Hope. In Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord declares that he will give me hope and a future. In scripture, hope means “a strong and confident expectation.”
As I was reflecting over 2015, and planning for 2016, I found that I
have lost my hope. I have lost my hope in a future. I have lost my hope
in the dreams I once had. I have even lost my hope in possibilities. I
have lost my hope that “things” will ever be better than they are right
now. I have lost my hope.
For 2016, I am dedicating myself to spending more time in
relationship with God and studying His word. As I spend more time with
Him, I am starting to see things more clearly and how all this has
happened. It is all very simple, really, how I became hopeless, or
without hope.
I had put all my hope in the world. I depended a lot on what people
said. I put a lot of weight on what people thought of me. I cared way
too much about how I was perceived by others. I based my entire identity
on who the world thought I was. Or to be more precise, on whom I
thought the world wanted me to be. And over and over again, the world
let me down. Yet, I felt like I repeatedly let everyone in the world
down.
Throughout this blog, I will mention that for years I knew God. The
reality is I knew who God was/is. But I didn’t have a relationship with
Him. The funny thing is, as it turns out, you don’t really ever know
that you don’t KNOW God, until you really KNOW God. I hope the person
who needs to understand what I am saying gets this concept.
In my studies, I am learning that the only thing true and constant is
Jesus Christ. I want my hope to be found in what is true. And I
definitely want my hope to be constant. It would only make sense that I
would find my hope in the Lord.
So, you may be wondering, what am I doing to get my hope back?
First, I am seeking God
Jeremiah 29:13 tells us, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
When I put my hope in Jesus, it is pretty easy to seek him with all of
my heart. When I am truly tuning in to what the Holy Spirit is trying to
say to me, I am amazed at what I hear. God’s living word is on paper
for every living soul to read, and get a glimpse of his love for us.
Daily, I am seeking God. I talk to him. I sing to him. We laugh
together… mostly at me. We are in a valuable relationship, so we
communicate.
Next, I am surrounding myself with Godly relationships
I am certain, that you say as much as I do, “I don’t have time for
that,” or “I’m too busy.” We all are. It’s the worldly way. If you are
not too busy and over committed then you must be lazy, right? I have
found that, until I can get less busy and stop over committing, that the
best thing to do is find like-minded people. I look for the other
parents that I know are Christians at the football game. I sit with the
ladies from bible study at the swim meets. Sometimes you have to just
start small. Simply change who you are hanging out with!
If you can’t do that, just change the conversation. Decided you won’t participate in a negative conversation! Hebrews 3:13
tells us to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called
Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
In one of my very worst tribulations, I committed myself to not
participate in negative conversations with my neighbor. I knew that if i
did, it would almost be a contest of who could complain the most about
how bad our messes were. It was the very best thing I could do! You know
why? Because it was contagious! Instead of out doing each other on how
big our mess was, we talked about how great our God was, and that in the
midst of our mess, God was there and we could see him working.
Hebrews 10:24
tells us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and
good deeds.” And positive conversations that help us realize how good
God is, even in our trials and messes, do just that!
Finally, I won’t give up
Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold unswerving to the hope
we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” I believe God’s promises.
And he promised in Jeremiah 29:11 to give me “hope and
a future.” I know that a life without hope is not the life that God has
planned for me. I believe that this is only a valley, and the Lord is
leading me through this valley. And I know beyond any doubt that this
valley is not my destination and that my journey is not near over.
We don’t’ have to just keep our heads above water. We were created for so much more! Romans 12:12
says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in
prayer.” So seek God, be patient and surround yourself with the right
people, and don’t give up. Hope for hope!
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Tips for buying Health Insurance on Healthcare.gov
Health insurance for a family of five can be tricky. But for the
last three years, we have purchased our health insurance on “The
Exchange.” My husband is employed with a small company that is not
required to offer health insurance, and I am a stay at home mom, so
while we both enjoy many benefits that both of our jobs offer, health
insurance it not one of them. Each fall, it is part of my job
description to research and find health insurance that best fits our
family. This is by no means an easy task. As a matter of fact, it seems
more difficult each year.
For the calendar year of 2015, I was able to find a wonderful health insurance broker to answer the thousands of questions that I had at the time. We ended up with an amazing Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO policy for our family of 5. I learned a lot from this broker during our hours of phone calls researching these policies. We finally decided on a policy that cost our family $797 each month.
For our family, that is a large amount of our monthly income. However, there are two factors that play a big role in our health care decisions each year. First, our government, in their infinite wisdom, has mandated that we have health insurance. Second, I have two kids who have auto-immune diseases, and without health insurance, we would be bankrupt in less than six-months.
As we approached the end of 2015, we received notice that BCBS would not be offering PPO policies except through business/employers any longer. We were really disheartened by this decision. This was really good health insurance. We had everything set up with all our doctors, pharmacies and labs. Additionally, it meant that we would have to go back to through the research and shopping process once again.
As with most people who have shopped for health insurance on The Exchange (this term is used by medical office staff, but is what I refer to as healthcare.gov ), I was not impressed with anything about the process. The website it’s self is frustrating and not on the top of the User Friendly Site list. None the less, I updated our family information and pulled up several policies.
What I found from the 21 policies offered to us was that BCBS was not the only company pulling out of the PPO market. There were NO PPOs on our list. Because we see so many doctors, HMO policies are not an option for us, but HMOs and EPOs were our only options. I had never even heard of an EPO before, so I was a little leery of what it could be.
Upon further research, I found that EPO stands for “Exclusive Provider Organization” plan. As a member of an EPO, you can use the doctors and hospitals within the EPO network, but cannot go outside the network for care. There are no out-of-network benefits. It is a kind of hybrid between the PPO and HMO. You don’t have to get a referral to see another doctor within the network like you would with an HMO. But i f you go outside of the network you are on your own.
I can share the following steps that I processed through in my search for new health insurance for our family. I hope some of my experience will help some of you make the best choice for your family.
1. Clear the clutter
Not every policy will fit your family. Decide what fits your family’s needs.
• What can your family afford to pay in monthly premiums? On the exchange, you will have a huge range of pricing for your family. Know your budget. Many policies have the same overall benefits, but may be cheaper monthly because your deductible is really big. The opposite holds true that they may be really high monthly, but the deductible will be much less. Depending on your situation, financially and physically, you can start by deleting policies that are outside of your budget. I have found the “silver” policies to be middle of the road, but I look at them all to make sure I know what my options are.
• Do you want an HMO, EPO or PPO? Make sure you know what each of these means. This is a crucial part of selecting a plan for your family.
• What types of deductible to you want to pay? This is what is going to come out of your pocket. Sometimes it all has to be paid before any of your benefits kick in. Sometimes it calculates throughout the year. (The year my first son was diagnosed we more than met our deductible. I knew I needed a hysterectomy in the next few years, so we did it that year and only had to pay a few thousand dollars of the $74,000 surgery and hospital stay.)
• Do you need a few office visits or unlimited?
• What types of office visit co-pays work for your family? You will want to consider the copay for office visits. If you think you will have many, then lower office visit costs may be for you?
• Do you need prescription coverage?
Knowing the answer to these questions will help you narrow down the search field and focus your time on actually finding a policy that works. You can usually make these determinations by simply looking at the general descriptions in the initial listings.
2. Start dissecting each policy.
This is a tedious task, mostly because you will need to open several documents. The good news is that if you are looking at several policies from the same company, you will only have to open their documents in one of the policies because, the bones of the policies are generally all the same. For example, if I have 2 policies from Aetna, all of their documents are going to be the same.
• Are your Doctors on this policy? I am a pretty organized gal, so I make a list of all of our doctors – general, pediatrician, dermatologist, gynecologist, hospital of preference, breast exams, labs, etc. – and verify everyone I am not willing to give up is covered by each company.
• Review Summary of Benefits Document. This tells you what is covered and what is not. If you know that your family is typically heavy in one area (I have 3 very active boys, so emergency room visits, for example) then make sure you have a clear understanding of what is covered and when. Do you have to meet your deductible first? Is the event fully covered or is there a co-pay? Is there a split, such as they pay 70% and you pay 30%?
• Are your prescriptions covered? This is a huge essential for us. If you don’t use many prescriptions, it may not be a big deal. My two kids with the auto-immune disease take weekly injections that keep them able to walk. Without insurance, the drug would cost $3,200 per month, per child. Obviously, this drug being covered is essential. I keep a running list of all the prescriptions we are all on and I am able to look at each companies list of covered meds. The Summary of Benefits tells you how much each “Tier” drug will cost you. Tier is just a fancy term for level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4 and level 5.
Whatever your BIG medical need is, I would advise you to do your research on this part. Call the companies and ask questions. Honestly, your family deserves the best coverage you can get for the money, and you may spend a lot of time on this part, but in the end it will prove to be well worth it.
3. Calculate it out.
Once you have your policies narrowed down to two or three that work with your doctors, cover your procedures and will pay for your prescriptions, calculate out what your year looked like this year. These examples are not all encompassing, but are intended to help you get your brain thinking about things and how to break it down.
