What's The World Coming To?

It's about this time of year that I spend some extra time in our school systems helping them get ready for music competition.

Every year I'm shocked to see the level of disrespect that our teachers have to endure from students. Rudeness, disobedience and ugly behavior were never part of my school experience apart from one or two "thugs" whom the school swiftly punished or banned from the school system.

I encountered one student yesterday who wasn't afraid of the devil himself. It was a showdown of will as I tried to help instruct them on something musical. The general attitude of "I don't care" just runs all over me and well, it ended with me telling the whole class that these lessons they learn in school are preparing them for life and jobs and responsibility. With this kid's attitude I told them that they are destined to fail at the endeavor as a team

We've so emphasized "individuality" (what I want, what I like, what I do or don't do) that we've lost the concept of working together and adding all of our parts to achieve a goal. Perhaps that is why we are in the mess we are in as a nation. We've become a nation of individuals--we're not A NATION ( a collective group of people).

All I know is I'm concerned at what is coming! Not all of them are bad, but its worse every time I enter into the educational system. I just say PRAY FOR OUR TEACHERS!

You're Not The Boss of My Life!

During a lunch date with my oldest child yesterday, we talked about life in general, but more specifically how she, growing up so fast, is encountering situations that are challenging her and trying to "rule" her life.

We laughed as we remembered a saying that Daniel, my youngest, used to say to his two older sisters as they tried to "steer" him as a young man in how to play when he was together with them in their playroom.   I remember that I used to hear sweet sounds of play and giggling but almost immediately I would hear Daniel yell "You're not the boss of my life!" as he stormed out of the room.  Ah, the lessons that childhood teaches you.

In talking about this, Taylor and I discussed what it means to stand for your own convictions, beliefs and values.   We talked about how differing opinions and agendas will often clash with your own.  She must learn now to stand up for herself.

It's a lesson she must learn now and one that I need to remind myself daily to do.  People will come at you with agendas and lists and wants.  I need to legitimately weigh them against the situation and my core values, elsewise I am a flip-flopper and a people pleasing fool!   

There's only one boss in my life-Jesus!  I must listen to him first and with great intent and then I'll know how to answer on the "playground of life" when my own situation arises.

How do you answer the question "who is the boss of your life?"

I'm Dating My Daughter!

Now that the title has sparked your attention ( please don't call CPS!), I thought I would tell you about a standing date I have every Friday.  My daughter won't let me out of it (unless I'm out of town).  It's a standing date.

My oldest is a sophomore in High school.  She definitely doesn't like the food at school, so we meet every Friday at 11:35 am to go somewhere for lunch.  It's usually her pick, but I get my choices in there every once in a while.  She's a fan of Chicken Express!  I can't get her to go to Long John Jimmy's (Long John Silver)

We talk about life, school or just about nothing.  There are times when it's just silence and that's ok.  I want her to know that I'm there--good, bad or ugly.  Usually I'm the one getting the lecture on trying to be "too cool."  Regardless it's 20 minutes of interrupted Dad/Daughter connection that I cherish!

Do you take time with each of your children?  

I'm realizing that my time with this one is fleeting fast.  These dates won't last long--soon another man will be dating my daughter.

Baby Longhorn--Raising Tomorrow's UT Fan today

Ok all you UT folks--this has gone too far.   This DVD is geared at families with young children, training them in the ways of Austin.

On the DVD--they have

   Football Clips

   Marching Band sounds

   Cute babies dressed in UT clothes

It's a marketing dream, because you know someone is going to buy this for their little one.

The Art of Family

This is my 70th post for the month.  I know, some of you may say "that's about 69 more than I needed this month."  But with the clock waning on the last day of the month of March, I just had to reach for the number 70.  It seems as if this blogging thing has become a regular part of each day for me.

I think throughout the day of what I can say when I get home.  Some posts are easy-some not so. When I found this graphic the other day, I thought it would be another hook for me to use to Post.  It will be about my family as artists.  I'm constantly being told by people how much they enjoy my family as artists and that the "apple doesn't fall far from the tree", but each of them in their own way is artistic and creative and for that I'm glad.  It truly is a part of me that I've passed on to them.

So welcome to the first post in THE ART OF FAMILY:  The making of a masterpiece.  I got this graphic here where artists in the church share 

their gifts with one another.

This picture is my son's.  Daniel brought it home the other day and laid it on the counter where I could see it when I came in the door.  I think he secretly wanted me to see it and make a comment about it.  It's a picture of a Jazz Musician that he made at school during a period where they were studying Jazz and in concert with Black History Month were talking about other Jazz Players.  It's all hand drawn and colored.  I like the black background which makes the man stand off the page.  He's got some promise in drawing...like his old man did, but didn't stick with it.

I hope to feature each of my children in their own artistry.  Each of them will be in a play this summer at our local playhouse, and they draw and create all the time.

What do your children do for creative activities? Do you encourage their artistry.