Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Power of Teachers

Collin's first day of pre-school 2010
                                I have always known that, inspite of my education and work experience, I would always just be mom to my children.  They may never know, and, quite possibly, may never care about my time at the White House, working for the Outback Bowl, being a television reporter or my years spent as a teacher.  To them, I am simply mom, and, somedays probably sound like an adult from Charlie Brown.  I know that when it comes to matters of education they will always believe their teachers over me, just as my students did. 
With that knowledge in mind I am well aware of the importance of teachers in a child's life.  I can say, without skipping a beat, the names of all of my teachers.  I can tell you quirky things about them, what I liked, what I didn't like and how well I did in each class.  Now, at more than 30 years old I can still pinpoint the impact each teacher had, for better or for worse (their is a reason I hate Geometry).
So, as you send your babies to school, whether it be preschool or high school or anything inbetween think about this, it's an excellent tribute to wonderful teachers...http://kylenebeers.com/blog/?p=149

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Peer Pressure


It's so hard to imagine this sweet boy as a teenager.  As a matter of fact, it's downright frightening and I think about it as little as possible.  However, I know it is coming some day, and that some day will seem all too soon.
Collin has always been a very tenderhearted child.  He is (typically) compliant, though the eye rolling and huffing has started to accompany his compliance.  He submits to authority quickly and is usually a good listener.  Now, please don't mistake this for some angel child who never gets in trouble and always says, "yes ma'm."  He is still a child, and he is still a boy, but he has always been easy to correct.
These things have made raising him a lot more simple than if he were more stubborn, however they have always been a slight cause of concern.  As one who spent a few years teaching 8th grade I am very aware of what is to come.  I have been worried that Collin would fall to peer pressure easily, getting him into trouble that he didn't intend.  I have been concerned that a stronger personality could come along and convince Collin to do something that he may not have done on his own.
Now, I will admit that I did try to use this fear to my advantage.  Collin likes the water, but only as much as he feels in control.  He'll wade in up to his knees and that's good for him.  He'll splash, but not enough to get in his face.  So, this year I put him in group swim lessons thinking he would fall to the peer pressure and become comfortable jumping in the water and putting his head under.  I am quite certain that swim lessons were much more of a learning experience for me than they were for him.
Not only was Collin not "pressured" into swimming, but he didn't even trust the "authority figure" enough to do what she wanted him to do.  Now, he was not disrespectful, and he would follow her directions, but only to his comfort level.  The other children were jumping in, splashing, swimming and he couldn't care less.  It was almost as if he was looking at them thinking, "you guys are fools."  In the end, the swim lessons were successful, but not because of any amount of peer pressure.  They were successful because Collin was willing to do more the more comfortable he got in the water. 
It was an odd feeling of satisfaction for me.  While I was bothered that he didn't take off swimming with the others children or jump with them, there was this calm that came with realizing my child is not going to do anything he doesn't want to do.  At least for now we know this, if Collin does something he made the decision himself to do it.  There is a good bit of comfort that comes with knowing that.

Monday, August 20, 2012

For the good of those who love the Lord...

I've been thinking about this post for a little while.  At first, I wasn't even sure I would make a blog post.  But, like many things in my life, if it weighs on my heart and mind I have to "talk" about it to let it go. 
A couple of weeks ago the ladies in my bible study were discussing the things in our lives that hurt us, or frustrate us.  Being that it was a room full of women, issues with family, extended family, husbands and friends all came to light.  In addition, it is also a room full of mostly stay-at-home moms, the inevitable issues of concern for our children, raising children, doing a thankless job, struggling with wanting to work, a house that never seems clean, etc...  Then, being a room full of military wives it get serious and the true fears begin to come out.  Each of us has moved to a place we never wanted to live, in circumstances we couldn't have imagined, each of us has had a husband leave to a foreign land not really knowing when and if he will return, each of us has walked through major life events (birth of a child, moves,  without a spouse, death in the family, etc...) without our spouse, and most of us know someone who has lost a husband.
As the discussion continued we referenced Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  This is a scripture that most know.  It's one many cling to when things aren't going well.  But a curious comment was made, if we truly believe God's word and trust him then why do we fear.  This would leave many to question their faith and trust.  I mean really, does anyone live without fear?
As I pondered this, the reason for the fear seemed clear.  To me, it wasn't my doubt in God's goodness or faithfulness that causes my fear, it is the pain.  To take the most extreme of the situations above, the loss of a spouse (or parent, or child or even a dear friend) must cause unimaginable pain.  It is an event that, I can only imagine, would scar a life forever.  Even knowing that all things will work together for good.  Even knowing and believing and trusting in God's faithfulness does not spare us the pain of loss.  Some of the most faithful believers I know still experience the pain of loss, the pain of life inspite of their true belief that all will be ok.  I don't find that this makes them doubtful of God and his promises, or less faithful.  I simply find that pain is very real for those of us who choose to engage in this life, and that fear of pain is part of the natural human condition.  Even when you know, you know with all of your heart, that God will ultimately make it right, it still hurts when it happens, and no one wants to hurt.

Monday, August 13, 2012

The PGA Championship

I am not golfer, and until recently I am not even much of a golf spectator.  But, as with most things, once you learn the rules and some of the players it gets more interesting.  Last year my dad purchased tickets for us to go to the PGA Championship since it was being hosted at Kiawah Island (you all know how we love the Charleston area).  What we didn't realize at the time is that the PGA gives active duty military and their spouses free admission to any and all days of the tournament, whether it is sold out or not.

