The Decorations Were Strewn All Over the Floor

It was quiet. Too quiet. What were they up to?

As I put down the pajama top and went to open the door I found it locked.

"You better open the door. NOW!" I yelled.

"Come in!" giggled a little boy.

"You better unlock the door and I mean NOW!"

I heard some rummaging and finally a click. The door opened and I found Bradley's beaming face staring up at me. Tori was in the middle of the room pulling diapers out of a bag she had found.

"Welcome to our party Mommy. See look we decorated," Bradley said as he swept his hands around to indicate the decorating he was referring to.

"See I did that part," he explained as he pointed to the floor. In front of the book shelf, the baskets of books had not only been taken off the shelf, they were out of the baskets, covering the floor like a new carpet.

"And see over there. That's where Tori decorated." Bradley proceeded to point to the kitchen set. Sure enough, the decorations of plastic bread, lettuce, donuts, and any number of other plastic food along with play plates, cups, and utensils blanketed the other half of the room.

One more reason to why parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world. How do you get mad and upset for such a creative description of the room that I perceived to be a mess? The laughter in my head was hard to contain, but I managed.

As always, daddy had perfect timing for getting home. The kids rushed to him and I went back to the laundry. Some of Tori's decorations still adorn the floor, but the books managed to find their way back into baskets....even if they were put in there haphazardly.

Tori's 1st Live Band: Jump Start

At the hint of a musical note, she begins tapping her foot, raising her hands, or rocking her head from side to side. That's my Tori. And to watch her fills my heart with so much joy that words cannot express.

From the day I realized Tori's room had to be ballerina bears, I knew she was going to be my dancer. Little did I know how natural it was going to come. Now I know many babies do that cute baby dance thing and yeah, I may be bias, but hey I'm her mom. I have a right to be. And if you ever get to see her live....because for some reason she knows when I'm trying to video....you could tell that she really focuses on the beat. If you look in her eyes, you can almost see the wheels turning. She'll start dancing, then stop....listen, then start again sometimes adjusting her dance moves to better match the beat. It's quite interesting to watch.

Last night Tori and I went out to eat with my parents. Fortunately a band was playing so an unplanned first, or rather many unplanned firsts, happened.

After we ordered our food, Tori was taking notice of the sound check. Tapping her hand to the table, nodding her head. Then they got started. Nana, being a lover of live music, got her and took her to the side with the band.

As I watched I could tell she was working on warming up, but was a little unsure. She stayed in Nana's arms. I would see that arm raise in the air and could tell many patrons on that side were talking about Tori. If only they knew what the night would bring.




Nana and Tori returned in time for the food to be brought to our table. But even food couldn't keep my Tori still. So I did what I normally don't allow....I took her out and let her sit in my lap to eat. She moved her body, ate her fries and hot dog, but just couldn't get still.

Then came....The Electric Slide. So not only was Tori seeing her first live band, she got to dance her first line dance.

We finished eating, and Nana returned to the band area. By now Tori was ready. She got out there and boogied.

But wouldn't you know, my daughter.....the one I already know is going to give me a run for my money....was infatuated with the guitarist. Now the female singer kept her attention getting her to do some dance moves, but it was the guitarist she made ga ga eyes at.
Which leads to yet another first....Tori got her first guitar pic. After one of the songs, the guitarist handed it to Nana telling her that "He may not understand it now, but one day." At that moment the band had to mess with him and explain that she's a girl...that's what the pink on her shoes is for.

**Sorry, sideways video, I could only rotate it at www.dropshots.com/ladypiper

As we headed back to Nana and Grandpop's I really thought she would fall asleep, but she kept right on dancing in her carseat. It was definitely a night to remember.

Craig and Crystal

Although I do not know Craig and Crystal and I cannot begin to understand how they must be feeling, I want to take a moment to strongly urge you to continue to pray for them. As some of you in the area may recall this summer Crystal was on her way to her mom's and they were all going to go blueberry picking. Little did Crystal and Craig know their lives would be forever changed as a speeding trucking ran into a motorcycle that ran into Crystal's vehicle. Her two precious children were killed on impact....3 and 5 years old.

They are living in a lake house owned by one of their parents and have yet to return to their own home. Physically they are healing. Craig was not involved in the accident, but physically he is caring for Crystal.

What these two may not realize is the witness their faith is spreading about God's word. What they may not realize is just how far and wide their faith is going. Just last week or the week before that I was exposed to this tragic story again when I heard some people talking of her amazing faith. I was once again struck when their story was being shared on WMHK.

Please continue to pray for them and their family.

I Have a Dream

I have a dream that one day I will not be judged by my religious preferences, my political views, or my geographic location. I have a dream that one day I will no longer be accused of being racist simply because I disagree with ideas and policies set forth by a person of a color other than my own. I dream that one day I will not be judged a racist simply for being a white human being in the beautiful state of South Carolina or for that matter a part of the south.

While I have not been called....at least not recently and never to my face....that I am racist. When generalizations are made, then I am being called such degrading and derogatory terms.

The last I checked I am a CITIZEN of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA by birth. In the USA we are supposed to be a republic society and in such a society I do understand that there is rule by the majority and it is a government by the people and for the people. What I don't understand is not being able to find the section describing a republic as one where if my opinions and beliefs are part of the minority thoughts for the time that I have to be quiet or else I pay the consequences of being accused of racism and ignorance. In fact the difference between a republic and a democracy is the protection of the minority. Think about the Pledge..."and to the republic for which it stands." Change does not happen for the thoughts of the minority unless they speak out and that is what makes the USA so great or at least it used to. We are protected even in our Constitution to our right to free speech.

While I may not be the best versed in politics, I do have my right to have an opinion, to disagree with the policies quickly taking over, and to not be forced to agree with everyone else.

The pendulum swings in both directions and when it swings too far one way....well the reverse will eventually happen.

I pray continuously for this country. I pray to my Saviour Jesus Christ and I pray to God the Father.

While I know some will take offense and some may even be apologetic for misunderstood implications, it doesn't change the fact that when one voice makes a generalization about an entire population and then another voice does the same then uneducated assumptions somehow begin to sound like truth.

Many races and religious affiliations have often been generalized about and it has outraged many because they were judged because of the overzealous few who were way out their in their beliefs. The same is being done around this country today.

Pot calling the kettle black. That's all I can say about that. In a few years, if I were to want to make a generalization which I don't and won't, the tables will be turned. If you are someone who considers me a racist now, how will you feel when there are generalizations made about you because you disagree when Republicans are putting forth policies you disagree with, but have limited power to change at the moment because of majority rule?

I so did not want to get into a political debate, but when I feel attacked I only have 2 choices: sit back and take it or voice my thoughts. Too many times in history has something been taken away because the true majority felt like they were a minority so they didn't speak up.

It's time to speak up. It's not the presidential election that every one should be worried about...it is each and every election. As a democracy we elect people to be our voice, if we don't take the time to elect those people during the "off" years, then no we don't have a right to complain. But I promise, I vote every November because what I vote for now affects what will be in play a few years from now. Do you?

Find out what voting issues will be on the ballot this November, educate yourself and vote.