• Let’s say you have a two of small kids and you may have been at the doctor 12 times with each one. Half of that time you many have needed a prescription. And they had a couple of x-rays because you were worried about one of them having Pneumonia.
• On Plan 1 you have $20 office visits, $15 generic prescriptions and a 30% co-pay on x-rays. We will say that the x-rays cost you $110 each just for grins.
o Office Visits – $20×24= $480
o RX – $15×12= $180
o X-rays – $110×2= $220
o Monthly premium – $557×12= $6,684
o Annual Total = $7,564
• On Plan 2 you have $5 office visits, $4 generic prescriptions and the same 30% co-pay on x-rays
o Office Visits – $5×24= $120
o Rx – $4×12= $48
o X-rays – $110×2= $220
o Monthly premium – $680×12= $8,160
o Annual total = $8,548
You will have to figure out for yourself is the actual cost difference is worth it. Sometimes it is a lot easier to spend just a little all month long and have just one bigger bill. In most cases, the differences will be greater and the decision will be much more obvious according to your family’s needs. When I think I have made a decision, I go over it with my mom or my husband. It helps to talk it out with someone and make sure you are not forgetting something important.
4. Pull the trigger
Once you have a decision you will want to enroll. The system will ask you for your first month’s premium. I’ll be honest; we were paying $797 last year with BCBS, and enrolled with Aetna for $577 a month for 2016. In December, as we prepared for Christmas, we did not have an extra $577 to send the new company.
I did start receiving letters stating that we had until late January to make the first payment and secure the policy. I also received a couple of reminder calls to pay our premium. After receiving the 2nd or 3rd recorded call from Aetna, I called them to find out what was going on. Keep in mind, all this was going on between the 1st and the 8th of January when we made our first premium payment.
It does seem like it is all about the money from the get-go with Aetna. They contacted us numerous times from the 1st to the 8th. When I made my payment on the 8th, I was told that there was no policy number for me yet and that it would take about a week to generate and I could possibly call in 72 hours to have a policy number expedited. Basically, what they were saying is that until I had made payment they were not doing squat, and then I needed to wait on them. Yes, my coverage started on the first, but if I needed to use my policy before Aetna got around to everything I would have to pay out of pocket and jump through their hoops of filing it myself.
It is a lot of work to decide on the correct health insurance for your family. It is even more work to change insurance companies altogether. However, I think that is what most companies count on. BCBS had our “new” policy cards in our hands prior to the end of the year. They were graciously changing us to an HMO – same price, but much less convenient for us. Frankly, I am not looking forward to the process again in 11 months, but it is a necessary evil.
For the calendar year of 2015, I was able to find a wonderful health insurance broker to answer the thousands of questions that I had at the time. We ended up with an amazing Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO policy for our family of 5. I learned a lot from this broker during our hours of phone calls researching these policies. We finally decided on a policy that cost our family $797 each month.
For our family, that is a large amount of our monthly income. However, there are two factors that play a big role in our health care decisions each year. First, our government, in their infinite wisdom, has mandated that we have health insurance. Second, I have two kids who have auto-immune diseases, and without health insurance, we would be bankrupt in less than six-months.
As we approached the end of 2015, we received notice that BCBS would not be offering PPO policies except through business/employers any longer. We were really disheartened by this decision. This was really good health insurance. We had everything set up with all our doctors, pharmacies and labs. Additionally, it meant that we would have to go back to through the research and shopping process once again.
As with most people who have shopped for health insurance on The Exchange (this term is used by medical office staff, but is what I refer to as healthcare.gov ), I was not impressed with anything about the process. The website it’s self is frustrating and not on the top of the User Friendly Site list. None the less, I updated our family information and pulled up several policies.
What I found from the 21 policies offered to us was that BCBS was not the only company pulling out of the PPO market. There were NO PPOs on our list. Because we see so many doctors, HMO policies are not an option for us, but HMOs and EPOs were our only options. I had never even heard of an EPO before, so I was a little leery of what it could be.
Upon further research, I found that EPO stands for “Exclusive Provider Organization” plan. As a member of an EPO, you can use the doctors and hospitals within the EPO network, but cannot go outside the network for care. There are no out-of-network benefits. It is a kind of hybrid between the PPO and HMO. You don’t have to get a referral to see another doctor within the network like you would with an HMO. But i f you go outside of the network you are on your own.
I can share the following steps that I processed through in my search for new health insurance for our family. I hope some of my experience will help some of you make the best choice for your family.
1. Clear the clutter
Not every policy will fit your family. Decide what fits your family’s needs.
• What can your family afford to pay in monthly premiums? On the exchange, you will have a huge range of pricing for your family. Know your budget. Many policies have the same overall benefits, but may be cheaper monthly because your deductible is really big. The opposite holds true that they may be really high monthly, but the deductible will be much less. Depending on your situation, financially and physically, you can start by deleting policies that are outside of your budget. I have found the “silver” policies to be middle of the road, but I look at them all to make sure I know what my options are.
• Do you want an HMO, EPO or PPO? Make sure you know what each of these means. This is a crucial part of selecting a plan for your family.
• What types of deductible to you want to pay? This is what is going to come out of your pocket. Sometimes it all has to be paid before any of your benefits kick in. Sometimes it calculates throughout the year. (The year my first son was diagnosed we more than met our deductible. I knew I needed a hysterectomy in the next few years, so we did it that year and only had to pay a few thousand dollars of the $74,000 surgery and hospital stay.)
• Do you need a few office visits or unlimited?
• What types of office visit co-pays work for your family? You will want to consider the copay for office visits. If you think you will have many, then lower office visit costs may be for you?
• Do you need prescription coverage?
Knowing the answer to these questions will help you narrow down the search field and focus your time on actually finding a policy that works. You can usually make these determinations by simply looking at the general descriptions in the initial listings.
2. Start dissecting each policy.
This is a tedious task, mostly because you will need to open several documents. The good news is that if you are looking at several policies from the same company, you will only have to open their documents in one of the policies because, the bones of the policies are generally all the same. For example, if I have 2 policies from Aetna, all of their documents are going to be the same.
• Are your Doctors on this policy? I am a pretty organized gal, so I make a list of all of our doctors – general, pediatrician, dermatologist, gynecologist, hospital of preference, breast exams, labs, etc. – and verify everyone I am not willing to give up is covered by each company.
• Review Summary of Benefits Document. This tells you what is covered and what is not. If you know that your family is typically heavy in one area (I have 3 very active boys, so emergency room visits, for example) then make sure you have a clear understanding of what is covered and when. Do you have to meet your deductible first? Is the event fully covered or is there a co-pay? Is there a split, such as they pay 70% and you pay 30%?
• Are your prescriptions covered? This is a huge essential for us. If you don’t use many prescriptions, it may not be a big deal. My two kids with the auto-immune disease take weekly injections that keep them able to walk. Without insurance, the drug would cost $3,200 per month, per child. Obviously, this drug being covered is essential. I keep a running list of all the prescriptions we are all on and I am able to look at each companies list of covered meds. The Summary of Benefits tells you how much each “Tier” drug will cost you. Tier is just a fancy term for level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4 and level 5.
Whatever your BIG medical need is, I would advise you to do your research on this part. Call the companies and ask questions. Honestly, your family deserves the best coverage you can get for the money, and you may spend a lot of time on this part, but in the end it will prove to be well worth it.
3. Calculate it out.
Once you have your policies narrowed down to two or three that work with your doctors, cover your procedures and will pay for your prescriptions, calculate out what your year looked like this year. These examples are not all encompassing, but are intended to help you get your brain thinking about things and how to break it down.
• Let’s say you have a two of small kids and you may have been at the doctor 12 times with each one. Half of that time you many have needed a prescription. And they had a couple of x-rays because you were worried about one of them having Pneumonia.
• On Plan 1 you have $20 office visits, $15 generic prescriptions and a 30% co-pay on x-rays. We will say that the x-rays cost you $110 each just for grins.
o Office Visits – $20×24= $480
o RX – $15×12= $180
o X-rays – $110×2= $220
o Monthly premium – $557×12= $6,684
o Annual Total = $7,564
• On Plan 2 you have $5 office visits, $4 generic prescriptions and the same 30% co-pay on x-rays
o Office Visits – $5×24= $120
o Rx – $4×12= $48
o X-rays – $110×2= $220
o Monthly premium – $680×12= $8,160
o Annual total = $8,548
You will have to figure out for yourself is the actual cost difference is worth it. Sometimes it is a lot easier to spend just a little all month long and have just one bigger bill. In most cases, the differences will be greater and the decision will be much more obvious according to your family’s needs. When I think I have made a decision, I go over it with my mom or my husband. It helps to talk it out with someone and make sure you are not forgetting something important.
4. Pull the trigger
Once you have a decision you will want to enroll. The system will ask you for your first month’s premium. I’ll be honest; we were paying $797 last year with BCBS, and enrolled with Aetna for $577 a month for 2016. In December, as we prepared for Christmas, we did not have an extra $577 to send the new company.
