PG-Parental Guidance or Pregnancy?

This weekend was certainly an eye-opener for me regarding teen activities when parents aren’t around.  I work with youth all of the time, I am the parent of 6 children-three of which are adults and three are under the age of 18.  I took my younger three children, plus 3 ten year old girls to the movies with my husband to celebrate the 10th birthday of my youngest child.  I took them to a family movie-a PG movie.  It should have been safe right?  Wrong!

The movie was fine…don’t get me wrong here…the problem was a couple of audience members.  We were seated in the back of the small theater because of the size of our group…there were 8 of us.  We were spread out because the teens didnt want to sit with mom and dad (of course) and the girls didn’t want to sit with the teen boys (of course) and so we took up the end seats of three rows.  A group of three teens approached my  teen boys, who happened to be in the last row in the back, and asked them if they would mind moving down to the end the line.   They did move with no fuss.  There were two girls and a boy; no parental guidance, I might add.

As the movie began, so did the engines of one of those girls and the boy.   Right from the get go, it was obvious why they wanted my sons to move farther down the line and to the inside wall of the theater.  They were not interested in the movie shall we say.  They were there for one reason only…even though they had a chaperone…a female of about the same age.  What age is that, you may ask?  Well, they appeared to be all of about 12 or 13…at the most 14 years of age.   Understand what I am saying here…they were approximately two to four years older than the birthday girl and her friends.

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Someone’s Going To Lose Their Job

      Today, pictures that show the trauma that singer Rihanna  allegedly suffered at the hands of her boyfriend singer, Chris Brown were released.  If it is true that these are authentic police pictures; someone is going to lose their job.   It is awful that someone could profit from providing this picture to a media outlet…whether they profitted for fame, for money, or purely for the ability to be in control over the picture.  When it is discovered, through the internal police investigation, who the person is who released it…they will instantly become a very unpopular person.  It must take a tremendous amount of lack of compassion and integrity to give yourself permission to profit from someone else’s pain and misery! 

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Internal Strength And Power-Giving Birth

       Last night was amazing, my daughter gave birth to her third child; without medication.  She was powerful and strong.  She did not make a peep during the natural labor until the last five minutes when she was in push labor.  It is not that she didn’t feel the pain…she did…she just refused to let it dominate her birthing experience.  It is natural to be fearful, in pain, stressed, and overwhelmed…but, I did not see that with her.  I saw focus and I saw joy and excitement …she was about to meet her child for the first time.

       The pregnancy was a bit difficult.  Many pregnancies and deliveries are.  Sometimes they are traumatic; mothers go through much to bring children into the world.  Often, I think that not enough recognition is given to a woman during this time.   It is still a miracle and because it has become safer for both mother and child…people forget that things can and do go wrong.  It can be a stressful time for both mothers and fathers.   Men also sacrifice alot for their children but pregancy and delivery is the beginning of the parenting experience.  Fathers need to be encouraged during this time to bond with both the mother and the child during the pregnancy because that is very important to both of the parents…and eventually to the child.   It is a strengthening time for the whole family…or it should be anyway!

       I watched my daughter, I prayed for her…and i was in awe.  I dont believe that i could have done it.  This was her largest child.  It is also her last pregnancy.   I told someone, who was there, that if it wasn’t for the baby trying to come early for the last 2 months; she would make being pregnant and delivering look easy.  I know it was a difficult time for her and her family as she is not used to being inactive.   It took a team of people to help bring this little one into the world.  Her mother -in -law was amazing and she sacrificed much of her time helping; as I live over an hour away.  It was greatly appreciated to know that she was giving her care, that i could not provide on a daily basis.

       Women have internal strength and personal power that they are often unaware that they possess, until they are tested and pushed beyond what they think they can endure.  Men are pretty amazing as well.   I watched my son in law as he went pale and struggled while my daughter was plunged into pain…it was a testament to his love for her to see him as he physically went through stress and misery right along with her.    Men see and experience things differently than women do.  It does not mean they aren’t feeling and being moved…they just show it and express it in different ways.    Both men and women have conflicting and complementing skills, strengths, knowledge and for that I also greatful.  We are made by God to be each other’s support and strength, and sometimes sounding board. 

         I love my daughter and I love my daughter in law.  I am thankful for their sacrifice to bring my grandchildren into the world.  Mothers are amazing…they deserve respect for many things…not the least of which, is the effort it takes to bring a child into the world.  I love my mother and I appreciate her and her sacrifice for me and my siblings.  I dont think that we can say it enough to our parents that we understand and appreciate them.

