Bullying. An act committed by weak in an attempt to weaken another. Sad that anyone would ever have to suffer it. Heartbreaking when it happens to your own child. 2010 and kids who have yet to study the Holocaust know just enough to use phrases like "dirty Jew" to attack. Mass text messages sent out accusing my son of sexually inappropriate actions. All committed by classmates, teammates, and "friends". Why is not a question that I feel will every truly be answered. What to do with it, what to learn from it all is what I've asked God to make clear.

When I had to leave Matt last night to finish up things with Kate I had no answers for him. I had made the phone call to the Coach as all the boys involved are on the football team and the bulling took place after weights. I simply told him that for some reason God has him going through this. And to ask Him to help him see what he needs to see and learn from it what he needs to learn. I reminded him that God has a purpose for him and all that happens in this life. When I returned home I noticed his Bible was out. After Kate went to bed he told me he had a long talk with God. He didn't tell me details of the conversation but he seemed to feel a little stronger. ALL THINGS!

This parenting is tough. But the bullying is 1000x's tougher. Unnecessary and hurtful, prayers are needed for ALL boys involved.

making life your own...just like the weeds

I didn't stay where I was planted. Like a bit of pollen, or a helicopter blowing in the wind, I went elsewhere. I touched down in many different places. Lived in many different places and worked many different jobs. I've enjoyed - at some point- most every experience. What I've tried to do is to not let where I lived or work define me. For some reason the idea of that always bothered me.

I'm a weed. The pretty kind that adorns the un-kept bit of green space. I confuse you into thinking I'm a flower but I'm not a flower at all. Flowers require high maintenance, constant care, and are sure to wilt and die. They are beautiful. They're not confusing and few will intentionally try to do away with them as they hope to keep them for ever. Some even after they're beauty is gone end up pressed in a book for memories sake. The weed on the other hand has it moments. They can be pretty. They can be annoying. They can be invasive. And many will try to do away with them. They can be confusing to the eye...weed/flower, weed/flower? They are strong and determined. Their roots often run deep and are tangled. At times they choke out the beauty around them other times they lend their own beauty to the scenery. God made both the flower and the weed. I am a weed.

I didn't get put in a pot or planter. I wasn't planted and cared for. Rather I spread my wings and flew. I've landed many times and in many places. I have a town that I grew up in. A school I graduated from. Colleges I've attended. Towns I've lived in. I have a 1st home and a current home. I'm a part of a different community than the one that I "grew up" in. So many people I grew up with have never left. Never felt a desire to. Including many from my own family. THIS is why many don't get me. Lack of growth.

I'm cool with growing old so long as I keep on growing. Intellectually, spiritually, personally, I hope to forever keep growing. Spreading my horizons. New experiences, always new acquaintances and if lucky a new friend or two. Just like a pretty weed I hope to make you curious. I hope you take another look at the real me.

There are a lot of us weeds out there...put the weed killer down, it doesn't work that well anyway, and take the time to enjoy the beauty. For God made the weeds too.

disturbing...to me at least. the person voted in as leader of this great nation quoted a portion of the Declaration of Independence last night. when he reached this part 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' he chose to leave out BY THEIR CREATOR! According to the news report i listened to this morning this man made a choice....pausing to look at the teleprompter and chose to leave out the words, chosen & written by our forefathers giving credit to our Creator for all things. yet this man chooses to acknowledge ANY religion other than Christianity. what another sad day for this country. and appalling to say the least. (imo)

yesterday was not an easy day for me. i experienced many emotions and felt as though i was all over the road! it was a day that reaffirmed my annoyance with many "adults". the day began well enough with a pleasant walk and good conversation with reasonable adults. however once home and engaged in projects, e-mail correspondence, and text messages it became clear i wasn't dealing with people in their right mind. i dealt with rudeness from a secretary/receptionist who should've been polite & accommodating. a parent with her own agenda regardless what the plan for the group was, and a sponsor who has told students one thing and when i inquired to confirm the instruction gave a completely different story. i observed less than inspiring coaches who have been given an opportunity to inspire, teach and lead and yet yesterday that opportunity seemed lost on some 7th & 8th graders. how unfortunate.

