Giving

Like any parent, I have many hopes for my children's lives and how they grow into adults.  I want for them to be patient, kind, and respectful of others.  I hope they feel free to express themselves creatively and explore their curiosity of the world around them.  I hope they are happy and love often.  I hope they are gracious and polite.  I hope they become worldclass atheletes and support Jason and I in our old age (kidding :)  More than anything I just pray they know how loved they are and believe that they can accomplish anything with hard work.  Figuring out how to teach them these things is my challenge and I am embracing it.  I want for my kids to be givers and do so joyfully, so this year for Jason's birthday I had Reegan pick out what she wanted to give him and the plan was to give no guidance and offer no input from myself.  We went to the dollar store so she really could pick whatever it was she wanted to give him and pick out a few things.  She loved it, she walked through the store with her head high, saying "follow me guys".  We walked around the entire store a few times and I only guided her choices one time when she was wanting to buy Jason tampons. 

The next day we wrapped the present together and when Jason came home from work he opened it up.  Or kinda opened it up.  I think Reegan opened most of it and told him exactly what it was before he could even see it.  She was excited. 

At the end of the day, Reegan picked out chapstick, 3 coffee mugs, dishwasher soap, kitchen spongues, and 2 little cars.  I am excited for more opportunities for her to give, not only gifts but time as well.  I'm already starting to think about operation christmas child.  I think I will have her give boxes to little girls her own age and have her help with what items to include.  We are so blessed that we can provide not only her needs but many wants as well and I hope one day she learns that this is not the case in most parts of the world.