One Tough Ticket to Girl World

Girl World is a lot like Disney World- absolutely dazzling, absolutely fabulous, and absolutely a nightmare.

I was not ready to navigate this trip.  Nope.  No SPF for this stuff.

Step right up for the Rides of Your Life Ladies: 

Fashion Whirl, Splash Insults Mountain, Big Thunder of Emotions, and Cliques of the Caribbean. 

I find it funny because I took the trip myself in the 80s/ 90s but I thought the park had gotten cleaned up since I last left.   Aren't kids more progressive today?

My inner mean girl of yesteryear has come back at The Haunted Mansion.  Can I slap my 12 year old self away please?

I was not ready to enter this world so quickly.

Aren't we too young to ride these rides? Quick, someone bring me an emotional measuring stick!! 

I was not ready for a 4 year old to tell me she couldn't wear her brand new, sparkly shoes because a friend thought they were "ugly".

I was not ready for such anger toward a girl because she wore blue hair.

I was not ready to overhear little girls say 'I have a fat belly' because someone said so on the playground.

I was not ready for my daughter to be punished by peers for her processing speed because she didn't say hello fast enough or because she was confused by the unwritten "social rules" or even because she said something mean she overheard....

I was not ready for my child to desire a selfie by age 7.

I was not ready to think I did something wrong.

I was not ready to have to teach- we do NOT "group" up.

I was not ready for territorial friendships. 

I was not ready to be tortured with the thought-  'are we also making girls feel bad and don't know it?'

I was not ready for my gal to see "groups" she isn't a part of  (I miss the darn rotary phone).

I was not ready for these girls to internalize feelings and carry the burdens.

I was not ready to hurt so much too.

I was not ready to hear 'I don't know how to make friends'. 

I was not ready to hear about girls across this nation who are bullied and victimized at an alarming rate thanks to the same technology they have to master/ utilize to survive in this world. 

I was not ready for this trip.

It's like I'm this lost soul desperately holding onto a ticket that just hangs from my hand while I stand in the middle of Times Square of Girl World.  How do all these other people have Fast Passes?  What do they know that I don't?  

They must have like 7 girls and visit this place all the time.

The grasp on my ticket gives me false hope and some comfort.  I have the ticket but if I lose this ticket- I'm not going to be able to protect my daughter on the rides.   

I'm a goner.   I'm a lost goner.

Am I strong enough to hand this ticket over to God?  

I'm not sure but I know other people will pray that I am strong enough.

Pray to always show grace and kindness.

Pray that I model forgiveness in anger...

in pride...

and in understanding.

Pray that we learn to enjoy the rides that give us lessons that are both good and not so good.

Pray that I can apply the lessons I learned in my youth.

Pray that my daughter is blessed like me to find the rare coins that are so much more valuable than 10000 pennies.

Pray that she sees the beauty of lasting friendships who love her for her.

Pray that she never caves to the pressure of worldly behavior.

Pray I survive the teen years because I can see that this Girl World has some rides with really longggggggg lines in 110 degree heat while other people throw up on you.  

I never was any good at waiting in line. 

Labor Day Fun

Happy Labor Day Friends!

On this day, 15 years ago I was doing my own laboring-

12.5 hours worth and that was just while he was inside my womb

(but who is counting)!?

This stubborn boy was nearly a month late and still wouldn't come out after being induced.  

We are so glad he decided to show up.

Every year the kids get older and I tear up just reminiscing on the past.

Connor was my little butterball! 

Couldn't you just eat those cheeks??

No Worries- I kissed them all the time, 

so no regrets there.  :)

This year Connor had to write a paper about his early childhood in history class and one of his quotes included:

"I was somewhat of a mean boy, I would pull the dogs tail and I never could sit down.  I remember being in timeout ALL the time at daycare, at church, and even at school when I started school.   One time at two I got so mad in my room I knocked over a fish tank.  Fish and water went everywhere and even in the heat ducts.  That was one of the few times my dad said he got really angry with me.   I loved most when my mom would pick me up early from daycare and we would..."

I was so surprised he viewed himself that way.  I get many compliments about his good behavior and awesome personality.

Children are so impressionable and I don't think we realize the message sent to them at a very early age, especially high energy boys.  I know I didn't realize it at the time.

Connor has taught me so much about being patient, more kind to others, and best of all how to deal with boys.

It's my speciality.

You are very special Connor

and God made you in his image- just right for His plans.

We could not be more proud.

This year we celebrated with a Play Station XBox One Controller Cake.

I loved how it turned out.

Meme also made Connor his very own chocolate on chocolate cake.

To say the least, we have had our FILL of sugar this weekend.

(Even I am sick of cake and that NEVER happens).

When one turns 15 you have "hangouts" and mom doesn't take pictures, 

so we had our own private party where I could take as many pictures as I wanted.

Gigi and Sister Liz couldn't make it but they sent some very special -

We gave Connor the gift every boy wants- 

A Ferrari!

Maybe not what he had in mind but we have to wait until this COVID passes to schedule driver's ed class so that he can drive anything (by anything I mean a mini-van)...

so for now, this will do.

It must have been a good gift because the kids played from afternoon until night.

****

We took a bit of time to enjoy this tiny bit of fall weather with a snack picnic

and photo shoot.

Carlee also redecorated her room AGAIN! 

I need to get her away from Youtube Room Designs.

Speaking of designs-

we took advantage of a Labor Day Sale and got new living room furniture-

Yayyyyy.  

I'm too excited.

Our old couch endured one too many wrestling matches

but now we need new curtains.  

Let me know if you find any.

I saw this at the store and I just loved it.

 I took one and placed it on my window sill.

We are more thankful than ever to our many, many essential workers and pray you all have a good week.