Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tips for Teenage Boys on Respecting Girls
Tips for Teenage Boys on Respecting Girls
These tips are useful both in and out of dating relationships both in high school and college. I do not recommend having serious dating relationships in high school. In general it is better to stick to larger groups and any relationship should be paced, chaste, respectful, non-exclusive, and public.
1. Be sincere (don’t try to be somebody you are not…girls see right through this. You are much better off just being yourself)
2. Don’t brag, talk too much about yourself, or speak poorly of others
3. Be kind to EVERYONE. (A girl judges whether you’re a good guy not just by how you treat your buddies or herself, but ALL people: the janitors at school, waiters, kids you’re not necessarily friends with, etc.)
4. Be respectful of the rules imposed by a girl’s parents. Every family has different guidelines with respect to movies they’re allowed to watch, parties they’re allowed to attend, curfews, etc. Don’t criticize, make fun of or even worse encourage her to break them, no matter how much you want to spend time with her.
5. When you go up to talk to a girl, make a point to say hello and talk to her friends as well.
6. Don’t expect a girl to hang out with you and ten of your buddies. This can be very uncomfortable for a girl. Ask her to bring a few of her girlfriends along as well or don’t insist that she come over to watch a football game if it will be all guys.
7. Be very selective in the movies you take girls to see. Inappropriate content makes a girl feel very uncomfortable and it is simply not considerate to put her in that position.
8. Be a good listener. Ask questions and allow the girl to talk (don’t dominate the conversation). When a girl has a problem, she needs to talk about it. She is looking for empathy (NOT sympathy) and not necessarily a solution. If she asks for advice give it to her (and give it some thought).
9. Give special attention to etiquette and chivalry:
a. Stand up when she stands up from the table, and stand up when she returns to help her with her chair
b. Hold doors for the girl, especially car doors
c. Give the girl the seat of preference and offer her a seat if there are none readily available
d. Walk a girl to her car if she is driving alone
e. Check on the girl to make sure she gets home safely
f. Come to the door when picking a girl up and meet the parents and come to the door when you drop her off as well
g. Stay out of other girls’ bedrooms and don’t bring them into yours
h. Keep eye contact (if you can’t look her in the eye, look away, not anywhere else)
i. Walk on the outside of the sidewalk (the guy is the protector)
j. Don’t cut off conversation for a social text or call
k. A guy should be the one initiating contact (phone calls, etc.)
l. Give preference to calling over texting and always take care of important business face-to-face
m. Respect girls online and via text the same way you would face-to-face
10. Most importantly, treat a girl with RESPECT. She is not an object, but one of God’s beautiful creatures. Dating and friendship are for getting to know the person rather than for physical intimacy. Girls are created in God’s image the same as guys. If you always try to see a girl the way God does, you won’t ever have a problem treating her with respect.
From Fr. Michael Sliney,
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Friday, May 29, 2009
BALANCE AND MODERATION...
Balance and Moderation
My parenting/homeschooling methodology…
I have been reading a lot online about different people’s perspectives on parenting and homeschooling methods...I have been married for 20 years and have been a mother/homeschooler for 19 years. So take my advice with a grain of salt...
My husband and I have tried about every different parent strategy as well as about 15 different homeschooling curriculums. We owned a Christian/Catholic bookstore for 10 years and got to pick from the best!
What we have learned in the end is what my old spiritual adviser suggested monthly to me..."BALANCE AND MODERATION".
I know those who know us laugh and say balance and moderation??? 12th child on the way...and an exercise crazed man??? What kind of balance and moderation is that???...trust me if you only knew how crazy we really are...
We learn from the best...we take what we like from everyone and use what works for us at different stages in our lives, different personalities work well with different approaches; different seasons call for creative methods. Sometimes due to pregnancy, newborns, construction, or other calls of life make us stretch and adjust our "plans".
That is why my husband and I make a perfect team!!! God's design for our family calls us to balance each other out and find moderation in our lives.
The one thing that has gotten us through it all is tenacity and stick-to-itiveness. The good old "JUST DO IT" approach.
I know many people ask me for specific advice and are disappointed when I don't give them a "just add water" answer. Yes, I like different parenting strategies. Yes, I use about 10 different curriculums to meet the needs of my crazy family.
But in the end...we are happy and taking one day at a time.