        Anytime something new is about to be accomplished or born there are great challenges, difficulties, or resistence.  It is in the struggle that value is born…the very thing which we are striving to give birth to, or that which we are trying to accomplish, is pitted against the challenges.   Is your struggle worth the effort it will take bringing it to life and nurturing it until it is fully formed?  I believe it is…whether it is giving physical birth to a child, a dream, a career, or any other goal!   What is important enough to you, to overcome the obstacles in your way?

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Babies Change The World

     Have you ever noticed how a baby can change the whole environment of a room?  You can be standing in line somewhere thinking that you would rather be anywhere else in the world…frustrated beyond belief; and, a mother or father can walk in with a baby and people just seem to smile a little more.  Babies have the ability to change the world.

        If the baby is old enough to interact with those around them…they can lift the spirits of the grumpiest person nearby.  Everyone is that baby’s friend and while they may not want to leave the safe and secure arms of mom or dad to let a stranger hold them…they will generally smile, coo and try to engage those around them.  That baby has already changed everything about life for both mom and dad; as well as those in the life of mom and dad.

         Every baby is special.  But there is one baby that is even more so; it is baby Jesus.  Today is his birthday and he changed the world more than any other child born.  He was born to bring life and love everlasting to the world.  He loves everyone and wishes for them to live in heaven.  For this to happen…we must accept him as our savior; and, live a life that is worthy of being saved-the bible is our road map…it teaches us the way to live.   We live to be of service to others and to worship God. 

         Babies are a gift from God…just as baby Jesus was a gift.  So this Christmas, please remember him in your celebration.  He is the reason for the whole holiday…celebrating Christmas without celebrating Christ Jesus seems like an empty holiday to me.  May you be blessed this Christmas and in this New Year!  Happy Birthday Jesus!  How do you plan on celebrating Christmas?

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Happy Birthday Marine Corps

       Today is the Marine Corps birthday…hope it is a great one for all of our men and women in the Corps.  God bless you for all of your sacrifices for us civilians.  For those serving overseas we thank you and we appreciate you. To all of the Marines who serve here at home on U.S. soil…your sacrifice is also appreciated.  May you have safety and well-being till you are stateside and home again with your family & loved ones!

         Quite often on the news, all we hear about is those who dishonor the Corps or who choose to perpetrate violence outside of war.  Those stories put a black mark on the minds of people who don’t have personal knowledge of the quality of most Marines.  I want to acknowledge the fact that there are more men and women who serve the United States in good standing; than there are who fail to act honorably.  Just by living their lives decently and serving when called upon to do so…they are heros.  It takes courage & commitment to serve in the armed forces.  They risk life and limb and deserve respect for what they give during their time in the military.  We need to honor them and support them; not just at the holiday time…but, year round.  Support their family members who sacrifice alot as well…by being seperated from their service person.

        This week, several Marines made the news with their heroic actions by saving many people staying in a hotel when they discovered that the hotel was on fire.  They immediately went into action and alerted the hotel guests to the fire and told them to evacuate.  One Marine said…this is what we are trained to do…when there is danger we are trained to go in…not run away! The williness to serve, that the Corps instills in it’s personel, is nothing less than admirable.  God bless each and every one.  So, for those who are serving in the Corps today; or, those who have formerly served in the Corps…thank you.   If you see a Marine today…tell them thank you for serving and wish them a Happy Birthday!  Semper Fi

      

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How Generations Communicate With One Another

       In the “old” days…families lived in close proximity to one another, it was important to the strength of the family.  Either several generations lived in the same homestead together or at the very least…lived in the “neighborhood”; close enough to see and communicate with one another on a daily basis.  Parents, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles and cousins all grew up together…teaching each other, learning from one another and helping to guide and direct each generation with their own brand of family values; to their place of prominence when it was time.   This type of family bonding has been broken for a long time…going back to the years of the great depression; leaving quite an impact on the way families were structured. It wasn’t willful or voluntary…it was necessary. 

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Jamie Lynn Spears Gets a Surrogate Mother For Her Baby!

        I love this story…Jaime Lynn Spears gave birth to her baby daughter Maddie Briann on Thursday June 19, 2008.  The baby weighed 7 lbs and 11 ounces.  Of course as always, photographers and media members wait in packs for celebrities coming home from a hospital with their newborns so that they can be the first to snap a picture of the “new” family when a child is born.  In this case, in the media’s eagerness to get that picture; they were thwarted by getting pictures that had no real value; gotta love that!

         The media told the public that Jamie Lynn left the hospital with her daughter on Saturday, to go to Lynn Spears home.  Not so…this escape plan was ingenius on Jamie Lynn and her family’s part.  Jamie Lynn Spears got a temporary surrogate mother for her baby, to act as herself leaving the hospital with her mother Lynn Spears and her fiance Casey Aldridge; driving to Lynn Spears home in Kentwood, Louisiana.  

