What Was I Like When I Was Fifteen

What a strange time in a girl's life. I looked so grown up, I was the same height I am now. I looked like a woman, yet didn't have the street smarts and common sense my continuing maturity would allow me.

I also trusted adults. Especially those in authority or positions of respect. So my parents and their friends. Teachers, coaches, school administrators, youth group adults, etc. I can think of four specific times when I was fifteen that I put my trust in an adult (because I was still a kid) when I shouldn't have. They were not trustworthy, and it blew me away as a kid. I am lucky that I didn't get hurt in any way.

So where am I going with this? Miley Cyrus. Here is the summation from what I can glean from the newsreports. She is Disney's golden girl right now. Recently she did a photo shoot with Vanity Fair magazine, and infamous photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Here is what I know about Annie. She is edgy in her photography. Next time you go to a bookstore, find one of her coffee table books. They are not pornographic in that you won't find her photos in a porno outlet, but hold one of her photos up next to a pornographic picture, and they seem quite similar. Fifteen years ago, she was considered cutting edge/pushing the envelope in terms of her photography. Now, she would be considered, in the photography world, conservative. She is also a lesbian and has no children of her own. She certainly doesn't understand protecting innocence. Instead, push the envelope and photograph it. Her world is very different than the working class masses the rest of us live in.

Here is what I know about Miley. Squeaky clean girl. Her father is famous 90's country singer, Bill Ray Cyrus of "Achy Breaky Heart" fame. He is a staunch Christian, and I have always enjoyed interviews I have seen with him in Christian outlets. Man of God, and has the mission of putting clean entertainment out there.

Miley. I have heard two radio interviews with her on the local Christian radio here. What I have been impressed with when I hear those interviews--the theology that comes out of her. This girl is a Christian and realizes she has a standard to live up to before God, and an example to set for young girls.

Billy Ray and Miley. Very close relationship. They work together on Disney's show "Hannah Montana" where Miley plays Hannah, and Billy Ray is her father. In the interviews and articles I have read about them regarding this show--Billy Ray keeps a tight reign on his daughter. Always talking about being an example, walk the walk, etc. I remember one People magazine article I read last year after Britney Spears shaved her head (a former Disney golden girl), Billy Ray flat out told Miley "Don't go down that path."

So what the heck happened at the photo shoot!? Billy Ray and his wife stepped away, a teacher and a grandparent were left to monitor the shoot, and Annie took photos of Miley that make her appear to be topless, although she isn't. Way too mature of a photo to even offer to shoot, if you ask me, which Annie Leibovitz did, nor did she ask the parents. A moment of confusion. I know when I am watching other people's kids, I am always a little tense as to what my role is in what their allowed to do. I know Annie doesn't have kids, and I certainly believe she took advantage of the situation. If anyone is familiar at all with the Cyrus family, he would have said "Umm...NO!" to such photos. I also think Miley is a young girl who was starstruck that she was being photographed by the Annie Leibovitz. Annie offers a suggestion, I am sure Miley was like "Sure, let's try it." Hence, the photos were taken.

Now, I have read two criticisms that I disagree with. One, the reason why Miley and her family are outspoken about this is because the "photos didn't get the response they wanted" in terms of publicity. I disagree. These photos have not been published at all by anyone. They have been leaked on the internet--which makes me ask, Annie?? Whatcha doing? Infamous photographer let's her photos get leaked on the internet, poor form. Incredibly unprofessional, and exploitive of a fifteen year old girl. It almost makes me wonder if Annie is trying to harm Miley's reputation. Sick!

I have also read the criticism that this is Disney turning another golden girl into a trashy adult, just like all the others before her i.e. Britney Spears, Jamie Lynn Spears, Hillary Duff, etc. Disney came out with a very surprising statement yesterday saying "Unfortunately.....a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines." I wholeheartedly agree, and trust me, I make a point to not agree with Disney. Disney had nothing to do with a Vanity Fair photo shoot. Vanity Fair had everything to do with that photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz leading the way. Yuck!

Okay, why do I think this won't completely knock Miley down to the lowest levels of celebrity tartness? Several reasons.

1) Her family, specifically, her dad. Billy Ray is an ever present person in her life, and they are very close. Show me where Britney's, Jamie Lynn's and Hillary's fathers were when they took their trashy nosedives? No where to be found. I give points for Britney's father who finally forced himself into the picture and is mopping up the mess of her life.

Even when Jamie Lynn announced her teenage pregnancy she was walking in front of the paparazzi with her ta ta's in almost full view, with a very deep V neck. Nice! She is underage, Mom, don't let her out the door!

Billy Ray knows his daughter is still a young girl that needs parenting. Unlike the other tarts who have parents who seem to have the idea that since they look grown up, act grown up, they must be grown up, and hence, their parenting is done. No. Fifteen year olds, especially celebrity fifteen year olds, need their parents even more.