Now, there are more than a few corporations who give discounts to military or allow free admission to events, theme parks, etc...  What you don't ever know is how it will be received.  Often times it is written in the fine print, and when asked for the military person is met with a scoff and is slightly embarassed, like they are looking for a handout.  Please don't get me wrong, this is not always the case, but it is the case often enough that we always take pause before using a "military discount."
We should not have feared or doubted the class with which the PGA would handle this.  When we arrived (and were headed to will call) we were met by a man who asked Robert if he was in the military (if you haven't noticed Robert kind of looks the part), shook his hand, thanked him profusely and guided us to where we received our tickets and a PGA hat.  It was made known to all in attendance that the men and women with green PGA hats were active duty military members, so on multiple occassions Robert had perfect strangers thank him for his service.  While that can be a little uncomfortable some times, it was done with sincere thanks, and it was neat to see.
In addition to military personnel getting in free, so did children 17 and under, up to 4 per adult ticket.  No one ever does that.  It was truly a familly environment, and I felt they were honestly trying to provide a great experience for people of varying socioeconomic standing to come and enjoy a great game of golf (yes, we took Collin the first day.  He was much more impressed with Tiger Woods on the iphone game than he was Tiger Woods in real life).
Needless to say we thoroughly enjoyed the tournament. 

It's a very different experience than many other professional sporting events.  The players are right there, and it was neat to see some of the "greats."  It was a good education in golf and attending golf tournaments.
I learned the following:
- If you want anything from the gift shop, go first thing on the first day.  I have never seen signs of such a thriving economy as I did there.
- If you want pictures (of anything) or autographs of the players go to the practice rounds.
- There really is no need to go to the tournament 3 days in a row.  A day off in the middle makes everyone ready to tackle the last day, and enjoy it.
- Set your chairs up early, in a good spot (say, hole 17), then go walk the course.  Once you return (yes, your chairs will still be there undisturbed) you can sit and enjoy the rest of the tournament, and see everyone who is playing, and be there for whatever wonderful end occurs (the players walked on that dirt path).
So, my hat's off to the PGA and Kiawah for hosting such a wonderful event.  And of course, congratulations to Rory McIlroy on an incredible, record breaking win.  I think I might actually enjoy watching golf now.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Accomplishment...

It's an ordinary word, but I have learned that it is often used to refer to more extraordinary things.  When looking to find a way to describe the achievement of something one never thought possible, the word accomplishment came up more than any other.  It means fulfillment, something done admirably or creditably, which would include those things never thought possible.
I am one of those people who do not like to attempt things unless I know I can do it well from the start, preferably, do it better than most.  It has always been a hindrance to me when it comes to trying something new or challenging.  I shy away from that which I don't know and definitely from those thing I have convinced myself I cannot do.  Most of this is tied to pride and the inevitable embarassment that comes when others see you fail or even just struggle. 
An athletic person I am not.  I gave it all a fair shot when I was younger (soccer, softball, basketball), but by high school I had abandoned all efforts at team sports, and really any type of exercise at all.  When I was in college, as part of an effort to keep off the freshman 15, I began exercising at the school gym.  I enjoyed it, could go at a time when few others were there (reference paragraph 2) and successfully kept the weight off.  One thing I never did was run.
My commentary on running has always been, "If you see me running please call the cops, someone must be chasing me."  Running was painful, exhausting, hot, and just all around yucky.  Though, inspite of my grave dislike of the activity (yes, i had tried it before) I always thought it would be such an accomplishment to finish a race. 
I am not sure what initially spurred me to even start, I really don't even have a guess, I just decided one day that I would begin the Couch to 5K running program and that I would run a 5K in November (it will actually be in December, the Merry Fitness 5K in Jacksonville).  With impeccable timing I started training as the Carolina summer was heating up, but I have stuck with it, and at the end of 9 weeks I am running 3 miles.  I am embarassingly slow, it is still not as easy as I think it should be, but I can run 3 miles without stopping and that, for me, is quite an accomplishment.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Technologically Challenged in the Wrong Century

Yes, I am technologically challenged, and well aware that I am in the wrong century to be this unsavvy.  Robert reminds me all of the time that I am way too young to be this ignorant about computers and technology in general.
I still keep a paper agenda.  I don't even set reminders on my phone.  I have an outstanding business idea, and what's holding me back, my complete lack of computer knowledge.  If the television messes up, I just leave until Robert comes home (yes, that has happened during a deployment, and yes I have left it until he got home).  I have a blog and am trying to change the way it looks, and even using the ideas of other people with step by step instructions, and I still can't get it to work!!!  AAAHHHH!!!
All of that to say....I am struggling with the blog.  I will continue to post, but can't guarantee the aesthetics of the page.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Nope, this time it wasn't Robert.  Collin left out of the Wilmington airport yesterday to spend a week with my parents in Florida.  He could not have been more excited. 
Thanks to the fact that Wilmington is a small airport, or maybe because he is so young, I was able to get a gate pass and walk him to the gate. 

We waited there (he, quite anxiously) for my mom to arrive on "his" plane to take him back to Florida. 
I even had to remind him to give me a hug and say goodbye.  Which isn't so bad, apparently I was that way as a child. 
(note only my mother is looking back)
It's never bothered me that Collin doesn't get upset when he leaves me or I leave him.  I actually prefer it.  As a parent, I find that it means he is comfortable and happy with where he is going and who he will be with.  It shows he feels safe and is confident, confident in himself and the adults he will be with, and confident that I am coming back.  So, no tears on either side and Collin is off to have a wonderful vacation with his grandparents...and no one else.