"You Went HOW Fast?!?!"

There once was a boy. . .

who became a man

in just 3 short days.

And this is his Mother to tell you his story. . . 

It all began with this car.

We had purchased this car for Levi just months ago to get away from the higher car note as well as the gas guzzler that his former truck was. It is a stick shift. Something I have NEVER cared to learn. My son blew me away with how very quickly he took on the mind adjustments of learning such a thing! Basically...he was driving on his own, without any supervision, within just over an hour! I was a tad hesitant, but followed my faithful leader's (David) lead, and let him go for the rest of the evening. Can I just say the boy had only received his license just months before that and here he is now not only learned to drive a truck, but was also driving a stick?! But when David says "Deb, he's good." that's all this Mom needs!! Nothing else matters. Guess that's why I was able to let him take his Dad's Camaro from the other side of downtown Houston and drive it home, with us no where in sight, while we drove home the unlearned stick shift, when we bought it for him. :)

As it goes. . . boys and men love to improve their cars and look at all the many possibilities of what to do next. Thus you can see some of the changes Levi made to his in above picture. The main reason for his changes were due in large to him finding a car club online that hosts a cruise each year in San Antonio. Although old fashioned Mom and Dad really liked the previous look, it simply would not do if you were going to a car club show and cruise. Of course.

When Levi informed us about his desire to go, Mom was just a little out of the loop. I'm thinking a cruise....Levi wants to go on some sort of 1 day cruise and it has to do with car stuff?? Noooo Mom. It's a cruise through the Hill Country with actual cars driving and he wanted to be a participant. It was a Nismo fest - - Nissian/Infiniti/Z get together if you will. Ahhh that sounds nice son...of course you can go! Afterall...it was still in honor of his 17th birthday and what better way to celebrate and give the boy a really COOL present....something he LOVES doing.....cars and driving!!!

Can I just insert here that my kids blow me away with their confidence?? They do. It's a true blessing to me to see that, for I have never been as confident in ways they each are! As you read this story, you will see more of what I mean here. . .

Without going into too many details (I'm known for that!)....I will say - Dad got the weekend off, hotel reservations made, friend selected for Levi <he was going to do this totally all by himself if no friend could go...another blown away moment!> tickets purchased for events....and we were off!!

This would be Levi's first official road trip - - although he had done some lengthy distances, it would never be this far and without an adult in car. Normally, we would have this view of him on the trip, but we did loose them for awhile enroute to S.A. No worries....he found us again.



He did very well keeping Dad's very GREEN Camaro insight even through all of Houston's traffic as well as S.A.'s night time traffic. We were unsure alot, once night time hit, if he was with us or not. But God knew where he was and that was fine with me. We did make a stop at one of the O so famous Bucees while enroute there. For the life of both David and myself, we have YET to figure out what makes this place so dad-gum famous?!?! Craziness....but people absolutely LOVE IT. It was just a good stretching point for us. But it would bring in a key person into my story as well. On the road, Levi had seen 2 really AWESOME cars. He slowed down, gave them the thumbs up, and waved. On he went. While at Bucess, he again saw these cars and was excited!! One of the guys came over to Levi and Jon and started making conversation about them and us going to the Nismo Fest. The other guys stayed back and it was apparent this guy was going out of his way to be kind to a 17 y/o boy. It made this Mom feel good for her son. Soon after our pitstop and stretched legs, we were back on the road...leaving the really COOL cars still there. Later, we would arrive at the hotel where some were to be staying and there appeared this same guy once again. And as before, he made his way over to Levi and began talking to him. I was beginning to get not suspicious but baffled that a 20 something guy, with cool cars, and cool friends, would do this! He would tell Levi about the cruise, such as what to expect, what group to get in - NOT the advanced - and just overall informative and friendly. I would later learn this guy's name was Andrew, he was 27, and was very knowledgeable about the cruises. He would also be labeled as Levi's God-sent-angel...and I'm not lying. For this guy would keep making appearances throughout our stay in S.A. He made sure Levi got where he needed to be in the cruise...his group thankfully. He encouraged Levi in different ways regarding his car and what to do with it in the RIGHT way and not the crazy kid way. He made him feel like one of them even though Levi and Jon were definitely the youngest ones there. That's right....my baby was in a man's world now. These were all 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's involved in this event! He made sure they exchanged numbers so if there was any problems during cruise they could reach him....as well as to stay in contact once we left S.A. He even gave the two boys a ride in his car, while on the cruise, to a bank so they could get some cash to eat at lunch. David and I talked twice with Andrew as well during the weekend. We tried to express our gratitude for his friendliness and looking out for our son....he was a talker though....hard to get alot in....but I think we got it across. :) It was nice to hear him tell of how well Levi did with the cruise. He talked of him keeping it in control, stayed up well, didn't get crazy like some kids would...he seemed generally impressed by Levi. 



