My Babies...such BLESSINGS!

Tonight was parent teacher conference night and I think I was the proudest parent there. Not so much because of the grades that my son has earned (although 4 As and 2 Bs are nothing to sneeze at), but because of the comments that every teacher had about him. These are the same comments that I've been hearing throughout his entire education (he's in 7th grade right now). But it doesn't stop there. The same comments that I heard tonight about my son, were the very same comments that I've always received about my 2 daughters also (one currently a senior in high school and the other in her 3rd year of college).

Here's how the conversation usually goes:

Teacher: Oh my goodness! I can't tell you enough what a pleasure {insert child's name here} is in class. So mannerable, so pleasant, such a hard worker. Such a joy to have in my class. I wish I had an entire classroom filled with students just like {insert child's name here}.

Me: Thank you. I'm glad to hear that. He/She really is a blessing. Not just at school but at home also (or something along those lines).

Tonight, was even more moving. Tonight, his math teacher actually gave me a hug when I walked in the door, and was tearing up the whole time that she talked about my son. Wow! She said that she told herself she wouldn't get attached to any of the students this year, then in walked my son. It's difficult to not get attached to a child as special as he is.

Tonight's experience reminded me of something that I have always said about my children. I've always said that if they weren't my kids, I'd wish that they were. Does that make sense?

If they weren't mine I'd always look at them and think, "Awww...it would be so cool to have children like them". Or, "When I have kids I hope they turn out just like...".

Have you ever met kids who make you feel that way?

And I thank God right then and there (as I've done since the day each one was born), for blessing me with them. Some parents may get 1 out of 3 who are exceptional. If they're lucky, they'll get 2 out of 3 who are exceptional. ME...God blessed me with 3 children who are absolutely exceptional people, inside and out. I couldn't have asked for better, I couldn't have chosen better, yet God gave me the BEST.

They are true examples of what it means to "let your Light shine". They don't hide their Light under a bushel. They let their Light shine brightly for all to see. THAT is what we are ALL supposed to do.

And on this night I want to world to know how blessed I am to be Lauren, Jordan and Terence's mom. There!!! Now you know.

Let the DIALOGUE begin! Do you know any cool kids, yours or someone else's? What makes 'em so cool?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

In my "Perfect World"

Is it just me, or does it seem as though there are some people who have an abundance of wealth and others who don't have two nickels to rub together. Seems a little unbalanced if you ask me. Some struggle, others don't know the meaning of. Why is that?

Do the people who have an abundance and live in excess really appreciate all that they have? And would they miss anything if they were to give just a little?

On the flip side, how life-changing would it be if those who are struggling, and have struggled all their lives, could simply get a break?

I've asked myself these questions many many times and...I have the solution.

One day, for just ONE day only, I wish that each country would implement a policy where all of the residents of that country pool their money together and then equally divide it amongst all of the citizens of that country. Ideally, I wanted to include all the money in the world and have that distributed evenly, but I thought I'd keep it simple and just have each country distribute the money amongst the citizens of that country.

Now, think about that for a minute.

And please, don't go killing the dream by figuring out all the ways that this would NOT work. No, this is my "perfect world" scenario, so it works.

You see, those who live in excess won't miss anything. Most people who have an abundance of money just waste it anyway on frivolous junk. Not using that money to help enhance the lives of others, but typically used to buy useless junk, just for the sake of being able to buy it. I think that's sad.

Take the United States for example. One of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet look at all of the unemployed and homeless people we have here. Now look at how many celebrities we have in this country who only seem to be concerned with how much "bling" they can buy. Almost as though they are truly living by the motto: He who dies with the most toys wins.

I've got news for you though...you can't take those toys with you when you die. But the money can live on long after you're gone if you put toward something that can help others. I mean really. Do you want your legacy to be that you had a bunch of "stuff" when you were alive, or do you want it to be how many people in your lifetime?

Don't know about you, but I opt for the latter.

So back to my "perfect world"...in one day, with the money of this country equally distributed, I know or a fact that it would change my life dramatically, and I'm sure that many others would reap the same positive benefits.

Does this mean that I don't want to work hard to become financially secure? No! I've been working since I was 16 years old. So I'm well aware of what it means to work hard and...I don't believe in "a free ride". I'm just saying that people are tired. People need a break. People need something good to happen to them. ONE DAY in my "Perfect World" would accomplish all of these things.

