This is Love

Sawyer reached as far as his arm would reach so that he could give me this thoughtful note.

"I love you, Mommy."

On the back were two hearts by Sawyer and a green contribution from Dempsey. I assume it is a line of healing and love.

Sawyer said, "I want you to have this so you feel happy because being happy will make you feel better."

Such tender hearts! I am BLESSED!

Reading Time

Sawyer is reading to Dempsey from The Jesus Storybook Bible. They decided on the story about Jesus being tempted in the desert.

Sawyer: Dempsey, do you see the snake?!
Dempsey: Yeah!
Sawyer: Do you know who the snake is?
Dempsey: No.
Sawyer: Say satan.
Dempsey: Satan.
Sawyer: Do you remember at Granny and Granddad's house, the God guy and the Bad guy?
Dempsey: Yeah.
Sawyer: The snake, he's the bad guy.
Dempsey: Ooohhh.

I love brotherly conversations. It warms my heart to hear and watch Sawyer teach Dempsey. Dempsey just eats it up, too.

Brave Boys

I am so proud of my boys! They handle fear and scary situations with grace and better composition than most adults.

I know a lot of that is due to WHO they are but I am going to assume some credit for this.

Why?

Because I heeded some wisdom from my mom and applied it to my children.

My mom always used to say it was important and good to "front load" kids with information. Information about what was coming. Warning them of pain that was coming, sensations that were new/ strange to them. Expressing my expectations of behavior and character.

Why is this a wise method? Simply because it builds trust.

Trust? Yes, trust.

Imagine someone telling you "It will be fine" or "It's not going to hurt" or my personal fave "There's nothing to worry about." As if one person has any clue as to what the other MIGHT be feeling in any given situation.

So, apply any of those phrases to a situation of getting a tooth pulled. Instead of preparing the child for what was to come people lie to them. That doesn't build trust.

Not me. Not my husband. We have always given what other adults think is too much information.

Examples from Kenagyville are as follows:
Dempsey getting a stitch on his forehead. I told him there would be pain. It WILL hurt for a little while and then all better. I explained the needle and suture process. He cried, a little bit. He was prepared. He held so still and took deep breaths. I was impressed!

Sawyer getting his first tooth extracted. I explained what was going to happen. When what I explained actually happened, he was confident and prepared. We built trust.

Dempsey getting his head stapled. Sawyer getting his head glued. Dempsey getting drops in his eye. Sawyer having his hearing tested.

Moral of the story- don't treat children as if they are dumb. Equip them with knowledge and prepare them for REALITY. It works. Not only does it work, it also makes the medical pros go "wow... I've never had a kid this calm..." :-)

WACC VBS

Here are some memories from this week at VBS @ WACC.

Water

"The water keeps coming out."

This is how Dempsey says "tears".

Chivalry

Our family was blessed by attending Adventure Week at Grace EV Free in La Mirada two weeks ago. What a blast! Dinner as a family each night, both boys were learning Scripture in fun and creative ways, the music was original and amazing, AND the parents got to enjoy each others company on the patio- complete with the Parent Cafe (sweet treats and coffee).

Each night Sawyer would go line up with his team (Zebra Galaxies) and I would walk Dempsey to his section where his team (Black Jets) would gather on a black blanket. Super awesome to watch my kids make new friends and have these awesome experiences. There was music, art, games, lessons... Incredible.

On the fourth night, Dempsey's class made telescopes out of paper towel rolls. Super cute to see the kiddos with them and the boys using them as weapons, of course.

Well, while Dempsey was playing with two other boys, a girl their age came over to the action. Dempsey immediately put his "weapon" down, touched the girl's shoulder as if to guide her away from harm, all while putting himself between her and the action/ danger.

My heart just melted.

I didn't tell him to do that. No one told him to do that. That is just HOW HE IS. I made sure to praise him up and down for that in the hopes that he would always view girls/ ladies that way. Not because they can't handle themselves, but because they are valuable and worth protecting!

You fuhgot dees Mom!

Dempsey comes over to me and proclaims, "You fuhgot dees, Mom!"

As I turn to look, he shows me his two tiny fists full of my NeoLife supplements I left on the counter. 

This boy is super thoughtful and totally concerned about me being without things he is used to seeing me with.

It is so fun to watch him grow. He likes certain things to be orderly and is eager to help when asked. When he does things like this, of his own accord, it just melts my heart. Such a good helper. He loves helping! I pray that he never loses that trait.

Lord, thank you so much for Dempsey. The amazing little package that he is just get more and more fun to unwrap. Please provide the wisdom and endurance that is required to raise him. Provide the physical energy and mental focus as well. Bless this child. Captivate and capture his heart soon and hold on tight for his time on this planet. Use him in mighty ways. I pray over his future. That there will be a beautiful lady crafted by you to be his perfect life partner. I pray for her heart to be aligned with your will and her character to be willing to grow with my boy. Amen