Embarking on a New Decade

This month I hit a new decade.  The month is almost over and even though it was “me-month” I didn’t actually blog about my birthday yet.  I won’t tell you which decade I have embarked on… but it’s one of them.

Getting older makes you think, makes you evaluate your life… blah blah blah.  But I did appreciate this quote about aging:

"We did not change as we grew older; we just became more
clearly ourselves."-- Lynn Hall

So while I am working on becoming more clearly myself with this “decade”…  here are a few things that were touching and memorable about my b-day this year:

• My aunt who always highlights the “big” birthdays shared these thoughts with me:

I can only say that *##'s were some of the best years of my life.   Imagine, while you are in your(insert decade here)s your children will graduate school, go to college.  What a life change that will be.  Who knows what the next decade holds for you.   Enjoy!  Life moves quickly and so will you, so much will change and the chapters of your life will fly by and at some point you will start a new book.   So hold on to your hat and enjoy everything as much as you can.     Enjoy your life and what you have learned in these (##) years to make you a much stronger woman.

Needless to say, she made me cry.  (Her reference to my age is replaced in the quote above.  You didn’t think I was going to tell you did you? Yeah right; and if you are on my facebook- you already know anyway!)

• And then there was my fave birthday card from a great friend:

• I also want to thank my best friend, TB, for taking me on a fun night out – for my birthday.
• And last but definitely not least I want to thank Mr. M. for the beautiful set of earrings, necklace and matching bracelet he made especially for my birthday.  They are gorgeous. 

What do you think about birthdays?  Do you embrace getting older and becoming more clearly yourself?

I am learning to embrace a new decade, but still fighting the idea of ever “looking” my age.  Nah – go ahead and card me at a Rated R movie, I don’t mind. (During my previous decade that actually happened!)

Find yourself… keeping it real… in a new decade.

Technorati Tags: birthdays,aging,decades,celebrating,night,personal development

Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy: Review

I received this book, titled BURN by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy to read for a review from the publicist, Amy Currie.  The cover was so enticing, if I had seen it on the shelf knowing other works by New York Times Best-Selling Author, Ted Dekker, I would have picked it up anyway.

I started reading and even though it took me awhile to warm up to the characters and to get settled in on what was happening; once I was into just a couple chapters, I was hooked.  As with other books I have read by Dekker, he keeps you going back and forth between different characters and their sagas… and you find yourself wanting to jump ahead to see what was going to happen next to the one you were just reading about.  But I didn’t.  I followed the path he and Healy wanted to take us down to let this story unfold. 

The story is intriguing and does make you think.  The main character has to make some choices early on in the story – which dictates the way her world turns following those decisions.  However, unlike us (in the real world) this character gets to also see how her world woulda coulda been different had she reacted differently.  This is only one piece of the story that is gripping as you get enthralled and want to see how it all will end up and which story will become “her own". 

Don’t think it’s one of those where you get to choose an alternate ending; that’s not how the authors portray this.  But instead you will just have to read it to know how you get to see the altering egos at play.

It’s a good book.  Engrossing and hard to put down is how I would describe it as I got swept into their world and the mysterious scenarios that began to be revealed.   So if you want a thought-provoking, mysterious thriller with anticipation at every turned page, you don’t have to go looking any farther.  Burn by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy – check it out.

Here is a portion of a recent press release on the book:

Burn uniquely combines the heart-pounding suspense, supernatural elements and the trademark plot twists Dekker fans have come to know and love with Healy’s strong feminine voice and affinity for nuanced emotional connections.

“This genre of fiction is often dominated by male authors and male protagonists,” says Healy, award-winning editor and owner of WordWright Editorial Services. “I think women who like supernatural thrillers but are looking for a more feminine narrative voice, and strong female characters will connect with Burn.”

In Burn, Janeal Mikkado’s world is turned upside down when powerful criminal Salazar Sanso promises her a new life if she helps him recover a vast sum of money from her father, a leader in their gypsy kumpania. When the plan goes awry and the camp is attacked and burned by Sanso’s men, Janeal finds herself faced with two choices: save her best friend who is about to be consumed by a fire or disappear with the million dollars stolen from her father. Her decision will alter the course of her life forever.