I did start receiving letters stating that we had until late January to make the first payment and secure the policy. I also received a couple of reminder calls to pay our premium. After receiving the 2nd or 3rd recorded call from Aetna, I called them to find out what was going on. Keep in mind, all this was going on between the 1st and the 8th of January when we made our first premium payment.
It does seem like it is all about the money from the get-go with Aetna. They contacted us numerous times from the 1st to the 8th. When I made my payment on the 8th, I was told that there was no policy number for me yet and that it would take about a week to generate and I could possibly call in 72 hours to have a policy number expedited. Basically, what they were saying is that until I had made payment they were not doing squat, and then I needed to wait on them. Yes, my coverage started on the first, but if I needed to use my policy before Aetna got around to everything I would have to pay out of pocket and jump through their hoops of filing it myself.
It is a lot of work to decide on the correct health insurance for your family. It is even more work to change insurance companies altogether. However, I think that is what most companies count on. BCBS had our “new” policy cards in our hands prior to the end of the year. They were graciously changing us to an HMO – same price, but much less convenient for us. Frankly, I am not looking forward to the process again in 11 months, but it is a necessary evil.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Failing to Equip
I am blessed to have three wonderfully amazing sons. My boys! I
truly don’t know what I did to deserve such great kids. They are a
living example of God’s grace and favor over me. However, I have done
all that is necessary to screw them up.
This morning my husband and I were discussing our first born. He will be 16 in a mere 28 sleeps. And unfortunately, we have done a poor job preparing him for the future and for his real life.
We are by no means a wealthy family, but we have always made sure our kids have everything they need, and most everything they want. And now I look up into the eyes of this young man and know that he has no work ethic, no follow through, and no money or time management skills because of the decisions his dad and I have made. We have failed to equip him to be an adult.
I can promise you we absolutely never intended for this to happen. We thought we were providing for him. We loved giving him all that we could. And he is a grateful child. He never expects from us, which makes it all the more easy to just give to him.
Let me tell you about him. He is loves and is very protective of his family. He loves the Lord. He plays with his seven year old brother with out being asked. He never gets in trouble at school (unless he doesn’t do his Algebra homework). He is polite. He is helpful. He has dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Juvenile Arthritis and still has an A-B average in school and is on swim team. He is at church every Sunday leading Kindergarten and 1st graders in worship and teaching their small groups. And he wants to be a youth pastor when he grows up.
We want to see all his dreams come true! And there in lies the challenge. How do we help him develop the character traits and skills it takes to succeed in the less than three years we have left with him under our roof?
You see, in addition to all those wonderful things about him are things that will hold him back. He likes to come home after school and put his feet up and watch videos and play games till dinner. Then he will return to the videos and games until its time to shower and go to bed. He will help around the house, but has to be asked to. And when the task takes longer than five minutes he has an excuse and disappears. He does well in school, but is ok with just scooting by and doing things at the last minute.
But what is going to happen when we aren’t there? Will his room ever get cleaned if no one is there to ask him to clean it? Will the dish washer ever get unloaded or reloaded? Will his laundry ever get done? Will he do his homework if no one is there to ask if he has done it? Will he go to work when he is “so tired” or will he call in sick? And money… we just have to leave that subject for another post.
We know things have to change, for the future that he deserves to happen. But how do you instill the desire to “push” yourself in someone? My second son has it. He was raised in the same house by the same parents and is so very different.
So, now that we are willing to admit we have created a problem, what are we going to do to fix it you ask? Well, we are addressing each of our concerns and giving him assignments to help him work on changing those habits that need to be fixed.
To help with work ethic and follow through, we have given him assignments that he will work all the way thorough, that in the end he will have new skills that he can take to the workplace. To help time management and scheduling, we have put due dates on when we want to see progress in these new skills. We are working with him on several different assignments regarding money management. That’s a biggie that I still haven’t fully mastered!
The follow through on our end is going to be a big part of his success. We have to help him see the next few years of school, mastering these new skills and maintaining is involvement in activities as his job. And we have to do our job in managing him.
This parenting thing isn’t easy. And even if you are raising good people, there are still a lot of characteristics that they need to be productive, good people.
This morning my husband and I were discussing our first born. He will be 16 in a mere 28 sleeps. And unfortunately, we have done a poor job preparing him for the future and for his real life.
We are by no means a wealthy family, but we have always made sure our kids have everything they need, and most everything they want. And now I look up into the eyes of this young man and know that he has no work ethic, no follow through, and no money or time management skills because of the decisions his dad and I have made. We have failed to equip him to be an adult.
I can promise you we absolutely never intended for this to happen. We thought we were providing for him. We loved giving him all that we could. And he is a grateful child. He never expects from us, which makes it all the more easy to just give to him.
Let me tell you about him. He is loves and is very protective of his family. He loves the Lord. He plays with his seven year old brother with out being asked. He never gets in trouble at school (unless he doesn’t do his Algebra homework). He is polite. He is helpful. He has dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Juvenile Arthritis and still has an A-B average in school and is on swim team. He is at church every Sunday leading Kindergarten and 1st graders in worship and teaching their small groups. And he wants to be a youth pastor when he grows up.
We want to see all his dreams come true! And there in lies the challenge. How do we help him develop the character traits and skills it takes to succeed in the less than three years we have left with him under our roof?
You see, in addition to all those wonderful things about him are things that will hold him back. He likes to come home after school and put his feet up and watch videos and play games till dinner. Then he will return to the videos and games until its time to shower and go to bed. He will help around the house, but has to be asked to. And when the task takes longer than five minutes he has an excuse and disappears. He does well in school, but is ok with just scooting by and doing things at the last minute.
But what is going to happen when we aren’t there? Will his room ever get cleaned if no one is there to ask him to clean it? Will the dish washer ever get unloaded or reloaded? Will his laundry ever get done? Will he do his homework if no one is there to ask if he has done it? Will he go to work when he is “so tired” or will he call in sick? And money… we just have to leave that subject for another post.
We know things have to change, for the future that he deserves to happen. But how do you instill the desire to “push” yourself in someone? My second son has it. He was raised in the same house by the same parents and is so very different.
So, now that we are willing to admit we have created a problem, what are we going to do to fix it you ask? Well, we are addressing each of our concerns and giving him assignments to help him work on changing those habits that need to be fixed.
To help with work ethic and follow through, we have given him assignments that he will work all the way thorough, that in the end he will have new skills that he can take to the workplace. To help time management and scheduling, we have put due dates on when we want to see progress in these new skills. We are working with him on several different assignments regarding money management. That’s a biggie that I still haven’t fully mastered!
The follow through on our end is going to be a big part of his success. We have to help him see the next few years of school, mastering these new skills and maintaining is involvement in activities as his job. And we have to do our job in managing him.
This parenting thing isn’t easy. And even if you are raising good people, there are still a lot of characteristics that they need to be productive, good people.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Conversations With Mom - Save your stuff
As I have mentioned before, I have 3 boy children. I realize that being a mom to boys has shaped my life and who I am in many ways. I know that if I had given birth to even one girl, I would be a different person in some ways.
One of my favorite things is taking my boys to school. My husband and I switch taking them according to our schedules, but I LOVE my days to take them because of the conversations we have. I don't know if it is because we have a captive audience, or because we are all just a bit more candid at 8am. You can ask any of them, I have no filter at any time of the day, so maybe they are more candid? Whatever the reason, our morning conversations are some of the most true - authentic - conversations of the day.
This morning, I happened to say to my 9th grader, "I got an email that y'all are having a sex and health talk in a few days." He said, "oh, yeah, I got that email too." About that time, my 10th grader chimed in and said, "We just had an STD talk that came with pictures." As you can imagine, this opened a door that I had to walk through!
-Now I understand that we all have our different opinions on what and when or if this stuff should be taught in school. We are all entitled to our opinions. You don't have to agree with mine and I don't have to agree with yours, but we can respect each other enough to have our own. -
I asked if any of the pictures were of mouths and how nasty that can be. My 10th grader say "Yes! It was so nasty! It was disturbing!" To which I responded, "you can not be too careful about where you put your stuff! You boys need to keep your stuff clean and unused, and look for clean, saved stuff when you look for a woman to spend your life with. You can't expect to be given new stuff if your stuff is rotten." They both agreed that they don't want rotten stuff. And, if their stuff is dirty, it's not right think it's ok to dirty up someone elses stuff. And the only way to absolutely keep their stuff clean is to SAVE THEIR STUFF!
We always seem to end up laughing at the end of conversations that have serious content. It is really important for them to understand that it is serious, but that they are loved and they know what our family values are on the subject. We usually title the conversation, like "Conversations with Mom - Save your stuff" When I let them out of the car, I released them with the main idea of the day being "Save your stuff for stuff that has been saved."
Don't judge. The terminology was way wrong, but they got the point, and the point is what matters.
One of my favorite things is taking my boys to school. My husband and I switch taking them according to our schedules, but I LOVE my days to take them because of the conversations we have. I don't know if it is because we have a captive audience, or because we are all just a bit more candid at 8am. You can ask any of them, I have no filter at any time of the day, so maybe they are more candid? Whatever the reason, our morning conversations are some of the most true - authentic - conversations of the day.
