My Wild Child

JB is my 'wild child'. I don't mean that she is bad in any sense of the word. I just mean that she marches to her own drum. She is a Vegetarian. She is a Tree Hugger, PETA Supporter, Defender of the Under Dog, Pro-Peace, Anti-War. Artistic, Compassionate, Smart & FIESTY. She is my little hippie. She is also a contradiction. She is flashy and flamboyant and yet Mother Earth all at the same time. She wants to act and be treated like a grown-up and yet she will still wants to climb into my lap like she did when she was a toddler and watch tv. I guess she will always be my baby.

JB has an unusual assortment of friends, too. I think some people are put off by these kids. I am just being honest here. I too was kind of suspicious of them at first. They have multiple piercings, tattoos, wear chains on their pants, wear alot of black clothing and crazy hair. I think maybe in the beginning I was a little afraid of them too. I just wasn't into that 'look'. I didn't understand it. I associated it with a certain type of person, you know...the kind of person you don't want your baby to hang out with. But over the past few years, I have come to love these kids. They are just like everyone else. They want the same things everyone else wants. To be happy, to be loved and to be accepted.

Sometimes I'll come home from working at the church and find them all piled up on my sofa. It is the funniest sight. Here are all these rough and tumble looking kids watching 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' or something like that. What I am trying to say is, these are just kids and if someone is prejudice against them because of what they look like, then they are missing out on an opportunity for a relationship with some really great people.

I worry that people will judge my girl because of how she looks or who she hangs out with. I get all caught up in what people will think of her and I guess, truthfully I am afraid they will judge me too. But when it gets right down to it, we only have one Judge and His name is Jesus. And I know this to be true... Jesus loves all people. He offers salvation to everyone, no matter what they look like or how they dress. And at the end of the day, I want these kids to know that this 'church lady' loves them and so does Jesus. And I want them and my girl to know that they are valued as human beings and deserve to be respected. I know my girl already knows this. I tell her frequently. This post is not for her or her friends. This post is for every 30+ person that might be wary of a teen that looks a little different than what society says is innocence. They might look rough and tough, but they are still just babes watchin' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'. They are just kids, some with experiences and heartaches way beyond their years and through no fault of their own. They are children...our future...don't ever forget it.

My Little Women

The most important role of my life is... Mother. I love my husband, but as a little girl I didn't dream of being a wife, I dreamt of being a mother. I guess it's because my own mother disliked me so. Oh, I know that she loved me in some way, but most of the time, she flat out hated me. So, I guess I always wanted a child of my own, one that I could completely adore and one that would know without a doubt that I am in love with her. I hope I have accomplished that. Somedays I feel like I have screwed too many things up. I have made stupid mistakes, said the wrong things, made foolish choices. People have often said that I sheltered and over-protected them too much. My life as a child was difficult, I knew about all kinds of horrible things first hand. I vowed my girls would not share that burden. So through it all, right or wrong...I have loved and adored my four babies, my girls, my little women.

Now that they are getting older, I have to step back and let them find their own way. Even when it means that they will get hurt. They have to make their own mistakes so they can be responsible, compassionate people on their own. I have to let them go. I have tried my best to teach my girls right from wrong. To be compassionate. To be loyal and kind. To know right from wrong. To treat all people equally and with respect. But to let them go and to watch them make mistakes is almost too much pain to bear. This is harder than childbirth, more painful than their first shots, more heartrenching than watching them get stiches in their heads (yes, all four have had stiches in their heads, competitive little things arent't they?). And more cruel than knowing that the bully at the playground called them names like 'red-head witch' and made them cry. This is suffering. I am suffering. My girl is suffering, God, please hear this mother's prayers. My girl needs You. The Bible tells us to 'train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it'. (Prov. 22:6) We have done our best to train and teach her, I believe in Your Word and I believe in You. God is not a man that He should lie. (Numb. 23:19) My hope is in You, Lord. My trust is in You.... always and forever. Amen.

Same Model, Different Year

Let me introduce you to My Girls.

JL, age 24
JR, age 22
JM, age 20
JB, age 17
and sweet lil' VK, age 1
(JL is her mommy)

When JL was born she had the most adorable red peach fuzz all over her head. Marking herself a redhead from the very first moment of life. She was beautiful. I know that everyone thinks their child is beautiful, but seriously people, few newborns are beautiful, but JL truly was. JL arrived 3 weeks early and a total of 11 minutes after I arrived at the hospital. And so I soon realized that was how life was going to be... impatient from the beginning, and with a redhead temperament too. So begins my tale of 25 years and counting of demanding redheads.

JR was born a short 2 years later. Arriving in a similar manner as her older sister. JR too was beautiful and covered in red peach fuzz. Did I mention that neither my husband or myself have red hair? Any how, JR looked so very much like JL. But not exactly. You know, the same nose, the same eyes, the same hair, the same chin. But it was just kinda put together a little differently. That's when the phrase was born. "Same Model, Different Year".

JM was born 2 1/2 years later, then followed by JB 3 years after that. And you know the story. Same beautiful baby. Same red peach fuzz. Same nose. Same eyes. Same chin. Quick delivery. Impatient. Same disposition!

Now more than 20 years have come and gone since the very beginning and a whole new gene pool has come into the mix and lil' VK was born. But guess what? "Same Model, Different Year". A little different in a few places, not completely sure if the hair will be NATURALLY red (apparently there are other colors than red, who knew?), but pretty much the same baby. But this time, we got dark beautiful eyebrows!

It's good to be Queen of the Women,
JT