Katy's Shirt Purse

I thought this had gotten posted last week, but alas it ended up in the draft function. I'm definently going to have to watch what button I'm clicking onto or something. lol Silly Me!

Anyway, here's the purse I made to hold Katy's Valentine's T-shirt. Katy's three best friends' moms and I got together and got the girls all matching Valentine's Day t-shirts. They where pleasantly surprised when they got to school that day wearing matching shirts. Katy carried her purse to school that day with goodies for her friends and teachers. It even survived the Valentines Day mania of high school! lol You just gotta love sticky strip. And yes, this is that retired paper from last year that I still haven't used up. You'll probably see it from time to time. I still love the color combo.

Sidenote: DD got some flowers from her admirer that day! But we're not worried much, they are both more in the puppy crush stage and neither of them are dating anyway. They are so funny to watch though. They are both so alike it's scary, good thing they are good friends and like each other for who they are and not what they are. DD just isn't interested in dating right now anyway, she's a girl with goals and very determined at that. The best part is she's open with me and her father and tells us everything that goes on anyway. As the adults we have to be cautious not to suspect her before discussing our concerns with her. Once she explains the extra situations surrounding behaviors of her friends and herself we find that it's more innocent (and usually hormonal) then we think. By no means are we fooled by her innocense and neiveness, but we do know our daughter enough and know her friends and their parents to understand what's going on. That's the most important thing, knowing who she's around and their parents, this saves us alot of grief and uncertainty as we have access to contact them anytime we have questions or concerns. She's very selective and a bit picky when it comes to those she keeps as friends. We have met most of the parents and some are even old classmates of mine from my high school years. She's not easily fooled by the boys that like her looks. She usually ends up expressing our old fashioned ways about dating, which usually sends them packing rather quickly. She likes this as it gives her an out and the confidense to say "no" when she doesn't feel comfortable or make a good connection with someone as a friend first. I think we did a good job teaching her the importance of what's on the inside verses the appearance game. She's also been taught to value herself for who she is in God's eyes and to remember what His promises are for her life. She's different from alot of high schoolers her age, but she's confident and comfortable with who she is and what her goals are. We are very proud of her and her choices. Our biggest challenge currently is pressure from well meaning adult indiviuals that try to coerse her into being more of a game player and blender then the real person she is. If she wants to change her appearance it should be on her and God's terms and not the world's or the popular societial view. As I keep telling them, it's her decision and it isn't anyone's place to tell her she has to change her appearance to fit the popular croud. She gets to live her own life and that's that. Our prayer is that they will see that God's ways are better then the popular or societal ways that have curupted many a teen these days.

Update on the Marine Biology Camp - She's saved/paid up over 60% and has the balance to finish working for until the end of May. So if you would like some odd jobs, extra jobs, or would like to help her get to this great Career Camp with a pledge just give us a call or email.