This morning, I happened to say to my 9th grader, "I got an email that y'all are having a sex and health talk in a few days." He said, "oh, yeah, I got that email too." About that time, my 10th grader chimed in and said, "We just had an STD talk that came with pictures." As you can imagine, this opened a door that I had to walk through!
-Now I understand that we all have our different opinions on what and when or if this stuff should be taught in school. We are all entitled to our opinions. You don't have to agree with mine and I don't have to agree with yours, but we can respect each other enough to have our own. -
I asked if any of the pictures were of mouths and how nasty that can be. My 10th grader say "Yes! It was so nasty! It was disturbing!" To which I responded, "you can not be too careful about where you put your stuff! You boys need to keep your stuff clean and unused, and look for clean, saved stuff when you look for a woman to spend your life with. You can't expect to be given new stuff if your stuff is rotten." They both agreed that they don't want rotten stuff. And, if their stuff is dirty, it's not right think it's ok to dirty up someone elses stuff. And the only way to absolutely keep their stuff clean is to SAVE THEIR STUFF!
We always seem to end up laughing at the end of conversations that have serious content. It is really important for them to understand that it is serious, but that they are loved and they know what our family values are on the subject. We usually title the conversation, like "Conversations with Mom - Save your stuff" When I let them out of the car, I released them with the main idea of the day being "Save your stuff for stuff that has been saved."
Don't judge. The terminology was way wrong, but they got the point, and the point is what matters.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The root of it
This is how it started. For Christmas of 2009, Mark got the boys dirt bikes. I had been every kind of mom out there ...Baseball ...Football... Basketball... Karate... Golf... Swim... Archery... and probably a couple more that I can't even remember at the moment. Dang how I love those kids!!! I would do anything for them. And now I had become Dirt Bike Mom.
It wasn't long before I started doing things I had never done before. And it was FUN! I have always enjoyed being in the minority. And to be honest, I would say being a mom on duty at the track was still in the minority. But I was learning how to do it all. Mark worked so much that it seemed that the kids would never ride if they had to wait on him. Before I knew it me and my 9 and 10 year old, with the 2 year old in tow, were loading bikes in the trailer and heading out.
I remember at one point, the younger one could never remember how to start his bike, so under his contact in my phone I had a notes section that told us step-by-step what to do to start that thing. And I have done it in flip flops. I have done it in shoes that slipped off, and with so much force that I fractured my shin.
When I started pulling the trailer I was awful! I was backing up and so bad that the trail kind of jack knifed and the edge of it cut a whole in my bumper. But, I got good at it. Now, I could rival any man backing that thing up.
I remember one time I had the older two on the track and the little guy was in the truck with the window mostly down. I was helping one of the older boys and heard this horrible cry from the younger one. I turned around and he was on the ground. He had fallen out of the window on to the ground. I have no idea how he landed. Could have been on his head for all I know. He cried and I held him and then the was fine. Thank God!
It wasn't long till I went shopping for a shirt, hat, hoodie, ANYTHING that said "Dirt Bike Mom" and there wasn't anything to be had. I was really kind of sad. I am a cheerleader by nature. I had to have something to cheer on my boys and let the world know how proud I am of them. Yet I couldn't find squat.
During the holiday season of 2010 I bought a tee shirt that said "I'm just like you, only prettier" just like the Miranda Lambert song. Jokingly I told my sister, on dirt bike day's it was more like "dirtier." And with that the tee shirt idea was born.
The more I thought about my desire for some Dirt Bike Mom gear, the more I knew there were other mom's who felt the same way. But I was a busy mom. At that time I had been through that remains to be the worst year of my entire life. Just so many horrible things were going, and had gone on. I put the idea on the shelf for a while and just tried to do life for the time being.
Then, when I got back on my feet, when I felt a bit of stability returning to life I started toying with just making some tees. It was a slow process, but I wasn't in a hurry. I didn't then, and still don't, view this as a job, or even an income stream. That's why our prices are so low. It's not about making money. It's to provide mom's a way to say to the world "I'm a proud dirt bike mom!" When I put on my tee or hoodie, my boys beam with excitement. They know I am proud of them, cause I am proclaiming to all of my world to see that my kids ride dirt bikes.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
What direction
Today, my baby turned 5. I am 42 and he is 5. No, he was not planned. He was a surprise. A huge blessing, but a Major Surprise. In fact, that is his name... Major Surprise. Ok, not really. His first name is Major. Anyway, I have always felt like he was my last shot at getting it right. That's not to say that my other two boys aren't fabulous. The are wonderful works of God's love and grace. I could not ask for two better young men to have the pleasure of raising and calling my sons. But I am a different mom with Major than I was with the other two.So, that got me to thinking, what direction will he go? What sports will he prefer? What subjects will he like or not like? Will he prefer blondes or brunettes? You know, all that stuff. And it comes down to what direction am I going to lead him in? With the other two I wanted a baseball player. I love to watch the kids play baseball. And what did I end up with? I have a swimmer and a football playing motocrosser. But I let them try EVERYTHING! Baseball, Basketball, Flag Football, Swim Team, Karate, Golf, Archery, Guitar. It seemed like every time the wind blew we were buying new something for this or for that.
But with Major, if I put him in Spring Baseball and Fall Baseball will I finally have my baseball player? If I put him on a dirt bike every time his brother and dad get on one, will have a Trey Canard? And at what point can I be sure he loves it and it's not just about me. That is why we let the other two do whatever they wanted, so it could be about them and not us. As kids, are they qualified, or even capable of making those decisions on their own?
This I do know, having a baby at 28 and having a baby at 37 make me a different mom for all of them. But having that additional time of being a mom makes me no more wiser on which path to lead them. However, I also know, that all that ultimately matters is that I have raised them all to walk with God and follow His direction for their lives.
Blessings
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
My First Solo Ride
On March 15th I turned 42. I have done just about everything I've ever wanted to do. Gone just about everywhere I've ever wanted to go. I have had a good, blessed life. But one thing I had not done was ride a dirt bike solo. I've been on the back of my husband's bike with him driving, and I've spent a lot of time on quads. But on a two wheel moto machine, I had not taken the leap.
We were spending Spring Break with my husband's family, who has property in North Louisiana. We had taken all the bikes, and for my birthday, I wanted to ride a dirt bike by myself. My son has an 85 and my husband has a 125, so I went with my son's. They gave me enough direction to make me kind of scared, not that I wasn't already very scared on my own. Then, my husband sat behind me and we rode about 50 feet and he jumped off. And I went. Not too far, but far enough for my first time.
I can't express to you the feelings of mixed emotions I had during that ride. It was like "wow, I'm finally doing it." With, "Oh Yeah! I'm doing it" and some "What in the hell am I doing?" and finally, "Woo Hoo! I did it!" When I got off the bike I cried. Relieved I didn't break a hip. Proud I had tried something new.
So, now I share my first EVER solo ride with you. Please notice the posture as I ride by the camera. And the three most wonderful little boys who run to me at the end. It's ok to laugh, I still laugh every time I watch it.
Blessings.
We were spending Spring Break with my husband's family, who has property in North Louisiana. We had taken all the bikes, and for my birthday, I wanted to ride a dirt bike by myself. My son has an 85 and my husband has a 125, so I went with my son's. They gave me enough direction to make me kind of scared, not that I wasn't already very scared on my own. Then, my husband sat behind me and we rode about 50 feet and he jumped off. And I went. Not too far, but far enough for my first time.
I can't express to you the feelings of mixed emotions I had during that ride. It was like "wow, I'm finally doing it." With, "Oh Yeah! I'm doing it" and some "What in the hell am I doing?" and finally, "Woo Hoo! I did it!" When I got off the bike I cried. Relieved I didn't break a hip. Proud I had tried something new.
So, now I share my first EVER solo ride with you. Please notice the posture as I ride by the camera. And the three most wonderful little boys who run to me at the end. It's ok to laugh, I still laugh every time I watch it.
Blessings.
Whats with all the numbers?
On my Facebook page, there are some really engaged users. Not just moms, but dad's, kids and tracks. So when I have a question, or anyone in our community for that matter, I try to put it out there for answers and ideas. It has really become a place where we help each other.
A few months back I asked "Who buys the bikes in your house?" while the answers ranged, I found that a LOT of moms do it all. The research, the find, the negotiation, the purchase, the pickup, and often drive the trailer to the track when all is said and done. (we really are amazing creatures).
Around that same time I was shopping for a bike for one of my boys and found one that I had started communicating with the lady on. It was a listing on Craig's List, and I asked the lady what year is this bike? And she didn't know. That made me wonder, do you know how to find out what year a bike is?
Now, I am not a box beater about empowering women, but I am a strong believer in being as informed as I possibly can. And I believe with knowledge comes power. So, if you don't know what year your bike is, this is your lucky day. The year is located in the serial number, or VIN, on the bike. Do you know where to find the serial number? The serial number is located on the steering column, behind where the front number plate would usually be found. You may have to turn the wheel some to find it, but this is what one looks like (this picture is sideways for reading purposes).
