Skip to main content

Do they not know?

By
This week's Come Follow Me lesson was about listening to parents. Brendon showed a video of a little girl who wouldn't stay buckled into her carseat--until her grandma explained why it was important to stay seated. To stay safe because I love you.

We asked the girls why it's important to listen to parents. They got stuck on safety for a while but then we mentioned cleaning. I told them we ask them to clean so they can learn now how to keep their house clean.

Kaybree: Yeah cause if you become a grown up and never learn how to clean it would be a disaster!
Eisley: Does _____ not know how to clean?

I know I shouldn't judge others but I died laughing at that. I hope she doesn't go ask that person directly. I explained most adults know how but sometimes struggle to find the time to clean so that's another skill we have to work on while young--finding time to clean.

Both girls bore their testimonies on Sunday. Kaybree wrote her testimony down on a piece of paper. It was a thought-out story about a time she woke up with bad dreams and came into my bed and after we said a prayer together she was able to go to sleep. As soon as it was time to bear testimonies she practically ran up to the microphone with her paper in hand.

Eisley wanted to bear her testimony but was unsure at first. As Kaybree was gearing up to go Eisley decided she would bear her testimony in primary. I told her she might not have a chance. So as soon as Kaybree sat down she hopped right up, said a couple sentences she had practice and then came back down.

Another friend also got up and bore the same testimony. I had bad dreams. I prayed and asked for help. My prayers were answered.

A simple testimony from the mouth of 3 witnesses. Sweet, sweet girls.

Later that night J came home smelling like cigarette smoke. He admitted he smoked before and after work. He doesn't know why. He just did it. And it made me think back to Eisley's question, does he not know?

Does he not know I can't allow those chemicals into my home? Does he not know he's hurting himself? Does he not know a simple, stupid choice like smoking could lead to him being homeless so, so soon?

He turns 18 in 19 days. Then it will be legal for him to smoke but I'm dead set on not allowing that in my home. I don't want those chemicals around my kids for them to breathe it in second hand. I also don't want it to linger in that bedroom once he moves on. Part of me thinks that would be such a stupid reason to have him leave our home but he DOES know. He knows what we've asked of him. He knows it's not OK. He KNOWS what is good for him.

I don't know how to help him.

I do know I'm slightly overreacting right now. It was one cigarette last night. He may never do it again. I just wish he KNEW what he wanted out of life.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My biggest challenge

By
I’m a writer by trade. I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I love to put my feelings into words. Yet, in the last month, I’ve been having a very difficult time vocalizing what’s happening in my life. It’s not because it’s been sad or difficult or anything like that. It’s mostly because there is someone new in my life who I care very deeply for who I feel this deep need to protect. I want to protect his identity, his story, his life. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries or crush any trust. I recognize the life he has lived has not been easy and so I tread lightly on this relationship we’ve built. But honestly—it’s a fantastic relationship. He’s an amazing kid. I’ve been asked to write a blog post for an organization that helps recruit foster parents about the first few weeks of being a foster parent. I’m having difficulty deciding what to write. I feel like anything I write about my case probably won’t apply to their case so it’s not very helpful. I keep writing drafts and then...
Post a Comment
Read more

Summer time

By
This summer is flying by! I've been taking Kaybree to the same sitter every day since 10 weeks old when I went back to work, Shaunelle Eyestone. You are their 5th kid. But with four kids of her own home all summer and a new baby coming along Shaunelle asked to go to part time this summer. Luckily we have awesome family near by willing to help me out and watch you girls! Grandma Bonnie has been taking you two days a week and says it's the best part of her week. She loves it! She's a substitute teacher during the school year so she has the summer off. She's so sweet to watch you both for free. It's also giving you a chance to get to know John better as Bonnie asks him to help out each day. He's learning more about babies and you're opening up to him more. It's sweet to see. Fridays Aunt Brittany takes the two of you for free. Her kids basically just spoil you both all day. They argue over whose turn it is to hold Eisley and Kaybree basically becomes th...
Post a Comment
Read more

I feel stupid

By
“I don’t feel cared for.” “I feel stupid.” Those are two things I never wanted to hear my kids say but you said both to me this weekend. I had just started the shower and went out into the hallway to search for a clean towel and there you were, in the dark, slumped against the side of the hallway with your head in between your knees. You weren’t crying yet but it was clear things were not OK. I assumed it was another fight with your sister, and maybe it was at first, but when I asked what was wrong that was the response I got. I went back into my bathroom and turned off the water. This would take an extra long hug. I pulled you into my arms and told you I feel stupid all the time. We’re all learning every day and it’s OK. It’s more true for me than I would like to admit. My job right now is hard and there seems to be at least one day each week when I feel like I can’t do anything right. I hate that feeling. I hate even more that my sweet girl is feeling it. So how do we move...
Post a Comment
Read more