Thursday, March 12, 2009
A New Person in My Life
I have a new person in my life. Well, actually she has been around since mid-October. She is with me whenever I am out and about on errands or traveling. Most times we are not engaged with each other, but on occasion she is nice to have around.
Unfortunately she is sometimes a bit slow. On a trip to the T-town area last month my husband and I found ourselves a bit exasperated with her for her lack of ability to think on her feet quickly.
And sometimes she is just plain confused and repeats the same phrase over and over. We had a verbal confrontation recently as she was helping me with a Mobile Meals route. Luckily she and I were the only two in the vehicle - otherwise people might begin to wonder about my sanity.
My husband and I have tried to come up with an appropriate name for her. (Notice I said appropriate. . .she had been called several things!) I suggested Miss Moneypenney recently. He insisted she would have to call him James. I don't really think that will work. The conversation went downhill from there as he suggested several other Bond names. Somehow I can't see myself addressing her as any of them, especially with teenage boys in the vehicle.
So for now she is My Girl - just a voice amongst My People.
simple faith
I have a new person in my life. Well, actually she has been around since mid-October. She is with me whenever I am out and about on errands or traveling. Most times we are not engaged with each other, but on occasion she is nice to have around.
Unfortunately she is sometimes a bit slow. On a trip to the T-town area last month my husband and I found ourselves a bit exasperated with her for her lack of ability to think on her feet quickly.
And sometimes she is just plain confused and repeats the same phrase over and over. We had a verbal confrontation recently as she was helping me with a Mobile Meals route. Luckily she and I were the only two in the vehicle - otherwise people might begin to wonder about my sanity.
My husband and I have tried to come up with an appropriate name for her. (Notice I said appropriate. . .she had been called several things!) I suggested Miss Moneypenney recently. He insisted she would have to call him James. I don't really think that will work. The conversation went downhill from there as he suggested several other Bond names. Somehow I can't see myself addressing her as any of them, especially with teenage boys in the vehicle.
So for now she is My Girl - just a voice amongst My People.
simple faith
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Just a Question
I hit the "reply" button but thought to myself, "I don't have time for this." Cancel - and then off to the next thing on my list. But while the morning continues I realize that did not reply because of a lack of time. No, I did not reply because I honestly did not have an answer.
The question: when do they grow out of this stage?
The discussion is based on my theory that teenage boy brains do not work properly. It is with a friend whose male child has made what seems to be an insane series of choices in the adult mind. But trust me, in his teenage boy brain it all made perfect sense.
The situation was very "no harm, no foul" in the end. But one that leaves parents shaking their heads and thinking to themselves "What was he thinking?"
So back to the question. When do they grow out of this stage?
I wish I could say at 18 or at 20 or at any given age. But reality is that there is no magic number. Each child is born completely unique having their own strenths and weaknesses and their own journey to maturity.
Some days I experience the joy of seeing my boys do things that impress and encourage me about their journey to maturity. And other days my husband and I just look at each other with complete dismay. And, as with most things, we try to find the humor in the situation. . .sometimes that takes some time and some work!
Just choosing to recognize that they truly are fearfully and wonderfully made.
simple faith
I hit the "reply" button but thought to myself, "I don't have time for this." Cancel - and then off to the next thing on my list. But while the morning continues I realize that did not reply because of a lack of time. No, I did not reply because I honestly did not have an answer.
The question: when do they grow out of this stage?
The discussion is based on my theory that teenage boy brains do not work properly. It is with a friend whose male child has made what seems to be an insane series of choices in the adult mind. But trust me, in his teenage boy brain it all made perfect sense.
The situation was very "no harm, no foul" in the end. But one that leaves parents shaking their heads and thinking to themselves "What was he thinking?"
So back to the question. When do they grow out of this stage?
I wish I could say at 18 or at 20 or at any given age. But reality is that there is no magic number. Each child is born completely unique having their own strenths and weaknesses and their own journey to maturity.
Some days I experience the joy of seeing my boys do things that impress and encourage me about their journey to maturity. And other days my husband and I just look at each other with complete dismay. And, as with most things, we try to find the humor in the situation. . .sometimes that takes some time and some work!
Just choosing to recognize that they truly are fearfully and wonderfully made.
simple faith
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Continuing the Journey
A new year - the same journey.
Much discussion goes around this time of year in regard to "New Year's Resolutions." I pretty much have stopped making them. Oh, not that I am not pursuing new goals and have several thoughts on improving my journey. No, I just have come to a place where I see each day as a new beginning and a chance to start something new - why wait until just once a year?
