Better From Me

As yesterday's horrifying news was constantly berating us, I wondered how much was getting through to my kids. I made a point to keep the TV off, but after "muting" the radio for the 100th time my intuitive 7yo son asked, "Mom, why do you keep turning down the radio?" I swallowed hard and debated on how to answer. I wanted to be truthful, but I wasn't sure exactly what to say.

"They're talking about something that I don't think you should hear about right now."

Of course, this led to a barrage of questions, and now his sister's curiosity was peaked too. I thought then that it would be much better to hear from me what had happened, then to get it from another child or adult, or heaven forbid--from the media.

With carefully chosen words, I explained that a young man with evil in his heart shot and killed some kids in a state far away. This young man also killed some teachers and himself. I kept it to a bare minimum, and avoided any extra adjectives or details.

My childrens' responses are so very telling of their personalities:

The Little Man: "Well, it will be okay, because God will bring them back to life."
Mini Maven: "Well, if anybody tries to do that to us, we'll punch him in the face!"

After telling my daughter that sticking around to punch someone who has a loaded weapon isn't the wisest of choices, I explained to them that if they have fears or worries over what happened (or if they want to talk at all about this) that they need to do that with Mom or Dad only. I helped them understand that a lot of kids don't know what happened and it might be scary to hear. Of course, I also reminded them that I protect them, and they are surrounded by people that love them very much.

My heart aches for the moms in Newtown. I grieve the hero teachers and staff that put their students' lives above their own. My parents are teachers. My friends are teachers. Those kids are the same age as mine. Lord, come quickly.

Talk to your kids. Tell them you love them. Most importantly, tell them how Jesus loves them. I say over and over, if it is the only thing I accomplish as a mother--that my children KNOW that Jesus loves them--I have succeeded. If Jesus is filling their hearts--then evil cannot.

2012 In Review

When I logged onto facebook today there was a link to review my highlights from 2012. I'm not really sure how they determine which posts were the most interesting, but I decided to do my own.

First visit to dentist

First day of re-starting homeschooling

Library Days

Annual shaving cream slide

Bangs!

Emergency room visit

No more training wheels

Buena Vista

Farmers' Markets

14th Anniversary

Betsy

Camping & fishing

Knitting

First day of school (pre-K and 2nd grade)

First mini golf

Thanksgiving

First teeth

With Christmas still to come!

Day Off

I'm taking the day off. Mom's don't get days off, but I'm rejecting that notion today. I'm not sick (though, I'm fighting a headache and general tired/not feeling so great). I just want a day off.

Here's how a day off works for momma:

1. MY schedule. Most of my days revolve around the schedules of others. Today--we eat when I want to eat, get dressed when I want to get dressed, work when I want to work, and so on. Don't like it? Find your own food. My kids are thankfully now old enough to feed themselves.

2. FREE from worry/guilt/pressure to perform. Most days I do everything because I should. Because it's good for me/us/the world. Not always because I want to. (Before you get all holy-than-thou, I do take joy in my work, but we all need a break sometimes.) Guess what--today, it's only if I want to. Workout? If and when I feel like it. Eat something not-so-perfectly healthy? Yeah, maybe. I'm giving myself permission to do whatever, whenever, and not think twice about it.

3. DO something I don't usually get to do. Or several somethings, if I choose to. I'm going to hang out with some girlfriends today at my favorite restaurant. I'd really like to start a couple knitting projects and get lights on the tree. We'll see.

 Basically, there is no to-do list today. There is no schedule. I'm going to hang out with my kids, without hurrying.

 In other news: I really love Food Network. It may be all I do today.