family experiences…

…not vacations.  i’ve learned to adjust my language to help my expectations of our time together on trips.  vacation speaks of rest and resfreshment of which i get neither chasing you three around for days on end, not to mention the packing, loading, driving, unloading, unpacking, repacking, reloading, driving, unloading, unpacking and cleaning that takes place during an excursion like the one we just had.

that said, here are a few things i learned from my time with you guys…

1.  you are inclusive, always looking for new friends and interactions with others wherever you are.  you don’t judge or make assumptions about others and even if things get a little crazy with an old or new friend, you’re quick to forgive and move toward them with empathy.

2.  you are so courageous, leaning into new experiences.  your willingness to try new things and succeed, or fail, just to try again and not have it impact your view of self.  you still know and believe that your identity is not wrapped up in what you do or how you perform.  you demonstrate to me perseverance, trust and courage in such a tangible way.

3.  you are so patient, enduring half-day car rides, waiting for mom and dad to clean and/or prepare for the next outing, get a meal happening, or whatever.  my margin gets so thin…my patience wears…i start thinking of only me, my emotion, my stress, my thoughts, and i will just blow up.  i’m so sorry for the emotional explosions that get fired your way at times…

i know you guys are looking to me as a model and knower of all-things wise and wonderful but you see, you are teaching me more than you know.  you’re reminding me every day of my need and desire to become more child-like just like Jesus calls all of us to be…knowing that as i do, i might become a little more inclusive, courageous, trusting, and patient.

thank you for being my teachers…i love you guys.