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The 10th digit in the VIN indicates the year of your bike. The above picture is from my youngest son's PW50. It is a 2001. The most in depth analysis of the VIN number I have ever read is HERE. It is really quite amazing what those letters and numbers represent. Anyway, with these numbers, you are able to find out a whole mess of information on the bike you are looking at. I always first go to the NADA website to check pricing. I am all for paying the value of the bike, but sometimes people have no idea what their bike is valued at. They just know that they have had some real fun times and that's gotta be worth something, right?
So, if you are just getting into this sport, those are some of the first steps I advise when considering buying a used bike from an individual and not brand new from the dealer. Hope that helps!
Blessings!
A few months back I asked "Who buys the bikes in your house?" while the answers ranged, I found that a LOT of moms do it all. The research, the find, the negotiation, the purchase, the pickup, and often drive the trailer to the track when all is said and done. (we really are amazing creatures).
Around that same time I was shopping for a bike for one of my boys and found one that I had started communicating with the lady on. It was a listing on Craig's List, and I asked the lady what year is this bike? And she didn't know. That made me wonder, do you know how to find out what year a bike is?
Now, I am not a box beater about empowering women, but I am a strong believer in being as informed as I possibly can. And I believe with knowledge comes power. So, if you don't know what year your bike is, this is your lucky day. The year is located in the serial number, or VIN, on the bike. Do you know where to find the serial number? The serial number is located on the steering column, behind where the front number plate would usually be found. You may have to turn the wheel some to find it, but this is what one looks like (this picture is sideways for reading purposes).
.JPG)
The 10th digit in the VIN indicates the year of your bike. The above picture is from my youngest son's PW50. It is a 2001. The most in depth analysis of the VIN number I have ever read is HERE. It is really quite amazing what those letters and numbers represent. Anyway, with these numbers, you are able to find out a whole mess of information on the bike you are looking at. I always first go to the NADA website to check pricing. I am all for paying the value of the bike, but sometimes people have no idea what their bike is valued at. They just know that they have had some real fun times and that's gotta be worth something, right?
So, if you are just getting into this sport, those are some of the first steps I advise when considering buying a used bike from an individual and not brand new from the dealer. Hope that helps!
Blessings!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Another Texas Boy - Blake Wharton
Another Texas boy I'm kinda diggin' these days in Blake Wharton. Not only is he from here, but that boy is a pretty darn good bike rider. And not only that, but he can sing. And on top of that, he is a Christian.
Now, I will concede, with that hair, in our house we refer to him as "Party Rock" and everyone knows who we are talking about. Visually, the similarities are shocking, but I think that is where the similarities end.
I do LOVE, however, these young athletes, like Blake and Trey Canard, who are not ashamed to confess that God is their Lord and Savior. When they make the podium and give credit to Jesus for giving them the ability to get there, my heart swells with pride, just like they were my very own kids.
So, I encourage you to follow Blake and cheer him on in the 250's. He is a young, talented rider, who I believe has a VERY bright future as a rider, a singer or a song writer. Check out this video of him singing. From what I understand he wrote this song too. Very impressive!
Blake Wharton Acoustic
Now, I will concede, with that hair, in our house we refer to him as "Party Rock" and everyone knows who we are talking about. Visually, the similarities are shocking, but I think that is where the similarities end.
I do LOVE, however, these young athletes, like Blake and Trey Canard, who are not ashamed to confess that God is their Lord and Savior. When they make the podium and give credit to Jesus for giving them the ability to get there, my heart swells with pride, just like they were my very own kids.
So, I encourage you to follow Blake and cheer him on in the 250's. He is a young, talented rider, who I believe has a VERY bright future as a rider, a singer or a song writer. Check out this video of him singing. From what I understand he wrote this song too. Very impressive!
Blake Wharton Acoustic
Good Ol' Texas Boy - Will Hahn
If you follow me on Facebook (Dirt Bike Mom) you know that I am a big SX fan. When the race was in Dallas there was no doubt that we would go. We also went in 2011. I don't remember why we skipped 2012, but we were back this year for sure.
It is a lot of fun. This year we jumped in with Texas FCA Motocross and got to tour the stadium while the riders were having their walk through and a short chapel service. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend it! If given the opportunity we will do it again.
Anyway, the week leading up to Dallas Supercross, a local, and really national hero was buried, Chris Kyle. He was a Navy SEAL and considered one of the most lethal snipers in US military history. He was a pretty big deal in these parts. His life was tragically cut short while he was helping a fellow solider try to get his head straight after coming home. It was a huge loss in locally, but for our nation too.
When the riders were introduced that night, Will Hahn was wearing a jersey with Chris Kyle's name on it. I found this to be most impressive. Now, I knew Hahn was from this area. What I didn't know was what a stand up kind of guy he was. I mean really, these guys are busy. They travel all week, all across the nation. The majority of them ride on a bus and don't make huge amounts of money. They are on their bikes as much as possible, so even if he is from here, to still be in touch with local events is a big deal, at least to me.
But, what impressed me the most, was Will Hahn's ability to be removed enough from himself to show compassion for the situation, the family and the region during that troubling time when so many people had broken hearts. He proved that he was not so self absorbed that he still remembered there was a world outside of the area, and he even went as far as to acknowledge it. Not many regular people know how to do that, and even far fewer athletes in the middle of their season.
Will came in 3rd that night in the 250 Main Event. On the podium he dedicated that ride to Chris Kyle, an American Hero. For that, Will Hahn will always be a class act in my book.
It is a lot of fun. This year we jumped in with Texas FCA Motocross and got to tour the stadium while the riders were having their walk through and a short chapel service. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend it! If given the opportunity we will do it again.
Anyway, the week leading up to Dallas Supercross, a local, and really national hero was buried, Chris Kyle. He was a Navy SEAL and considered one of the most lethal snipers in US military history. He was a pretty big deal in these parts. His life was tragically cut short while he was helping a fellow solider try to get his head straight after coming home. It was a huge loss in locally, but for our nation too.
When the riders were introduced that night, Will Hahn was wearing a jersey with Chris Kyle's name on it. I found this to be most impressive. Now, I knew Hahn was from this area. What I didn't know was what a stand up kind of guy he was. I mean really, these guys are busy. They travel all week, all across the nation. The majority of them ride on a bus and don't make huge amounts of money. They are on their bikes as much as possible, so even if he is from here, to still be in touch with local events is a big deal, at least to me.
But, what impressed me the most, was Will Hahn's ability to be removed enough from himself to show compassion for the situation, the family and the region during that troubling time when so many people had broken hearts. He proved that he was not so self absorbed that he still remembered there was a world outside of the area, and he even went as far as to acknowledge it. Not many regular people know how to do that, and even far fewer athletes in the middle of their season.
Will came in 3rd that night in the 250 Main Event. On the podium he dedicated that ride to Chris Kyle, an American Hero. For that, Will Hahn will always be a class act in my book.
Camper Coma
For those of you who don't know me, I am a bit of a free spirit. I am also a horse trader born 80 years too late. I am willing to give just about anything a shot, at least once. I do not know that there are any limits to my abilities. And when my parents told me I could do or be anything that I wanted, I did not understand that it didn't necessarily have to all be at the same time.
I am always coming up with a new idea or plan that is going to make our lives better then it already is. I pull "stunts" and make messes. And when they go good it is amazing. But when they go bad it is monumental.
So, that brings me to my latest "stunt." I decided to buy a travel trailer and refurbish it so we could travel as a family on the weekends to tracks for motocross races. About 2 weeks ago now, I bought a trailer. Well, where I went wrong was I bought it at an auction. Sight unseen. Bad idea. We had to travel from Dallas to Mississippi to pick it up. Bad idea. We brought if home and got 8 miles to the gallon in my rig. Bad idea. Are you seeing the trend?
We got it the beast home last Wednesday morning about 1:30 am. On the 12 hour trip back, we decide that we can rehab it, however, it is going to tie up some money for longer then we wanted, and of the dozen projects we have going, we really didn't want to add this one. So on Wednesday afternoon I listed it on Craig's List. We also decided what we really need is a Toy Hauler, and this still won't fit our needs even after a total overhaul.
Now, I am not sure what kind of scam it is, but I am certain there is some type of Craig's List RV Scam going on. In the first two days I was contacted NO LESS than 100 times, and I am not exaggerating. Of those calls, texts and emails, 99% of them asked if I had a title right after they asked if I still had it. Of course, within an hour of this type of response I was suspicious and googling "Craig's List RV Scams" on the Internet. I never found anything, but I promise there is something up.
After several of them got my address and promised to be on their way, put my day on hold, only for them not to show up, we moved the beast to storage. During these 2 days it was parked on our street my head was spinning. My emotions were tripping over each other going from excitement to anticipation to disappointment to total frustration, and back again, over and over during these 2 short days. Everything in my home was neglected - kids, dishes, laundry, dinner. This beast totally turned our lives upside down. This has led to my hate of it.