A man's world he had stepped into.
At least he had the folded arms right!

Registeration for Cruise.

Mom taking pictures did not make him happy.

It's what Moms do!

The Line Up.

And they're off!!



David was required present to sign for Levi being as though he was under the age of 18. Thankfully it wasn't required that Dad be present in the car for him to go, for that would have meant Mom would be there too and ain't no way I would have survived that!! Levi agreed quite agreeably (later) that Mom would not indeed. Instead....Dad and Mom went on their own "car cruise"! David decided to show me a "little" of what the Camaro could do itself on these back Hill Country roads!! It was fun and it was scary...making it fun/scary!





Lost real roads....kept going.

All the way til there was no more...the literal end.





So back down the moutain "hill" we went.
We decided to travel to an historic place known as Gruene, Tx. located by New Braunfels. The history was nice, but undisclosed to the public eye....you needed to read before you got there. For those who don't know, History is one of my absolute favorites and David is so good to me to find it and share it with me!! This place was beyond crowded though!!! Again....why?? I think it had much to do with the the fact that evening was coming on and the drinking night life people were coming in droves. Nice.
Once again, my David shined, he did not like the crowds at all....and I can't stress that fact enough. But he endured them for the sake and pleasure of his wife so that she could catch a glimpse of History in anyway possible. I thanked him graciously.



There was some History provided, but not much.

David wanted to hang this sign at our home.

Very profound I would say.

LOOK in this tree for some AMAZING wind chimes!!

He loved them!!!!

The oldest dance hall known to still be in existance today!!

George Strait got his start here...among others.

I just HAD to post a picture of our O SO awesome brownies we got while out on our "cruise"!!



We got the call that Levi and Jon were now back at the hotel and they were going to the "garage party". We were still 45 mins away and were done with our sightseeing, so we headed back. Let me say that when Levi told us previously about "garage party" I was a tad MORE hesitant that he and Jon be a part of this. For I knew what there would be....I'm not that naive. And once again....David assured me "Deb, he's good." And so he was. And once again....angel Andrew would appear and be his friendly self, as before, to Levi and Jon.

Afterwards, we met up with them and went for dinner. We had Chicken Express on the brain, but couldn't find a close enough one. Plan B - go to Olive Garden across from hotel....waaaay to crowded. Plan C - go to Whataburger down the road a piece. Whataburger has not 1 but 3 school busses of kids crowded inside. Plan D - go to knock off of Chicken Express called Golden Chick that we thought we had seen earlier in day. Golden Chick NO WHERE to be found. (We are in 2 cars this whole time, mind you). Plan E - Go up the road and find SOMETHING somewhere to consume. We find another Whataburger, but choose instead to go to the completely empty Arbys beside it. YAY!!

And that is when I learn of all the many interesting facts of what my dear son just lived through during his adventure of becoming a man......

But first, I had to take a picture of just how very exhausted he was after having that much F U N!!!

Yes he was that tired.

This Mom would learn that her boy would travel in a very FAST paced group, BUT was thankfully "toned down" from previous year. Previous year they took a turn, that posted at only 10 mph (but sign had fallen down) at all of SEVENTY mph!! Can you even imagine?!?! Angel Andrew said he made sure to know exactly where that turn was this year and wasn't going to let the same thing happen again. My sincere thanks to Andrew for that one!! Levi would retell how that they drove for a total of 6-7 hours...that's intense driving folks, not just your out and about casual driving on a Sunday afternoon! They would go up to speeds of 120 mph at some straight aways...other times just your normal everyday 105 mph!! HA!! In between turns, on a side of a mountain, it would be somewhere between 60-80....nothing deadly there! HA! I was told by Angel Andrew that there are times that if you don't make the curve....you not just crash....you plummet nicely straight DOWN the mountain....sometimes guardrails are there....annnnd sometimes they are not. HA!!

