Just a Bit of Kindness

Years ago when Jake was preschool age we made a little tie board so we could teach our kids to tie their shoes. (Of course, all kids' shoes these days have velcro...but it's still an important life skill!) Now that Abby is our resident kindergartener, I've been working with her on it.

Tie a knot. Make a loop. Draw your other piece around your loop. (No, not that way, the other way!) Now chase your thumb out through that hole. (No, that way! Here, use this piece.) OK, now pull these ends tight. Look, isn't that beautiful?

It's slow work helping a little kid learn to tie bows. She needs to be encouraged, to know she's making progress, to know that she really is going to figure out how to do this all by herself one day.

"You're doing a good job, Abby. Look, you already got all four of these done!" I say. And I think about how much little bits of encouragement make a difference to all of us.

Life is hard for everyone. Deep down inside everyone yearns for a few kind words.

"You're doing a good job."

"You have such a talent for that!"

"It may not seem like it right now, but things will work out."

Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic 

of the noblest men and women I have known.  ~Joseph B. Wirthlin

Life is hard. Motherhood is hard. Choosing words that are kind, encouraging, and uplifting makes a big difference for everyone.

What a Year Can Do

Last fall Jacob started on his first soccer team--the Great White Sharks. He had a good coach and a wonderful first season. We were proud of him for hustling after the ball and even getting a winning goal in one of his games.

But there was one little problem. His games were outside and my sweet Emma did not appreciate the sunlight. We tried sitting in shade and arming ourselves with hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas. But eventually I would always end up trying to entertain her in the car for at least part of Jake's games. I wanted to watch him play but I just couldn't.

This spring the Great White Sharks have returned to the field, and Jake is having fun. And I still can't get over how contentedly Emma sits on my lap during the games, wearing her shades and feeling good about life. It's more than I would have hoped for last year.
                                                    
Sometimes life is wonderful and everything seems to be going well. Sometimes life is hard and we wonder when it will ever get better. In those times it's good to remember that you never know the difference that a few months will make.

Enjoying the Moments

Sometimes in a young family the days (or weeks) drag.  Other times whole months (or years) seem to slip past before I know it. Sometimes I look at old family photo albums and wonder where the time has gone. 

Has it really been four years since Abby was our precious baby girl...

Or two years since Grace was our joyful one-year-old (wearing her sister's old shirt two years later)?

Now, of course, that same shirt fits our current darling baby girl, Emma.

I still remember the night we excitedly bought a little secondhand toddler trike for Jake. Now Grace tears all around the neighborhood in it. But it won't be much longer till she'll need a bigger bike and it will be Emma's.

(How has it really been two-and-a-half years since toddler Abby graciously let one-year-old Grace borrow that same trike for a ride every now and then?)

Such moments of realization make me grateful I have been here for all of these precious stages and moments, as fleeting or belabored as they seemed at the time. It makes me want to laugh a little more, hold my kids' cute faces, snuggle them, and enjoy the moments I now have, because in a few more years when I look back I will be oh so grateful I was there for every minute that I now enjoy.

Thank Goodness for Dads

Recently we were at the park playing with the kids. I had gone to retrieve something from the car, and when I came back I found Cameron assisting Emma as she climbed up to a slide. Admittedly, it wasn't something I would have helped her climb up. I would have worried about her falling, worried that it was too high, worried that it was risky. I would have helped her find the stairs--a much safer option. And so as I watched Cameron and Emma ascend together I thought, "This is why kids need a dad."

God knew what he was doing when He created families. He knew that kids would need moms. Moms are generally good at loving, nurturing, and (occasionally) coddling. And that is why He also gave kids dads. Dads are good at helping kids to reach higher...

To keep on keepin' on...

To get back in the saddle and try again...

And to ultimately achieve greater heights.

I am grateful for my dad. And I am oh so grateful for this wonderful husband of mine who is such a fabulous dad for our kids. They are lucky to have him. I am lucky to have him. Thank goodness for dads!