We have had some "real" people come look at it. And when they are honest, and speak English, they tell me it is a bigger job then they want to take on. And I am honest right back and tell them I completely understand.
I am now preparing to go back into the camper coma as I am dropping the price to exactly what we have in it and posting it on Craig's List again. But this time, if one of the first two questions are about the title, I am hanging up. I don't need those losers wasting my time. Besides, the kids need clean underwear.
I am always coming up with a new idea or plan that is going to make our lives better then it already is. I pull "stunts" and make messes. And when they go good it is amazing. But when they go bad it is monumental.
So, that brings me to my latest "stunt." I decided to buy a travel trailer and refurbish it so we could travel as a family on the weekends to tracks for motocross races. About 2 weeks ago now, I bought a trailer. Well, where I went wrong was I bought it at an auction. Sight unseen. Bad idea. We had to travel from Dallas to Mississippi to pick it up. Bad idea. We brought if home and got 8 miles to the gallon in my rig. Bad idea. Are you seeing the trend?
We got it the beast home last Wednesday morning about 1:30 am. On the 12 hour trip back, we decide that we can rehab it, however, it is going to tie up some money for longer then we wanted, and of the dozen projects we have going, we really didn't want to add this one. So on Wednesday afternoon I listed it on Craig's List. We also decided what we really need is a Toy Hauler, and this still won't fit our needs even after a total overhaul.
Now, I am not sure what kind of scam it is, but I am certain there is some type of Craig's List RV Scam going on. In the first two days I was contacted NO LESS than 100 times, and I am not exaggerating. Of those calls, texts and emails, 99% of them asked if I had a title right after they asked if I still had it. Of course, within an hour of this type of response I was suspicious and googling "Craig's List RV Scams" on the Internet. I never found anything, but I promise there is something up.
After several of them got my address and promised to be on their way, put my day on hold, only for them not to show up, we moved the beast to storage. During these 2 days it was parked on our street my head was spinning. My emotions were tripping over each other going from excitement to anticipation to disappointment to total frustration, and back again, over and over during these 2 short days. Everything in my home was neglected - kids, dishes, laundry, dinner. This beast totally turned our lives upside down. This has led to my hate of it.
We have had some "real" people come look at it. And when they are honest, and speak English, they tell me it is a bigger job then they want to take on. And I am honest right back and tell them I completely understand.
I am now preparing to go back into the camper coma as I am dropping the price to exactly what we have in it and posting it on Craig's List again. But this time, if one of the first two questions are about the title, I am hanging up. I don't need those losers wasting my time. Besides, the kids need clean underwear.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
A kids gotta race
On our Facebook page I like to find out what the moms, and dads, want to know. Tonight one of the answers was "Where to find races" and "national caliber" races specifically.
We are in Texas, and I have just started traveling with Dirt Bike Mom and MX Outfitter to races, so I am constantly researching where to go. And I'll be honest, finding races is easy. Finding races of national caliber, such as Loretta Lynn's, is not so easy. Loretta's is kind of the pinnacle for the young racer, and from what I can tell (and I am certainly no expert) you kind of work your way back from there.
Let's took at it like this, AMA is kind of like the NASCAR of the motocross racing community. As far as I can tell, AMA is in every state sponsoring races. Here we have other groups/series, but AMA is everywhere. Loretta Lynn's is the National event. To get to Tennessee, you need to win the Regional, to get to the Regional you need to win the Area. To win the Area, you just need to be experienced enough at winning to win. This is the 2013 LL Area Qualifier & Regional list.
AMA also sponsors State Championships. To get to the State level, you go through your districts. The districts are drawn by AMA. And, again, to win the district, you just need to be experienced enough at winning to win.
I have found a great resource has been the track owners and/or managers. They know all things racing if they have been around for a few years. They want to get the big races at their tracks and they can give you some direction. It is also a big feather in their cap to be able to say that " ___ is the home track of ____ who won ____." And lets be honest, we don't mind letting our kids train where champions also train!
Finally, there are the local races. Again, Texas is really all I know, but we have a good community of tracks that, for example, are currently having an AMA Texas Winter Series that consists of 5 races at 4 different tracks. This is great experience for your rider and is base level. I have bookmarked a long list of tracks and sit down every month on a specific day and go to their calendars and make my list of who is doing what. To make my list of tracks I used DirtWerkz state directory and went from there. Once you get to looking at track schedules, you will find a series that will lead you to another track, and next thing you know, your calendar is full!
Blessings!
We are in Texas, and I have just started traveling with Dirt Bike Mom and MX Outfitter to races, so I am constantly researching where to go. And I'll be honest, finding races is easy. Finding races of national caliber, such as Loretta Lynn's, is not so easy. Loretta's is kind of the pinnacle for the young racer, and from what I can tell (and I am certainly no expert) you kind of work your way back from there.
Let's took at it like this, AMA is kind of like the NASCAR of the motocross racing community. As far as I can tell, AMA is in every state sponsoring races. Here we have other groups/series, but AMA is everywhere. Loretta Lynn's is the National event. To get to Tennessee, you need to win the Regional, to get to the Regional you need to win the Area. To win the Area, you just need to be experienced enough at winning to win. This is the 2013 LL Area Qualifier & Regional list.
AMA also sponsors State Championships. To get to the State level, you go through your districts. The districts are drawn by AMA. And, again, to win the district, you just need to be experienced enough at winning to win.
I have found a great resource has been the track owners and/or managers. They know all things racing if they have been around for a few years. They want to get the big races at their tracks and they can give you some direction. It is also a big feather in their cap to be able to say that " ___ is the home track of ____ who won ____." And lets be honest, we don't mind letting our kids train where champions also train!
Finally, there are the local races. Again, Texas is really all I know, but we have a good community of tracks that, for example, are currently having an AMA Texas Winter Series that consists of 5 races at 4 different tracks. This is great experience for your rider and is base level. I have bookmarked a long list of tracks and sit down every month on a specific day and go to their calendars and make my list of who is doing what. To make my list of tracks I used DirtWerkz state directory and went from there. Once you get to looking at track schedules, you will find a series that will lead you to another track, and next thing you know, your calendar is full!
Blessings!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
When in doubt
This week on our Facebook page the question was asked "how do you responded when family does not agree with your decision to let your kids ride motorcycles?"
And the responses were all worded very differently, but were unanimously in agreement, that
1) this is valuable family time
2) this sport is dangerous, but so is anything else kids do
3) its better than too much TV time or getting in trouble time unsupervised
4) we give them all the safety equipment available and trust God to do the rest.
Personally, agree with all of these, but probably most with the last one. I know firsthand how tragedy can strike. I have also experienced extreme loss when everyone was doing everything right. On the other side of that coin, I have seen miracles happen before my eyes. Things, protection, that only a power greater than mere humans could provide. Things that could have only come from God.
So, if you are ever doubting your decision to let your kids ride, ask yourself if they do it for you or if they truly enjoy it. If they are having fun, then put them in the best gear you can afford, say a prayer over them, and put 'em on a bike. God has it planned out. It doesn't matter what we do, what we say, where we live, or how much money we have. God has a plan, and trusting him with our children is the best thing we can do.
Blessings!
And the responses were all worded very differently, but were unanimously in agreement, that
1) this is valuable family time
2) this sport is dangerous, but so is anything else kids do
3) its better than too much TV time or getting in trouble time unsupervised
4) we give them all the safety equipment available and trust God to do the rest.
Personally, agree with all of these, but probably most with the last one. I know firsthand how tragedy can strike. I have also experienced extreme loss when everyone was doing everything right. On the other side of that coin, I have seen miracles happen before my eyes. Things, protection, that only a power greater than mere humans could provide. Things that could have only come from God.
So, if you are ever doubting your decision to let your kids ride, ask yourself if they do it for you or if they truly enjoy it. If they are having fun, then put them in the best gear you can afford, say a prayer over them, and put 'em on a bike. God has it planned out. It doesn't matter what we do, what we say, where we live, or how much money we have. God has a plan, and trusting him with our children is the best thing we can do.
Blessings!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
A 2-stroke or a 4-stroke? That is the question...
One of my sons has a KX85. He has been riding 2-strokes since he has been riding bikes. But now, he has got a "bee in his bonnet" and wants a 4-stroke. When I ask my husband, he says that on a 2-stroke, every second stroke is a power stroke, and on a 4-stroke, every fourth stroke is a power stroke...then he explained a lot of other stuff that makes my head spin. This has led me to do some research on 2-strokes and 4-strokes. I thought I would pass along what I have learned.
If you haven't heard, there is a debate over what is better, a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke, and what I have found is it all depends on who you talk to. We shall discuss, but you may just need to jump in and ride both to decide for yourself.
Basic 2-Stroke Info:
In the 2-stroke engine, the spark plug fires once every revolution of the crankshaft. It produces twice the power of a 4-stroke engine of the same size. The 2-stroke engine is much simpler than 4-strokes, with lighter construction and fewer parts. You have to buy two-stroke engine oil, measure it, and mix it with your fuel. They are believed to wear out faster because lubrication is not as efficient as in a 4-stroke engine with heavier oil. They use more fuel because the unused fuel is exhausted with each cycle of the engine. And they pollute the air more because the unused fuel is exhausted with each cycle of the engine.