I have found that in this stressful world, not to mention adding homeschooling to our crazy schedule. In life finding a balance in all areas is important. I will break them into four categories I constantly try to meet: Spiritual, social, academic, and human balance.
Under spiritual balance it is important to raise our children with a love for Christ and His holy mother in an everyday love and respect. This is to make Christ part of your family in good times and in bad. Christ should be part of our joys and our sufferings. Bringing Christ and prayer into our normal everyday life is absolutely essential.
Social balance is important too. Having friends and entertaining in any environment is essential in our family. It may be as simple as friends over to play, clubs meeting at your home, or bringing out the china for a special guest.
Academic balance in our family is pretty crazy. With kids from K through college we roll with the punches and do what we can to keep on track. I find it very important to find time for math and reading, we squeeze in all the other subjects when we can. My older kids (about fourth grade and up) pretty much stay on track with their own school work. I put together my own curriculum, so I can meet each child at their own level and concentrate on their strengths. I usually spend most of my “teaching” with the little guys and “overseeing” everyone and keep the household running. Somehow through the grace of God my kids have turned out pretty smart!!! I just finished the school year with two high school students with an A average (they attend a two day tutorial) and I have the college kid’s grades to prove that God is in control of our schooling!!!
Human balance has been a struggle of mine since I got married. I find it quite difficult to manage a home in the ways that I feel appropriate. I am a pretty poor housewife. Cooking and cleaning have always been a difficult for me. I am constantly trying new ways to manage my home. The best thing I have found to help me manage is keeping balanced and not to get overwhelmed. Besides my amazing husband who accepts me the way I am and helps me constantly, my laid back personality saves me from the overwhelming task of raising 11 children and dealing with my pregnancy. Human balance also reminds me to keep up my appearance as well as the importance of exercise in the state of life I am in. (which is constantly changing)
So my advice in raising a happy balanced family is to be flexible, start each day with an open mind, and beg God for the wisdom to make holy decisions.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
My parenting/homeschooling methodology…
I have been reading a lot online about different people’s perspectives on parenting and homeschooling methods...I have been married for 20 years and have been a mother/homeschooler for 19 years. So take my advice with a grain of salt...
My husband and I have tried about every different parent strategy as well as about 15 different homeschooling curriculums. We owned a Christian/Catholic bookstore for 10 years and got to pick from the best!
What we have learned in the end is what my old spiritual adviser suggested monthly to me..."BALANCE AND MODERATION".
I know those who know us laugh and say balance and moderation??? 12th child on the way...and an exercise crazed man??? What kind of balance and moderation is that???...trust me if you only knew how crazy we really are...
We learn from the best...we take what we like from everyone and use what works for us at different stages in our lives, different personalities work well with different approaches; different seasons call for creative methods. Sometimes due to pregnancy, newborns, construction, or other calls of life make us stretch and adjust our "plans".
That is why my husband and I make a perfect team!!! God's design for our family calls us to balance each other out and find moderation in our lives.
The one thing that has gotten us through it all is tenacity and stick-to-itiveness. The good old "JUST DO IT" approach.
I know many people ask me for specific advice and are disappointed when I don't give them a "just add water" answer. Yes, I like different parenting strategies. Yes, I use about 10 different curriculums to meet the needs of my crazy family.
But in the end...we are happy and taking one day at a time.
I have found that in this stressful world, not to mention adding homeschooling to our crazy schedule. In life finding a balance in all areas is important. I will break them into four categories I constantly try to meet: Spiritual, social, academic, and human balance.
Under spiritual balance it is important to raise our children with a love for Christ and His holy mother in an everyday love and respect. This is to make Christ part of your family in good times and in bad. Christ should be part of our joys and our sufferings. Bringing Christ and prayer into our normal everyday life is absolutely essential.
Social balance is important too. Having friends and entertaining in any environment is essential in our family. It may be as simple as friends over to play, clubs meeting at your home, or bringing out the china for a special guest.
Academic balance in our family is pretty crazy. With kids from K through college we roll with the punches and do what we can to keep on track. I find it very important to find time for math and reading, we squeeze in all the other subjects when we can. My older kids (about fourth grade and up) pretty much stay on track with their own school work. I put together my own curriculum, so I can meet each child at their own level and concentrate on their strengths. I usually spend most of my “teaching” with the little guys and “overseeing” everyone and keep the household running. Somehow through the grace of God my kids have turned out pretty smart!!! I just finished the school year with two high school students with an A average (they attend a two day tutorial) and I have the college kid’s grades to prove that God is in control of our schooling!!!
