It's how you get up!

"I've never had a child score 100% in every subject... I just wish he'd take MORE risks"
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"He's Crazy! But crazy GOOD! He needs to slow down and take his time"

"I'm so glad she's in my class this year!!! She likes to help out in the class and loves to read!"

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We were so please to hear the teachers comments on each of our kids. Living here for over 2 1/2 months I'd say the kids have adjusting JUST FINE to all the changes. New School. New Teachers. New Home. New Location. In fact, they were all selected to TEST for the Gifted Education Program offered at their school. Yeah!

Sept 2002

I snapped this photo of Morgan on his first day of school (Montessori Laboratory School in Chesapeake, Va). "C'mon Mommy, let's go to school now" as he motioned for me to follow him into the classroom. His smile was forced here as I'm sure he was anxiously figuring out that he was staying there without me. He cried and reached for my hand... and I cried as I walked away. THAT WAS HARD! I couldn't wait to pick him up 4 hours later!

Sept 2003 -

One year later... Ryan also cried on his first day of school... but he was fortunate enough to have his big brother with him to help him transition to Montessori Life!

Sept 2004 -

Yes, Daniella also cried when I dropped her off on her 1st day of preschool. By then I was used to the drama and couldn't figure out why each one of my kids cried on their 1st day. Amazingly when we switched over to "morning car drop off's"... she confidently walked away from ME. I'm sure it has to do with her leaving me and not being left! Of course, when she didn't even look back at me in the van... I drove away with tear filled eyes!

... first time for all 3 in school! WOW!

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FLASH FORWARD and here we are... 5 - 7 years later from the kids first days of school... Where did the time go?

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As we sat down with Mo's 5th grade teacher - she is amazed by how well he is doing and scoring 95 - 100% in all subjects. Then she said, "... but I just wish he would take more risks and speak up and step up as a LEADER in the class".

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Then she said (which surprised me) "I bet you don't let your son climb trees". Coincidently, just that morning Morgan was climbing the tree in our front yard and all I kept saying was, "Morgan get down, you might fall!" Then she points at me and says, "I feel like I can talk to you like a sister... YOU'RE HOLDING HIM BACK. You have to let him go... let him FALL... allow him to take risks - because when you do that he will be MORE CONFIDENT!"

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What? Let my baby fall? But my job is to keep him safe, right? But what she's saying makes sense to me, too. Are my words of protection holding him back? Am I sending him a message saying, "I don't believe you can do this, so just get down!"

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She drew a pyramid on a piece of paper and circled the top and said, "This is 10% of what we teach our kids... the bottom 90% is learned by "doing"... research, hands on, standing up front... being allowed to FAIL and learn from experimenting!"

BE A LEADER TODAY is what Dale tells the kids every morning. As they look out into the world... I want them to know that they can do ANYTHING if they just BELIEVE! They have to GET IN THE GAME... and TAKE THAT SHOT if they ever want to score!

We have 4 amazing kids... and they are all so different! And I LOVE THAT about them! Everyone wants to be heard and have a say... and the one that seems to always quietly observe is my MO! He never rushes into anything... even when he was young. Quick example... when I would take the boys to the play area in the mall - even before we could get there and find a place to put the stroller... Ryan's shoes and socks are off and full speed ahead! He's quickly playing with all the other kids... while Mo stood right by my side and waited and observed everything around him until I would say, GO PLAY! Sometimes I'd even have to push him to go...

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Morgan still talks about our summer in Michigan at FAMILY CAMP at Camp Au Sable. My parents came with us to help watch Mia who was only 5 months old. As I looked back at some of the pictures... they are very telling! There is confidence in my boy! Look at the picture below... BIG SMILE, in the center, confidently standing with his arms out - and this was an impromptu picture taken of the kids with my parents!

He loved his woodworking class where he got to spend time with PopPop and build a step stool, which is wide enough for him that he does his homework on it. He is so proud of that stool and the fact that he helped make it!! ... hmmm, hands on and doing...

The Zip Line and the Swing and Climbing Wall were all HIGH RISK adventures. But it also builds confidence and trust! Even though you have a helmet and ropes to hold you... the climb up is pretty scary... look how high it is! Again... doing, learning... building confidence!!!!

We are literally HALF WAY done raising our boy! He is 10 years old. He will be an adult before we know it! Half way! Dale says that by the time we leave Guam - Morgan may be just as tall or taller than him!

There are benches along the nature boardwalk around the lake at Camp Au Sable. Each bench has a bible verse engraved... Here my boys are reading, "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON". Can you imagine having to GIVE up your child? It reminds me of a story of a mom's decision during the Tsunami a few years ago. The story/interview told: Water was everywhere and she was clinging tightly to her two sons. She couldn't hold much longer to both of them and had to make a quick decision of who to let go. My heart feels ripped just thinking if that were me having to make that decision... she decided to hold on to the younger son hoping & praying that the older son would somehow survive. She and her youngest son survived. She mourned the loss of the one she let go... 2 weeks later they were all miraculously reunited. HE SURVIVED, held onto a floating door, alone. For God So Loved the World... man, as a mommy now - that verse holds so much meaning! God's love is so amazing!

Let him take risks.... Let him fail so he can learn from his mistakes... This picture of the kids on the boardwalk is one of my favorites at Camp. Hmmm... and look who's walking confidently in the front. LEADING. That's my growing boy... my man child! (Ryan is on the left, my god-daughter Sabrina is in the center & Dani is on the right)

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After a full week of campfires, daily worship & praise, woodworking, learning archery, fun canoe trips, exploring & the excitement of HIGH ADVENTURE. Confidence was built without even trying... all because it was hands-on learning. Morgan's teacher had the guts to tell me how it is... to CUT THE CORD and reminded me that it's okay to let him FAIL. Let him fall!

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... afterall, it's not HOW you fall... but HOW you find the strength to GET UP and try again!

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Thank you Mrs. Santos for that reminder! I so needed that!