Withdrawls.

Have you ever learned a lesson (possibly more than once) and then more you learn the deeper the wound and the harder to cope? I have really opened myself to be teachable in the last few years of my life. The more I learn, the more I realize I have a long way until I can call myself wise.

As I learn lessons, some painful, others intriguing, and all victorious, I have seen a strength in my character. If I learn a lesson pertaining to motherhood, I try to learn and get back in the same game, situation, circumstance and do it better the next time. I learning that isn't always a strength but rather a weakness at times.

Sometimes the best method to life is to withdraw. Withdrawing isn't a form of laziness but many times it is a strategy of the wise, to back up, reflect, heal and then try again in the right timing. Other times I am certain we should go through no situation twice! But I am learning when a lesson is too painful and damaging to my emotional state and character my best bet is to withdraw. Never mentally but physically.

When you withdraw physically your heart is out of reach but your mind continues to process and healing can take place. There are those places I want to go, people I want to befriend, dreams I want to see come to pass but I am learning thrusting myself into circles and places can be permanently damaging.

Distance can always do a mind good.

27

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 27 and I've already established that 27 is entirely too close to 30 and waaaay to far from 20! I had a great day. Dalen went to off to VBS which left just Cola and I to have the morning to ourselves.

The night before my birthday Dalen came home with Mario with a bouquet of flowers and a singing Shrek card. After sniffing the flowers he faked sneezed several times and then announced the flowers were for "my wedding". HA!

So birthdays should be more about time with family and friends and they are for me but I have to mention I got some AMAZING cards and gifts this year! My mailbox was overflowing (literally) with cards (one of my fav. things in the world) in perfect time for my big day. You can always tell when people spend time picking out the perfect card for you and I can say my friends and family do that really well!

In addition to a dinner at my favorite restaraunt (Bahama Breeze) and some fantastic cards I got a Marshall's gift card (one of my fav. places to shop), a Starbucks gift card, a pair of LOVELY earrings brought from Cambodia from my dear friend A, flowers, a brand new pair of TOMS (sooo excited to wear them) and money! I felt totally spoiled!

Needless to say it was a fabulous day and I can't wait for my 27th year of life!

B.U.B.

I didn't realize reading Bringing Up Boys (BUB) would take me on such a deep journey. It's been educational as well as convicting and at times emotional. Here are some of the things I have learned so far.

Some of these lines are direct quotes others are paraphrased.

Boys do not respond to subtle hints but they need requests clearly outlined. (Isn't that the truth even with grown men?!)

Boys are slower to learn from calamities while girls are more fearful and try not to make painful mistakes twice.

Mothers and fathers play defense to protect their boys from immoral and dangerous enticements but parents have to also play offense by instilling in their sons the antecedents of character.

If we don't know who we are our kids will be doubly confused about who they are.

The individual temperaments of men and women were designed to moderate each other.

A child who lives in fear is unable to learn.

I have also learned not to supress the excitable and aggressive nature in my son but we must learn to shape and civilize it. The need to take risks, be aggressive, experience change, protect and provide are all a part of divine plans God had for males. While many of those qualities can be scary for parents and aggervating at times it's important we correct these behaviors in a way that is shaping not eliminating. WOW! As a mother of a child who has already broken a bone I am very guilty of becoming very protective and corrective when Dalen gets too wild, or jumps off things too high.

I would def. recommend this book!

Bringing Up Boys

Have you ever read it? Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson? It was brought to my attention a few weeks ago after mentioning a few challenging surprises I am dealing with concerning Dalen. I ordered it on Half.com and it was patiently waiting for me in my mailbox today.

Although, I had heard of the book and class a long time ago I never read it or attended the class but I am excited to read some interesting and challenging concepts of raising my boy to be a well rounded man.

I am not sure it was my naivety or the fact I come from an entire family of girls (literally, even our family pet was female) that make me feel so lost when dealing with my son but I can honestly say there have been some pretty distinct challenges for us lately.

I guess I was more hesitant about my girl because girls are the dramatic, hormonal, moody, needy, co-dependent, more expensive and high maintenance ones, right? Without going into explicit detail I have been blindsided. I thought the most concern I would ever have for my son is teaching him farting in public was ilmannered and that you must wear clothes around your sister and that jumping out of trees calls for expensive co-pays due to fractured arms or worse.

I got this book because obviously I have been so wrong, unprepared and a little confused at times. Are any of you surprised at gender differences? Have any of you read the book? Any tips?