As Andrew related though....Levi was always well in control of his vehichle, kept up, handled it all very well. Can I please re-say....this BOY not that long ago recieved his license, learned to drive a BIG truck, learned to drive a stick shift-FAST car, had the confidence to enter a RACE with grown men , and has now been highly complimented in such a way?!!!! Wow.....that's all that comes to mind right now....just WOW!!! That and thank ya Jesus!!! :)

Levi would go on to say that this was one of the BEST experiences of his life!! Well, Happy Birthday son and yes you grew a mile in my eyes!!

The next morning, we woke up early and went to breakfast. I have never in all my days, saw a hotel breakast are this FULL and the place was big too!! Apparently, this was a happening place on Sunday morning!!

This is only a partial shot of it too!!

We headed out to find the Car Show that was some place else down the road. Waaay down the road...we learned. So far down...we got lost.....and yes once again in 2 cars. But we did find a pretty park that we went through while in search of said Car Show!! Gotta like that!!

We did make it to the Car Show finally! It wasn't the biggest show we have been to, but this was still relatively big.



Some of our faves.....

These two were David and mine's favorites there!!

I found it interesting that at a "man's event"....ok MOSTLY man's event that there were PINK port-a-potties!! Nice touch!! :)



Go-Kart fun too!!

When we arrived at this Car Show it was 10:30am.....when we left this Car Show it was just about 4:00pm and we still had the drive back to Houston. I will tell you right now that almost 6 hours at a Car Show, on a hot asphalt parking lot, with loud bass music constantly playing, only so many times you can look at the same cars, and be within ear shot or closer to people sharing their UN-intelligent words....is entirely TOO long!!! The first couple of hours was cool....and by the time lunch came around we were ready to go...we had seen what we wanted to. But stayed we did....for our son. O the things parents will do for their kids!! You see upon arriving, Levi spotted the raffle ticket give aways, and as we all know - - raffle tickets aren't called until the end of the show. So you know where this is going......    

Anyways, the time had FINALLY came and guess what?! HE WON! He was sooooo excited and I guess it made up for maybe some of the time waited just to see his happy self. But wouldn't you know it....the part he won for his car was not even something he could use for his car!! That's right...so not what he thought it was. This guy handles disappointment in ways that would simple amaze you.....I know I've always been amazed at the maturity in which he handles it. Needless to say....I felt sorry for him. I wanted to tell him to take it back, but I knew that wouldn't happen. And so he accepted it and went on.



Poor guy......

And so it is that I finish this very lengthy Blog. A Blog of Trust- how a Mom trusted God and her husband to let her son do something he loved in so many ways. A Blog of Gratitude- how God sends people like Angel Andrew to help us and guide us through our times of unknowing. A Blog of Confidence- how a boy became a man with such confidence to join in a "man's world". A Blog of Firsts- how that he sailed right through them, and Mom and Dad let him trusting God all the while. A Blog of Adventure- how that David and I have such fun in our many adventures of life! And a Blog of Handling Disappointments- there are always gonna be disappointments in life, but we can make the choice to handle them well and simply go on.

Thank you, God, for giving me such an amazing boy to love and share in his passions. Thank you for the safety and protection you provided for him through your very own hand as well as through Angel Andrew's presence and friendliness. Thank you for a Dad who recognizes a boy's passion and does what he can to make it come true for him. And most of all.....thank you simply for You being the Faithful You that you are in our lives!:)

And just to let you all know now - - Levi states that he is now a professional driver - - no doubt the boy truly is!!

I will end with a picture of the beautiful view we had from our 11th floor room. There is a wonderful bike/walking trail that you will see. David enjoyed walking it together. O wait!! did I mention my O so wonderful and super sweet husband WALKED those 11 floors with me when we would leave or return to our room?!?!! That's right....this girl don't DO elevators if she doesn't have to and the way I saw it...I didn't have to!! Haha! :) I love that man!!





Being away is fun....but returning to your own germs, kooties, and BED can be O SO much fun too!!

