"Uncharted Territory..."

Last week I spent 30 minutes texting with a young girl who was crying over my son, Brandon. She had developed a crush on him and felt like he would never like her "that way." Then the very next day, I was texting another girl, who lives 3 doors down, for the same reason! She, too, has a crush on Brandon and was crying over him as well! Phew! My fingers are sore from texting so much!

We are entering "uncharted territory" with our boys...both are teenagers, officially, this year and are starting to notice the fairer sex! Hormones abound in the older one and the younger one is not far behind. It is at these times that I realize how smart God was in not giving me daughters! I don't know how I would have handled the DRAMA! At first I thought, "these girls are too young to be going through this!" but then I realized that I had my first crush at 12 years old, too...so, I guess it's par for the course...

With these new experiences come the need for new rules to avoid any "inappropriate" situations. Some of the boys girly friends like to roughhouse and be silly with the boys. (Who doesn't remember punching a boy when you liked him?!) But we have a rule of no rough housing with girls. They must be treated like young ladies, even though, at times, they may not act like it. I don't fault the girls that they don't know how to act...I have to take into account the kinds of families these girls have, some from broken homes that now have single parents, most are left to their own devices for most of their daily lives as the parents are off working. Some don't have mothers in their lives everyday. They enjoy gathering at our house on a regular basis and I try to be a mom that they feel comfortable coming to should they need to talk, even if it's about my boys :)

It's funny, though I wasn't given girls of my own, ever since I became a parent, girls have been placed in my life regularly for some reason. I have friendships with them and help them in some way through that friendship. I think that I have a purpose when it comes to all these girls that move through my life. I pray that I have a positive influence on them and that years later they will always remember "Mrs. Martinez" and what I was to them for that brief time our lives overlapped.

I encourage you to take a look around at the young people whose lives you may have an influence upon. Don't take it lightly, you have a purpose in knowing them. In one way or another, you affect their lives..and that can be a powerful thing they will always remember and you may even change them or their lives!

Blessings,
Eliana

Wishes for 2009...

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

Thank you to my friends and family who faithfully read my blog and follow my life through my entries. I know life is busy and it means a lot to me that you care enough to take the time to read them!

So....another year behind us...I remember when I couldn't even fathom the idea of the year 2010 and now it is only a year away! Wow! Very weird...this past year was one of tremendous growth for me, mentally and emotionally. I feel like I have really "come into my own" in my thirties. Here are some things I count as "successes" in my growth, followed by my wishes for 2009:

* I know myself extremely well by now and I am keenly aware of my strengths & weaknesses in life. I know the things I wish to work on about myself.

* I am comfortable knowing how to say "no" graciously to things that I do not have time to do, therefore freeing up time to enjoy the things I do.

* Though I am not currently happy with my weight (I know a lot of us are in the same boat here, especially after the holidays!) I know how to discipline myself in order to get back to a healthier me and I have started on the road towards that goal.

* I was never taught how to manage money when I was growing up. I spent many years struggling, failing, and trying again (many thanks to my EXTREMELY patience husband on this issue!) I had to learn the hard way and feel confident now.

* I was also never taught how to run a household. I lived with my paternal grandmother. She ran the house and didn't take the time to teach me anything. God rest her soul, I loved her but she would rather I stayed out of her way and just let her get stuff done. I asked her once to teach me how to do laundry so I could help her but she didn't think I should have to do it, I guess. I wonder how she learned? Someone must have taught her...Well, after many years of "on the job training" (and a husband who had to teach me how to sort clothing, etc (again, honey, thank you for your endless patience!) I know how to successfully run my household, with all the chores involved.

* My husband jokes that when he married me, I didn't even know how to boil water! That's not far from the truth, actually. I have a picture of me in 1992 with the first Lasagna I ever baked! I was very proud. No one taught me how to cook, either. Again, my grandmother, God love her, did all the cooking and told us to "stay out of her kitchen", unfortunately. So I never learned that either. Over the years, I taught myself how to cook and bake. Baking eventually became a passion of mine, as you all know but I can cook a pretty good meal, too, I am proud to say! My husband is especially happy for this and our boys never had to suffer through my "learning years", only my husband had that privilege!LOL

Now, onto my wishes for 2009:

* I wish to become debt free. I have us on track to achieve this goal and barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will reach it!

* I wish to be a healthier-sized me! I did it 6 years ago, I lost 30 lbs, so I know HOW, I just have to stay determined. And if I do, my goal is to celebrate my June birthday as an improved me!

* I wish to add a Corgi to our family! I'm sure you have read my earlier blog entry, "Dreaming of Cupcake", where I talk about my desire to get a dog. I am in contact with a breeder who just mated her Corgis and I will find out mid-month if the mama is pregnant! If she is, there will be puppies due on Valentine's Day. I am first on the list to get a puppy from that litter. I would be able to bring one home in May, an early birthday gift to myself!

* I wish for my husband to find another job. He is not happy with the current company and it is not a strong company, we are surprised it has lasted this long. So, we are keeping our eyes open for a new opportunity!

Well, that's it for my reflections and wishes for 2009. I encourage all of you to make a mental list of things you'd like to accomplish this year, because, as we know, time flies all too quickly!

Blessings,
Eliana