Welcome to Texas Y'All

Yehaw! We have been in Texas for two months now and I have to say we are liking it more and more every day. It has been full of challenges, some of which we never anticipated, others we knew would come. For example, we were evacuated from our apartment because of a fire (unexpected) and we have been in either Urgent Care or the ER four, yes four, times already (expected). Even with all of that, this great, big, friendly state is where we now call home.

When they say things are bigger in Texas, they mean it. Their pride should be envied by every American. Texas flags and stars are everywhere and I mean everywhere. Texans love their state. How great would it be if everyone felt that proud of their state and all of us were that thrilled to be living in America? Just because 9/11 is over doesn't mean our patriotism should diminish. Get your flags out America! Be proud!

The bugs are also way, way, way bigger out here. They actually have a "cricket season". How disgusting is that? We have had more than our fair share of aggressive, giant, man-eating crickets inside our apartment. They are just plain nasty. Enough said.

The sky is bigger in Texas and has these enormous white clouds that make you want to reach out and touch them.

The people are so friendly and they will even let you merge onto the freeway in front of them! Imagine that California.

I hope to be blogging more frequently now that we are settled.

Come on out y'all, we'd love a visit! We'll keep the door open and the Texas shaped lights on.

I ADORE KINDERS!!!

Today I was fortunate to sub in kindergarten again. This is by far my favorite class at the school. I have spent quite a bit of time with these little guys and they have easily stolen my heart. I have one more day with them next week and it will be a challenge for me not to cry when I leave them. I am planning on attending their graduation to celebrate their hard work, growth and accomplishments. Get the tissues ready.

Kinders love you no matter what. They tell me that I am their favorite substitute. They play I Spy and say they see something pretty............and it turns out to be ME! They honestly don't think I am fat. They see nothing but the good in me. How refreshing! Grown ups should learn a thing or two from kinders.

As they were picked up from school I thanked them for making my heart smile today. I hope I can be a little more like them tomorrow.

A Different Perspective

With news this week about the death of Osama bin Laden, I have been reading many things about how people seem to be rejoicing in his death. Honestly, it makes me sad. I have to question this, I don't feel like rejoicing at all. Here is a different perspective about this.

I know this will be a very controversial post and will raise lots of feelings and questions. However, it has been on my heart since Sunday and I need to get this out there.

Possible - it could happen
Probable - it most likely will happen

I am a Christian and I hope that everyone who knows me knows that. I hope it shows in my actions and my words. I hope there is never a question about that. Part a being a Christian is trying hard to live like Jesus. I have to wonder what He would think about the death of bin Laden.

Think of the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus. He admitted that he was wrong and had sinned and asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him that today he would live in Paradise. What if, stay with me, what if bin Laden asked for forgiveness at the last possible moment? Is that possible? Of course. Is it probable? Maybe, maybe not. But what if he did? That would mean that because the free gift of salvation is available to everyone who believes, it is possible that bin Laden accepted that gift. That would also mean that we (as believers) would spend eternity praising God along side Osama bin Laden.

We should never rejoice in the death of anyone, especially those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I understand the need for closure, justice and all of that but I believe that rejoicing in death is wrong. In doing so, we are just like bin Laden. We are rejoicing in the death of someone we don't like. That makes us no better than he is.

Is terrorism wrong? Absolutely! It should never be tolerated yet that is what we do. We tolerate it in our schools, our neighborhoods and sometimes in our own families. Just like every other sin, it starts with a small step, then another slightly larger one, and another. Think about it. Calling someone a name because they are fat, ugly, smart, skinny, short or whatever, is a simple form of terrorism. That's where it starts.

Are there consequences for our actions? Absolutely! Is death a consequence for an action? Sometimes. Does that mean we should rejoice in it and celebrate it? Not in my opinion.

I hope that if you are reading this you would at least consider this perspective. It may not be right but at least it will get you thinking.

A Parent's Guide to Kids' Sports

There shouldn't have to be an instruction book for parents who have kids that play sports. Parents should be smart enough to know what to do and more importantly, what NOT to do. My daughter has been playing team sports for the past 5 years and I have learned that parents have no clue how to be good spectators.

I am many things. A mom, coach, spectator, and a team mom. I want to do everything I can to make my kids' experience in sports fun and positive. It can be difficult at times and it takes some effort on your part. You can do it! I hope that every parent would read this post and pass it on to someone else.

Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Kids' Sports

10. Do your best to have your child at practice and events on time. Life happens, coaches are not unreasonable, they understand that. If you are going to be late or absent be courteous, let the coach know as soon as possible. This lets them make changes to compensate.

