* I got an email from a friend at church the other day:
"I want to share an experience that I had yesterday on the field trip with the second graders to see "Charlotte's Web". When I arrived to go on the field trip, Mrs. Doyle told the children that I was leaving this weekend for a deployment. Then, while we were walking around the State Capitol (we arrived early for the play), Ava, Tavita, and a few other children were walking with me when out of the blue Ava said, "My family and I will pray for you to be safe." I almost cried.
Thank you for the wonderful example of your daughter. It means a lot to me that your family prays for all of our military members LDS and non-LDS alike, and for their safety. I can tell that your family has a strong spirit about them. Thank you again and I feel so blessed to have had this experience."
When I received this, I cried. (I can count on about 2 fingers how many times I cry a year). What a wonderful girl I have. I have always known she was sweet, but she is really thoughtful too. She cares about other people. She really does pray for our military. We love and respect them. We love our country, and we are so grateful for those who sacrifice so much to keep us safe. Just when I thought I couldn't love Ava anymore than I already do (which is to infinity and beyond), she goes and does something like this, and my little heart just swells.
* Edyn ran for Student Council last year when she was in 3rd grade. She was chosen by her teacher to run because she's a wonderful student. She put her heart and soul into the election. We made posters, and book marks and she gave a speech in front of the whole school.
She lost. It was heartbreaking for her. And for me. Of course we knew it was a possibility. She was running against 3 other kids. But still. . . . . It sucked. So when she came home from school a while back and told me she was running for VP, I of course said "Good!"
I don't ever want my kids to give up. If you want something, you gotta go get it. So she campaigned again this year. She knew there was a possibility of losing again, but she did it anyway. Because she's a fighter. And she's awesome.
Weeeeellllllllll, guess what? Today, she found out she won. I cried (This is obviously becoming a pattern). And it wasn't because she won, although that was great. I cried because my girl could have easily given up. She could have let last year's loss get her down. She could have said, "I don't want to go through losing again, so I'll just sit this one out." But she didn't. She fought. And she fought hard. She picked herself up, dusted herself off, and went for it again.
Sometimes in life we win . . . and that's great. . . . . but sometimes we lose, and you know what? I think it's what we do with our losses that helps to build character. I've got a 10 year old girl who has more integrity, drive, and conviction than I could ever dream of having. If you want something bad enough . . . Go for it. If it doesn't work out the way you want . . . then keep on going for it until it does. She has figured that out at such a young age. Again . . . . my heart swells.
*We're still working on Lila. She didn't get any naughty slips home from preschool this week, so there is hope.
