Internet Predators

So i noted in one of my lasts posts that I would update about internet predators and why one should NEVER let their children have a computer in their room that has internet access. A few weeks ago my colleagues and I attended a training with Missouri State Task Force officer. His job is to investigate internet predators. He discussed with us some of the cases he has investigated , including a 14 year old girl being solicited by a 40 year old man who eventually flew in from Texas to visit her for the weekend while her parents were out of town. This man and girl engaged in all different kinds of sexual activity while he videotaped it. Eventually he was caught and sent to prison, however this is just an example of the sickos that are out there.

A part of this investigator's job is to sit on the computer and try to catch internet predators(He also goes after them, cleans out their computer looking for evidence, etc.) He creates screen names and profiles of young, underage girls, and then enters chat rooms. During this training he signed on to his name and was a 15 year old girl entering into yahoo chat. As we all watched eagerly on, this girl(guy) was immediately imed by SEVERAL different men. Some were 18, some as old as 56. We began engaging one of the men who was in his early 20's in a conversation. Everything started out innocently enough until the man started attempting to flatter the girl(guy) and then began moving into more explicit, detailed comments and desires. I could barely watch the screen I was so embarrassed and horrified. Within 5 min he was discussing parts of her body he'd like to see/touch and within 15 minutes, he was describing in depth things he would like to do her. The officer who was playing the role did a good job at not really answering the questions and being coy, just like a 15 year old girl. Meanwhile, others are iming us, attempting to engage us in sexual conversations.

By this time, the whole room is appalled and is unsure about what is going to happen. We asked the officer if he could track him down and arrest him (the man said he was from the same city that we were claiming to be from). The officer said he could do nothing until the man requested to meet somewhere. THe officer said he would keep this guy on his buddy list and attempt to engage him in more conversation later on, to see if he want to meet.

I was absolutely shocked and outraged at this! I could not believe that we were online for less than 5 minutes when a sexual predator began initiating more than a friendly, innocent conversation. Most parents these days are too wrapped up in themselves or too concerned about their children's privacy to want to monitor what their children are doing on the computer. It has become almost like a babysitter. I think all parents should take a class on this because I would be willing to bet that they would snatch those computers out of the rooms so fast. Teenagers have enough problems to worry about these days without adding to it the intrigue and excitement of an "internet relationship". I think parents need to monitor what their children are looking at, not let them have a computer with internet access in their room, and be aware when they are spending lots of amount of time on the computer. We all need to work a little harder to keep our kids safe.

25 years ago today. . .

Today is Dan's 25th Birthday! 25 years ago today in Worchester, Massachutes a beautifu baby boy was born. He would go on to do great things, and make great memories with a lot of different people. He would go on to build friendships, come to know Christ, love people, and be molded into the man he is today. Here are some things that I love about this guy God created:
* He has a gift for making others feel special and appreciated.
* He's hot.
* He is challenging
* He dances with old ladies at weddings
* He always tries to put me first ahead of himself* He pursues God and longs to hear Him say, " Well done my good and faithful servant"
* He thinks he knows what I got him for his birthday but he doesn't.
* He tries to be sneaky and steal cookie dough when I'm making him cookies and thinks I don't see him and then has a real guilty look on his face when i look at him.
* He takes care of me when I've had a rough day.
* He's not embarrassed to say "hey good looking" when he's around others at work.
*He enjoys lobsters in his bathub
*He's always up for an adventure
*How many people can say they have been hit by a train and survived?
*He's hot
*He loves me
*He's stubborn as a donkey but listens to me
*He's romantic
*He loves having my utmost attention at all times
*He suffers through watching American Idol with me just so we can watch House together.(I know he secretly likes it)
*He's strong
*He's hot. :)

Happy Birthday Danny Paul!! I hope you're 25th year brings you joy that you have never experienced, a richer relationship with your God, closer friendships, a place in Hawaii (what?), and I hope you continue to experience love like you never have before. I love you! Happy Birthday!!!