2) Miley is a Christian. And I trust that the interviews I have heard with her are genuine. I also think it is classy that she made a statement way before the pictures got very far on the internet and apologized profusely. She has apologized. I have never heard any of the other tarts apologize for any of their ghastly behavior. They ride the publicity wave when it happens, hence, they have to keep pulling publicity stunts that get trashier and trashier. I trust that when I heard Miley say she fully understands her role and responsibility as a role model, she gets it.

What a mess this is! Annie Leibovitz should be ashamed of herself putting photography before the well being of a fifteen year old.

Please remember, she is, afterall, only fifteen. Adults can't always be trusted, and I think she learned this lesson the hard way.

Rogue Valley Pregnancy Resource Center Reach for the Stars Benefit

I am back. I am so tired! It has been a whirlwind few days with this event. I have no idea where to start. There is so much to say.

My friend, BAS, is the chair of the board of directors for Rogue Valley Pregnancy Resource Centers (RVPRC). This little organization has had some staff changes in the last year, and new faces are in place. Those new faces want to make RVPRC a presence in southern Oregon, and I am all for it.

I was asked several months ago to come to do my testimony. No problem. Two big names were also at this event. Abstinance advocate and great Christian man, AC Green. He was an LA Laker player when the Lakers announced Magic Johnson had the AIDS virus. AC Green was a virgin when he married his wife at age 38. I give this man my respect. Here he is working side by side with a man who is leading a promiscuous lifestyle, while maintaining his purity. Amazing.

The other big name was Bob Kilpatrick. A very influential musical artist and producer. He wrote the song we all know "In My Life Lord". He has worked with big name artists like Randy Stonehill, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Newboys to name a few.

And I did my testimony sandwiched in between these men. Tracy and her husband (see the blogs I watch) Denis came, and again, it was so nice to have familiar faces in the crowd. I visited with them before hand during a dessert reception. Tracy was so sweet asking me what I wanted to eat, and I never turn down lemon bars! But this night, if I ate anything, it wouldn't stay down. I was very nervous.

There was an estimated 300-400 people there. Bob performed. It was a funny combination of humor, music and worship. Great way to start the evening. I did my testimony. AC Green did his talk and reflections. It was wonderful.

I say it was wonderful for a reason. Before I had kids, I worked for PRC of Greater Portland. One of the biggest PRC organizations in the United States. A great place to work. I used to put on events just like this. For three years I also worked in the counseling room, administering pregnancy tests, and talking to lots and lots and lots of women about pregnancy, relationships, STD's, and their future. Those were incredibly hard years, where I worked hard to not burn out. But I would do it again. So that is where I came from.

In terms of events, being behind the scenes this night felt very familiar to me. What just flabbergasts me is how many attacks there were by Satan. I am not one of these people who thinks Satan is behind everything, but you have to wonder with this night.

So many things went wrong. The video presentation that was presented, the credit card machine that didn't show up, the programs that were printed moments before the event, people falling and injuring themselves in the parking lot, family members suddenly getting gravely ill, AC's flight being delayed and rerouted, etc.

I think Satan doesn't want RVPRC to grow.

BUT! God prevailed, if you didn't know all of these things were going wrong behind the scenes, and participated as an attendee, you would not have known so much was going wrong. It went off well. To God be the glory for that.

New donors were recruited, new faces saw what RVPRC does, and RVPRC will be growing soon by adding ultrasound machines to their ministry. I know Satan doesn't want that to happen. Women who see their babies on an ultrasound machine statistically don't have abortions. Suddenly the positive test stick becomes a human being.

What were some fun things? AC Green raffled off a few things signed by him. I put a whole bunch of stock in the signed basketball and bought a bunch of tickets. I wanted to bring that ball home to the boys. I didn't win. BUT! As I was talking to AC, he told me this summer, in my city, where he holds an annual basketball camp, bring my kids and a ball and he'll sign it for me. How generous and kind! He told me when he would be there and how to catch him. I didn't ask, he offered that, and he certainly didn't have to do that. How nice!

JM asked that I have a picture with him doing rabbit ears. Get this, AC let me! I don't know if I would do that. Have you ever done rabbit ears behind a man who is six feet nine inches tall? The ears are hard to see.

Anyway, a great evening. I am thankful for the opportunity. I am still reveling in it. I am excited to hear how God grows this ministry. Satan got stomped on that night. The attempts to stop this event were not successful, and they were pretty amazing attempts.

This man won the basketball.

Tracy with AC Green. Her shoulder comes up to his elbow.
AC is dauntingly tall.

I am standing on two steps. I would normally be closer to where Tracy was.

Dog Sale and a Few More Thoughts

JM: (really excited) Mom, I know the difference between a dog sale and a garage sale!

Me: Really? (I have no idea....) What is the difference?

