A discovery

I learned something new about myself today.

And it all came about with Allison teaching Braden how to tie his shoes. This is our 4th child who is six years old. Why I never picked up on this before is a mystery to me.

Braden learned how to tie his shoes in a lickety-split! His smiles and eagerness to show me his new learned habit was written all over his face.

Right away I noticed that he tied his shoes differently than I do. I proceeded to show him how I do it. He said that he knows how and he doesn't need to learn my way.

I then asked Allison to show me how she ties her shoes. Again, different than the way I do things. She had taught her brother her way and I was certain this was the wrong way!

"Well, I've been tying my shoes like this for years, and I'm not changing!" she replied emphatically.

Then I called for big sister to come and show me her way of tying shoes. She had been busy with baking some new oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for home ec. She tied her shoes the same way. What's going on?

Allison then told me Zach's story:

"Mom, you spent 'hours' on the kitchen floor trying to teach Zach how to tie his shoes and he just didn't get it. He said he couldn't learn. It was too hard. Then one day Zach and I (Allison) were out by the swings. I showed him how it's done, and he 'learned' instantly. He said it wasn't hard at all."

Today I discovered that I am left handed in tying shoes and teaching the children my way was too difficult for them because they are right handed. I am still amazed at my discovery. Amazed it took me this long to learn it. And amazed how fast the boys learned to tie shoes with Allison as their teacher. How thankful I am for each one of my children!

We have had a fantastic week. School went smoothly. The girls were really into getting on schedule with their lessons. They had been looking at the big picture instead of doing a little at a time. Looking at all their catch up work slowed them down and they would get to the end of the day and wonder what they accomplished at day's end.

They both got a tremendous amount of homework done. Not having to can really helped out.

Plus we started a new incentive. And that is walking with friends. We go thrice a week as a boost to get them to have their homework done by 3:00. It is the best thing we could have done. Once a couple of them had to stay home, because they didn't get their homework finished. Oh, it was hard for this Mom to leave them behind. And they were 'mad'. But how would they learn if I didn't keep my word?

There is no way they will poke around and stay behind again. Not when walking or roller blading is on the agenda.

We had an awesome week and we moms walked 3 miles while the girls walked 4 miles. What a great way to get in gear and be motivated! I love it! I've wanted to do this since we've moved here. And finally it is coming to pass.

This excercise along with the fellowship has boosted my spirits! Thank you, Lord for such a wonderful week.

Also, we sang for one of our friends last Sunday night. He was on his deathbed. He may not even have known we were there. But I like to believe that he heard us. Perhaps he thought it was angels singing. At least his wife appreciated the visit. We are extremely thankful we didn't procrastinate. He passed away on Tuesday. A good lesson is "Don't put off tomorrow what you know you should do today."