Category Archives: Family

Put on the armor

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An interesting conversation with a 69 -year-old  patient the other day; father to a 17-year-old girl and 3-9 year olds.  (You do the math)  The theme of the conversation was on protecting our kids.  His word:  shielding.

Same day, extremely disturbing article on kids and porn and their exposure to it and how it is corrupting “normal”.  Read at your own risk.  But read it.    Don’t think that because it’s from the UK it doesn’t apply to you.  It does.  I would paraphrase the article, but Martin Daubney says it all….

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yes, please. I’ll take 4.

It was enough for me to shock our 16-year-old by asking if he was looking at porn on his phone.  Then to follow-up with the “have you ever?” question.  Awkward?  yup.  Necessary?  Absolutely.  The end of the conversation?  No way, no how.

 

Our kids are good.  I don’t wish them to be exposed to anything like this.  Ever.  However, I’m realistic and I’d rather be proactive and have the conversations than to let them navigate it on their own.  Talk about why porn is so destructive.  Talk about why we must fight hard against objectifiying women.  The cold hard reality is, we can’t wait for this conversation.  Like drugs, alcohol and bullying, this must be an ongoing conversation.  Shield all you want, but I want my kids armed and prepared…equipped against this battle that threatens their hearts and souls and bodies.

If we can’t be open and discuss the evils in this world, we better build a fortress or prepare for heartache.  It’s a new and scary world out there and as parents, we are called to be involved or reap the consequences.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 [c]With all prayer and petition [d]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, [e]be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

***Bible verse, New American Standard Bible version

Don’t blink

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Rain.

Holyyyyyyy COW.  We need it.  (we always need it, it seems)  Man, did it set my morning back.  We had a cheer (football) game 1.5  hours away and I wanted/needed to get the grocery shopping done before we left…..because I knew I wouldn’t want to do it AFTER we got home and certainly not on Sunday.

Anyhooo.  90 minutes.  In the rain.  On, off.  On, off.  Brutal, I tell you.

Crappy drive. Crappy radar. Pumpkin spice latte and hot chocolate and all is well.

Crappy drive. Crappy radar. Pumpkin spice latte and hot chocolate and all is well.

To watch this girl cheer.

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These are the days.  We won’t ever get them back.  Making the effort to make the most of every minute.  Don’t sweat the little things.  One day we will miss this.  Don’t blink.

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True.  True.  True.  True.

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A week in Review: 7 QT style

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Had some time in the shade this morning so I jotted down some thoughts for this week’s Quick Takes with Jen over @ Conversion Diary…I’ll certainly clock in at the bottom of the heap around #75,897,430, but, HEY!  It’s a post, right?

  1. Top crisis of the week (aside from Hubby’s crazy busy work week and my just crazy regular week), my gym.  Best workout I’ve ever had.  Love them so much I put a humongous sticker advertising for them on the back of my truck.  They are cancelling the 6 am class, which leaves me with evening classes.  I’m not a happy camper.  I’ve stomped my feet and protested and they assure me it’s  a”trial period” while they are trying new things.  I’ll give it a month, but I can tell you right now, evening classes don’t work for me long-term.  They just don’t.
  2. Facebook.  I’m back on.  Sort of.  Only on the laptop, not on my phone.  Mainly just to keep in touch with my friends and keep up with a few businesses.  I only checked it about three times this week.  Still need to go in and streamline a few things, eventually.  A good compromise I think.
  3. Our kids are sliding into a cleaner eating lifestyle, of their own accord.  Which is great.  And expensive.  On the upside, with less crap in the house Mama is doing better as well.  Win-win, I guess?
  4. I’ve been reading “Into the Wild” by John Krakauer;   a book I snatched off Anne’s reading list @ Modern Mrs. Darcy.  It’s given me a lot of interesting perspective on a character trait that I do NOT have:  Adventure!  Fascinating insight into a tragic story and at the same time a tremendous respect for those who follow their passions/obsessions rather than live a life of “what if” and regret.   I’m almost done, but I can honestly say I highly recommend this book, if nothing else it gives quite the cross-section of American people during Chris/Alex’s journey as well as a view from those who follow their heart regardless of what anyone says.
  5. Downloaded ESPN College Football App.  I love to follow the scores and rankings of college football and I don’t always get to watch, so Yay!!  Super excited!!  Go Noles!!
  6. Date night tonight.  It’s been a week y’all and I’m absolutely looking forward to it.
  7. This weekend’s highlights at Casa E include a Pop Warner football game (over now…we won, but I’m certain I sweated a ridiculous amount of weight off), A 14yo birthday celebration of subs for dinner and homemade cheesecake, chinch bug killer applied to our lawn (creeping over via the neighbor…), Mass, exercise, and somewhere along the way, relaxation, gratitude and joy.

Go enjoy yours!

Time flies

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School is back in and HOLEEEEE. CRAP.  Summer done washed away my memories of how freakin’ busy the fall is.  Lord, have mercy.

We are starting to hit our rhythm now that we are done with Labor Day’s brief respite and it’s starting to come back to me.  Plan.  Plan.  Planplanplanplanplan.  Ahead.  The planner aheader gets the easier night.   Truth.  Young mamas, take note.

Last night I had the amazing GRACE of our 16 yo son calling me at work to see what he could do to help with dinner.  Be still my heart.  The boy got those meatballs simmering and then whipped up the awesomely hugemongous spinach salad to go with the Angel hair past and meatballs.  WinNING!!!  He also chauffeured me to me grandmother’s to pick up some family tree papers to add to our 11 yo’s family tree project .  A sweet treat.

Then taking our almost 14 yo to his French horn practice we had a raucous discussion on men’s hairdos (the  boy is FINALLY going short–fingers crossed and double crossed, I think the Bieber look is on the way out!!) and somehow we were rolling on a drag queen discussion–don’t even ask–and Mama made a huge funny because that kid was almost hyperventilating he was laughing so much.  Mark another “W” in the column.  A banner evening.  Topped off only by waiting for the horn prodigy for a mere 30 minutes in which I was able to read, get caught up on some emails and do a chapter in my study with my awesome friend.

Tonight I got a great walk in while our youngest was at cheer practice and came home to chicken and dumplings in the crock pot which EVERYONE loved….seriously, do you know how hard it is to find a meal that they ALL love???!!!!?  Insanity.  Hubs and the 16 yo enjoyed watching the World Cup Qualifying Final with the US and Mexico, I kicked the 13 yo off the computer and made time to blog.

I should stop while I’m ahead.  It’s only Tuesday.

When your stats flatline

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August 31st, people. August 31.  Summer is over.  We shall be soaking it up here at Casa E with my sister and fam this weekend, hopefully in the pool and beach (assuming the weather is going to cooperate) and sleeping in and NOT.  GOING.  TO.  WORK.  ON.  MONDAY.  (Thank you Congress, class of 1894! and President Grover Cleveland!)

It’s also a short break after 2 whole weeks in school.  Whew.  Exhausting.  After Monday, those who haven’t started school will join in the fun.  So far so decent in our house, but I haven’t hit my new routine yet.  And….by the look of my stats, my blogging has taken a hit.  It happens when you don’t blog.  I’m still looking for the elusive extra hours in the day and until I find them, I’ll be flatlining over here.

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That BIG spike is my road-trip-friends post. I should write about my friends more!!!

I’d like to join in with JEN and Co. with 7 Quick Takes, but it’s just not going to happen this week.  Until I get it together this will suffice.  Now…..today I have a football game to get to, maybe I’ll get another post or two ahead this long weekend, see how it goes!  Wish me luck and happy looooooong weekend to you!!!