Reference Guide

I like Pinterest. I am on daily. I may have an addiction. However it's a healthy one. Pinterest has brought us many a new meal plan, craft idea, decorating tip, and even a little motivation. I see on there though "15 things every mom should tell her son", "20 things every boy or girl should know" and so on. It got me to thinking... there are things I'd like my boys to know that maybe I haven't thought to tell them. I don't think I can however put them in any order or limit the number to as little as 15 or 20! It may require multiple blogs, but I do want them to have something to reference now and again, you know, when I 'm not around to remind them. So boys, this is for you, the start of your very on reference guide. Remember, I can't limit the number or choose an order so...

Do what is right, NOT what is easy.

I believe in YOU.

Remember to take a minute not to ask God for anything-but thank Him for what you do have.

NEVER use the word gay in a derogatory manner, it's ignorant.

NEVER use your fists to solve ANY dispute. One wrong punch could take a life and it could be yours.

You are strong, you are brave, you are smart, you are kind, you are handsome, you amaze me, you are funny. I am ALWAYS here for you, I will ALWAYS love you, no matter what.

Home is always safe, even if no where else feels that way.

Help others.

When you are afraid, nervous, heart broken or just need me and I'm not there, HE is always. PRAY.

Boys and men can do laundry, dishes and cook.

You become like the people you spend the most time with-choose carefully.

When you feel like you are drowning in life, don't worry, your Lifeguard walks on water.

If you don't go after what you want you will never have it.

Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.

Real girls don't look like Victoria Secret models.

You have manners, use them.

It's ok to have heroes with big muscles and uniforms-Big Poppy, Walter Payton, Michael Jordan-but know there are heroes who kicked butt because of their brains- Albert Einstein, Dr. Martin Luther King, Neil Armstrong-

You are never to old to hug/kiss your mom.

Arrogance and self pity are unacceptable-somewhere someone has it far worse and someone will always have more.

Dance like nobody is watching, it's good for your soul.

Please be honest. The worst thing about being lied to is knowing you weren't worth the truth.

If it's important to you, you will find a way. If not you will find an excuse.

If you don't ask the answer will always be no.

What if you only wake up tomorrow with what you thank God for today?

Attitude is everything.

If you don't step forward, you'll always be in the same place.

You have recognizable similarities being brothers you also have undeniable uniqueness. You are you- held accountable by your brotherhood.

I love you.

Thank you God for blessing me immensely.

A nice reminder

Carson had a cross country meet this week at a park that I first, and last visited about eight years ago. This is the same park where Chase had his first ever cross county meet. It's not the park that holds significance to me or even that it's where Chase's first meet was  and now Carson. It's the park where I fell in love. In love with running. I remember Chase's first meet so vividly. Only, Chase I am so sorry, I don't remember a thing about Chase running or how he did that day. (I am sure he did great, and I was very, very proud of him!) It is the boy who finished dead last, yes, last that I remember so well. When Chase started cross country I didn't know much about the sport. Ok I knew nothing about the sport. I wasn't sure what to expect. All the other runners had finished, people were starting to leave, and I heard someone say we still have one runner on the course. I remember seeing this group of kids come around the corner, and there was this last place runner in the middle of them all. His team. They were running with him and encouraging him to finish. People started to gather again. As the boy runs along people start clapping, and shouting words of encouragement. Not just his team or people from his town, but everyone. I remember the look on his face when he saw the finish line, he was almost there. His team stops running, but keeps cheering, they let him cross the finish, and then they surround him, embracing him and his accomplishment. I don't know if eight years later this boy is still running or not. I don't know if he would even remember that day. I can't even remember where he was from. I just remember his face. His PROUD face. It's not to many times someone can come in last and have people cheer. It's not to many times someone comes in last and hears words of encouragement. This meet touched me. A sport where you compete as individuals, but also as a team. A sport where people encourage not belittle. A sport where of course you want your son/daughter and their team mates to do well, but it's common to cheer for everyone. I fell in love with running that day, because it wasn't about being THE BEST, it was about doing YOUR BEST. Whatever that is. It's about building self esteem and a whole lot of character. I've learned some over the past eight years about cross country and running, although an expert I am not. I even in the past few years have taken on a race or two. I've always said for me, it's not about the time I cross the line in, but that I cross the line. Running isn't for everyone, and that's understandable. Over the years, I have also come to learn that the people you run with become your friends, there is a whole lot of commodore, an unspoken bond. I'm glad to have revisited the park where I fell in love, a nice reminder of the positive. Chase and Carson both have meets this weekend, and I am so glad I get to share in their experiences and although they are competing on two completely different levels, the playing field is the same. Run boys run, mom's so proud of you!! Thank you God for blessing me immensely.