Results

So week 3 of Phase 2 was completed on Sunday, measurement done on Monday. This was not a good week. I stayed the same on my weight and apparently gained inches. Now Dan won't let me see the exact inches anymore until the end of the month because i get too upset if they are not constantly going down. It's frustrating because I am working my tail off and feel as if I'm seeing minimal results. I know that's not the case but . . . Also another possibility for increased inches could be that I have mixed in a few different workout routines in which I'm working different muscles, thereby making them bigger...? ok i can hope right? Anyways, let's hope this week is better. I know my body is changing because i can see it and feel it in my clothes, so that's what really matters right? right. So one more week and we shall see. I did get up at 6am this morning and do my workout...watch out world!

ok that's my depressing update on the results. I was tempted to not even post about it but made a commitment to my faithful readers by blogging about this so thanks for sticking with me through the good and bad.

Updates

This pic was taken of us on Valentine's day night (actually Wed night, when we celebrated v-day). We had a great time! I got some roses and was taken out to dinner at Minn's Cuisine in Kirksville. It's a really nice Chinese/seafood/pasta restaurant. When we got there, there was a rose on the table that he had gone by and placed earlier. He also got me some fantastic earrings that are three different colors of amber. and of course some chocolate (which consequently does not fit into my diet). Overall it was a wonderful night and we took some goofy pictures at my house afterwards. Now i'm so excited because his birthday is coming up next week and i got a GREAT gift for him that he is dying to know what it is!!

By the way, it's freezing here! we had some bad ice on Wed night/Thurs and it still has the grass frozen because it has not gotten above twenty degrees! Anyways, just wanted to provide a brief update on v-day and post a cute pic of us. I have more rantings on internet predators to come later in the week. Stay tuned, and in the meantime do NOT let your children have computers in their rooms or someplace where you cannot monitor them.

V-day and Trust Plan Results!

A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults. Author: Charles Kingsley

Yea! Today is Valentine's day! (Actually tomorrow is Valentine's day for me because we are not celebrating it until Wednesday). I really do love this holiday. I love seeing people be happy when they get flowers at work or the anticipation of a night full of romantic bliss. I have been the love encourager around the office. As one of the only single girls in our group, I take it upon myself to encourage the other girls to do something special for the husbands, such as book a room at the bed and breakfast in town, or buy the candy necklace bra and underwear set at Hastings(seriously, they sell that). Most of the time they just laugh and say they're not really doing anything special and that I'll understand when i get married. Hmm, I don't want to understand that. Keep the Magic alive People!!:) Anyways, it's just a fun day, even if you don't have a valentine. Get joy from seeing other's happiness. Love someone you wouldn't normally love. Leave somone a note letting them know how much you appreciate them. Take another single friend (or a friend who is not celebrating v-day until the next day : ) ) out to dinner. Take time today to examine your love for Christ. Do we give him the same time and energy and devotion we do to our loved ones? 1 John 4:19 says, " we love because he first loved us". thank God today on this day of love that he has given us the ability to love. That he has shown us what true love is.

On another note, I took my measurements and weight. I lost another pound and another inch and a half. I was very discouraged last night and have a difficult time looking at the measurements whenever it appears I gain inches in some place. I try telling myself that it is due to more muscle being gained, inaccurate measurements, or other factors that are beyond my control. It's just difficult becaue I feel like I am busting my butt and want to see more results. Dan encourages me by forcing me to look at the big picture, that in 6 weeks i have lost 11 pounds and if i do keep up at this rate, it's nearly 100 inches in a year. I just need to keep it in mind. I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me to look at the measurements each week. I take it to heart and get very discouraged. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations. But this is something that is so near to me that it's like an emotional rollercoaster come Monday nights. First I'm yelling, " take that!" at the computer when i lose inches and then crying in my room when i gain. I'm crazy. Anyways, keep up the prayer and thoughts and encouragements, I really need them.

Happy Valentine's day all!!!

"Life Ain't Always Beautiful"

Life aint always beautiful,
Sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life aint always beautiful,
You think you're on your way
And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggles make you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has its own way of takin it's sweet time

CHOURS:
No, life aint always beautiful,
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful,
But it's a beautiful ride

This is a song by Gary Allan that I heard on the radio on Sat. This is only part of the song because the last part of it is about breaking up. I think this is a great song because we all go through those hard times, times where we feel like life is just kicking us when we're down. We all struggle to understand why things happen the way they do, what God's plan is. At times we feel like giving up the fight and just laying down. Other times we come out of the pen, fighting for our lives.