The past Janeal thought had burned away eventually rises from the ashes. The sudden reappearance of the best friend and boyfriend she left for dead, along with the malevolent Sanzo, threatens the high-powered life she has made for herself away from the gypsy camp. There’s a debt to be paid for the money she found: she must make a new life-or-death choice—but this time, escape is not an option.

Dekker is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books, which have sold a combined 3.6 million copies worldwide. He began his career writing spiritual thrillers, and has since crossed over into mainstream fiction with recent titles such as Adam, Thr3e, Skin, Obsessed and BoneMan's Daughters. His novels Thr3e and House became feature films, and more of his books are in development with Lionsgate Entertainment. Visit www.teddekker.com for more information.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: Ted Dekker,Erin Healy,Burn,mystery,thriller,supernatural,suspense,reading,review,book review,choices

A Life Lesson from LOST

Another Mom and Son Moment

“But what if the man in black is NOT the devil?”

My son asked this question as he went on to discuss Tuesday night’s episode of Lost.  He thinks it’s all going to be revealed as the reverse of what we have been led to believe at the end of the series.  He thinks the man in black is really the good guy and that Jacob represented the devil and so on… and that getting off the island for non-Locke(man in black) is a GOOD thing.

I don’t agree.  I think it is still Jacob (good) vs. man in black (smoke) non-Locke and I told Jas I choose to believe that if they allow Locke to get off the island, that Hell will be released as indicated by the bottle of wine comparison in Tuesday’s episode. 

Like I told him, it’s all about choices.  The whole show.  (Well that and redemption.) My choice is to believe in Jacob.  Jas just thinks Jacob is deceiving us all.

The Life Lesson

But this brought me to a great Life Lesson for Jas.  In talking about the possibility of the deceit between these characters in the show, Lost, I asked Jas.  “Do you know how people – the ones trained – know how to detect counterfeit money?”

Jas said, “They study the different kinds.”

“Nope,” I said. “They study the real thing and know it so well, backwards and forwards and every detail about it; so that when someone tries to slip in a counterfeit that is really close to the real thing- but isn’t, they know it.”

Then I said, “You already know…Jesus is the real deal.”

“This show is a reminder that it’s important to know the real deal (Him)– and know what He stood for, know it so well, that when someone tries to tell you something about Him (or about going to heaven) that is ‘close’ but not the real deal, you’ll know it.”

Ok, was that a good ‘mom and son’ life lesson sharing together inspiring moment, or what?

He started talking about Lost again, but I think he got the point.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Technorati Tags: Lost series,ABC,LOST,Jesus,life lessons,personal development,parenting,deceit,counterfeit

Projected Forecast: Shiny and Clear

If I feel up to it energy wise and if I can get a few extra hands volunteered to assist this weekend, my plans are to take up and remove the carpet in my living area and hallway at my house.  I have wanted to do this for years, and now I am ready to take the plunge.

There are hard wood floors underneath, but I have never seen them.  So I am preparing for the possibility of other work related treatments. 

I am hoping they look like this:

but they may look more like this:

So… time will tell… and I will keep you posted (maybe even with pics of the process).

Oh well, so much for having a little me-time this weekend.  No manicures, or massages will be scheduled if I have this project in front of me.  Maybe in April, eh?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: hardwood floors,hardwood,house projects,weekend projects,home improvement,single moms

Photo Credit:  www.sxc.hu/kovik and www.photoxpress.com/4706490

Back to the Land of the Living

And I thought snow was required to slow me down.

I’m sick.  Have been for a week now and finally getting over it.  I thought it was just a head cold when it started.  But by the fourth or fifth day I started running a fever and was achy all over.  Then I knew this was more.

My diagnosis at the urgent care that night was URI… but now with three+ straight days running a fever around 102… it makes me wonder if it wasn’t the flu. (Don’t get up in arms – I don’t think it was the infamous swine flu.) Just the flu.

But it caused me to slow down, TO. A. HALT.

I didn’t work Friday and had to cancel ALL my weekend plans helping Kass’ troop and teaching a class at church.  With the meds I was taking, and my achy energy lacking body, I didn’t feel like driving.  So Friday morning, Mr. M came to take Kass to school.  I was so grateful.

