My 11 year old son has always been difficult to control. He is impulsive, obsessive, and basically I’m FREAKING out about his teen years, because when someone offers this kid a cigarette, he’s going to say yes without thinking and then he’ll end up a chain smoker. Mark my words.

Though I never saw the movie, my husband tells me that our boy reminds him of the young character in the movie, Taking Lives. Not in the way that the character pushes people in front of oncoming cars (you know…we hope), but that he is unpredictable and reckless. My son doesn’t always think before he speaks or acts. Like, pretty much, ever.

Last night I was working in bed when my son came in every few minutes for definitions of words in the book he was reading. One time he came up next to me then asked, “Mom, what’s a scythe?”

Not wanting to go into details of the Grim Reaper, I kept it simple and replied, “It’s kind of like a giant knife on the end of a stick.”

He thought for a moment then walked out to the hall. After a few seconds he popped his head back into the door and said, “Ta-Ta! I’ll see you in the next world.”

At which point I thought it was possible that my little 50 lb. child already knew what the Grim Reaper was and maybe my husband knew more about this, “Taking Lives” reference than I did. I double-checked, “What did you just say?”

And, I’m happy to say he innocently replied, “I said, ta-ta! I’ll see you on the next word.”

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Although I haven’t done much shopping yet because that’s what happens when you get distracted by Silk Egg Nog, I know what I’ll be buying for almost everyone. If you’re still looking for ideas, here’s a peek at some of my favorite products this year:

Read the rest of the post here…

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Nothing like failing a challenge when you’re not even 1/3 of the way through it. I’m going to chalk my NaBloPoMo failure to the most disruptive week around here for a long time and then get back on my horse. I’ve taken the last couple of days to contact and visit with family, which are things I don’t do often enough, so I figured the blogging could wait. My cousin’s funeral is this afternoon. Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

I had the pleasure of attending a tour of the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio the other night. Through all of my son’s hospitalizations and surgeries, my husband and I have always been close enough to home that one of us could sleep in our own bed. For those who can’t, RMH Charities provides comfort and necessities. It is a truly amazing place and with a new expansion, the Central Ohio facility will be the biggest Ronald McDonald House in the world!

One of the things I found out is that the house depends heavily upon volunteers; cleaning, cooking, maintenance, stocking the supply shelves…you name it. There are rooms for 80 families each night and it costs RMH $100 per night, per family, to provide services. Though they ask for a $20 donation per night, the average amount received, per family, is $4.80.

They can use your money, your time or your talents, and I can assure you, it is a worthy cause. It’s hard to have a sick kid and the kindness and special touches from Ronald McDonald House goes a long way to making a difficult situation bearable.

While we were there, they asked us to decorate handprints for their annual “Give a Hand” fundraiser to benefit RMCH and other charities for children. From now until November 20th, at participating McDonald’s restaurants, you can purchase a paper hand for $1, $3, or $5 and the proceeds will go toward helping families in need.

This was the awesome design of the guy sitting next to me. It was this tie-dye looking, swirly, artsy thing. My phone didn’t do it justice, but it was really cool.

After I got black marker around the edge of my palm and my fingers when I traced my hand, I went with a more simple design. I am not so crafty.

Either way, it was a great experience. To know that this massive endeavor is run with such heart and love, made me really happy.

See? My hand was right!

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If you’ve heard me say it once, you’ve heard me say it 100 times; I would be the most conceited mother on the planet if my son had not been born.

My 13 year old daughter is super-smart and always has been. This is not to say her 10 year old brother isn’t smart, because he is, but she is a different kind of smart. He is so much like me and she is everything that I never was.

I remember the report cards saying that I didn’t apply myself, wasn’t living up to my potential, couldn’t stay on task; the thing I don’t remember is anyone telling me that was unacceptable. There was no one standing over my shoulder making sure I got my homework done or helping me study for tests. There was no one pushing me.

This is why my daughter is different. She doesn’t have anyone doing those things for her either, because she does them for herself. Sure, I am here if she needs my help (unless it’s algebra, because COME ON, that stuff is hard), but for the most part she does everything on her own.

Unlike what I have to do with my son, I don’t ever need to ask her if she’s finished her homework, studied for extra credit, or push her to do more reading. She is responsible, studious, and bright. She’s not always the best listener or especially kind to her little brother, but when it comes to school she works really hard. School, eye-rolling and deep sighs she has down pat. Also, she’s really good at not unloading the dishwasher.

But, that whole school thing? It’s the reason why I’m putting pressure on her to be something great.

I don’t want her to find my expectations anxiety-inducing and I don’t want her to burn out, but I want her to do her best. I want both of my kids to work at the highest level they can, because I didn’t. And, if there’s anything I’ve learned as a parent, it’s that I have to live vicariously through my children.

Deep inside, I feel that I’m doing my best by telling my daughter she has it in her to take her life in any direction she sees fit. And, it’s about time I started living up to my potential.

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