Things I've learned from the girls in my life...

1. Girls are DRAMA exemplified. (my neice Abby 19 - high school years)

Abby was the first 'young girl' in my life that went through the high school thing. Now, I flew pretty much under the radar at school. (which is the same school she is graduating from Sunday) I wasn't the popular kid, and I wasn't the loser either. No one hated me, but everyone knew me. So hearing all the stuff that Abby would come home with intrigued me at least. She was (and is) the borderline popular girl. Gorgeous, athletic, funny...all the qualities you want your kid to be. But MAN, the stories she would come home with about how mean the girls could be, and quickly your friends became your enemies were crazy! She was over it by Sophmore year, and was content to be friends with more boys than girls... And you can imagine what kind of additional drama that caused!

2. Just be you (my daughter Alyson, age 11)

My oldest is eclectic and knows what she likes and doesn't like. And honestly, she doesn't care what anyone else thinks. And ya know what, people like her for that! She has a very close knit group of friends that feel the same way. They are all so different, yet the same. She's a dancer, and her best friends are a basketball player, a soccer player and volleyball/band member. She likes to do well in school, and has no problem telling people that. She thinks peer pressure is ridiculous, and wonders why anyone would do something because someone else wants them to. She's an original, and makes me feel better being in my own skin.

3. Be Happy! (my daughter Hailey, age 9)

She's such a happy little soul, you can't help but smile around her. I honestly think I can see a room brighten every time she walks in. I don't know anyone who doesn't just fall in love with her upbeat and positive attitude when they meet her. She's unassuming and innocent (for the most part) and makes me feel lucky that she's mine.

4. You don't have to compromise. (my Neice Abby 19, again school years)As I said, the girl is beautiful. So there was no shortage of guys who wanted to go out with her. But boy oh boy, they get stupid when they're dating. Luckily, Abby is strong enough in her beliefs and convictions that she knows she doesn't have to settle for anything. She knows the Peanut Butter and Jelly theory, and hopefully she'll keep that and her strong will in her mind when she heads off to college.

5. Be a kid for as long as you can. (My neice Emily 15)

I love this girl. She's 15, and still loves to play with my girls. She's really in no rush to grow up, and I adore that quality. Granted, the boyfriends are calling and she's going out with friends, but she still acts like a 15 year old...not like a 20 year old. She reminds me that being a grown up doesn't have to be a full time thing.

6. We may want a man, but we certainly don't NEED one. (Linda 29:) )

Linda has been proving to me for the past 6-7 years that 'she don't need no stinkin man'. I swear, she knows how to do, fix, prepare and rig up so many things that it just boggles my mind. She can do easily, all the things that I always depended on my ex or my hubby or my dad or my brothers to do for me. She has inspired me many times over to tackle projects I deemed impossible for me. Of course...I usually just end up calling her instead.

7. Men don't always wear the pants (my sister in law Deb)

Deb is one of the biggest inspirations of my life. She's my rock, my shoulder, my partner in crime. Although I do love my brother dearly, he doesn NOT run the house! Deb is totally in control (she wouldn't have it any other way) of everything that happens in that house. She keeps it clean, does the bills, brings home the bacon and lays down the rules. She has shown me that I can take charge, and enjoy doing so!

8. Men may not wear them, but sometimes we need to let them think they do (Mary also 29 :) )
Yes, with 3 boys under 7 running around her house, she has a surprising amount of control. Her hubby works nights, so is sleeping most (ie: ALL) of the day. So she must keep said boys quiet all day as not to disturb him. She is a stay at home mom, so her hubby brings home all the physical 'pay'. He has NO idea of what Mary does all day long (though he often thinks it's nothing). So instead of arguing her point, she just lets him think that he wears the pants. That is soooo far from the truth, but at least it saves an hour's worth of wasted breath.

and those are just SOME of the lessons I've learned from the wonderful, amazing females in my life...Thanks chickies!