Human balance has been a struggle of mine since I got married. I find it quite difficult to manage a home in the ways that I feel appropriate. I am a pretty poor housewife. Cooking and cleaning have always been a difficult for me. I am constantly trying new ways to manage my home. The best thing I have found to help me manage is keeping balanced and not to get overwhelmed. Besides my amazing husband who accepts me the way I am and helps me constantly, my laid back personality saves me from the overwhelming task of raising 11 children and dealing with my pregnancy. Human balance also reminds me to keep up my appearance as well as the importance of exercise in the state of life I am in. (which is constantly changing)
So my advice in raising a happy balanced family is to be flexible, start each day with an open mind, and beg God for the wisdom to make holy decisions.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
HELLO FROM FLORIDA!!!
If you deal with envy issues please read elsewhere!!!
My husband has taken me to Florida for 6 days to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary!!! We have never been away from the kids this long!!! Each year we try to get away for a night or two but never this far and this long.
We left Sunday around 12:30 and my wonderful sister took us to the airport and my two little girls to my other sisters house about an hour away. We left three teenagers home with Geama and baby E, who will be two in August. I think we are more concerned about Geama misbehaving than the kids!!! My super sister in love and her husband took the three middle boys and the babysitting 14 year old girl.
The flight went well and uneventful. We were so excited to be away we probably wouldn't of noticed otherwise!!!
We are staying at my father in loves house in a gated golfing community!!! We got picked up at the airport by my hubby's step mother's dad and his wife. We were not only greeted to a beautiful home but they had flower's and a cute anniversary cake for us!!! I have never been to a gated retirement community before. It is absolutely beautiful and quiet beyond comprehension!!! The attention to detail around here...and there are hardly any people around, not to mention young people!!! The STOP signs and other street signs are sponge painted to match the neighborhood!!! So cute and funny!!!
Did I mention the convertible Mercedes Benz in the garage...this is pretty cool especially when you are used to driving a 15 passenger van or a 9 passenger suburban!!! You should see my hubby and I cruising the streets with my big old pregnant self!!! Our cool factor is way up!!!
Sunday night we went to a Chinese restaurant, went swimming in the home pool, read, watched TV and relaxed!!! When I mentioned the kids to my man, he said, "kids? What KIDS?" At this time I am thinking this is amazing and having a blast!!!
Monday I woke up at 5:30am tossing and turning expecting to see the little guys any time...sweetie goes running and I get dressed. We head out for 8:30 mass down the road and come home, go swimming, read, eat out, go for a walk, read some more, swim, go out to eat, come home take a nap, read, go swimming, watch TV, and go to bed...I can't figure out why I don't totally pass out like I do at home!!! Oh yeah, I haven't been chasing kids and cleaning all day...not to mention the naps I took all day!!! Called all the kids...do they even care? Everyone is fine...it is raining at home...my poor babysitters are all stuck with kids in doors!!!
Tuesday we went to mass to find out that the on line mass times were wrong...so we just made a visit to the blessed sacrament!!! We were picked up by "step-grand dad" and his wife for lunch on the water. (YES, we are so spoiled!!!) We came home for a swim, nap, eat leftovers for dinner, a walk, and to watch a movie. I am starting to hate the silence and miss my kids!!! (shhh...don't tell my man!!!)
It is Wednesday and we made it to the correct time for mass. Rob went for a run, I cleaned out my inbox and went for a walk. Now we are sitting like a couple of yuppies (do they still call them that?) at a sandwich/salad shop with our laptops catching up on the real world!!!
We are heading out in a bit to visit with friends who moved here last year and then out to dinner.
More later...I think I need another nap or maybe call the kids again!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
My husband has taken me to Florida for 6 days to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary!!! We have never been away from the kids this long!!! Each year we try to get away for a night or two but never this far and this long.
We left Sunday around 12:30 and my wonderful sister took us to the airport and my two little girls to my other sisters house about an hour away. We left three teenagers home with Geama and baby E, who will be two in August. I think we are more concerned about Geama misbehaving than the kids!!! My super sister in love and her husband took the three middle boys and the babysitting 14 year old girl.
The flight went well and uneventful. We were so excited to be away we probably wouldn't of noticed otherwise!!!
