And I like them too

Today was one of those days where I was able to step back and look at each of my children and not only reaffirm my unconditional love for them but realize that I like them too.

I look at how they are developing into their own people, and instead of constantly trying to be in control of their every move, I am learning that by stepping back and allowing them to make their own decisions and learn the consequences, good and bad, of those decisions is really what it is all about.

Emma is the kind of kid who will do whatever it takes to keep the peace, make you happy, and make you laugh.  She is a very bright kid who has such a thirst for knowledge.  She wants to know everything there is to know about everything. (mostly puppies:)  She loves to sing.  She is excited about learning to read.  The key with Emma is that once she has the confidence in herself that she can do something, consider it done.  I think back to Christmas when she sang at the 11pm service.  After much practicing and reassurance that she could do that she pulled it off beautifully.  She is the kind of kid who needs constant reassurance that whatever she is doing she can do.  My hope for her is that she will learn the skills of self talk and self motivation to get her through tough things that she will encounter.  It took me until late high school and college to have enough confidence in myself, despite the fact that every human being surrounding me had all the confidence in me.  I hope that Emma will be able to learn that at a much earlier age.

Rebecca is one of the most passionate people I know.  Whatever mood she is in she is passionate about.  She can be extremely loving and nurturing to her pretend babies or any other baby within reach.  She can be extremely angry and throw a fit to make any mother stop and say, "Wow! That is impressive!"  She can be extremely determined and decide one day, at the age of three, that she is going to ride a two wheeler bike simply because she has set her mind to it.  As she gets older we are both learning more about how to deal with each other's emotions.  She and I are a lot a like and tend to butt heads because of it.  As frustrating as things have been with her, at times, I have been watching her and looking at her the past week or so and thinking to myself what a really cool kid she is.  I have learned to be a more patient person because of her.  She has taught me that, even when I am at the end of my rope, if I can just talk with her on a somewhat equal level, that she will reciprocate the calming nature.  She is a deceptively smart little girl.  She will not let on that she knows as much as she does and then out of the blue comes out with this obscure fact about something or recite everything that I was working with Emma on for her homework.

I love my kids unconditionally and would lay down my life for them in a heartbeat.  As my children are approaching the ages of 4 and 6 I am so happy that I am really liking who they are and who they are becoming.  My prayer is and will remain that God will give me the strength, love, compassion, and courage to continue on this wonderful journey with my children as Brian and I help them to discover all that they are and can become.  Thank you God for choosing me to be the mother of Emma and Rebecca.