Lessons Learned from Our Children

I hope that is no secret that I am a Christian. It certainly isn't something that I EVER want to hide! It is actually something that I wish and hope for anyone that would ever read this blog. Usually, my posts are light...they are great 'fluff' pieces on my family...the writing is meant to entertain...the pictures are full of the fun we have had. But today, I want to post something just a little different. I want to tell you the AMAZING lesson that Summer taught me yesterday.

I must admit, I often don't give Summer enough credit. She is almost 8 now...and drama! drama! drama! I don't enjoy drama...I don't have TIME for drama...and I feel I loose patience with it rather quickly. I have often thought that her DRAMA is a way that she will NOT be overlooked as the middle child! She was born with drama...9 weeks early...bedrest for 6 weeks before that....so why does drama now suprise me!?! ha! However, in the midst of all of that drama is a soft heart...a heart that I now respect more than ever...let me explain.

This has been a tough week for Summer. She has two friends who have turned against her...I know, drama!...but it has wounded her. She got into the van two days ago and told me her day was "terrible!" and that two of her 'friends' said that she wasn't their friend anymore and ignored her the whole day. Sadly, my first response was more like 'what did YOU do?' instead of 'what happened?' and it put her on the defensive all over again. Perhaps I need some lessons on mothering. :(

Yesterday, the same problem - neither girl would talk to her all day. She tried to figure out what had happened. To the best of her understanding, they think she said something negative to them while they were standing in the lunch line...and for that...they are no longer her friends...have I mentioned how much I DON'T LIKE DRAMA!?!

Anyways, last night Summer and I sat down and just took a few minutes to talk. I know the girls' parents...I know the girls...I wondered if I should intervene...I wanted to know Summer's opinion...I wanted to be her advocate, if that is what she wanted. I wanted to 'educate' her on friendship and what a true friend really was. And then she WOWed me!! She told me of a brief exchange that she had with one of the girls. She tried to talk to one of those girls...and from the best of my recollection the conversation went a little like this:

Summer: Why won't you talk to me?

Girl: You aren't my friend anymore!

Summer: Even if you say I'm not your friend anymore, I can still treat you like one.

Girl: Well, don't!

O.K. As a Christian...as a mom...really even just as a human being her response AMAZED me! I immediately responded with - "SUMMER! That is EXACTLY how Jesus would have responded!" I could tell her in the midst of this - God was showing her how to be just like Jesus! That brought a smile to her face! It brought tears to my eyes!

There was a framed Ann Geddes picture in the girls bedroom for many years that had a caption that said something like - having a child means having a piece of your heart walk around outside of your body for the rest of your life. That is sooo TRUE! I see what Summer is going through and it breaks my heart. However, what an awesome opportunity for God to shine through her. I found myself praying this morning that God would take this away from her...but then I stopped myself...and prayed for God's will in the situation instead. Boy...that was a HARD prayer!! It brings tears to my eyes even now. But I remind myself that God is faithful! He is right there with Summer and he can show Himself greatly in her time(s) of need!

I just wanted to share that you you. Perhaps it will encourage you! Perhaps it will challenge you! I know that it has challenged me. Let me also leave you with this scripture:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

Big Boy Bed!

SOOOO much attention to Kyla and Summer...and Luke has such exciting news! He is now sleeping in his BIG BOY bed...AND he is working on potty training. We/he has been fairly successful at BOTH. He spent his first night in the bed on Saturday...and he giggled and giggled as I tucked him in. He also spent his first FULL day of potty training on Saturday...and did EXCELLENT until the evening...when he had accident...after accident...after accident. I felt bad for him...having no nap may have been a factor. But today was a new day and w/a 'rough' start this a.m....a couple more accidents...we were accident free all evening.

I am thankful that he seems to be 'catching' on...and each accident is getting less and less of a 'mess.' We figured that spring break would be as good of time as any to train...I have my extra sets of eyes (Kyla and Summer)....and hopefully, we will spend less time out and about because most of our activities are on hold this week.

That is all I will mention on that subject...some of you may be squeemish about it. (sorry) But hey!...when you are writing about a two year old...your subject matter can turn squeemish REAL quick. Just be thankful that I don't have pictures of him on the potty...or of the 'mess' in the potty. I watched a re-run of John and Kate Plus 8 (or as Luke calls them - John and 8 Plus Kate) and she actually takes the children's pictures WITH their first 'poop' in the potty. I like photos...but NOT that much....you can say, "THANK YOU!" now. ha!

Parent Watch at Dance

I am beginning to think that Summer is really learning dance. I'm not trying to be cruel here, but what parent hasn't watched their child attempt something and thought, "I'm not sure they understand what they are SUPPOSED to be doing." ?? This has been the first year for Summer to be in dance that I see her learning the routines and trying her BEST to remember her steps...I love to see the effort she is putting into it! It makes it as ENJOYABLE for me as for her.

We had the opportunity to peek in on their dance class last week...so of course, I took a few photos too. They are working hard on their numbers for their recital - they will perform one ballet number (to a song that had the word "sunrise" in it alot...I wasn't familiar w/it) and one tap number (that one is to "True Blue"....a blast from MY past...ha!). I can't wait for May 17th to come around!! I think my girl is going to WOW me!

A 'little' blurry...but I love the action in this photo!

Great extension of her arms!! She is improving sooo much this year!!

Dancing buddies - Jenna, Katie Jo, & Summer (all Schertz Elem. 2nd graders)

First Soccer Game....

I would think that all of the rainy days we had last week would have given me PLENTY of opportunity to get caught up w/my blog postings...but somehow I am LESS productive on rainy days. Today...the first SUNNY day in what seems like FOREVER...and here I am, up on the computer, uploading pictures. Go figure...but at least this week is Spring Break...I should have PLENTY of opportunity to be outdoors by week's end! (this includes a camping trip to Choke Canyon - please send up prayers...ha!)

Kyla is on the SAYSAT Prowlers team for the 4th season now (two seasons each year...one fall and one spring). I like that we have had the same coach and several of the same players from year to year. The consistency is nice! It is fun to see how much the kids have actually learned the game of soccer - they have come such a LOOOONG way! I snapped a few pics from the first game....I'll just post them w/a few captions. BTW - they won...4-0...Kyla even scored a goal. GO PROWLERS!

SAYSAT Prowlers (U-10)

Kyla - All Smiles....As Usual!

Kyla - She DOES have a game face!

Chasing Down the Ball - With Intensity!

Luke - Practicing his "Good Game" slaps for after the game