I slept a lot.  Didn’t eat much and then slept some more.

I didn’t even feel like blogging… (I know, right!?)

So my me-month ended up including more of a me-getting-sick-month than I was hoping for, but it slowed me down.  Sometimes we need to slow down.  Just hope I have that over for a while…. the slowing down due to sickness part.  I slowed. I halted. I even stopped.

Now I just need to get back to the land of the living.

Not much energy yet. 

But today’s goal (written Sunday) is to stay up for more than four hours at a time and to eat more than I have the last three days (which wouldn’t take much to outdo).

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: sxc.hu/photo/d-s-n

Technorati Tags: sickness,health,flu,symptoms,slow,sleeping,fever,URI

Enjoying Paris over Lunch

Someday I am going to Italy.  I have said this more than once. 

Mr. M. is Italian. He was born there and lived there as a child. But that’s not the only reason I would like to go – I just want to travel to Europe, and I thought that would be a lovely place to start.

I plan to learn some Italian (Mr. M. and I have already bought the book to get us started).  But I took French in college, so Paris would also be an awesome place to visit if I end up in Europe in my future travels.

Now what got me thinking about all this traveling?

Was it my spring break vacation coming up in a couple weeks when the kiddos are out of school?

Nope.

Was it trying to plan what I am going to do with my kiddos when we take a week off in the summer?

Nope.

I was just enjoying “Stumble it” over my lunch break and found this awesome panorama view of Paris… via webcam:  http://www.gillesvidal.com/blogpano/paris.htm!

Take 2 minutes and check it out.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

 

Technorati Tags: travel,vacation,panorama,Italy,Paris,French,Italian

Creating Bridges Over the Dinner Table +CONTEST

Some of my favorite “family times” with the kiddos are over the dinner table.  I don’t know if you still hold to this tradition of getting everybody together for the evening meal, but I am a strong advocate for the family dinner table.  It is during this time that we have sibling rivalry in full force – that is true; but it is also the time we get to share with each other about our day, our exciting news, our newest or latest and greatest whatever it might be.  We love to tell each other what new information we have learned or new gimmick we came across during our day… and this keeps us communicating. (So important!)

And yes I know what you are saying, “but my day is too busy to plan a meal,” or “we are all going in different directions with this game and this meeting to be together to eat dinner.”  (I do understand) But you can find a way to do what is important to you. My advice – is simply start making it important.  You won’t be sorry if you do.

If you have trouble finding the time to make an excessive meal AND sit down together to enjoy it – shorten the workload and occasionally pickup food on your way home.  Obviously, you nor I can do this everyday, but sometimes I will pick up Chinese food or pizza on the way home from work to help with this task.  They do the work and I take it home for us to find the time to sit down together to eat it.

With pizza on the brain, I wanted to also share a current sweepstakes in my local area:

Here are some details about Pass the Pie Roanoke Area:

• This sweepstakes is open exclusively to residents of Roanoke City, Lynchburg City, as well as residents of the following Virginia counties: Roanoke, Montgomery, Henry, Pittsylvania, Franklin, Boutetourt, Bedford, Wythe and Rockbridge.
• The winner will receive a year’s worth of free pizza from Papa John’s.
• To enter: Fill out the form at http://PassthePieRoanokeArea.com. After you enter, you will be asked to share contest details with your friends on Twitter or Facebook.
• Everyone who enters will receive a special discount to Roanoke-area Papa John’s locations for his/her time.

It’s that simple.  So take a moment, fill out the form, tweet about it, and then take a night to use that discount and get pizza… and get those kiddos talking around the dinner table.

Remember even when you want to say… “could you please shut up be quiet so I can hear myself think while we eat,” keep them chatting anyway… because when they are teens and you want them to open up, your bridge you have created in communication now – will be so helpful.  Trust me on that one.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Full Disclosure:  Papa Johns contacted me requesting I share this sweepstakes with you and have offered me a free pizza for sharing it with you my blog readers.

Technorati Tags: papa john pizza,Pass the Pie Roanoke Area,dinner table,communication,teenagers,pizza,family time

Yearning for Spring – Photo Journal

Monday last week I decided with the air so warm (in the high sixties) and me so antsy for spring, I would take the afternoon off.  Kass and I took Happy and Jovi to a neighborhood park and spent a few hours enjoying the spring-like day.

