Did I mention I am mentoring a 14 year old girl? Well I am. Her name is Miranda and I got her case from the court system here in Ohio. We had our first real get together tonight, although I met her last week. I asked her what she liked to do? She said: go to the mall, watch movies, roller skating.
I am all about meeting her where she is, but I decided going to the mall is not something we are going to do. For one, if you don’t have money, going to the mall just makes you want stuff you can’t have. Second, if you don’t feel good about yourself and your appearance, going to the mall only reinforces that you aren’t thin enough, trendy enough, pretty enough, etc.
Before I had the chance to ask Miranda anything about herself last week she offered, “I know I am not ready to have a baby yet. I mean, I don’t even have a job”
And you are FOURTEEN.
I figured since it was the first thing out of her mouth and since she does like movies, our first assignment would be to watch Juno and talk about it. So I picked her up from school and brought her to my house. I cooked dinner and I made sure that Cohen stayed with us instead of going to Grandma’s house.
I had hoped between his tantrums (whew! he’s really going there now) and the movie, she might be thinking twice about the whole baby thing. Instead she snuggled up to Co and he made flirty, googly eyes at her and she was mad that Juno gave the baby up for adoption.
If I were going to grade assignment #1, I think I would have to give myself a D+. A “D” because I still have time next week to try and iron it all out and thus its not a complete failure and the “+” because it makes me feel better about the “D”.
She did make me laugh really hard on the way home, though, and I think it sort of made up for me feeling like I don’t know what in the heck I am doing. We were talking about how she wants to work with people with disabilities (whom she called ‘retards’ but not in a mean way- no kidding) and she was telling me about a girl she went to school with who had a glass eye she could take in and out. She admitted it freaked her out because sometimes the eye would cross when the girl was talking and she said (verbatim), “But you know, it ain’t no reason not to be friends with someone just cause they got a fake eye”- You can imagine me driving trying hard to take the moment seriously all the while imagining her coming to this deep conclusion. I had to start thinking about sad stuff to keep from busting a gut laughing. Teenagers are so stinking funny.
After dropping her off (and letting her mom meet Cohen because she wanted to show him off…ugh) I got to catch up with a dear friend from college who is now living in Maine. I really love her and it was good to hear her voice. We chatted for a few hours and I think I may be inspired to drive to Maine to spend some time with her…who knows. HAve you been to Maine? Its really quite beautiful and enchanting…especially in the fall.
Ok…well I had a few things I wanted to ask/point out/say before making myself go to bed:
-Everyone should read this post by Laura
-My Aunt Deb is starting a blog!! She came over today and we set it up. She hasn’t made a post yet, but her “About” page is pretty funny. I will let you know when she official makes a post. Then you can all drop by and welcome her to the blogging community. She’s UBER smart so I am excited for you all to get to read her thoughts.
-I am getting serious about getting fit. I even started reading a book on nutrition and renewed my gym membership. I am telling you that so I don’t wuss out, not because I think its a big deal to anyone but me.
-My grandma came through surgery well. She’s got about 2 weeks in the hospital so continued prayer for recovery are welcomed!
-Does anyone use myspace anymore or do I need to become a Facebooker?
Love you all. Good night.
First off – *Shameless plug* – you NEED facebook.
It is so much easier to use that myspace and just a great keeping-in-touch tool.
Way to go on the fitness, girl! I’m trying to lose this baby weight, too…once upon a time before I got pregnant I thought 140 was bad (and that’s where I was at), BUT now that number looks really good – wish I could get back to it…and then some! So, I’ve been jogging my head off and trying to eat better. I definitely feel better and am losing inches…and during my jogging outings it’s just nice to have some time to myself to think, listen to music and talk to God.
Let me know what you end up doing to burn those calories and if you find anything that works really well! It just feels so much better to get fit again, I have a long ways to go, but at least I’m on the road there. You go, girl.
As you know I am a Myspace chica. Sweet dreams!
This picture thing drives me crazy. The pic that shows in my last post is not even on my profile. Why does this happen? It was my first pic but I have replaced it with a picture of myself. I signed in to my site so I will leave this comment and see what pic comes up now.
Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.
Lol @ the teenager’s comments. Too funny. Oh and you definite need to get a facebook. Myspace is so over. lol.
FACEBOOK!!! So much cleaner, it’s novel really. I use it maybe 10x/day:) Love it, and my blog feeds into it tambien. You can “Friend me” on my blog! Have you read Hurt by Chap Clark? One of the best out there on teens. Sounds like you and Miranda are off to a good start:)
Question that is totally unrelated..what is this “trackback URI” that I see right above this comment box? I are confused!
In relation to the myspace vs facebook question, I have both but prefer facebook a lot more over myspace.
14 and thinks just because she doesn’t have a job she’s not ready to have a baby?!? WOW!! She has no idea!!
Facebook over myspace for sure!
I never got into the myspace thing… Nobody I knew did.
But I joined facebook the day it opened.. like 5 or so years ago? haha. You need it. I dont know one person not on it and I think the set up is better than facebook.
Have you checked out twitter too?