           In reality,  Jamie Lynn and her child, Maddie, waited until the paparazzi left the area; then, she was driven to her home in Liberty, Mississippi that she shares with Casey. I am sure that Jamie had to feel pretty good driving home with her baby without the clausterphobic cluster of photographers and reporters dogging her.  I am sure the only thing that could have made it better would have been for her mother and Casey to truly be by her side when she arrived home with her child.  Shame on the paparazzi for creating a situation where a family could not possibly go home like a normal family with a new baby out of fear for their safety during such a special time in their lives; it should have been respected. http://www.jamielynnspears.com/

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If At First You Don’t Succeed…Try, Try, and Try Again

     On the celeb newsfront, the word is that Pamela Anderson and her ex-Tommy Lee are back together again…giving it another try.  Most of you will probably remember that they have given their relationship, a try or two; but, they seem to be like fireworks…burning hot one minute and exploding the next.  They were married in back in 1995 but it didn’t last…they two sons together.  They continue to orbit one another…drawn to each other over and over again…only to be pulled apart.   I think their relationship truly embodies the old saying, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

       They have each gone on to have headline making relationships with partners like Kid Rock, Heather Locklear, and Rick Soloman.  There have been brushes with the law over domestic violence; a much viewed and talked about video of their intimate relationship, and a child’s accidental death at their young son’s pool birthday party.   Both Tommy and Pam have  hepatitis.  Through it all, they have continued to come back to each other. 

     Let’s hope that they are able to make it work this time because it must cause devastation to their sons to keep getting their hopes up about their parents staying together, only to go through another seperation.  Best of luck in this attempt at another chance of peace and love.

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Jessica Alba Has Honor

          Actress Jessica Alba has given birth to daughter Honor Marie Warren.  Jessica and Cash Warren were married in a courthouse ceremony quietly on May 19th.  Together they celebrated the birth of their daughter with joy on June 07, 2008.   Congratulations to the new family, Happy Birthday, Honor! 

           There is always a paparazzi rush trying to get the first photo shots…please don’t endanger anyone trying to get the first baby photos, photographers and media news outlets!!!

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Belly Buttons-We All Got Them-It Was A Gift

         If you are alive and reading this….take your finger and point it towards your middle…feel that indentation?  You are the proud owner of a belly button.  Do you know where your got your very own personalized lint collector?  From your mom…your belly button was a gift.

           Did you know that your belly button gift could actually have the ability to save a life?   When you were born; if the technology would have been available (who knows when you were born 🙂 ), you could have donated the blood from your umblical cord.   Science in this area has discovered something great and powerful.   Blood from umbilical cords has stem cells in it.  I know , I know…some people do not agree with stem cell research. 

          However, MOST people who object to stem cell research, object because some people were lobbying the government about using stem cells from aborted fetuses.  Life is precious.  It should be treated with respect.  I personally don’t agree with using stem cells from aborted fetuses…i don’t agree with abortions.  However, i have nothing against using stem cells from umbilical cords.

         In cases where a woman is going to give her child up for adoption…how great would it be if she could also send along information to the adoption agency that as a gift to that child…she also was having the child’s cord blood stored in case of medical need?  How loved would a child feel knowing that his or her birth mother cared enough about them to give them that?  What an amazing thing!

         Everytime a human being is born; there is an umbilical cord that nourished that baby while it was in it’s mother’s womb.    In the past that cord and it’s blood was tossed away for lack of knowledge.  We have options these days.  We are just, within the last few decades, realizing how important those life giving umblical cords are to our well being, even after birth. 

         There are over 70 diseases being treated from umbilical cord blood.  People who suffer from debilitating diseases that compromise their immune systems could benefit from the gift that the umbilical cord blood provides.   

           Many mothers today, are now choosing to either put their child’s umbilical cord blood into a blood bank or donating it to help others.  It is almost like an insurance policy in case that child or a close family member should suffer a life altering disease, in the future.  The blood would be a “match” so that person would not have to wait months or years; trying to find someone who “matched” them close enough to save their lives.

          If a child has relatives who have a disease in their family that could potentially harm them in the future…the precious stem cells, that would be stored from their own umbilical cord blood, could save their lives.  It could help to potentially save the life of their siblings; or, even a stranger if that very same cord blood was donated. 

            All an expectant mother has to do is, discuss it with her OB/GYN before delivering her child.  Motherhood is a wonderful thing…Fatherhood is no less wonderful…it is time that we realize how precious life is and honor the creator of all life.  What a miracle this type of donation is…tell others about this belly button gift that can save lives.  After all, Mother’s Day is sneaking up on us…if you are expecting…donating or saving that umbilical cord blood is a wonderful way of honoring all mothers.

         

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