Kids & Doing The Right Thing

Our family has been very active in church since forever... Our kids have grown up in church - that's just how it is.  It is not about a religion for us, it's about a relationship with Christ, loving others, serving others - but that's another whole post for another day.  :)
We don't go to church so we can check off our to do list for the week.  It's a part of who we are.  And we are seeing the fruits of our labor with our girls.  Brandon and I are very much what you see is what you get kind of people.  We don't put on a show at church for everyone to see and then live completely different lives through the week, and our girls see that consistency.  I have written before about building Godly character in our girls, and teaching them to love others - treat people how you would want to be treated regardless of how they treat you.

Just the other day, someone needed us to do a favor for them.  It frustrated me because we were already running a little behind schedule, wasn't there someone else who could do it, we don't have time etc etc. I acted just the opposite of how I should have acted.  My 13 year old said - Mom, we are blessed to be a blessing - and helping them out would be the right thing to do.   Talk about being put in your place by your kid!  But on the other hand, it makes me proud that she is taking a stand for what she believes in, what we are trying to teach them.  There are plenty of rough days, trust me.   But these little moments remind me that it's all worth it.  We want our girls to be world changers, Christ followers who love Him and love others and do their part to make a difference in the world.  Now, if I could get her to show God's love to her sister everyday I'd really be winning the battle!

-M

It Must Be Love, Right?

Just the other day, I was going through my 13 year olds text messages on her phone like I do periodically.  We have an open door policy when it comes to cell phones, ipads, internet, their rooms, backpacks etc. :)

My girls argue a lot of the time.  And it's always about trivial things - who ate the last strawberry oatmeal packet, who used my ponytail holder.  I mean, seriously, it's almost enough to drive someone to drink.  Good thing I don't like the taste of alcohol.  I guess I'm lucky that they don't actually fight, it's mostly petty arguing, but it's still annoying.  So you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I found texts from my oldest to my youngest telling her to make sure she wears warm clothes for school so she doesn't get cold waiting for the bus.  My 13 year old leaves for school almost an hour before my 10 year old.  Isn't that just the sweetest thing?  It gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.  And it wasn't just one text - it was several texts over several days.   She's looking out for her little sister.  And now we can all let out a collective - AWWWWW

It almost makes me forget about all the unnecessary arguing - ALMOST

What are some sweet things your kids have done for each other without telling you, or without you knowing about it?

See you soon

-M