CONVERSATIONS

     The other day, we met a little boy name Cole in McDonald's. When I sat down Jayden and Cole had already decided it would be great if they were brothers. This bright eyed, red headed little boy. was eating his Blizzard and enlightening us about girls. He said that girls don't sweat, they glow. Their eyes look like diamonds and their faces glow. He had such great wisdom and advice about girls, that involved their heads that are full of clothes and shoes, that Chloe and I just kept looking at each other trying not to laugh.  He had just turned 7 and I could just see him on "Kids say the Darndest Things".

I was going over "Stranger Danger" with the children and telling them what to do in several different types of scenarios. Chloe chimes in adamantly with, "If someone tries to hurt me I will beat them til their guts!!" I am not sure if she realized that she said an incomplete sentence or not, but she felt like she said enough.  I am constantly on the look out for threats and trying to teach them to not be scared but to be aware. I pray that the situation never arises, but if it does, they are prepared. I love the confidence they have. They have been my confidence when I am not sure where to turn. They are always so gracious and loving (and little pistols) when my head is still spinning.

Jayden was talking to me about his first game. The game was cancelled because of weather and then it was rescheduled to Sunday at noon. We were unable attend because we attend church so Jayden was giving me the scoop on why they lost. He said, "I am a very fast runner and am great at baseball (this is his first year playing). If I would have been there we would have won." Oh yeah? I asked. "Yes." How do you figure that? "I'm like Babe Ruth mom." Of course I looked at him in shock. How does he know about Babe Ruth and what makes him think he is BR? "Uh Babe Ruth mom....Hello?!" I just laughed out right. I LOVE it when my kids tell me about their dreams and how they see themselves. I am so glad that he hasn't been put down by people and squelch his aspirations. I want them to dream big and reach for the stars more than anything. I feel like I am doing something right when they have a positive outlook on themselves and the world and do not apologize for living.

     I love to listen to my kids talk. Sometimes their imaginations amaze me. They can be brutally honest and harsh sometimes, but they have no ulterior motives.They are so innocent and have such pure hearts. I pray I can teach them to tell the truth with grace and tact. To never try to hurt someone else in order to look better to others. To love with no conditions and to always prefer others over themselves. To me, one of the most important things is to not retaliate when someone hurts you. It hurts my heart to see another child push one of their friends or speak harshly to them, so much more with adults. The only way we will have balanced adults is to have balanced children. If our children throw temper tantrums and are not disciplined, then they will continue to do so as adults. I love the stuff my children say in their innocence. I pray that innocence continues. The world and the people in it can be so hateful and harsh, but children are what gives us hope for a better tomorrow.