{{I’m attempting to get in shape too.. and motivation always seems to leave me after a week.. any ideas??}}
I have both facebook and myspace. My siblings are all on myspace (and I secretly loathe the site but won’t tell them) and it’s a great way to keep in touch with them. My friends are mostly all on facebook and I like it much better for a variety of reasons!
Teenagers are hilarious. And terrifying. I used to work in youth ministry and loved getting to know all the girls. Most of them are in college now and I’ve had plenty of cringe-worthy moments with them (and moments where you had to bite your lip not to laugh out loud). I’m sure your relationship alone with Miranda will have a life long effect on her, even if she makes some questionable choices along the way.
I get serious about getting fit often. Then I eat Chick-Fil-A for breakfast. I wish you much better success than I’ve had!
Facebook all the way. I still use Myspace, but I don’t spend nearly as much time on it as I do Facebook.
I am right along side of you as far as getting fit. I’ve been doing weight watchers for two and a half years. I hit my goal weight last year and continued loosing, but since I got married in August I am struggling to get back on the “wagon.” The all inclusive honeymoon didn’t help either with the 8 extra lbs I returned with. Ugh! It’s a miserable feeling when half of your clothes in your closet don’t fit or you have to do the jumping thing to get in your jeans, and I refuse to go buy new ones in a bigger size considering they fit a month ago. I’m rooting for you!
Courtney
I must say that Facebook is definitely the way to go. It’s easier to use and you’re much less likely to get the spam and raunchy ads.
Your mentee sounds like a challenge, but what a good challenge to have! I only know about you through your blog, but you’ve shown a lot of wisdom and love for the Lord through it. It will be hard, but she’s been placed with you for a reason. Maybe everyone involved will learn a few things in the process.
Facebook!:)
I would say I am out numbered. I have seen some Face book sites but you can’t change them all around and such like Myspace. Myspace you can personalized. The Facebooks I have seen had nothing on them. Oh well. I guess this just shows my age.
Some times I feel it is best to just be quiet on here and not comment. Food for thought.
How in the world do we find you on Facebook with over 500 Kate McDonald’s??
I like facebook because you don’t have to do anything with the design…it’s kind of uniform, and I know where to find things. Myspace is fun, though, because you can completely customize the look. I have both, but I use facebook more because I find more people on there that I know.
Hang in there with your mentee. You crack me up–I don’t know if I would have maintained without busting open with a big belly laugh. I’m going to have to remember the think-of-something-sad idea. BTW, I loved Juno. It’s a fun movie. Quirky, like Benny and Joon was quirky.
You need to become a facebooker! Myspace is SO 2006!
Speaking of ‘getting fit,’ which I call loosing weight, there is a book I’ve been hearing about called Skinny Bitch. I’ve just heard a brief synopsis of this book so I know NOTHING about it! But…the title makes me want to read it!
I prefer facebook too. I have both, but I’ve found facebook easier to navigate.
I enjoyed reading Laura’s post too. I actually found her a week or two ago as I was skimming down your blogroll. I think she has great stuff to say, and that post was incredible.
I am glad to know your grandma came through her surgery. I was just thinking about her this morning before I came online.
And reading about your return to the gym and getting serious about getting fit makes me wish I cared more about that. Because I really need to get serious about it too.
kara
All I have to say is… get Facebook! =)
And that girl Miranda seems to be quite a character. Keeps us updated!
facebook, it’s where all the cool kids are. And, me. HAHAHA!
Glad all is going well, and 14 year olds are ALWAYS interesting. Enjoy the time with her.
Hope your day is going well. I’m just hoping to get a shower in at some point today. God help me!
Penny,
I SO read that book and I loved it, honestly. I never recommended it because of the title and some of the language inside the book (all meant to be provocative to get people’s attention) but it rocked my world! Beth and I and our sister in law all read it and loved it.
I guess they have a cook book out now to. Its a vegan eating plan
Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, good one:)
These comments made me laugh out loud. Chick-fil-A breakfast. I can relate.
Facebook for sure. To much provacative stuff on my space. I’m on there, but only so I can do certain things that you need an account to do. My DH has been doing Twitter since we came back from DC. He likes it.
I don’t think I could mentor a teenager. I would be baffled by them. Wow, on her wanting a baby. I wish I had a great idea that would have enough weight and depth for her to see what is all involved in that.
If I lived anywhere near Chick-fil-a, it would be dangerous. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and inbetween.
and those people call themselves Christians ! ha! just kidding
My mom always told an eyeball story. She had a girl in her class when she was growing up that had a glass eyeball. She would pop it out in class and clean it! I think my mom was rather grossed out. LOL:)
I have a myspace page, but I don’t spend much time on it. I only got a myspace page because that is how a old friend of mine was keeping in touch with everyone as her 5 yr old son was going through a battle with brain cancer. He has completed his treatment and is cancer free currently!PTL!
Come visit!
myspace.com/tmpafl
So here’s my theory on why teenage girls want babies. I feel that a lot of them do it because they want someone to love them unconditionally. They are unhappy with the family they have so they daydream of the family they one day will have starting with a child. I find that they are a lot lonely children out there and they are looking to create their own “perfect family”. Unfortunately, lonely people don’t realize a child is the ultimate act of selflessness. Just a theory.
Facebook all the way Kate!!!!
Kim, I just joined!
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