I think this is a good time of the year when I need reminding what a beautiful ride i've had. I struggle during the winter months (call is S.A.D. or whatever). I hate the dullness of the grey sky and the monotony of the cold weather. I hate being cooped up inside, it makes me sad. I think this is a good time of year to count my blessings. When I look around at the famililes I work with, it's hard to feel sorry for yourself. Sure, I 've had tough times in my life but looking back at the big picture, it has been a beautiful life.

Love the phone

I am trying out a new template in honor of the new motorola razr that is freaking hot pink! I really want this phone but am unsure if the service through t-mobile will work well up in the 'ville. If anyone has t-mobile or knows someone who has t-mobile and has been to the 'ville, let me know how the service works. I think this phone is sweet. Anyways, keep watch over the next several days as I change my template around to see which I like best! any votes on your favorite would be much appreciated!!

Phase 2, week 1 (kind of)

I just finished week one of Phase 2. Kind of. Early in the week I was sidelined with an injury to my knee (see Bad Mornings post) and was unable to exercise this week. However I did eat healthy. So we took my measurements and weight and here are the somewhat disappointing results. I lost 1 pound, which is good. But i gained 2 inches....which really upset me. It's difficult when you feel like you are working so hard and seem to be getting the opposite results. I know it can vary based on water retention, time of the month, dinner, etc but it's hard to remember those things when you see the measurments. So i will press on this week. I have resumed exercises and will hopefully see better results next week.
It's very easy for me to get discouraged in this whole process, especially after weeks such as last. I try not to think about the long term because it seems impossible to reach a goal. I have set some little goals but I feel like there is sooo much work to do and that I won't ever achieve it. I know I have to make a life change and that takes time, but it's just keeping up the motivation, even when there are discouraging weeks or even months.

Friendships

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.
-William Somerset Maugham, writer (1874-1965)

I found this quote on another friend's blog and it has stuck with me. As I have reflected on the past; mistakes made, friends gained and lost, good decisions as well as bad decisions, life changing experiences, good times, sad times, joyful times, spiritual highs and spiritual lows, changing thoughts and attitudes, changing locations, gaining responsibilities, new jobs, and the list could go on and on, I love this quote more and more.
I am friends with a lot of the same people I went to jr. high and high school with, though rarely have any of us been in the same location for more than 10 consecutive days since then, we maintain a friendship. These people have changed, gotten married, had children, lost parents, become raving liberals( :) ), but I still love them just the same.
My best friend and I, whom I have been best friends with since jr. high, always joke about how crazy everyone thinks we are because still remain close with one another. Although she is attending seminary in Texas and goes to the school we vowed we'd never attend due to our friend's turning crazy after attending there, we still remain best friends. She is amazing and such a comfort and encouragement to me. We have laughed together, cried together, mended broken hearts, give each other a swift kick when one is needed, rejoiced together, mourned together, loved together, served together. She has shaped my life in more ways than I can count.
I am so thankful to have a boyfriend who loves me for me (everyone break into the song now..."not because i look like Cindy Crawford" ). I always tend to overexaggerate time and say we've known each other longer than we really have but it's been like 5-6 years since we met, 3 since we've realized we like each other:) He has changed since I have known him. He has changed me and I have changed him, mostly all in great ways. He is always there to encourage me, to push me that last extra step when i can't or don't want to go anymore. He challenges me and doesn't let me get away with taking the easy way out. He lets me cry on his shoulder and picks me up when I am down. He knows me and still sticks around! I know him and still stick around!:) How can you not love someone who when you tell him jokingly to shout his love from the rooftops, goes outside, gets on the roof and shouts, "I love this girl!" over and over again until I'm laughing so hard and begging him to come down because I'm embarrassed!
I have many friends from college who i still love and adore and look to for guidance and great story telling! The majority of them have moved on to grad programs, marriage, the military, the workforce and those things have changed them and shaped them as well. I worried when I gradauted college about how things would change with my friendships. Some are even richer now than they were in college and bring with it a new depth of maturity.
I love experiencing how everyone's situation shapes them and influences their thoughts and decisions. I love seeing God work in the lives of so many, while keeping us knit together in our friendships. None of us are the same people that we were the day we met each other and it's been exciting to be a part of the journey that God is taking all of us on.