So there you have it. Let the DIALOGUE begin! What do you think about my "Perfect World", or, do you have a better idea?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Blue and Brown

My favorite colors. Especially together. I've always loved blue and then a few years ago I began to notice how pretty blue is when it's paired up with brown. Kinda like "peanut butter & jelly", "bacon & eggs", "milk & cookies"...okay...you get it. Blue and Brown...they were just meant to be.

Funny though. Seems like everywhere I look these days there it is...the blue and brown combo. It's the theme for baby boy's clothing. It's the theme for home decor. It's everywhere.

Almost seems as though once I decided on how much I loved the combo, everyone else jumped on the bandwagon and decided that they liked it just as much.

I like the combination because it reminds me of nature, and most people who know me know that I'm a nature girl at heart. Always thankful for the beauty that God gives us each day.

Blue for sky and water. Brown for the earth and color of my skin.

Yes, we're keeping tonight's post pretty light. Let the DIALOGUE begin! What's your favorite color, or color combination? Go 'head...dig through the crayon box if you need to :-)

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Sunday

Ahh Sunday. One of my favorite days of the week.

I just got home not too long ago from my 2nd church service of the day. "What!?!...TWO church services, in ONE day???". Yes, two, and I thoroughly enjoyed them both.

I realize that there are many who simply can not drag themselves into the doors of a church unless they're there for a wedding or funeral. For most it seems, church is on the living room couch, rooting for their favorite sports team. For those people I have a simple question: Who's name do you call upon in times of need, trouble, loneliness, sickness, despair, etc? Have any of your sports teams ever been able to help you in your darkest hour? Do your sports teams even know that YOU exist? Just a few questions that you may want to think about when you're on your couch next Sunday.

For me, church is where I go to "fill up". Much like a car needs gas in order to run...I need to HEAR the preached Word of God. Mind you, I'm very aware of the fact that I don't HAVE to be in church to get "filled", all I need to do is open my Bible and everything I need is right there.

Yet there's something special about fellowshipping, praising and worshipping with others that is so rewarding. We need each other. None of us are in this world alone. And yes, I can praise and worship God all by myself (and often times I do), but I really look forward to Sundays when I can do these things collectively with my church family.

So today, along with morning service, I also attended another service at 3:30. And it was just what I needed. If you've been following the blog, you pretty much know what my sore spot is. If I didn't have what I have on Sundays, I don't know how I'd ever make it through a Monday.

So yes, I'd have to say that Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week. Fridays, AFTER 5:30 and ALL Saturdays are probably my favorites, for reasons that I don't have to explain IF you've been following the blog.

Let the DIALOGUE begin! What is YOUR favorite day of the week and why?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Trick or Treat, Merry Christmas (hey aren't we missing something?)!!!

Ok, so is it me, or does Christmas seem to come earlier every year?

I mean really...as soon as the Halloween decorations came down, BAM...the Christmas decorations were up. I wish I were exaggerating, but I'm not. This is the absolute truth.

Poor Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving gets no love :-(

Christmas has become so commercial that retailers begin the season earlier and earlier each year to bring in the bucks. Who cares about the spiritual significance of Christmas? Maybe I'm the only one.

And the music!!! Man!

I was in a store today and the Christmas songs were BLARING! Today is only November 13th. We've still got over a month to go here people!!!

Me...I don't pull the Christmas music out until December 1st...NEVER any sooner. And my Christmas collection is a lot different that what you'll hear in the stores. MY Christmas collection is about (get this!!!) JESUS! I know...sounds silly doesn't it. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Quite honestly, it shouldn't be any other way.

Yeah...every now and then we pop in a song about a reindeer, or the jolly old man in the red suit...but 99% of the Christmas music that we listen to in my home, is about the REAL meaning of Christmas. That also happens to be the name of one of my favorite Christmas songs..."The Real Meaning of Christmas".

So anyway...I said all that to say this...can we give Thanksgiving just a little bit of love. Hmmm...maybe we should come up with a song. Wha' da ya think?

Let the DIALOGUE begin! If you could write a song for THANKSGIVING how would it go? Throw me some lyrics.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Listen to The Dialogue Den's Playlist

Le-A

Okay, so I could talk about yet another crummy day at work, but instead I thought we'd do something fun. We are going to a play a little game.

As you see, the title of tonight's blog is "Le-A".

You're probably wondering, "What is Le-A"?

I'm glad you asked :-)

Le-A is a woman's name.

YOUR job...is to tell me how it's pronounced. Come on people...join in on the fun. This needs to be VERY interactive. After seven guesses, I'll tell you the correct pronunciation, unless of course, someone guesses correctly before seven guesses.

Let the DIALOGUE begin! What is the craziest name you've ever heard?

Talk to me!

Til next time...