Finding Contentment

Just the other day I was telling a friend about my "planner". It is a big ole system I use to try to stay organized. I'll explain it someday. In the meantime, I was telling her that the teacher in me wants to plan teaching Dorothy. Writing down for the month ahead things I want to work on. I can easily set myself up for failure so I am simply just making a list of 5 or 6 things to think about each month or every couple of weeks. I know many people are strongly for or against homeschooling. That is not what I am even what I getting to (my sister in law does it and does it beautifully, by the way). I am talking about how we are our kids first teachers. They learn so much from us whether we mean for them to or not. One of my favorite professors in el. ed. always talked about, "We are always teaching". I just want to be more intentionally about it.

For example. A car in front of us almost caused a wreck and I yelled a "word" and my 11 month old yelled it back. Repeated it. I was teaching her at the moment whether I meant to or not. And when Mike and I raise our voices or yell (yes we do!). She follows suit and raises her voice and yells. We can become so numb to the tone of our communication, but having Dorothy has reminded me of the harsh tones and sarcasm I use ALL the time.

Because of this I have been meditating on James 1:19

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

It has been very humbling and taught us to be mindful of what our words and actions are communicating to her.

So here are some of the goals I am thinking about as she turns one:

• Talking calmly and using only words that I don't mind my own kid saying
• Labeling items, "This is your sock, it goes on your foot"
  
• Model counting in every day activities
• Continue working on walking and other gross motor skills using this book
• Model prayer time
• Talk to her about Jesus and tell her simple bible stories about him

And our look back on D's first year for today!

This is on her quilt from her Great Aunt Jean (whose name is Dorothy Jeanette!) I love the skirt and those socks. Oh my sweet girl... I remember this day so vividly. This was the night we got to see Miss Ruby Laffin for the first time. Ruby was so small and Dorothy was SO big for her age. Now they are pretty close in size. We love you Laffins and Faiths!