character training

I try and teach my kids to be thoughtful.

I try and model the behavior.

I read scripture to them.

But often I do not see the fruit of what I teach when it comes to character training. Maybe it's because I have boys, maybe its because they are 6 and 5, or maybe I am not looking hard enough. All may be true at some time or another. I saw it very clearly this morning. Last week I taught my boys how to make coffee in my new Keurig coffee maker. They really wanted to make me coffee. All 3 guys in my house right now are sick, so I was shocked when I woke up this morning to a big cup of coffee at my bedside from my 2 kiddos. After being up four times last night with one coughing, one fevering, and one not sleeping, it was so nice.

All this to say... My thought is this- even though we may not see our little kiddos paying attention to our attempts to mold their character, God knows. When we are faithfully seeking His will for our children and in prayer for them, He is faithful.

He is faithful.

Teaching reading

My first grader is not very enthusiastic about reading. I knew I had to get creative. My sister in law is a first grade teacher and she gave me some creative ideas for getting Carter interested in reading. Her one idea was making him a tool belt with "tools" -words! I used sight word cards and glued sandpaper to the other side. Another idea i came up with is using his nerf gun. He has to hit near a word and read it. He told me tonight that he loves his new way of learning to read. Totally made my day:)

First day of school

Lawson is doing pre-K/Kindergarten

Carter is starting first grade.

Family

Happy 4th Birthday Law!

My baby turned 4 last week. This picture is one of my favorite ones from when he was a newborn, my brother took it.

Lawson is such a special kid. Being near him makes me smile. Ever since he was little, he was constantly trying to make you laugh. He is always hugging me and telling me he loves me. With that, he does have a dramatic side! He loves books, reading, puzzles and music. Happy Birthday Lawson!

Here is a picture of his cake this year. He wanted a castle/tower cake, so i did my best to make it for him. It was a rice crispy cake!

Happy Halloween!

We spent last evening at my sister's house (my husbands sister, but i feel like she is truly my sister) and we had a blast. I took a picture of the entrance to her house, it looked so festive.

Carter was a pilot in the Air Force. I let him wear his dad's dog tags and it was really special for him.

Lawson was Dr. Lawson. Everything he did yesterday was announced the Dr is... "The Dr is ready to play legos. The Dr is going to play outside."

We have so much work to do tomorrow- look at all these leaves!

pumpkin carving

Last night we carved pumpkins with Michelle. They always have so much fun with her. She is a wonderful friend of mine and we've known each other for 15 years. I love that she loves my kids.

fall

Spending the day with Owen

Hot cocoa, no coffee yet.

My kids loved spending the day with Owen.

Day of thoughtfulness

Today we learned about being thoughtful. After a week of selfish behavior I thought we could use a refresher course in thinking of each other before ourselves. They started the morning by serving each other breakfast and helping each other with their morning chores. After lunch they made each other a special craft/present that they thought the other would like. Carter wrote in his journal the bible verse we were learning- "By love serve one another" Gal 5:13 and drew a picture of him giving his brother hot chocolate. Lawson colored Carter a picture of a helicopter and decorated it. Carter made beads out of clay and painted them because Law loves necklaces. In addition to the regular kindergarden stuff this year, I really want to teach my boys about kindness, patience, and what it means to be part of a family.