I am sure it is obvious that writing more consistently in my blog should be one of those goals - and it is as long as it continues to be an outlet and not a "must do." And there is my interest in Jane Austen lately that makes me think I should at least attempt to read one of her novels. And after watching "Miss Potter" today I am thinking perhaps I should renew my relationship with Peter Rabbit.
Of course there is the always present list of house and outdoor projects to be done. And new things to learn to bake and recipes to try and places to see and things to do. Pictures on my camera that seriously need to be downloaded. All this does not even tap the physical and spiritual part of my journey!
And so there you go. No real resolutions - just a daily choice to continue in a postive direction on my journey.
Go forth and conquer!
simple faith
A new year - the same journey.
Much discussion goes around this time of year in regard to "New Year's Resolutions." I pretty much have stopped making them. Oh, not that I am not pursuing new goals and have several thoughts on improving my journey. No, I just have come to a place where I see each day as a new beginning and a chance to start something new - why wait until just once a year?
I am sure it is obvious that writing more consistently in my blog should be one of those goals - and it is as long as it continues to be an outlet and not a "must do." And there is my interest in Jane Austen lately that makes me think I should at least attempt to read one of her novels. And after watching "Miss Potter" today I am thinking perhaps I should renew my relationship with Peter Rabbit.
Of course there is the always present list of house and outdoor projects to be done. And new things to learn to bake and recipes to try and places to see and things to do. Pictures on my camera that seriously need to be downloaded. All this does not even tap the physical and spiritual part of my journey!
And so there you go. No real resolutions - just a daily choice to continue in a postive direction on my journey.
Go forth and conquer!
simple faith
Labels: Life
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Just an Everyday Conversation
Cell Phone Boy and Red arrive at my house after school Monday. Immediately upon entering the house Cell Phone Boy says, "Guess what, Miss Faith?"
"What?"
"I can tie the cherry stem in a knot with my mouth!"
"Wow!" (what else could I possibly say?)
A short while later they are all in the kitchen looking for a snack. I inquire about which class they were in when the fire alarm went off at the high school that day. Actually it went off twice, so they were trying to tell me which class which time when. . .
"Cell Phone Boy's class set it off," declares Red.
"Really?"
It seems that a science experiment in Biology - yes, I said Biology- flamed and immediately following this incident the alarms began going off.
I pursue the conversation: "Who is your teacher?"
The response is my younger son's wrestling coach from last winter. Now I am really laughing.
"What did he do?"
"He was just smiling," responds Cell Phone Boy.
"His 'I am smiling so I don't kill you' smile or his laughing smile - because you know he has two smiles," I ask.
Cell Phone Boy gives me a knowing look and says, "Oh yeah, I know. I think he thought it was funny."
Just choosing to find the humor in every day. . .
simple faith
Cell Phone Boy and Red arrive at my house after school Monday. Immediately upon entering the house Cell Phone Boy says, "Guess what, Miss Faith?"
"What?"
"I can tie the cherry stem in a knot with my mouth!"
"Wow!" (what else could I possibly say?)
A short while later they are all in the kitchen looking for a snack. I inquire about which class they were in when the fire alarm went off at the high school that day. Actually it went off twice, so they were trying to tell me which class which time when. . .
"Cell Phone Boy's class set it off," declares Red.
"Really?"
It seems that a science experiment in Biology - yes, I said Biology- flamed and immediately following this incident the alarms began going off.
I pursue the conversation: "Who is your teacher?"
The response is my younger son's wrestling coach from last winter. Now I am really laughing.
"What did he do?"
"He was just smiling," responds Cell Phone Boy.
"His 'I am smiling so I don't kill you' smile or his laughing smile - because you know he has two smiles," I ask.
Cell Phone Boy gives me a knowing look and says, "Oh yeah, I know. I think he thought it was funny."
Just choosing to find the humor in every day. . .
simple faith
Friday, September 05, 2008
Boys Will Be Boys
"That's the Red Beast," claims my younger son as we pass a friend's house in the 'hood. He is referring to the red SUV the boy drives.
I don't recall responding, but Game Boy who is with us picks up the conversation. They begin discussing how my older son's vehicle is called the Blue Power Ranger. My younger son has to explain to Game Boy that this is because his truck model is actually a Ford Ranger - get it? (I thought they called it the Lone Ranger. Shows what I know. . .)
The conversation continues with them discussing what they would call other vehicles if they or their friends owned them.