(The following I wrote in my journal while at the park.)

It feels so good to have the sun on my back sitting at a picnic table (scratch that) on a bench (since I had to move to another spot as Kass moved to another area of the park). 

 

Kass is playing with Happy and Jovi while I enjoy the afternoon - enjoy 60+ temps and sunshine.  I needed some outdoor relaxation.  And they need some exercise and change of scenery.

 

A change of scenery is good for all of us.  Even if Jovi did get off her leash and collar when we first arrived.  It was too loose.  Chasing her around like a mad woman – that was me.

The trees stand bare of leaves, naked before the sun yearning for the buds that will bring leaves – the same way we yearn for spring to bring relief from a long winter.

The breeze reminds me it’s not summer yet as I appreciate the sleeves of my sweater.  But the sun feels so wonderful – even the cool breeze can’t make me want to leave.  Not this time.

The blue sky – so clear, so vibrant.  How long has it been since I have sat below such a sky with no agenda, no place to rush to?  Too long.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: outdoors,photography,pets,parks,spring-like,blue skies

Me-Month

March is the month I put on my list of to-do’s for the year that is supposed to focus on me.

But I am tired.

Now when I suggest I even want to take a month and focus on myself – I hope you don’t get the idea I am narcissistic even though I do tend to engage in self-reflection.  I realize I run the risk of appearing that way to some by posting this… but oh well… this is my blog.  And my mom used to tell me as a little girl instead of talking about what everyone else is doing talk about and focus on what you are doing (but again I digress).

Either way,  I put me on my list as a focus for the month of March.  Read some more of my blog if you are new here – and I hope you understand what I mean.

As a single mom, I don’t have much time, energy, or the finances to go overboard in pampering myself… so don’t think I am high maintenance nor am I suggesting I want anything of the sort.  I just needed some focus on me or “fixing me up” kind of me-time.

But I am tired.

Already.

And it’s just March.

Does this mean I am getting old?

Don’t answer that.

Nope, not old, just tired.

Tired of the nonsense we have to deal with in life.

What nonsense you say?

The nonsense of who’s going to do what and how I am going to say this and how we are going to look when we say and do that.  And again, I digress…

But I do have a list of what I plan to do at some point during the month of March

1. Get a haircut. (I haven’t had one in over a year – unless you count the many times I have grabbed a pair of scissors and started snipping away at some layers through the top or wisps in the front to frame my face.  Yes I know, brave to try to do this myself.) But I plan to get a professional to do it this time.
2. And get the color professionally done. (Again it’s been a year since I had that done too unless you count the boxes of root touchups I use once a month.)
3. A manicure and a massage are on the list:  the massage was a Christmas present from my best friend, TB – I have yet to find time for myself to even get to use it.
4. And do I dare – go buy a new outfit? Or how about just socks – I seriously need some new trouser socks and knee highs.  I think they have gotten disappointed at work with my constant appearance in my comfy shoes – with no socks.

Oh well.

Since I am tired – I have an excuse, right?

Hello, is this thing on?

Please leave a comment or two… I love to hear from my readers…

What do you think about this special me-time for March?

Don’t we need to take some time out to pamper ourselves as moms (especially single moms) once in a while?

When was the last time you did something special for yourself?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: me-time,narcissistic,haircuts,pampering,single moms,lists,hair color,massage

A Little Nostalgia

This was probably taken in the spring or summer of 1971, about a year before my mom became a single mom.  She was pregnant with my sister at the time and I had to be over a year old.  When my dad passed she had three children to care for as a single mom – 7 year old, 2 year old and an infant.  Brave woman in my book.  And wasn’t my dad handsome?

Question:  What is that in my brother’s hand?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Warmth Ranks Higher Than Pride

Chilled

My hands were so cold they were turning red and I could barely bend my fingers to count the money.  The wind was blowing at a moderate rate and we were standing in the shade.  I was having a hard time focusing on the purpose for being here on a Saturday morning, I could only think about how many hours we had left.  I hate to whine and here I am doing it anyway.

