I know I shouldn’t laugh but sometimes I just can’t help it

Our house is in disarray right now as we figure out how to add another person to our house; many of the items from mine and Jim’s bedroom are in the dining room or family room, and there’s a rug for baby boy’s room that is laying in the floor between the family room and dining room.

This afternoon, Molly came running at me full-speed from the family room and tripped over the rug. It never even registered on her radar. She hit the ground so hard and I fully expected a bloody nose or mouth when she looked up. I immediately bent down to scoop her up and held her for a minute, then we sank to the floor and as I held her hair back to look at her face, I asked, “What did you hit?”

Wailing, Molly said, “The floor!”

I tried to hold back the laughter as she continued to cry, but I was relieved she hadn’t broken or bloodied anything {this time} and I realized the ridiculousness of my literal question. So instead, I rephrased and asked, “What hurts?”

She held out her hands. I kissed them both, gave her another hug and finished getting her dinner together.

 

Wow {A lesson on teaching compassion}

One thing I struggle with as a mom is trying to teach Molly how to be compassionate and empathetic. These are top-notch traits that I want her – any and all of my children – to embody. I definitely think she will learn to be kind and compassionate and understanding and empathetic by watching Jim and me and other people exhibit these behaviors, but I also think it can be directly taught. Being a mom really makes me stop and think about every situation, knowing that Molly is watching how I react and will imitate me. If I have the chance to do the right thing, I want to do it and I need to remember that sometimes I have to go out of my way to do the right thing, not just when it’s convenient because I’m already there.

I just read a blog post that I wish I had written and I cannot stop thinking about it. I want to tell Molly exactly what this woman is telling her child, and I want her to know I mean it because of the way we live and treat others and each other.

We don’t send you to school to become the best at anything at all. We already love you as much as we possibly could. You do not have to earn our love or pride and you can’t lose it. That’s done.

We send you to school to practice being brave and kind.

Kind people are brave people. Brave is not a feeling that you should wait for. It is a decision. It is a decision that compassion is more important than fear, than fitting in, than following the crowd.

I love it. Now go read the rest of her letter.

Birthdays all around!

The Giffin family had a lot to celebrate this weekend!

Our newest nephew Jack was born early Saturday morning – 8 weeks early. We talked to Lindsay and Geoff on Saturday night, and they are over the moon in love. Lindsay is doing well, and Jack is spending time in the NICU while he gets a bit stronger. We are so excited to welcome him to the family!

And Wrigley, our other nephew on Jim’s side of the family, turned ONE today! We couldn’t make the trip to Northern Virginia to celebrate with them, but Jon sent a video of Wrigley eating his cupcake, which was so fun to watch. I didn’t watch it until after Molly went to bed, but I can’t wait to show it to her tomorrow. I know she’ll think it’s hilarious!

Happy birthday, Jack and Wrigley! And happy *birth* days to Lindsay and Alisha. What a special day to commemorate.