THE END!!

"Who Turned Out the Lights?!"

Just the other day David decided we would go out for lunch to a spot we hadn't frequented lately. It was a nice surprise when we pulled up! For those who do know and those who do not. . . there is ONE thing I try never to leave the house without. And that would be - HAND SANITIZER!! As you can guess, I did not have mine. I headed towards the restrooms to wash my hands. As I neared it, I remembered the motion sensored lights in the hallway just outside the restrooms. They nicely appeared on as I entered the hallway. It was a different story once I reached for the Women's handle and attempted to enter. I pulled it open only to find darkness on the other side with no visible light inside. I thought "Well, the inside of the bathroom is the same way, so shouldn't me pulling the door open make the lights come on??" I mean what's the meaning of "motions sensored lights" if no apparent movement is causing the effect of light?? I decided to enter, while keeping my foot propping the door open, and see if I could find a switch. No such luck....not a single switch anywhere inside those walls! I began waving my arms and saying "Heeelllloooo!!" Still nothing.

For some reason, there seem to be funny stories that appear when it's me and motion sensored lighting.....O and well - restrooms too. I can remember one such funny incident and actually wouldn't have minded seeing it on a sensored video! Yes, it was that funny. For lack of telling too many details - - it was me, in a restroom, trying my best to keep the lights on while in use of facilities. In other words...leaving stall and taking a lap once up and down the aisle, as well as lots of jumping up and waving arms and saying "Helllooooo!!! I'm in here!!!" while in stall. Could it be said perhaps they're saying I'm a bit slow in the stall? Ha! Couldn't be! I blame it on poor time management of lighting! ;-)

Now where were we......
Back to the present complication.....as I'm still propping door open with one foot and nothing is happening, I wonder if I can stretch myself to the sink all the while still propping door open with foot. Not gonna happen. I'm no Stretch Armstrong. A thought crosses my mind to go try the Men's Restroom. I decided against. As the situation lingers, I then decide well....maybe I should just let the door go and see what happens while I stand here silently in the dark. Guess what? - - - I let the door go. . . was all the way inside. . . and BEHOLD the lights came on!!!! No more wondering, no more darkness, and soon, no more dirty hands. :-)
Dumb idea if you ask me.....but hey I found the light!!

As I came back to my seat, I told David all about it (of course) and that's when the Blog processing mind started taking over inside of me. As you know, I'm always looking for an inspirational thought to cross by me to share with my readers!

So many directions God could take me to share this with you.... faith, letting go, trusting even when we don't see, direction......etc.

As always though, my heart leans towards giving you HOPE. Hope in the waiting. Hope in the unseen. Hope in the past. Hope in the present. Hope for the future. Friends, maybe there is a place in your life that you are at and you feel as if you are left standing there with the door open and no one is turning on the lights to light your way. Maybe you have held onto that door for so long that you don't know how to let go of it and watch God Almighty provide the direction you are seeking in your life, or that of your children, or spouse or whoever it may be. We have ALL been door holders at one time or another in our lives. Afraid to let go, afraid to trust, discouraged because the "light" isn't seemingly coming on in our lives, our children's lives, our spouses. Friend, let me remind you. . .  Jesus IS the Light and He IS always there to light our way...no matter the situation, circumstance, or the person. Our hope IS in Him. We must remind ourselves that His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. Isaiah 55:8. Also know that He has the plans for each of our lives. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

There are MANY unknowns in life to us. But we take comfort in knowing....God is always and forever in control. "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

We trust - "For I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8. "Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8.

We hope - "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24 "Those who hope in me will not be disappointed." Isaiah 49:23c

We wait - Lots of waiting!! "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 28:14. "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1.

Friend, I leave two verses that I believe sum up the whole Blog.
"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5.

"The Lord is my LIGHT and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1.

Whatever door you may be hanging onto may it be fear, doubt, discouragement, undecided direction, worry....let it go in God's strength (and not your own) and watch him bring the needed Light to your soul that you may be searching for. Allow God the time needed to work in your life, your children's life, spouse's life and DON'T give into discouragement when you don't see it happening right away. God's timing is perfect no matter the wait. Believe it. Hope in it. Rest in it. :-)