Education reflections

After reading another blog about education, it got me fired up thinking about our educational system and the problems with it and the utter lack of control to do much about it. Maybe it's just my field, but I have seen a trend in schools to move more and more towards being a parent to the child to make up for the lack of parenting at home. Kids are fed breakfast and lunch at school, given medications(in the morning because their parents aren't responsible enough to remember to give it to them), taken to doctor's appointments, ushered out of the classroom at the slightest movement towards a non-compliant behavior.
I was floored last week when a co-worker told me she had to take a kindergartener to a doctor's appointment to get assessed for ADHD. I questioned her about why she was the one taking her instead of her mother and she told me that the school had asked her too because she was so hyper. The teacher was also going to attend the meeting, while mother was not. My co-worker also took her for a follow up appointment this week, at the request of the school. I understand that the girl may need medication but if the parent is too incompetent, irresponsible, or lazy, is it our responsibility as school personnel, caseworkers, mentors, doctors, etc. to pick up their slack?
I know that it is difficult because no one likes to see a child suffer and wants them to have all of their needs met, but at what point do we stop doing everything for the parent. I feel harsh and uncaring sometimes when i think that sometimes the children have to suffer for the sins of the parent, but I do think that is true. I don't think it's the responsibility of a school to take a child to the doctor. I don't think that the school should call social services because they feel the child needs ADHD medication. I don't think it's the responsibility of the school to administer medications to a child SIMPLY because the parent can't get up or remember to give the child the medications. I DO think ti's the responsibility of the school to teach the children, to provide a safe place for them to learn, to show them that someone cares about them, to open new worlds to the children. I don't think it's the school's responsibility to be a parent to the children in their classroom.

Rewards!

Yeah! What you're looking at here is my suprise for my working hard this past month! No, Dan did not buy me a hot tub (but that would be sweet) but he arranged for us to be able to use the hot tub at his work last night! His boss let us in and then we had the place to ourselves to relax my tired muscles!This hot tub was amazing! it had reclined seat built into it with jets on your back that rolled up and down like massage chair! It had different colored lights in the water, different seats to sit in and even had hand massagers as you were sitting in the seats! it was an awesome suprise! We hung out in it for about 1/2 hour until we were so hot that I couldn't tell if I was sweating or just wet from the tub! It was soo much fun! and kind of rebellious because it was after hours and we were the only ones there!
Now all the fun and games are over for another moth. Today we start phase 2.

Bad mornings

This is a picture of what my leg kind of looked like after bad morning #2 of the week yesterday. I was getting up to take my dog out and had to actually walk outside with him to put him on his chain (see "motherhood experience "post for reasons why). Unbeknownest to me, the deck was frosty..clear frosty. So when I take my first step off of the deck, my feet going flying out from under me and I land on my hands and knees on the cold, hard concrete. During the fall, I grabbed my tiki torch that is on my deck, which cracked in half and sent my bottle of torch fluid flying through the air, into the yard. As I lay there on the ground crying and not moving because my legs hurt so bad, I have to wonder what the rest of my week is going to be like.
Luckily for me, my "Coach" does show signs of compassion and allowed me to skip my workout last night since i was unable to put a lot of pressure on my knee. However we did take a walk, which resulted in me jogging most of the way(keep in mind this was only around 2-3 blocks, but that's great for me!). I was pretty proud of myself. So my week was off to a not so good start and this morning I got up late but it was all made better because Dan came over before work, woke me up, and fixed me breakfast for my "Day of celebration"! I get to have pop today! and some other suprises he has up his sleeve for tonight! Also, I received another suprise from another friend who is getting me a subscription to Self Magazine! yea thanks! Sometimes i feel like a little kid who thrives off praise and rewards. . .:)