Basic 4-Stroke Info:
4-Strokes engines generally last longer than 2-stroke engines because of the more efficient lubrication of moving parts. They use straight fuel, and less of it. Their engines are believed to pollute the air less than 2-strokes. Construction/assembly/operation of the engine is more complicated. More moving parts means more things that can go wrong. And 4-strokes are half as powerful as two stroke engines.
There is a ton more info out there - articles, you tube videos, etc. And just as many contradicting opinions as info. I say just take a chance. Pick a bike you can afford, get to be friends with a rider that has something else and take his for a spin. But most importantly, just have fun and enjoy your time on the bike.
Blessings! of the same size.
If you haven't heard, there is a debate over what is better, a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke, and what I have found is it all depends on who you talk to. We shall discuss, but you may just need to jump in and ride both to decide for yourself.
Basic 2-Stroke Info:
In the 2-stroke engine, the spark plug fires once every revolution of the crankshaft. It produces twice the power of a 4-stroke engine of the same size. The 2-stroke engine is much simpler than 4-strokes, with lighter construction and fewer parts. You have to buy two-stroke engine oil, measure it, and mix it with your fuel. They are believed to wear out faster because lubrication is not as efficient as in a 4-stroke engine with heavier oil. They use more fuel because the unused fuel is exhausted with each cycle of the engine. And they pollute the air more because the unused fuel is exhausted with each cycle of the engine.
Basic 4-Stroke Info:
4-Strokes engines generally last longer than 2-stroke engines because of the more efficient lubrication of moving parts. They use straight fuel, and less of it. Their engines are believed to pollute the air less than 2-strokes. Construction/assembly/operation of the engine is more complicated. More moving parts means more things that can go wrong. And 4-strokes are half as powerful as two stroke engines.
There is a ton more info out there - articles, you tube videos, etc. And just as many contradicting opinions as info. I say just take a chance. Pick a bike you can afford, get to be friends with a rider that has something else and take his for a spin. But most importantly, just have fun and enjoy your time on the bike.
Blessings! of the same size.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Monster Energy Supercross 2013 Season
If any of you follow us on Facebook (@ Dirt Bike Mom) you know that we watched the Monster Energy Supercross season opener on Saturday night. It is so much fun! Fun for us because we watch it as a family. Of course it comes on at 8:30 in Texas, so I try to have everyone showered before it comes on so we can make it to church the next morning...a girls gotta plan ahead.
The big bike Main Event is what we all stay up for, and on Saturday it was a nail biter! The guy that has got to be my favorite racer, Trey Canard, was back. Trey had an accident early in the 2012 season. A really bad one, and was out the rest of the season. He was amazing Saturday! He held first place till the last lap until Davi Millsaps blasted by him and was gone.
I have to tell you, these guys are making 20 laps around this crazy track. Have to be EXHAUSTED! when they are done. I had never thought about the strategy of winning a dirt bike race until last weekend. It's just like anything else I guess. Hang out close to the front till the end, and then, find it in you to blow past anyone between you and the finish line. If the guy in front of you is more tired, not expecting it, whatever... you got yourself a win. Congratulations Davi! That was a really nice win!
Now my guy, Trey, was also really impressive. To be honest, when I heard he would be back this year, I really just hoped he would be in the top 10. That is a very respectable place to be. Like I said, this kid was in a BAD accident last year. (watch his journey back http://revival41.com/ ) To be back on a bike at all is a miracle in and of itself. To be racing in front of millions of people on TV in a huge arena with the top guys in motocross is a pretty intimidating feat. The combination and coming in second - HUGE!
There were a few times he got tapped by other riders. The first time, I really think it spooked him and he backed off. You know how it is if you have ever been in a wreck. The first few times back in the car on the open highway with all those other crazy drives is kind of creepy and takes some getting used to. Trey did an great job! Yea for Trey! LOL!
So the next race is this Saturday on the Speed channel. If you have a rider, want to be racer, or a racer you definitely need to be watching. We are fortunate enough to live in Dallas, so we will get to go to the show in February. Check out the Monster Supercross schedule. You may get lucky as well.
The big bike Main Event is what we all stay up for, and on Saturday it was a nail biter! The guy that has got to be my favorite racer, Trey Canard, was back. Trey had an accident early in the 2012 season. A really bad one, and was out the rest of the season. He was amazing Saturday! He held first place till the last lap until Davi Millsaps blasted by him and was gone.
I have to tell you, these guys are making 20 laps around this crazy track. Have to be EXHAUSTED! when they are done. I had never thought about the strategy of winning a dirt bike race until last weekend. It's just like anything else I guess. Hang out close to the front till the end, and then, find it in you to blow past anyone between you and the finish line. If the guy in front of you is more tired, not expecting it, whatever... you got yourself a win. Congratulations Davi! That was a really nice win!
Now my guy, Trey, was also really impressive. To be honest, when I heard he would be back this year, I really just hoped he would be in the top 10. That is a very respectable place to be. Like I said, this kid was in a BAD accident last year. (watch his journey back http://revival41.com/ ) To be back on a bike at all is a miracle in and of itself. To be racing in front of millions of people on TV in a huge arena with the top guys in motocross is a pretty intimidating feat. The combination and coming in second - HUGE!
There were a few times he got tapped by other riders. The first time, I really think it spooked him and he backed off. You know how it is if you have ever been in a wreck. The first few times back in the car on the open highway with all those other crazy drives is kind of creepy and takes some getting used to. Trey did an great job! Yea for Trey! LOL!
So the next race is this Saturday on the Speed channel. If you have a rider, want to be racer, or a racer you definitely need to be watching. We are fortunate enough to live in Dallas, so we will get to go to the show in February. Check out the Monster Supercross schedule. You may get lucky as well.
My guys watching the race on Saturday. Just like being there.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Happy 2013!
Happy New Year! Can you believe it is 2013? Have you written any checks yet or had to write the date on anything? It always makes me laugh that I am still wanting to write the last year on things like in June! LOL! Does anyone write checks anymore?
Well, we are believing that 2013 is going to be an incredible year! We are believing God has great things in store for us and Dirt Bike Mom. There are so many amazing things coming this year and we can't wait to share them with you!
First, I have to share with you how we finished 2012 out. On the Saturday after my boys got out of school for winter break, we had a one. My husband and middle son, Mavrick, were headed to the track that they ALWAYS go to on Saturdays, but it was late and they were only going to end up with about 30 minutes of ride time, so they turned around and came back. While unloading the bikes, my son took a fall over a brick they use to stop the trailer and fell and broke his arm. After a few days of wearing a splint, and having Christmas, we were finally able to get him in a cast. He chose a black cast (it was up for debate for a while because he is a Kawasaki man and had to decide between black and green) and his ever so creative dad added some Monster swag to it. I have to admit, it does look pretty cool. He says that he doesn't want his friends to sign it and make it look all junky. And he kind of wishes that he would still have it when the Monster Supercross is in Dallas in February, but that would be much too long to have to wear the thing! We did all agree that a 30 minute ride would have been better then a broken arm. :(
In other news, we are going to start 2013 off with a new look. A design that we can all be happy with and that will visually make more sense. We hope everyone loves it as much as we do, and we hope to see it a lot more as we are out and about!
Another really exciting thing happening in 2013 is Dirt Bike Mom will be coming to a track near you! Well, depending on where you are of course. We have started working with some tracks in the state and surrounding states (TX, LA, AR, OK) and will be track-side for many races this year! We are very excited to get out and meet our people! I personally can't wait to visit with the other Dirt Bike Mom's and hear what you ladies have to say! So be sure to let us know where you are and where you think we should show up.
Well, that's all for now. Blessings!
Well, we are believing that 2013 is going to be an incredible year! We are believing God has great things in store for us and Dirt Bike Mom. There are so many amazing things coming this year and we can't wait to share them with you!
In other news, we are going to start 2013 off with a new look. A design that we can all be happy with and that will visually make more sense. We hope everyone loves it as much as we do, and we hope to see it a lot more as we are out and about!
Another really exciting thing happening in 2013 is Dirt Bike Mom will be coming to a track near you! Well, depending on where you are of course. We have started working with some tracks in the state and surrounding states (TX, LA, AR, OK) and will be track-side for many races this year! We are very excited to get out and meet our people! I personally can't wait to visit with the other Dirt Bike Mom's and hear what you ladies have to say! So be sure to let us know where you are and where you think we should show up.
Well, that's all for now. Blessings!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
The right bike for your kid
My older boys are in 6th and 7th grade. Mavrick, is 11 and weighs about 85 lbs soaking wet, and is about 4' 10". He has been riding continually on two wheels for three years now. He has in just the last few months felt comfortable enough to move from a 65 to an 85. We purchased the 85 for him in the spring. To be honest, he just wasn't ready for it. His legs weren't long enough to keep the bike upright. The strength in his legs weren't strong enough to start the bike. And mentally, it was a lot more bike then the 65. It really wasn't until about the first of August that he was able to "fit" on the 85, and now he loves it.
