Dear Child, (When life doesn't go the way you think it should.)

- Always remember "tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes." (An Anne of Green Gables FAVORITE quote.)

- A tough first day at school, may seem like the end of the world, but BELIEVE Mom when she says there "will be tougher days ahead." (Oops! That one might not cheer you up, huh?)

- How about "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." (Any better?)

- When I was your age... (No help at all, am I?)

- The teacher isn't mean, just because you went to school unprepared. (I AM ON YOUR SIDE!!!) Yes, we had summer homework.

- You looked cute today. :)

- Mommy LOVES you! (That ALWAYS helped when you were little. Now come give me a kiss...)

OK, face it Baby Doll, Mommy doesn't always have the answers to make everything better. Today was a little overwhelming. It is all new. This "High School thing" can be scary, but please believe me when I say "YOU WILL SURVIVE!!!" You might even like it once you get use to the yucky schedule, the Health teacher with the booming voice and figure out that one bad grade in one class hasn't ruined your whole High School career. It was, after all, just the first day of ninth grade.

But, if this little pep talk didn't work it's magic, then maybe a little scripture will. I was reading this morning and came across this little treasure...

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you, I lift my soul." Psalms 143:8

Tomorrow is a new day, my sweet girl. There isn't a thing you and your friend Jesus can't handle together.

Prayers for day full of "words" of His unfailing love and guidance.

High School?!!!

See this young lady? She and time are breaking my heart. In a few months, she will be fifteen. In a few days, it will be official... I will be the mom of a high school student. I am excited. I am scared to death. I am happy. I am sad. I am in need of some serious prayer. When I think that in just four short years... well, let's not even go there just yet, what do you say?

I was reading my Bible this morning, reading also out of a devotional magazine, when this prayer popped off the page at me:

"Heavenly Father, when we are raising and enjoying our children it is easy to forget that we received them on loan. Help us let go and let them embrace adulthood."

Now, this isn't quite my prayer, yet. Well the second part of it isn't, anyway. However, I do forget that being a mom is an "honor" sometimes and I do take for granted many moments in motherhood. So, as I approach the beginning of a new school year, with a 9Th and 7Th grader, I pray that I do find joy in all their busyness. I am so BLESSED the Lord saw fit for me to have the honor of being called "mom," by two of His children. May I never take my moments with them for granted.

"He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus... And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ..."

Philippians 1:6, 9-10

When things get HOT...

It is so very HOT around these here parts. The thought of leaving the comfort of my air conditioned home fills me with dread. Sorry Grandma, the ladies around here do not just "glisten," WE SWEAT, BIG TIME.

The heat wears me out. Just going to the grocery store seems ten times more unbearable than before. Just getting in the car is a risk. I mean the metal on the seat belt alone is liable to cause 3rd degree burns. I saw today, where a friend of mine said we had better not say "We wish it was summer, come winter, or she just might have to slap someone." I tend to agree. IT IS HOT PEOPLE!!!

But then I realise I am fussing and whining just a little and I try to remind myself of how blessed

I am to have an air conditioner in my car, even though it only has one setting... HIGH or not at all. I try to remind myself that I should be thankful for my car that still gets me where I am going, that I still have a cart full of groceries and that I now should have stock in Wally World because I am the proud mom of growing kids, no matter how hot it gets outside. And when I am wiping down the "glisten" off my face and finish wringing out my shirt, I hop in my car, in which I get a free sauna treatment and head off to the next mommy adventure, full steam ahead.

Actually, I decide since I am being such a good sport about even attempting to shop in 105 plus degrees of heat, that my efforts need to be rewarded. I head to the "BELL" where they may even know my name and order by memory...

"One LARGE mango-strawberry frutista, PLEASE."

Even mom deserves a treat every once in a while, don't you think.

Hope you are having a HAPPY summer.

Stay cool, friends!!!