in addition to all of the above i had to sit back while my child was disciplined by another. i fully understand consequences as i've suffered a few and dealt out a few of my own. however, i don't understand multiple punishment for a single infraction. and i don't understand it when adults insist THEY know what you were feeling or thinking. really? unless the emotion, thought, feeling was shared with you COACH, i'm guessing you really have NO idea. and since when is it ok to send one to the sideline without even a word of explanation on the error made. pretty sure any game play at this level - middle school, is still considered in the early stages and a learning process. why would you not teach from the mistake? i just don't understand.

the up side to yesterday, it ended, i didn't take anyone's head off, I USED WHAT I OBSERVED AS A TEACHING POINT FOR MY CHILD! it came to an end and TODAY is a new day.

2mi walked, beautiful start to the last day of summer. kids off with out a hitch. and hubby up & out before i returned from walking. weird not to get to say goodbye to him this morning. i don't like it when that happens. my daughter dressed all 80's flashdance as it's homecoming week at ohhs. tonight she'll play in her 1st powderpuff football game. it's a windy morning...and i do love the wind as it serves as my visible reminder of my God. It's as though He's blowing kisses.

have a blessed day today. ....until next time.

189 elementary age girls participated in the OHHS cheer clinic this past friday night! WOW. My friend Kevin inquired with the asst. principal about the friday night match up between our Oak Hill Eagles and the Frankton Eagles regarding what type of crowd was to be expected for the game. Kevin is in charge of the concessions for the adult boosters. In response the asst. principal thought the crowd would be sparse. You see frankton is quite a ways south of our school, havn't had a great deal of football success and therefore don't bring much of a crowd with them. However if you will reread my opening line you just might be able to predict where this is going.

I arrived at the concession stand to help get it opened. I was a bit behind schedule because I attended the port-o-pit chicken dinner being held at the high school. The pizzas had already arrived, kevin had a good start on things so we got the popcorn a popping and prepared to open. Three times random people from both oak hill and frankton had popped their head in to see exactly "how much longer" until we actually opened. Time 6:15. Game time 7:00. Begrudgingly we opened. Kevin, Jay and myself. We opened to a MASS of people. Clad in blue & gold, read & white and ready for their concession stand supper.

My intent was to get the stand opened and then return to my seat to watch the game, lil girls, and chat with friends. Best laid plans...I didn't get to chat with anyone, occasionally caught a score update and never saw a lil girl cheerleader unless i was giving her some nachos with cheese. It was the craziest night in a concession stand i had ever been a part of. We ran out of nachos, cheese, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, dr. pepper, air heads, cookies, etc....twice trips were made to the concession stand inside the school to reload our stand. Ultimately we turned many away, made a lot of money (consequently lost a lot too), worked fast & furious, and eventually closed for the night. As I exited the concession stand everyone was leaving the game. The Oak Hill Eagles had been victorious, the lil girls were a huge success and overall, according to the masses (yes MASSES) it was a great night for football! Glad to hear it.

Lesson: a couple 1) our asst. principal is unaware of what's going on around him and that when there are 189 elem. girls participating in a clinic that will showcase learned material at the game it's to be expected THERE WILL BE A CROWD PEOPLE! 2) back up supplies should be readily on hand to restock when necessary. 3) an assigned "job" responsibility would be oh so helpful to a successfully ran concession (imo). it might help to eliminate the "chicken with your head cut off" visual that i'm pretty sure we had going on friday night.

whew....Saturday we loaded up & headed to w. lafayette for another boilermaker victory! saw lexi & haley, visited their chi-o house and delivered their goods! Matt went to nick smiths party, we had supper at the chuck and then returned home and i sadly finished my last jen lancaster book :/ ....now what to read? ...Luxe, according to my daughter.

I'm not at church this morning...I just needed "me" time away from people. It didn't last too long but was nice while it did.