I say all this because when you have a kid that doesn't start riding a 50 at the age of four or five, it can be difficult as a parent to put them on the right bike. AND just because it fits does not mean that your kid is ready for what he CAN ride. He may have the desire to ride a bigger bike, just make sure he has the ability. It's kind of like being at the water park during the summer, "just because you CAN wear it does not me that you SHOULD wear it."
My boys have a friend from school that wants to start riding with his dad. This kid is probably about 115 lbs and about 5' 2". He was telling my boys that he and his dad were going to get 250's. Now Michael, my cautious one, said to his dad "Mr Cash, Johnny is gonna kill himself on a 250." Johnny is almost 13 and never been on a dirt bike. He may fit on a 250, but he is in no way prepared for the power he could get out of a 250. While I don't expect Johnny to kill himself, a broken arm wouldn't be surprising. Then there is also the chance that he won't be able to handle it - the weight of it, the power, starting it, shifting it or riding it. What happens is Johnny gets frustrated and just decides that it is not for him and Mr Cash has two 250's sitting in the garage till he puts them on Craig's list.
I guess what I am trying to tell you is don't let egos get in your way of the right starter bike for you or your kid. Just about anyone can ride an 85. Find someone who has one and take it for a spin. Then move up until you find the bike that fits your body and your ability. I promise your experience will be much better!
I say all this because when you have a kid that doesn't start riding a 50 at the age of four or five, it can be difficult as a parent to put them on the right bike. AND just because it fits does not mean that your kid is ready for what he CAN ride. He may have the desire to ride a bigger bike, just make sure he has the ability. It's kind of like being at the water park during the summer, "just because you CAN wear it does not me that you SHOULD wear it."
My boys have a friend from school that wants to start riding with his dad. This kid is probably about 115 lbs and about 5' 2". He was telling my boys that he and his dad were going to get 250's. Now Michael, my cautious one, said to his dad "Mr Cash, Johnny is gonna kill himself on a 250." Johnny is almost 13 and never been on a dirt bike. He may fit on a 250, but he is in no way prepared for the power he could get out of a 250. While I don't expect Johnny to kill himself, a broken arm wouldn't be surprising. Then there is also the chance that he won't be able to handle it - the weight of it, the power, starting it, shifting it or riding it. What happens is Johnny gets frustrated and just decides that it is not for him and Mr Cash has two 250's sitting in the garage till he puts them on Craig's list.
I guess what I am trying to tell you is don't let egos get in your way of the right starter bike for you or your kid. Just about anyone can ride an 85. Find someone who has one and take it for a spin. Then move up until you find the bike that fits your body and your ability. I promise your experience will be much better!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Wear your boots!
Yesterday, my oldest son, Michael, went with Mark and Mavrick to ride their bikes. Michael rides a quad now, that is, when he rides. We found out in the spring of 2011 that Michael has Juvenile Arthritis in his feet and legs. He was on an 85 then, and I think it kind of scared him, not only because the bike was bigger (he had just come off of a smaller bike), but also that it is more difficult for his body to heal if he does get hurt. Michael has always been extremely cautious, so he decided that he would be more comfortable on a quad.
Michael doesn't have a passion for it like Mavrick does. Or even his dad for that matter. They both enjoy the speed and the opportunity to cheat an accident. Michael's cautious side prevents him for getting too crazy. More often then not he will decline the invitation to go riding with them.
But yesterday he went. They offered him the opportunity to video some of the riding, and his creative side won out. Now Michael has all the gear that the others have, but for some reason doesn't think he needs to wear it. Even his boots. He always wears pant, never shorts, but usually his jeans and not his riding pants. So yesterday he wore a new pair of jeans and the tennis shoes I bought him month ago for school. They had a great time. Everyone was glad that he went and he is even excited about going with them again soon!
However, when Michael woke up this morning his feet were in real pain. It had been months since he had been on his quad, and he was on it for several hours yesterday. Between the standing and gear shifting, he really had irritated the arthritis in his feet.
Keep in mind, on a quad the foot pegs are quite a bit larger then the foot pegs on a bike. It is so important to use the proper gear, on a bike or a quad. There is a reason the boots have the soles and are stiff and go up to your knees. Whatever you are riding, wear your boots! It is just not cool to go to work with your feet hurting on Monday morning because you decided you didn't need to wear the $300 pair of boots in your gear bag. And it's really not cool when you have a burn scar on the inside of your leg because you burnt it while your boots were in your closet at home. Just wear your boots!
Michael doesn't have a passion for it like Mavrick does. Or even his dad for that matter. They both enjoy the speed and the opportunity to cheat an accident. Michael's cautious side prevents him for getting too crazy. More often then not he will decline the invitation to go riding with them.
But yesterday he went. They offered him the opportunity to video some of the riding, and his creative side won out. Now Michael has all the gear that the others have, but for some reason doesn't think he needs to wear it. Even his boots. He always wears pant, never shorts, but usually his jeans and not his riding pants. So yesterday he wore a new pair of jeans and the tennis shoes I bought him month ago for school. They had a great time. Everyone was glad that he went and he is even excited about going with them again soon!
However, when Michael woke up this morning his feet were in real pain. It had been months since he had been on his quad, and he was on it for several hours yesterday. Between the standing and gear shifting, he really had irritated the arthritis in his feet.
Keep in mind, on a quad the foot pegs are quite a bit larger then the foot pegs on a bike. It is so important to use the proper gear, on a bike or a quad. There is a reason the boots have the soles and are stiff and go up to your knees. Whatever you are riding, wear your boots! It is just not cool to go to work with your feet hurting on Monday morning because you decided you didn't need to wear the $300 pair of boots in your gear bag. And it's really not cool when you have a burn scar on the inside of your leg because you burnt it while your boots were in your closet at home. Just wear your boots!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Website!
I forgot to mention that my website is finally up! WooHoo! It is not complete, but it is up! You can access this blog there, and we are working on a page for reviews on everything from bikes to braces to the Go Pro Mark bought yesterday. There is a page called "mom's wisdom" that we wanted to make kind of as a forum to share all kinds of information and have our readers share there too. And finally a page called "goodies for mom." This page will have t-shirts, bags, hats, and all kinds of other stuff to purchase.
I am really excited, mainly because I have finally got something up! The address has had a "coming soon" sign on it since March of 2011! Dang! Anyway, go check it out, and keep coming back to see the changes. We would love to hear what you think, what be helpful and what we should add. We went into this sport totally blind and would love to help make it easier for other parents new to the sport.
I am really excited, mainly because I have finally got something up! The address has had a "coming soon" sign on it since March of 2011! Dang! Anyway, go check it out, and keep coming back to see the changes. We would love to hear what you think, what be helpful and what we should add. We went into this sport totally blind and would love to help make it easier for other parents new to the sport.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Training - The best teacher
Today, Mark and Mavrick went out to run an errand while I ran a few with everyone else. When they got home, they brought with them a Go Pro high def helmet cam. Ouch! Didn't have that in the budget. Anyway, of course they had to go ride and try it out.
I haven't been able to go watch Mav ride since the beginning of the summer. So, when they got home with their video in hand, I was excited to watch it. And I have to say, he has improved a lot since just June. He has moved up officially from his 65 to his 85. He had gone back and forth between them for several months, but rides the 85 all the time now. He is really picking up some air on the jumps. And in the video you could hear him getting to the power band at just the right moment.
We have done several classes, and even sent him to a 3 day camp this summer, but riding, having his behind in that seat, really has been the best training for him. I had read that very thing several times over the last 2-and-1/2 years and still wanted to find more training for him. But seat time really is the best teacher.
All you moms and dads who have unpacked your pockets to get your kids a bike and gear that they aren't comfortable on yet, just keep them riding... if they say they want to that is. Mav didn't want to give up, but it was obvious that he was not at all comfortable with his skill level for a long time. Just keep them riding. They will either get it all clicking before long, or it just really won't be their sport. It won't take long before you are able to tell. I ended up with one of both :)
I haven't been able to go watch Mav ride since the beginning of the summer. So, when they got home with their video in hand, I was excited to watch it. And I have to say, he has improved a lot since just June. He has moved up officially from his 65 to his 85. He had gone back and forth between them for several months, but rides the 85 all the time now. He is really picking up some air on the jumps. And in the video you could hear him getting to the power band at just the right moment.
We have done several classes, and even sent him to a 3 day camp this summer, but riding, having his behind in that seat, really has been the best training for him. I had read that very thing several times over the last 2-and-1/2 years and still wanted to find more training for him. But seat time really is the best teacher.
All you moms and dads who have unpacked your pockets to get your kids a bike and gear that they aren't comfortable on yet, just keep them riding... if they say they want to that is. Mav didn't want to give up, but it was obvious that he was not at all comfortable with his skill level for a long time. Just keep them riding. They will either get it all clicking before long, or it just really won't be their sport. It won't take long before you are able to tell. I ended up with one of both :)
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