No I wasn’t hiking up a mountain, skiing, or any of those fun things that might come to mind.  Kass and I were hosting a girl scout cookie booth at 10:00 am at Kroger.  The sun was shining bright deceiving me into only a light jean jacket, no gloves, and only one pair of socks.  It was 42 degrees according to my vehicle, but with the sun shining I thought we wouldn’t feel so chilled at the booth.  Then when we arrived I realized we were in the shade.  My body began to chill down to the bone.

I don’t like cold – can you tell?  I normally prepare for these outside events with many layers and a heavier coat.  But this time I was becoming miserable and I had only been out there about 10 minutes.  Kass and I would intermittently go and stand in the parking lot to feel the sunlight to get some warmth.  But out there the wind was worse and it wasn’t helping.  My face was getting numb and I had a hard time moving my lips to talk the few customers.  I know you think I am making that up – but it’s true.  My toes were getting numb and felt like stiff extensions that would break if I bent them in one direction too far.  At this point we had been here an hour.

Warmth Ranks Higher Than Pride

Then help arrived.  Two other girls from the troop along with one’s mother and the other’s father showed up to join forces.  I was grateful for some relief just so I could find a spot to get warm.  But I stayed at the booth.  Their chatter and warm personalities were just what Kass and I needed to get our minds off being chilled.  As we shared our complaint about the temps – the mom that had arrived (R) went to her car where she found coats!  Enough coats for all the girls (and me) to add an extra layer – even though we looked like we were playing dress up – no one cared.  The additional warmth was enough to erase any embarrassment that we may have otherwise felt.  Warmth ranks higher than pride.  That should be in a book somewhere. 

I do not know what warmed us more, the camaraderie of friends, laughter, and conversation or the added layers (perhaps it was the combination) but friends made the difference either way.  Coming to our aid we were elated.  After their arrival the time seemed to fly by.  The next time I looked at my watch it was almost 1:00 pm.

What a difference friends make.

Thanks R, Q, J, and A for helping out Saturday.  You will never know how much your arrival meant to Kass and me.  Even in this post… I cannot fully express the bond that was made.  

Is this getting too sappy?  Don’t worry – we are not planning to stalk you.  You just became a part of a vivid memory we made on Saturday.  You each had parts in our story of life and we will forever remember the warmth of friends that day.

Oh and does this count for my social spoke on the wheel of life?

Have you made a vivid memory in life’s story lately?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: friendships,relationships,camaraderie,gratitude,girl scout cookies,warmth,friends

Photo Credit: babble.com

Gospel According to Lost – The Review

The other night I turned over to ABC on the television and realized Lost was coming on.  I squealed like a little girl.  I love the show.  I was an avid fan from scene 1, season 1.  The writers are talented to say the least and even way back then I compared the show to box-office-hit movies.  With the suspense and intrigue, they had me at hello.

I watched the first two seasons and then they changed their night, changed the time, and I fell off the  bandwagon.  I’m a single mom – I only have so much time and can only adjust so much of my schedule around television and no, I don’t own TiVo.  So two more seasons went by, then three, and I became “lost” to what was going on; but still fondly referred to them as a fav TV show.  And this year (their final season forever) I have started watching again.

A few months back I was able to pick a book to review from some recent releases from Thomas Nelson.  And there it was.  My book.  The book that was written just for me.  The Gospel According to Lost by Chris Seay. 

So of course it was my choice for the review and they shipped it to me.  I just finished it and if you love the show or even if you just “put up with” the show, this is a great book.  It helps you put together the pieces of the story and the characters better because this outlines each of them and helps you to understand their underlying motives, backgrounds and personalities.

But the book does more than just outline the characters, it helps put their role and the role of the island in a perspective parallel with salvation, God’s love, and how we make choices in this journey.  I enjoyed the parallels and how the writer elaborates on grace and it’s manifestation in “Jacob’s” acceptance and encouragement of our beloved “Lost” characters regardless of their spicy backgrounds.  And I won’t even tell you the “couple” he chooses from the story as the true example of “love”. 

Chris Seay’s writing is well done as he portrays each character and points out their purpose or his observed purpose for them in the show.  So be sure and check out the book and see if you agree, as we all wait to see just how our questions will be answered and exactly how this is all going to turn out for Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sayid, Hurley, and all the others in the series finale. 

