Proud Mama (and Daddy)

Our big Kindergartener keeps up on our toes, but most of all she makes us PROUD! Bailee just brought home her 2nd Quarter report card. I know it is Kindergarten, but we are proud that our girl all "E"s and "M"s (they stand for Exceeds and Meets expectations)! Attached was a sweet not from her teacher:
"I enjoy having Bailee in class. She always works hard, listens and is kind and helpful to her peers."
I think that those words are more rewarding as a parent than any straight A report card.
Way to go Bailee, we are proud of you! Keep this up and you are going to be an amazing adult one day.

Sometimes I wonder...

If this has taken over or enhanced our lives...

Sometimes we fill our time with time wasters... and sometimes with time fillers... and sometimes with time enhancers. So what is this?
At times I feel like we have filled our time (the time that has been given to us to become more Christlike and to teach and build our family) with something that is good, but maybe there is something better. For some reason this morning I have been weighing the pros and cons to this thing we do. Probably because 5 Saturdays in a row are being used by this thing not to mention the several week nights and lunch/quiet time breaks.
So what has it taken away from me?

• time with my kids


• time with my family


• time that maybe I could have been helping someone in need.

Ok, that is all I've got... But those are BIG things!

What has it given me?

• Something in common with my husband. This is something that we can do together. A common goal.


• One night a month that Matt and I leave the house together to serve others. We have the opportunity to teach and counsel other leaders that are working directly with young men to improve their lives.


• I have overcome my fear of speaking in public!!! This is HUGE considering I used to cry every time I gave a talk in church...or cry just thinking about giving a talk in church or anywhere else for that matter.


• I have learned how to communicate my thoughts and feelings better with my husband, kids, family, friends...everyone.


• I have learned how to manage conflict, this is so helpful as a mother! I'm not perfect at it, but better.


• I ave made some fabulous life long friends. Friends that are compassionate, selfless, have integrity and most of all they are my friends and Matt's friends. I love that we have friends that we both like equally.


• I have learned and gained a testimony of why Scouting is the activity arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


• I have gained a huge testimony of Callings. I know that our Heavenly Father knows what we need more that we do and how to get us there. I am so thankful to my heavenly Father for planting me in a Calling that has helped me to grow so much.


• I have learned ways to instill values in my children.

I know there is more, but I can't sit here all day...

So I think that I can say with a surety that this thing we do called Scouting definitely has given me more than it has taken away. I have been blessed in so many ways through Scouting and I feel that it has made me a better mother.Thank Goodness the kids love it too.

Funny

Isn't this little man just so adorable? We love this kid so much! He makes us laugh everyday! Yesterday he was not wanting to put some books away because he wanted to keep reading them with us. Matt was encouraging him to do as we asked and suggested that if Owen wanted to read them he could tomorrow with Mom and that he might be able to learn to recognize some letters in the books. (we have been trying to find a way that it will sink in with him...so far no luck.)

This was Owen't reply: "Dad, you have great ideas. I just don't know what you are saying."

Case in point... he hears...things just don't register.

Love that kiddo.