If they had a yellow vehicle you could call them "Bumblebee" - I think that is a Transformer.
If my youngest son had a Chrysler 300 he would call it "Sparta" - the movie 300 is one of his favorites. You may want to note that his chances of having one of these vehicles as his first car is slim to none. But he does have good taste!
If Game Boy gets his mom's gold car he will be Gold Dust. But if he gets his dad's white Jaguar - well he will rule the world of cool. They couldn't even come up with something to call that. . .and chances are they won't need to do so.
Eventually they make it back to the Power Ranger thing. The possibility of several colored Rangers is discussed. Game Boy declares the Green Ranger was the coolest. My son scoffs at the idea and declares the White Ranger the ultimate. And, he notes, it was the Green Ranger who turned into the White Ranger - ha!
And I am just driving along pondering how odd this conversation is on sooo many levels.
The next morning on the way to church we pass a white Ford Ranger on a car lot. I point it out to the boys and suddenly yesterday's conversation is again a topic.
My younger son shares Game Boy's view of the Power Rangers. My older son scoffs at the idea and declares that it was the Green Ranger who turned into the White Ranger - ha! And then they actually begin discussing different episodes of Power Rangers.
And I am just riding along pondering how odd this conversation is on sooo many levels.
You know, I still hear males my age asking each other, "Ginger or Mary Ann?" Do you think males my son's ages will one day ask each other, "Yellow Ranger or Pink Ranger?"
It could happen. . .
simple faith
"That's the Red Beast," claims my younger son as we pass a friend's house in the 'hood. He is referring to the red SUV the boy drives.
I don't recall responding, but Game Boy who is with us picks up the conversation. They begin discussing how my older son's vehicle is called the Blue Power Ranger. My younger son has to explain to Game Boy that this is because his truck model is actually a Ford Ranger - get it? (I thought they called it the Lone Ranger. Shows what I know. . .)
The conversation continues with them discussing what they would call other vehicles if they or their friends owned them.
If they had a yellow vehicle you could call them "Bumblebee" - I think that is a Transformer.
If my youngest son had a Chrysler 300 he would call it "Sparta" - the movie 300 is one of his favorites. You may want to note that his chances of having one of these vehicles as his first car is slim to none. But he does have good taste!
If Game Boy gets his mom's gold car he will be Gold Dust. But if he gets his dad's white Jaguar - well he will rule the world of cool. They couldn't even come up with something to call that. . .and chances are they won't need to do so.
Eventually they make it back to the Power Ranger thing. The possibility of several colored Rangers is discussed. Game Boy declares the Green Ranger was the coolest. My son scoffs at the idea and declares the White Ranger the ultimate. And, he notes, it was the Green Ranger who turned into the White Ranger - ha!
And I am just driving along pondering how odd this conversation is on sooo many levels.
The next morning on the way to church we pass a white Ford Ranger on a car lot. I point it out to the boys and suddenly yesterday's conversation is again a topic.
My younger son shares Game Boy's view of the Power Rangers. My older son scoffs at the idea and declares that it was the Green Ranger who turned into the White Ranger - ha! And then they actually begin discussing different episodes of Power Rangers.
And I am just riding along pondering how odd this conversation is on sooo many levels.
You know, I still hear males my age asking each other, "Ginger or Mary Ann?" Do you think males my son's ages will one day ask each other, "Yellow Ranger or Pink Ranger?"
It could happen. . .
simple faith
Labels: Boys
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I Really Am Trying Hard
I believe that two necessary components to any successful relationship are communication and respect. Being the parent of two teenage boys often forces me to rethink how I live out these principals. Maintaining communication with them is more often than not difficult.
This week my husband and I have discussed on a few occasions amongst ourselves how often what we say, how we say it, and our actions affect the relationships we have. A lot of time we don't even realize this - not being able to see the trees for the forest type thing.
So, having laid that background, let me tell you how communication is going in our house this week. . .
I actually had what I would consider a very good conversation with my younger son one night. Just he and I at the dinner table. Questions were asked and answered candidly. Information from him was volunteered about other subjects. You know - an honest to goodness conversation that ends when everyone involved senses the goodness has come to an appropriate ending.
And then it occured again yesterday afternoon with my older son. He had arrived home from school alone - first time in the nine days of school. He was in his room when I returned from running errands, playing a video game. I entered his room and sensing no hostility I eventually sat in the chair next to him and watched him play. A few questions about the game were answered candidly and eventually more questions about school were answered likewise. He even volunteered information about other subjects. You know - an honest to goodness conversation that ended when everyone involved sensed the goodness had come to an appropriate ending.
