
• wonderful relationships with people in my life  - family, friends, girls in the troop, Mr. M… and my seamstress
• my vehicle – still running strong after 185,000 plus miles
• a warm bed at night
• a home with laughter, tears, good times, and comforting, encouraging words.

I am blessed… beyond measure.  So for this Thanksgiving blog post I wanted to share one of my gramma’s favorite scriptures.  Here it is in two versions, the Message and King James.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Take time out to show thanks to HIM for all you have to be grateful for.

What are you thankful for?

Psalm 100 (The Message)

Psalm 100

A Thanksgiving Psalm

^1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
      sing yourselves into his presence.
³ Know this: God is God, and God, God.
      He made us; we didn't make him.
      We're his people, his well-tended sheep.
⁴ Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
      Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
      Thank him. Worship him.
⁵ For God is sheer beauty,
      all-generous in love,
      loyal always and ever

Psalm 100 (King James Version)

Psalm 100

¹Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

²Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo credit: http://supplementalscience.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/thanksgiving-meal.jpg

Technorati Tags: thanksgiving,thankfulness,gratitude,thanks,singing,Lord,gladness,home,health,relationships,family,holidays

Teens and Drugs – Dare you ask?

Today over on www.TWITTERMOMS.com I participated with a posted discussion question:

Would you ask your teen whether he's using drugs?

My answer:

Definitely! You have to continually - on a daily basis - keep your teen engaged. Don't just ask the hard questions, keep communication open by asking and staying informed about their lives in general – E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y.  Yes, with hard questions, you might get the 'attitude'; but in the grand scheme of things - SO WHAT!

Keeping your teens away from drugs and smart about their choices – because they know they are accountable to you as a parent IS YOUR JOB.

Don't hesitate to talk to your teenager. I make it a point to let my son, Jas (14) know that he can tell me anything.... A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G. and that I will refrain from - reacting with shock or over-reacting in general. I want him to know he can talk to me - not only is it an option... I want him to feel inclined to talk to me.  I can’t stress this enough.

Find out what your teen is interested in... beside video games and iPods and talk to them about their interests... research and get brushed up on "did you know" kind of trivia about those topics that interest them.... try it!!!

Keep them engaged - no matter what it takes – then… the hard questions - won't be so.... hard to ask.

How do you feel about talking to your teens about drugs…. about anything for that matter?

Share your thoughts.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: http://www.softchalk.com/lessonchallenge/lesson/Pharmacology/prescription_drugs.jpg

Technorati Tags: teenage years,teenagers,teens,drugs,drug use,parenting teens,communication,interests,relationships