Thought you should know

Next month, I'll be traveling to Charlotte with a friend for a speakers' conference. My first. Her second. I look forward to learning more about effective communication and refining my skills. I know the speakers there will be encouraging. I'm a bit giddy at the idea of three days for "me" without mommy duties... but don't tell the kids.

When I travel, my quirks will go with me. Of course. So, Leigh, here's your warning. Thought you should know that:

• I sleep with a pillow over my head. Yes, it's true. My little head, squished between two pillows like a sandwich. I've slept this way my whole life -- or at least as long as I can remember. Honestly, I didn't know it was a little weird until my last road trip with a friend. She found it quite hilarious!
• I can't survive a day without popcorn. Perhaps I could survive a day, but I'm certain I can't survive three without it! I share -- but only begrudgingly.
• I don't wake up till the coffee cup has been drained -- at least once. Some days, I need two cups before complete, rational sentences form on these lips.
• I always check the bed for bedbugs. Always. Long before the recent bedbug scare.
• I don't consider myself arrived until the bags are unpacked. Sadly, I'm not a drop the bags and run for fun girl... Unpacking settles me. (Note: I am good at leaving the bags when I arrive before check-in. It's just that I consider myself "checked in" only once I'm "settled in.")
• I always hit the snooze! Always! At least once. Usually twice. Or three times. Why rush the waking process... See note on coffee above.
• I need to know the day's weather report. It's almost as essential as coffee. Don't ask me why. Especially going to a conference in a hotel where I won't be outside... If I go back to college, I think I might study meteorology.
• I sleep best with my sound machine, set on ocean waves. Very soothing. However, I can go without it if you can't sleep with the ocean in the background. I think. Maybe.

That's about it. Now you know what you signed up for -- I'm glad that was non-refundable, because you're stuck with me now!

"The Vest" and John Edwards

For those who don't know me personally, I am a passionate Buckeye. I have followed the Ohio State Buckeye football team through coaching ups and downs, championship seasons and rebuilding seasons. My husband says he married the best woman on the planet because I'm as knowledgeable about football as he is. Our kids follow the Buckeyes too. Really, they don't have an option. No non-Buckeyes eat at our family table!

The past ten years, Jim Tressel, aka "The Vest," has been a strong example of integrity and faith. He often benched players for bad grades or bad attitudes. Then, Tressel resigned as Buckeye coach this week, amid allegations and investigations by the NCAA (non-sports readers, the NCAA regulates college sports and is responsible for disciplining teams, schools and coaches who violate the rules). I don't know the whole story, but Tressel compromised his integrity somewhere along the line and allowed student athletes to violate NCAA rules. His coverup is a rule violation too. Did those misdeeds help the team on the field? Did they help the students off the field? Who knows.

I hope my kids will learn that all it takes is one step away from the path God has for us to crumble and fall. It takes just one mistake. One bad choice. One compromise of values. Just one can change our lives forever.

John Edwards... same story. He's a North Carolina man. He dreamed of becoming president. His campaign screeched to a halt after having an affair with an aide, fathering her child, and (allegedly) trying to cover it up with misappropriated campaign funds.

One mistake... that slid into another... and another... and destroyed a dream. A career. A family.

Of course, God is bigger than either Tressel or Edwards' mistakes. God can redeem their lives. He alone can put the pieces back together to do something amazing -- despite their choices. May that happen for both these men.

Today I pray for my kids. May they learn from their hero's mistake. May they understand that compromising Christian values leads to problems. There's no such thing as a successful coverup, just more lies. Kids, I pray you will learn that what you do today -- right or wrong -- affects what happens in your life tomorrow.

And God, help me model wisdom. Help me nurture my kids to love what You love, to desire what You desire, and to follow You every day of their lives. Thank You for the gift of forgiveness when we do mess up. Thank You that we don't do this alone!

Teens: A Stressed Out Generation

A friend posted this article on Facebook this morning. I can't say it any better.

Parents, finish strong! They're not done being kids just because they think our ideas are "stupid." They need us to guide them through high school, set boundaries and enforce them, and be a greater influence than the world is. Of course, discipline and instruction look different with teens than with younger kids, but they are still necessary!

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. 

Proverbs 19:18

Stepping off my soapbox now.

Thanks for listening.