I left the room feeling REALLY good about myself and the state of our world in general. Two good conversations in two days - it doesn't always happen that way in this world of parenting teenagers!!
Shortly after this my husband and I travel to PoHigh for our younger son's football scrimmage. Which also was encouraging. A head coach who was engaged in the boys and the action. Assistant coaches who also played their roles well. Boys who performed pretty well for their first outing of the season. Already a change of pace from last season.
Upon returning home I was no where near looking for a meaningful conversation with my boys. I mean, come on, I know when not to push my luck. But at some point in the evening - about the time my oldest was heading to take a shower - something obviously had altered the happy state of my little world. He was surly and exasperated with any spoken word from my mouth. He made his way to the shower letting his opinion be known.
And since I really am trying hard to work our way through this I turn to my husband and ask, "Does my tone of voice say 'kiss my (boohind)', because that is the tone I am getting back?!?!"
It takes him a couple of seconds to recover from laughing, but he assures me that he is not hearing that tone in my voice.
"Great, just checking."
Parenting is not for the faint of heart - or for those without a sense-of-humor!
simple faith
I believe that two necessary components to any successful relationship are communication and respect. Being the parent of two teenage boys often forces me to rethink how I live out these principals. Maintaining communication with them is more often than not difficult.
This week my husband and I have discussed on a few occasions amongst ourselves how often what we say, how we say it, and our actions affect the relationships we have. A lot of time we don't even realize this - not being able to see the trees for the forest type thing.
So, having laid that background, let me tell you how communication is going in our house this week. . .
I actually had what I would consider a very good conversation with my younger son one night. Just he and I at the dinner table. Questions were asked and answered candidly. Information from him was volunteered about other subjects. You know - an honest to goodness conversation that ends when everyone involved senses the goodness has come to an appropriate ending.
And then it occured again yesterday afternoon with my older son. He had arrived home from school alone - first time in the nine days of school. He was in his room when I returned from running errands, playing a video game. I entered his room and sensing no hostility I eventually sat in the chair next to him and watched him play. A few questions about the game were answered candidly and eventually more questions about school were answered likewise. He even volunteered information about other subjects. You know - an honest to goodness conversation that ended when everyone involved sensed the goodness had come to an appropriate ending.
I left the room feeling REALLY good about myself and the state of our world in general. Two good conversations in two days - it doesn't always happen that way in this world of parenting teenagers!!
Shortly after this my husband and I travel to PoHigh for our younger son's football scrimmage. Which also was encouraging. A head coach who was engaged in the boys and the action. Assistant coaches who also played their roles well. Boys who performed pretty well for their first outing of the season. Already a change of pace from last season.
Upon returning home I was no where near looking for a meaningful conversation with my boys. I mean, come on, I know when not to push my luck. But at some point in the evening - about the time my oldest was heading to take a shower - something obviously had altered the happy state of my little world. He was surly and exasperated with any spoken word from my mouth. He made his way to the shower letting his opinion be known.
And since I really am trying hard to work our way through this I turn to my husband and ask, "Does my tone of voice say 'kiss my (boohind)', because that is the tone I am getting back?!?!"
It takes him a couple of seconds to recover from laughing, but he assures me that he is not hearing that tone in my voice.
"Great, just checking."
Parenting is not for the faint of heart - or for those without a sense-of-humor!
simple faith
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Boy and His Truck
It was our oldest son's 16th birthday. He had finally helped narrow down the choices for his first vehicle. My husband, my son, Red, and myself head to the sunflower state to shop for a truck. At our second stop he lays claim to a dark blue 1999 Ford Ranger. He is happy and all is right with the world.
The next week it is time to take his driving test for his license. I make the "prepared mom" phone call to make sure we show up with all the paperwork, etc that is needed these days to take a driving test. After lunch we journey out to the testing facility and take a number. After waiting a short while, it is his turn. Height, weight, picture, fingerprint, signature - let the driving test begin!
A few short moments after the tester leaves to meet him in the parking lot she returns. It seems his brake light over the cab is out. The lone ranger cannot be used to take the test. But, we could bring out another vehicle.
No problem - we can do this. I assume that mindset and we return to the house to pick up my vehicle. We run a check on all the lights, etc before driving back out to the testing facility. Amazingly, my brake light above my rear door is out also!