9. Support your child. Focus on the positive things. Encourage them to be better but not by pointing out mistakes.

8. Learn how to be a good loser. It takes a big person to lose gracefully. Do not make excuses. Do not focus on the loss, but look forward to the next hit, ball, quarter, game, whatever. Find the good and focus on that. The more you look for it, the easier it is to find.

7. Cheer for every player. Sadly, some kids have parents that cannot be at every event. You don't know the circumstances so don't even start to judge. Be encouraging for everyone on the team.

6. Cheer for the other team. Yes, cheer for the other team. When kids make a good play, congratulate them. It doesn't change the score but it may change their life.

5. Did I mention encourage your kids? Just checking. Really, this is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. It is necessary in every aspect of their life, not just sports.

4. Support the umpires and referees. They have a hard job. Their decision is final and if there are any questions, they should come from the coaches, not the players and NEVER the parents. Once the decision is made, it is done. Don't use it as an excuse. Let it go.

3. Let the coach do the coaching. If you have such valuable information to offer to help improve the team, try being a coach yourself. Do not help them from the sidelines, they know your child and every player on the team. They know the strengths and how to best utilize them as a team. The hardest part of coaching is dealing with the parents.

2. Learn how to be a gracious winner. Yes, you need to learn how to win graciously. It is not as easy as you may think. When you win, celebrate but don't gloat. Rejoice but don't brag. Congratulate every team member, not just your child.

1. Only offer positive comments. You accomplish nothing but bad things when you shout negative comments to your child, other children on the team, the coaches or the referees. This only makes you look bad and further crushes your child's self confidence. It also embarrasses your child. Think of the old saying, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Here is a bonus tip - The team wins as a team and loses as a team. It is a team, not one or two players. No one player is solely responsible for a win or a loss.

Kids are only kids for a short time. You only get one chance to parent them, there are no do-overs. Make the most of it. Sports are a great way to teach kids how to be a part of a team, learn cooperation, work together, be good winners and losers. Do your part as a parent to help them be successful.

Why, Why, Why?

It's a beautiful SoCal Saturday morning and my thoughts are racing around in my head as usual. Today, I thought I would list some thoughts that make me say, "Why, why, why?"

1. Why do boys/men want to wear their pants hanging so low that it looks like they dropped a load in their undies?
2. Why do they wear a belt to keep them that low?
3. Does this mean we need to start printing directions on belts now?
4. Why does the drive-up ATM have braille on it when it is located on the driver's side?
5. Why do girls/women think they look good with tons of skin and cleavage showing? It doesn't in fact, it makes you look like a tramp. Stop it!
6. Why do people freak out when there is a police man on the road? If you are driving like you should, you don't need to worry.
7. Why do people dress their dogs up like kids? Really? Do you think Fido is happy in that orange tutu?
8. Why does McDonald's sell sweet tea for $1 but the same size of unsweetened tea is $1.79? I'm saving you money so you charge me more? Thanks for that.
9. Why doesn't my son ever have a pencil in his backpack? You need it to do homework dude.
10. Why do the public restrooms for men have to be the same size as the one for women? Everyone knows that we go in pairs therefore, we should have twice the available seating.
11. Why doesn't everyone love to read? I just don't get it.
12. Why do we complain about paying $4.00 for a frozen pizza when we have no problem paying $18.00 for one in a restaurant?
13. Why do you have to pay for air at a gas station?
14. Why do we have to have 24-hour grocery stores? If you really have no food and have the munchies at 3:00 am, you probably shouldn't be driving anyway.
15. Why are people mean? Is that really necessary?

I guess I was just in a rambling kind of mood today. Why is that?

Hello Puberty! What Took You So Long?

My son is now 11 and is beyond anxious for puberty. He is the only person I know who wants to go through all of those nasty changes. Every day he performs a detailed check for arm pit hair. So far, he believes he has 3. Notice I said "he believes he has 3". This is because no one else has ever seen them. He does offer to let anyone and everyone touch them but I politely decline every time. He swears that his voice is already changing and that seems to make him very happy. Is this possible? Yes. It is probable? No. Not even close.

His feet are as big as mine, he eats everything he can get his hands on and smells just like a boy's locker room in a junior high school. The sign that tells me he is ready for puberty is that he LOVES to use Axe. That is a junior high school requirement right? He's ready.

For me, I guess this means I have to do some quick research and learn what is actually involved with puberty for boys because we only have girls in our family. Oh boy, that sounds fun. I'll let you know how "the talk" goes and if I survived. Until then, pray hard!