Prom...again

It's prom season again.

That time of year when some teens turn to outrageous and outlandish prom-posals and some just text the question.

That time of year when some dip into their bank accounts for new or rented formal wear and others wear what they have.

That time of year when some parents, who seemingly don't know how to have just one high schooler at a time, divide and conquer to make sure everyone is covered and the pictures are taken.

I've never been to a prom so I have to live through my children in this regard. I can't say I'm a fan of the event. It just seems to cause more angst and hurt feelings than necessary for teens who are already struggling with identity and self esteem.

But this year I had two favorite parts. I loved having dinner with Mary before prom and yes, she successfully kept that white dress clean!

And I also loved chatting with Shoun the next day when I asked him about his evening. He had some great insights into the money that teen-agers spend on just one night when a greater percentage of the world lives in poverty. Sobering but I loved hearing his heart.

May every teen know where their true identity lies and be willing to give up their treasures so others may have enough.

Fill a bag

At eight years of age, she said she wanted to collect items to give to children in need. We chatted a bit about what that might mean and who her focus group should be. We decided that filling backpacks for children in foster care would not only fit her desire to help kids but would also fit our family's mission of caring for orphans and widows.

In that first year we collected 26 backpacks for children in our county's foster care system.

Four years later Backpacks of Hope has collected and donated a total of 568 backpacks and now serves the children in four counties.

Earlier this year we heard about a company which was choosing employee-nominated ministries and organizations for which they would match donations. A friend of ours works for this company and said she wanted to see if Backpacks of Hope could get selected. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the foster care system and also have a heart for this population. We applied and BOH was selected! So in March we held a Matching Fundraiser and raised above and beyond our goal!

With the funds raised and matched, and the donations received, it was determined that in April we would hold our first ever Fill-A-Bag event.

It was her vision and her collaboration that brought this day to fruition.  So with 5 organizers, 24 packers and volunteers, 2 hours of set up, 2 hours of packing, and another hour of clean up, the first ever was complete. With 115 bags packed and ready for pick-up by those 4 counties next week, we consider the event to be a complete success!

She recently spent her career day experience with some folks in safety administration.

We can safely say this is the first and last time she'll

be in the back of a police car.

Not sure what she wants to do, she has plenty of time to figure that out. Some say teacher. She is very much like her mother. I can see her as a teacher, but more and more I see her in some form of social work and this is what she is thinking as well. Trauma is a buzzword these days but it's one that's not going away. She gets it. She has witnessed it first-hand in her siblings.  She knows what is healing and what is not. And she knows that one's definition of success has to change. Humans heal in their own way and their own time and some choose not to try. We can't change them. But we can love them. And this she knows well. She has been hurt but she understands that there's more to someone's behavior than what you see on the surface. She knows what secondary trauma looks like and hopefully she is learning how to avoid it in herself if she does choose to care for others. She will go far. And not just because I say so. There has been a prophesy over her life that sees her leading a large helping organization someday.

And as her mother I ponder all of these things in my heart.

Serve, love, and dream, my dear Eden. Think of the masses that have been comforted because you dared to believe that an 8 year old could start something like this!

Runners

No one smiles as much as Victor when he's running...

And no one runs faster than HopeAnne...

But this is the best part...

Happy 5!

You take what you can get!

Photo oops

Sometimes the bloopers are better than the one that goes on the wall.

Jumping

Fishy face

And my all-time favorite blooper...

I have no idea...

There's art...

I am not an artist. Not at all. Sometimes I can fake it by copying an idea on Pinterest or a how-to-teach-art-to-your-kids website, but that's it.

So how I got so many children who not only enjoy art, not only look talented to me, but who also have art teachers who appreciate and admire their talent, is beyond me.

All my art teacher ever said to me was, "You need to try harder."

Except I was. And that piece you just returned to me was the result.

Andrew had artwork in the intergenerational art show at Penn View when he was in elementary school.

Jesse had artwork in the Mechanicsburg Schools annual art show when he was in middle school.

And more recently, Eden was also in this art show.

They don't get it from me!

And then there's the preschool art show. The one where everyone gets an entry. The one where your teacher says things like, "I love this painting. I can tell you used your fingers. And blue is my favorite color. It reminds me of the sky..."

Finally, a child who gets his artistic "talent" from me!

Victor-isms to encourage - or not

Victor (squeezing my arm): I like your fat.

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I will be the lifeguard and make sure you don't drain.

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Victor: What is poo?
Me: I guess it's another word for poop.
Victor: Then why is it in shampoo?
Me: Oh.................... Um.................... Ya got me.
Victor: And what is sham?
Me: I have no idea.
Victor: I know what it is. Want me to tell you?
Me: I'd love for you to tell me.
Victor: Shampoo is Spanish and it means something you put in your hair.

Now you know.

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Dad lets me. You don't let me 'cause you're a bosser.

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Mom, is your husband really old?

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Mom, what if we were all a dog family and Dad was a big dog that barked loudly and you were a little dog that barked small-ly......... (there was more but I stopped listening after small-ly)

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Victor (sticking his tongue out): Mary, can you see that? Can you see that on my tongue?
Mary: No. I don't see anything. What is on your tongue?
Victor: Pain. Can you see the pain on my tongue?

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Victor-isms for a birthday boy

Victor: I love you.
Me: I love you, too.
Victor: I was talking to myself.



He's spunky, snuggly, loving, cute, wild, vibrant, active, and bright.

Age 1

He's also easily angered, often dysregulated, scary, and hurtful.

But today, on his 5th birthday, we focus on the loving side.

Age 2

And the comedic side.

Victor: I spilled water.
Me: Okay, go ahead and find a new shirt and change your shirt.
Victor: But I got it all over my face. I need a new face, too.

Age 3

He's a true miracle and a special part of our family.

Age 4

Happy birthday to my candle-blowing-but-hair-singed 5 year old!

Counting my candles - just to be sure they didn't cheat me out of a year.

5 candles, just like 5 fingers, right?

Not quite, buddy.

That's it - 5!

 A little too close, oops.

Look at that spit fly!

Braille Uno, working on number recognition

Teacher moms always give gifts with education in mind

And one more, just because it's a beautiful day...

Victor: I'm getting used to bare footing.

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And when his sister called him on the phone to wish him a happy birthday...

Victor: Okay, Ana, we're going to talk about sharing. But you're not allowed to talk until I'm done talking.
Ana: Okay.
Victor: Now, kids, do you know what it means to share?
Ana: Yes.
Victor: No, don't talk til I'm done talking.

Ana: I need to go.
Victor: No, you can keep talking.
Ana: Can you go get Mom?
Victor: No, I want to keep talking.

Later...
Ana: Victor, I really need to go.
Victor: That makes me really sad. Does that make you sad?