JM: Get it? Dog. Sale. Get it? Because dogs have a lot of junk. Get it?

I don't.

But his delivery of a joke was pretty cute.

Okay, I have to pack up everyone today and head to Medford, OR with the kids, but without the husband. I have a lot to do. Please pray for me, because my back is spasming pretty good right now. I have had chronic back pain for several years, and usually we just muscle through it and take it easy for a day. Not today. I have to pack up our minivan and drive in one position for five hours. And I am not surprised--I am preaching a pro life message tomorrow night. The enemy would prefer I didn't do that. I'll be fine, but I am really hurting right now. Just walking up and down stairs jars my lower back.

Hair stuff! I like my hair even more seeing it this morning! I will post directions on how to do that when I return.

I will be returning to a busy day on Saturday. Look for an update post on Sunday.

Blessings to all of you this week!

It is done!

Okay I have a before picture. And I have an after. You won't be able to tell much difference. But that is what I wanted! I wanted to just barely cover the blonde highlights, cover a bunch of gray and not look like a Hollywood tart who colors their hair differently every week.

I definitely had a freak out moment as I was working the stuff through my hair and it's purple!

The one above is the before. I am sorry, I didn't have a before the hair cut. This is after about six inches are taken off. As you can see, lots of blonde.

This one is courtesy of JM. It was post freak out moment, but nonetheless, quite nervous.


Here is after. I am trying to get a close up to show nice brown hair, and a lot less blonde and very little gray. I like it!

Get this! I did this all tonight without my husband here, and he didn't notice when he got home!

Things I will do differently next time. I still have grays that I can find. I will definitely hit those gray spots a lot harder next time and maybe do a double dose on them. But if you look at the final picture above. My temple that you see is one of the grayest spots on my head. It got covered okay, but I know to hit it harder and thicker next time.

Here are the products I used per the wonderful advice of my fellow candle consultant who always has fabulous hair:

**Clairol Professional Complements Demi-Color (that means semi permanent, you won't have the stair step roots, it will gradually wash out over time)

**Color Prompter Oxydant

**Ion Color Solutions Color Defense After Color Sealing Treatment

**two bottles for mixing and applying, I am holding one up in the picture

All products were bought at Sally Beauty Supply for under $20.00. Nice! And I got a $13 haircut at the Perfect Look next door.

I have never done this before...so my friend emailed me full instructions. Do you all need those too? I can post them. I know a few of you were really interested in this. I have never ever done this before, and am glad I didn't burn my hair off my head. As much as I love my hair, just the thought of that makes me feel ill.

Should I tell the story of when we adopted BH? I was so incredibly stressed out my hair fell out in bunches--for months. Should I make that my next post?

Beyond Disturbing

If you have a weak constitution, don't read this. But honestly, this is the world we live in. As Christians we need to have a voice and speak intelligently, as salt and light, in such disturbing situations.

If anyone ever wonders why I am pro life....read this article. Click here.

Basically a Yale student is having her "art" exhibit yanked by Yale because she claims that she used miscarriages that she induced in herself to produce. The article is done by Fox News and is tasteful in how it describes the art, so don't worry. She is being very ambiguous about how she made this "art". One minute she is saying it is miscarried blood, the other she isn't. She says this is all part of the "performance".

Yale has taken a very hard stand on this to her. It will not be allowed to be displayed unless she is unambiguously willing to submit a truthful statement saying that this is not miscarried blood or blood of any kind used in this "art". They have also disciplined the instructors involved.

My two cents. The instructors should be fired. Do I need to defend that? I hope not. To allow this student to proceed with such a project, even if this is all an act, demonstrates a complete lack of any sort of decorum. If anything it shows a very disturbing side of anyone who would entertain this kind of "art". I think this way about Hitler who used body parts as art. We can all agree that is disturbing, this is in that category.

My other two cents. Any man who is a student on Yale's campus. Do not date this girl! Your child, not fetus or embryo, could end up as "art" smeared on paper for the world to gaze at. That is what this girl did. She is using dead people as art, very much like Hitler. Those remains are little fingers, hearts, toes, etc. And to be paraded in an exhibit and revered as art. Absolutely beyond disgusting. It is criminal, and I mean it. I wish there was a law that was being broken here.

Let's just call this what it is. If she indeed induce miscarriages, which is dangerous by the way. She could easily cause her uterus to bleed uncontrollably and bleed to death. But there are secret ways to do that, she induced abortions. Period. She did not induce "miscarriages".

I also think it is quite interesting that so far today, this story is only be reported on by Fox News.

If this were my daughter, her behind would be yanked off that campus, hauled home, no more tuition dollars for her, and some serious counseling would be happening. What in the world is this world coming to for a young undergraduate (18-22 years old assuming) doing wasting Yale tuition dollars by doing this? I can't imagine what her parents must be thinking. If they are proud, this is even more macabre.

I am so disturbed by this.