We are staying at my father in loves house in a gated golfing community!!! We got picked up at the airport by my hubby's step mother's dad and his wife. We were not only greeted to a beautiful home but they had flower's and a cute anniversary cake for us!!! I have never been to a gated retirement community before. It is absolutely beautiful and quiet beyond comprehension!!! The attention to detail around here...and there are hardly any people around, not to mention young people!!! The STOP signs and other street signs are sponge painted to match the neighborhood!!! So cute and funny!!!
Did I mention the convertible Mercedes Benz in the garage...this is pretty cool especially when you are used to driving a 15 passenger van or a 9 passenger suburban!!! You should see my hubby and I cruising the streets with my big old pregnant self!!! Our cool factor is way up!!!
Sunday night we went to a Chinese restaurant, went swimming in the home pool, read, watched TV and relaxed!!! When I mentioned the kids to my man, he said, "kids? What KIDS?" At this time I am thinking this is amazing and having a blast!!!
Monday I woke up at 5:30am tossing and turning expecting to see the little guys any time...sweetie goes running and I get dressed. We head out for 8:30 mass down the road and come home, go swimming, read, eat out, go for a walk, read some more, swim, go out to eat, come home take a nap, read, go swimming, watch TV, and go to bed...I can't figure out why I don't totally pass out like I do at home!!! Oh yeah, I haven't been chasing kids and cleaning all day...not to mention the naps I took all day!!! Called all the kids...do they even care? Everyone is fine...it is raining at home...my poor babysitters are all stuck with kids in doors!!!
Tuesday we went to mass to find out that the on line mass times were wrong...so we just made a visit to the blessed sacrament!!! We were picked up by "step-grand dad" and his wife for lunch on the water. (YES, we are so spoiled!!!) We came home for a swim, nap, eat leftovers for dinner, a walk, and to watch a movie. I am starting to hate the silence and miss my kids!!! (shhh...don't tell my man!!!)
It is Wednesday and we made it to the correct time for mass. Rob went for a run, I cleaned out my inbox and went for a walk. Now we are sitting like a couple of yuppies (do they still call them that?) at a sandwich/salad shop with our laptops catching up on the real world!!!
We are heading out in a bit to visit with friends who moved here last year and then out to dinner.
More later...I think I need another nap or maybe call the kids again!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Friday, May 22, 2009
MY GRADUATE!!!
WHO says homeschoolers can't have an "official" graduation? This was a great day with the full ceremony...My son has been homeschooled for his entire life so this was a big day for him!!! Due to a very busy year of fufilling extra credits...he got to graduate early!!! What a blessing to have this gift to homeschool my wonderful children!!!
WE LOVE YOU SWEETIE!!!
WE LOVE YOU SWEETIE!!!THY WILL BE DONE +JMJ+
Wonderful Busy days...
We give Thee thanks, O Lord, for all Thy gifts which we have received from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A LITTLE FATTER THAN I WAS 20 YEARS AGO!!!
MY FLOWER GIRLS!!!
THE HAPPY COUPLE!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Thursday, May 21, 2009
OUR 20TH WEDDING RENEWAL...
Last night my husband and I renewed our wedding vows with friends and family. It was a great opportunity to receive the extra graces needed for daily trials!!! (not that we ever have any)
I will see if I can find any other good pictures left...since my fast blogger posted all of these first!!!
So off to clean the house and go to my son's high school graduation!!!
Never a dull moment in this house!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
I will see if I can find any other good pictures left...since my fast blogger posted all of these first!!!
So off to clean the house and go to my son's high school graduation!!!
Never a dull moment in this house!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
20 YEARS BABY!!!
TODAY is my 20 year wedding anniversary!!!
WOW...has it been a crazy ride!!! Got pregnant on our honeymoon and they kept coming!!! (thank God!!!) Let's see: 13 kids (one miscarriage), not to mention the diapers, nights without sleep, 1 hospital birth, 8 home births, and 2 birth care births, and 3 houses, lots of cars, suburbans, and vans, car accidents!!! Can't forget the many many great memories and laughs we have had and will have!!!
We are heading out for a second honeymoon to Florida with kids all at relatives!!! Wow-it has been since our first honeymoon that we have been alone for more than a night or two together!!!
I LOVE YOU HONEY!!! Thanks for putting up with me!!!
I look forward to another fantastic 2o!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
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