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: amazon.com and wikipedia

Technorati Tags: Lost,ABC,The Gospel According to Lost,Chris Seay,salvation,love,review

Conversations of Conspiracy

Jas: Did you have your milk?

me: yes

Jas: Oh (as he is making his cereal)

me: You can use up the rest of the milk if you need to.

Jas: No, I don’t like the last part of the milk.

me: What?

Jas: It gets nasty at the bottom of the jug.

me: Why would you say that?  Nobody puts their mouth on the bottle.

Jas: The bottom.  It just does – and I always end up with the last part of the milk.  How is that?

me: We save it for you, Jas.  We see that it’s getting almost empty and say – I am going to save this for Jas.  Yep. That’s what we do.  (He found us out. It’s a conspiracy against him and the milk.)

***

And you know that is truth, because I have nothing more important or captivating going on in my world so I definitely have time to calculate when the milk is about to run out – and strategically save that last 8-10 ounces for him every time we go through a gallon.  Which is about twice a week. Yep.  And I was wondering why I haven’t had time for other things like:  counting the seeds in the jar of pickles or how many layers remain on the onions in the pantry.  Where are my priorities?  Now I know. 

The world can be a better place… the mystery has been solved for Jas and his milk debacle.

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: milk,conversations,communication,conspiracy,sarcasm

Photo Credit: stockvault.net/freeimageslive

Single Mom Dating Goes Too Far With Billboard

Thanks to one of the free apps my daughter has on her iPod Touch – she was able to lovingly make this rendition of a billboard with my photo for me.

Nice.

What’s my daughter trying to tell me?

If people had any doubts about me… it’s all cleared up now!

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Just Some Left Over Snow

Here is a snapshot I took a couple weeks back while I was driving around town.  I loved the ‘left over’ snow lingering in the mountains in the distance.  If only those crazy power lines weren’t invading that view, hrmmm?  But even still – you have to admit - it is pretty here.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: snow photos,photography,snow,landscapes,mountains

Disciplining Teens Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

Warning – Disciplining teenagers can be hazardous to your health.

“Some people think discipline is making your children do what you want.  Actually discipline is how you react to your children when they don’t do what you want.” 

–K. McCurdy (my counselor)

I thought this was a profound idea and it put this whole disciplining teenagers thing into perspective, a  better perspective for me to deal with at least.  It removed the pressure of feeling like a failure if my kiddos didn’t do exactly what I wanted them to do. (As if any of them always behave, right?) This quote above was in essence what my therapist/counselor told me in a session this week when I shared a little about a recent battle with my teenage son.

Control Freak

Being a control freak (yes I admit it) this is something I needed to hear.  I get caught up in trying to ‘control’ my children.  As they get older and ‘wiser’ this becomes more of a battle and I end up more frustrated with trying to coerce them into doing what they should do – instead of concentrating on simply how I am going to react to them when they don’t.

“But this is a scary stage – raising a teenage boy.”  As a single mom – I shared these words with my counselor. 

He replied, “Sounds like you are doing a good job. You didn’t engage him, you just told him what would be the consequences of his actions and then followed through by doing it.  Now you have to remember there’s no argument: He does this – then this other is the consequence – and just stick to it. You are the parent - you have the authority.  (There is no reason to argue. It’s that simple.)”

No argument; Just Consequences

Sounds simple enough.  Maybe you have the discipline factor down to a science. But I gleaned from this conversation that day.  I can sigh in relief – knowing I just need to work on how I react when they ‘misbehave’ and communicate the consequences that will await them; instead of arguing my point, feeling guilty because they misbehave and I have to punish them for it. 

Punishments

That punishment usually entails losing liberties like spending time with friends, time on the computer, or playing video games.  The older my kiddos get – time with friends seems to pinch the most.

This parenting thing…. I am going to get it right… one of these days. (And when I do that - I need to conquer relationship etiquette.) How much time do I have?

What are other consequences to use with teenagers?

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Photo Credit: sxc.hu/Doug Powell

Technorati Tags: discipline,teenagers,communicating,consequences,behavior,counseling,arguing,punishments,raising teenagers,stages of children,parenting