An Insider of an outsiders trial

I haven't previously blogged about the Anthony trial because the nature of this case is so hostile and emotionally involved for everyone. I almost feel like an insider because this trial has occurred in Orlando, where I reside. For all of the outsiders reading this, you would NOT believe the affect this trial has had on our community.

Here are a few ways in which Orlando has been affected:

-Over 150 officers were dispatched on the day of the verdict to keep control of the crowd at the courthouse, patrol the Anthony's neighborhood and the scene where the remains were found and to protect the attorneys and jurors.
-There have been a number of arrests outside of the courthouse and inside due to fights over tickets into the courtroom and for contempt of court.
-The state of Floridahas spent 100s of thousands of dollars on this trial.
-All local television channels such as 3, 6, 9, 12, 13 and others have covered this trial for over a month preventing normal shows from airing.
-This is peak season for tourism here in Orlando and there are literally people from all over the world who chose to visit Orlando JUST to stand outside of the courthouse, visit the site where Caylee was found and to snap a shot of the Anthony's home.

Needless to say it has been crazy! Some of the sign I have seen outside of the courthouse read....
-Justice for Caylee
-Jury-Guilty NO BALLS! (classy, huh?)
-Casey+muder=HELL
-Let God be the judge!
-Arrest the jury! Multiple counts of cowardly conduct!
-Baby Killer!

Because the nature of this case is more hostile than you could ever imagine I will not share my thoughts on the verdict. I will give you some things to think on...

-Should George and Cindy take money for interviews or book deals concerning this case? Keep in mind they have not been able to hold a job due to court.
-What does it say about Vivid Entertainment (a porn company)who offered Casey a deal after the verdit? (they then retracted after their fans were outraged)
-How will Casey Anthony ever lead a life of normalcy again? How will she get a job? Where will she live? Will her family accept her again? Are her friends still her friends?
-What should be counted as REAL evidence?
-Does protesting help? If so, how?

Lots to think about!

The 4th

Have I ever mentioned that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday? Of course I am proud to be an American but is it horrible to admit that the fireworks really make it my favorite? I have to mention the Southern in me that just can't help but get dreamy eyes and wide smiles over the thought of sweet tea and potato salad, poolside, with the ones you love. I LOVE the fourth! I love the summer feel in the air, the unity that is so strong amongst us all....I love it! One confession I have to make is that I have never spent a fourth anywhere but in the South (that I can remember). I am kind of wondering if it's any different in other parts of the states.

Well, on to funnier things. I have thought a lot on my trips I was able to take this summer and I keep thinking of the HILARIOUS one liners that came about either from myself or others. Here they are...feel FREE (in observance of the 4th) to laugh away!

-My husband on a very strange looking individual in South Beach.
What was that? A man with dodgeball sized implants??

-Me on being adventerous, then I realized others at the table (who weren't my friends) were listening.
Everything's worth trying once, except for Meth.

-My friend on the effects of cat naps. *Imagine in the most Southern accent ever imagined.
If I take a cat nap, I will be ill as a hornet.

-After seeing pics of Wyoming.
If God ever called me to Wyoming I'm pretty sure I'd fake deaf.
My husband's response-And I'm pretty sure He would know!

Thoughts

I don't have enough related thoughts to write a complete blog but I have many unrelated thoughts I would like to share.

Things I don't have but wish I did have...
-a pair of Toms. Any color would do.
-after 5 years of the same phone I think I am ready for a smart phone.
-more time and money to travel with my husband and friends.
-a reason to throw a party.
-a huge bowl of triple chocolate gelato.
-a personal charm bracelet with charms that really mean something

Things I need to take care of but haven't due to time or finances or laziness...
-I REALLY need to go to the dentist.
-I need to decide what to do with my kids clothes. Storage or give away?
-send cards to friends and family. I haven't sent any in like two weeks!
-organize my kids photos/schedule a family photo shoot
-schedule my daughters next shots
-order new books from ebay (any hand-me-downs or suggestions would be appreciated!)

Things I am curious about and would LOVE to try and do...
-soap making. There's a place not far from us that does classes, I really want to do it!
-make a piece of pottery
-I really want totry to find a good author who is on book tour and coming our way. Why did Jim Bob and Michelle only do Northern states on theirs??
-visit a new bed and breakfast this year

This isn't interesting but what things are on your mind??