Bryson's First Award

Being a parent is certainly not for the weak-spirited, and if you've read my blog before, then you've probably read about some of my frustrations and worries about being a mommy. I'll just be honest, there have been moments over the last six years where I've seriously questioned my parenting skills. Some days I've felt like I discipline more than I do anything else! I've told my sister and husband before that if I just knew that at some point my child would grow into a well-behaved person, I wouldn't stress nearly so much, but since there is no crystal ball, and my little darlings have occasionally given me reason to wonder if that will ever happen, I just have to keep plugging along and hope and pray I'm doing something right!

And then there are moments when my child shows maturity and self-control I didn't know he had or shares when I expected him to be stingy or is polite when I thought he might be rude...and that tiny moment somehow validates all that hard work and effort I expend every waking moment of the day to mold my little children into God-fearing, productive, and well-mannered human beings.

Since I often blog about the frustrations of being a parent, I thought I'd share one of those vaidating moments today!

Bryson has been in Kindergarten for a little over a month now, and has exceeded my expectations. I was worried that the long days would be too much for him since he was never in all day preschool before and that the large class size would give him an audience for his silliness and cause for distraction. So far, he is doing just awesome, and this Mama couldn't be any prouder!

As he got off the bus Friday, he had a little extra bounce in his step and excitement in his eyes. As he darted in the house, he said incredulously, "Mommy, I got a REWARD today!" I smiled and reached for it, figuring he got a sticker or pencil or something like that. No, he actually received certificate in a folder that names him "Walter Shade Early Childhood Center Asset Builder of the Month." And then the certificate goes on to describe the kinds of "assets" he is building!

"Has intentionally, deliberately, and repetitiously built assets and relationships by demonstrating kindness and caring. He often asks about the well-being of classmates who are upset. Bryson follows directions the first time given. He is eager to learn new things and show his enthusiasm by listening intently and volunteering to answer questions. He often asks his teachers to assess his work as he strives to do his best with every activity." Signed by the Superintendent and Principal.

I told him I wanted to take a picture of him with his award, and he spontaneously struck this pose.  I love this kid!

I'm sure I'll find myself coming back to this post and reading it in the future when my little "asset builder" isn't...ahem...quite exhibiting all of those admirable characteristics. But for now, I'm just thrilled for my little man's success! I know if we can just channel all of that energy he possesses in a positive direction that he is capable of great things.


~Bethany

~My Babies~

 Some days they make me want to pull my hair out.

 

Some days they make me cry in frustration!






 

Somtimes I feel like I'm doing the whole mommy-thing all wrong.

But most of the time, they make me laugh at the silly things they say and do.  

 They make me proud of who they are and who they are becoming. 

They challenge me to be a better person,

           a better mommy,

              a better role model,

  and a better Christian.

I am blessed to be their mommy!

Bryson Douglas, 6 years old, Avery Weston, 4 years old, and Emerson Rose, 1 year old.

Treasures

Events over the last week or two have caused me to ponder a bit on how short life is and what really matters.  It was this time two years ago that my mother-in-law was told there was nothing else doctors could do for her, and we spent the longest two weeks of our lives sitting at Hospice, watching her slowly fade.  About a week ago, Phllip, his sister, and I were going through some things up in his parents' attic.  My father-in-law has remarried, moved to Tennessee, and is planning to rent his house that he shared with Carolyn, so he asked Phillip and Jenny to go through some things before he finishes cleaning out the house.  As we sat up in that cramped attic sorting through the boxes of random things, I couldn't help but to think of the irony of the situation.  Carolyn is now rejoicing in Heaven, walking on streets of gold, and there we were, sorting through her earthly "treasures."  The stash of items seemed pretty random: some were of sentimental value, some were things I'm sure she thought she'd get around to using someday, and other things were just clutter, but for whatever reason, Carolyn felt the need to hang onto them.  I started thinking about all of my "stuff" that seems important to me and how hard Phillip and I work to save and plan for our future.  In the end though, none of those earthly items are going to benefit us one bit, and they might actually leave our kids shaking their heads saying, "Why did they save this?" 

My grandma Lucille is getting ready to pass away, and I've spent a lot of time the last week and a half sitting at her house, reminiscing with family, holding her hand, singing her songs, and watching her weaken to the point that she is no longer responsive, and it is just a matter of time until she draws her last breath.  When you see someone at the end of her life, you can't help but think about what really matters, and it isn't wealth, popularity, beauty, or the materialistic things that we all work so hard to accumulate. 

I KNOW this is true, but why is it so hard for me to remember?  There are days when what I'm going through or what I'm working on seems like the most important thing ever!   But when I'm lying on my death bed, the only thing that is going to count is whether or not my name is written in Heaven and what I have done for Christ.  Lord, help me to desire to lay up heavenly treasures more than earthly ones!

Matthew 6: 19-21
 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 Only one life, twill soon be past, but only what's done for Christ will last. - unknown

 "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Jim Elliot, missionary to the Auca Indians, martyr for Christ.

 ~Bethany