I was walking my 10 year-old daughter to school. We get almost to the school and I say, “Let me know when you are ready and you can walk the rest of the way by yourself.”

“Mom, I’ve been ready since we left our house.”

Seeing the twinge of hurt, she comforted me saying, “I only meant that I am old enough to walk by myself. I don’t mind walking with you.” Taking my hand she walks with me to the corner where I wave her off to school.

I still remember the day we moved into this house when she was in kindergarten. I was crossing the street after parking the car over there out of the way. She saw me and got so excited she starts running right for me – into traffic. I lunge and grab her as a pick up truck screeches to a stop before us.

She hasn’t run into traffic for a few years now. Only about a week left of walking kids to school. Next year her and her brother will be in the same school and they can walk together. And I will wave from the doorway instead.

“Every man should periodically be compelled to listen to opinions which are infuriating to him. To hear nothing but what is pleasing to one is to make a pillow of the mind.”
– St. John Ervine

From John Maxwell’s newsletter.

I find it fasinating hearing other people’s take on things. I prefer listening more than talking. As they say – I already know what I know and think. It troubles me when people become so hard nosed about their own opinion that they no longer can listen to the knowledge of others. Let’s all listen today, especially to someone who has a vastly different opinion than our own.

Went to visit my Mom and Grandma for Mother’s Day weekend. I really enjoyed a shopping and chatting time with my sister. My Mom was planning on cooking a pot roast at Grandma’s request. But, she ended up with the flu, so Dad and I cooked it. Not the best meal any of us have had before. Neither one of us ever cooked pot roast before 🙂

“Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do
every day what should be done, and every sunset will see
you that much nearer the goal.”
— Elbert Hubbard

The newest newsletter is up on relationships:

http://www.encouragingcoach.com/newsletter-April05send.htm

~Monday was biking and spring cleaning

~Tuesday we visited my grandparents a couple of states over

~Wednesday we went to the park and the nature preserve. We have been trying to teach the kids that the quieter they are and the slower they walk, the more we see. We were able to see a snake, birds, squirrels playing around the trees, frogs attempting to hide, turtles sunning themselves on logs and even a deer. My daughter says she wishes we all lived outside. We found a vine that the kids were able to swing on (after Dad made sure it was safe).

~Thursday the kids had a day with Dad

~Friday and Saturday we spent at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. We all relaxed and had fun playing at the indoor water park. And the hot tubs. The atmosphere was perfect for this nature loving family.

The sun shone and it was the warmest it’s been in five months – 68 degrees F. You couldn’t keep me inside if you tried! My Kid’s Hope kid and I did the walk program at school. The kids walk around the building for sticks, punches and shoelaces. I love to see programs that get the kids moving.

After the kids got home from school we went to the park. I played for a bit and read in the sunshine. My daughter was giving me lots of hugs and my son was giving me jellybeans. They both are generous souls. The time at the park wasn’t enough, so they went bike riding while I cooked dinner. They were fast asleep by 8:30 they wore themselves out so much.

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This week I have been putting my top 3 business to do’s and top 3 personal to do’s on a post it note on the computer so I can keep aware of my priorities. Seeing the smaller list, while knowing the big list is in Outlook, keeps me more relaxed I think.

Easter was a lovely weekend. The kids sang for Easter Sunday service. I was able to join in singing the Hallelujah Chorus. With my other church responsibilities I don’t get to sing in the choir at the moment. I really miss it. Soon, I hope to be able to join again. I was so thankful for the chance to sing in the choir today.

Easter dinner was at my in-laws. And the kids hunted out in their back yard for eggs.

I had the best time yesterday. Kid’s Hope had a skating party with all the kids and mentors. I put on skates for the first time in years and I was never all that great to begin with. I was good enough to teach my mentee how to skate. By the end he had enough confidence to try the races.

His hope and enthusiasm is contagious. He got a head start and still lost, but got a free pop for being last. So he was beaming.

What can you try today?

My Grandpa came to visit . He’s 82 and still works repairing auto bodies. When Grandma got in a car accident he bought a beat up Mercury and fixed it back up for a new car. I plan on staying young like my Grandparents for a long time.

Monday was a snow day. No school due to a snow storm. Lots of blowing snow. So we stayed indoors with our hot cocoa. The kids and I finished our baking day. We made a gingerbread house for the first time:

We also finished up the cookies, played a game, watched a movie and did some things on the computer.