When you work at a small Christian school, you are often asked to wear many hats. One of the hats I get this year is the duty of crosswalk. Believe it or not, it has been the most pleasant experience (as far as extra duties go) that I have ever had. Its fun to me to watch the little preschoolers skip their way across the pathway to their class because they are so excited to see their friends and play outside. I love seeing my high school students that I don't get to have in class this year and catch up with them for a moment or two. But most of all, I love the little conversations I get to overhear. Yesterday, I was standing there when a young dad walked towards me with his two young children. I did not hear the whole conversation, but one of the little ones asked the dad a question that apparently he did not know the answer to. His response has stuck with me ever since. "Wow, honey, I do not know the answer to that. But you know what, we will go home and do some searching and we will find the answer." Here comes the best part...."You know, sometimes you have to take a little journey to find the answer." I love that. Right there, in the parking lot, on the way to school, this dad was parenting...imparting life lessons. He was being intentional. Sometimes we get so caught up in life's business and we forget that everyday there are opportunities to teach wisdom. We just have to look for them.
Sometimes I worry (shocker, I know). Sometimes I worry that I am doing this parenting thing all wrong. Did I feed him the wrong baby food? Should I have let him go to school with that runny nose? How much spit up is too much? (yes, I have googled that...don't laugh...when you become a parent you will google it too). I need not worry. I need to be intentional. When I am singing my little man to sleep, choose a hymn. When I am reading him a story...make it one with a lesson. When I am rocking him at night, take a moment and pray over him. Lack of time should not mean lack of purposeful parenting.
On a lighter note....I wanted to blog some cute things about little man before I forget. His latest nicknames list
1. Joely Poley
2. Joelie Olie Olie Oh
3. Joely man
4. Joely pants
5. Joely Bear
6. Joelius Polius (his teachers call him this and it is so cute)
Things Joel does that are too cute for words
1. Sucks in his bottom lip...oh my...so adorable
2. Eats pears and prune (prunes are a no go...hates them. Pears however are the magic poop-inducing food).
3. Rolls everywhere
4. Reaches out to touch your face when you talk to him (melts me like butter)
5. Splashes in the tub
6. Open mouth kisses you on the cheek
7. Eats his toes
8. Smiles when I pick him up at school (oh my...best thing ever).
9, Sleeps in his big boy bed (most times without yelling...but not always :)
10. Is the sweetest little blessing of my life!!!
Until we meet again!!
XOXO,
Amy