My son is getting a bit frustrated, but me - no way. I continue my no problem mindset and off we go (screwdriver in hand) to an auto parts shop. . . afterall, changing a lightbulb cannot be that difficult. We get in line and I am still confident that this will go well. This store's commercials promise me a good experience with a knowledgeable and very helpful person.
To make a long story short, that was not my experience. I was also a bit surprised to find out that when you remove the light cover on the brake light that the entire mechanism comes out - wires and all. I know, I asked myself the same thing - why would it be so complicated? You should just be able to pop off the cover and replace a bulb without dealing with all sorts of wires and plastic thingies.
My mindset had deteriorated a bit - focusing more on the false advertising and poor design. But I offered one last hope. We could pick up my husband's truck and still do this testing today. My son declines and I don't blame him. I don't even like to pull the truck in and out of the garage because of its size, much less would I want to try to parallel park the thing for a driving test.
My son is disappointed but not too much. He is off to hang with some of his friends until Dad can get home to fix the problem.
After work my husband arrives home. By this time several boys are in our house playing games in the den. My husband asks my son for the key so he can take a look at the brake light.
Key? Hmmmmm. . . well I took it with me to so and so's house, and I remember showing it to so and so, hmmmm. . . . .
(This is the point in the story that all parents with teenagers are shaking their heads in sympathy or smiling because it is now us, not them.) Yes, he had lost THE ONLY key we owned to the vehicle!!!
The night was spent searching and the next day spent making phone calls. A couple of days later the locksmith shows up at our house to make new keys. We hoped that the age of the truck would mean no computer chips in the keys, but we were not that fortunate. The oldest son learned a valuable lesson when he had to write the check on his account to pay for the locksmith and keys.
It took another couple of trips to the testing place to finally obtain his license. But now he is officially licensed to drive.
And so another chapter of our lives begins.
simple faith
It was our oldest son's 16th birthday. He had finally helped narrow down the choices for his first vehicle. My husband, my son, Red, and myself head to the sunflower state to shop for a truck. At our second stop he lays claim to a dark blue 1999 Ford Ranger. He is happy and all is right with the world.
The next week it is time to take his driving test for his license. I make the "prepared mom" phone call to make sure we show up with all the paperwork, etc that is needed these days to take a driving test. After lunch we journey out to the testing facility and take a number. After waiting a short while, it is his turn. Height, weight, picture, fingerprint, signature - let the driving test begin!
A few short moments after the tester leaves to meet him in the parking lot she returns. It seems his brake light over the cab is out. The lone ranger cannot be used to take the test. But, we could bring out another vehicle.
No problem - we can do this. I assume that mindset and we return to the house to pick up my vehicle. We run a check on all the lights, etc before driving back out to the testing facility. Amazingly, my brake light above my rear door is out also!
My son is getting a bit frustrated, but me - no way. I continue my no problem mindset and off we go (screwdriver in hand) to an auto parts shop. . . afterall, changing a lightbulb cannot be that difficult. We get in line and I am still confident that this will go well. This store's commercials promise me a good experience with a knowledgeable and very helpful person.
To make a long story short, that was not my experience. I was also a bit surprised to find out that when you remove the light cover on the brake light that the entire mechanism comes out - wires and all. I know, I asked myself the same thing - why would it be so complicated? You should just be able to pop off the cover and replace a bulb without dealing with all sorts of wires and plastic thingies.
My mindset had deteriorated a bit - focusing more on the false advertising and poor design. But I offered one last hope. We could pick up my husband's truck and still do this testing today. My son declines and I don't blame him. I don't even like to pull the truck in and out of the garage because of its size, much less would I want to try to parallel park the thing for a driving test.
My son is disappointed but not too much. He is off to hang with some of his friends until Dad can get home to fix the problem.
After work my husband arrives home. By this time several boys are in our house playing games in the den. My husband asks my son for the key so he can take a look at the brake light.
Key? Hmmmmm. . . well I took it with me to so and so's house, and I remember showing it to so and so, hmmmm. . . . .
(This is the point in the story that all parents with teenagers are shaking their heads in sympathy or smiling because it is now us, not them.) Yes, he had lost THE ONLY key we owned to the vehicle!!!
The night was spent searching and the next day spent making phone calls. A couple of days later the locksmith shows up at our house to make new keys. We hoped that the age of the truck would mean no computer chips in the keys, but we were not that fortunate. The oldest son learned a valuable lesson when he had to write the check on his account to pay for the locksmith and keys.
It took another couple of trips to the testing place to finally obtain his license. But now he is officially licensed to drive.
And so another chapter of our lives begins.
simple faith
