Learning Love, Humility, and Compassion From a 3 Year Old

Being a SAHM is hard, trying, exhaustive work. I am constantly running around wiping hands and faces, washing dishes, cooking (I have probably cooked more in the last 6 months than I have in the past 6 years combined!), cleaning, putting kids in and out of booster seats, high chairs and car seats. I have chased them, tickled them, played with them, disciplined them, and snuggled them. There are days I long for working, not because I actually want to work, but just so I will not be solely responsible for these two kids and their never-ending needs. But I would be missing SO MUCH if I went back to work.

I have been reminded recently about what incredible kids I have. They are sweet, kind, and loving. By no means are they perfect, but they are good kids. Today I want to focus on Christian. I want to have this written down so I don't forget how amazing he is at this age.

Not every parent can boast having a truly compassionate toddler. I used to think his genuine goodness had to do with some kind of good parenting I was doing. He shares well! He doesn't fight or kick or hit! I must be doing something right!

Ha.

He came this way. It is becoming more and more apparent that I have taught him nothing; the goodness and love he shares are his gifts. I remember in his baby blessing the word "joy" being used again and again. In fact here's an excerpt from part of the blessing I jotted down:

"Christian, you will be joyful on the earth and your smile will bring joy to all those around you....you are blessed with the personality of a peacemaker and will want others to have peace as you have peace..." 

Like I said, he came this way! As he is getting older I find myself in awe of him. I feel like I should start taking notes because I can pretty much guarantee that he is going to teach me more than I ever could him. Here are a few things he has done recently that I want to remember:

-He accidentally smashed Leila's fingers. Instead of running away because he thought he would be in trouble, he ran to her, sat down, pulled her into his lap and held her as she screamed until I could get there. 

-He loves to help me get dressed, and especially to help me put on my shoes. He will ask me if I want shoes or sandals, run and get them and then kneel down in front of me so he can help me put them on. 

-He is fiercely loyal to his friends and sister and will defend, help, and protect them however he is able.

-The last example actually comes from a sweet woman in our ward. Christian is still in nursery and he is by far the biggest in there. There are 3-4 kids who turned 3 toward the beginning of the year and so they kind of group together because the rest of the group are the "babies" (aka the younger nursery kids). On Sunday this older group of nursery kids came into Primary for sharing time. They had them come to the front of the room so we could sing a welcome song. Since I play the piano for Primary, I didn't see what transpired, but I am grateful that Melanie relayed the story for me.

 "I have to tell you about your sweet Christian, yesterday during the Hello song. Not sure you could see from behind the piano what I saw. So they stood up there, SO cute, and Gwen and Aaron were noticeably nervous. Bodies shaking and eyes wide open. Christian sensed this and put himself in the middle and wrapped his arms around both and squeezed! He held them for the entire song and immediately took away their fear. It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen! He melted my heart...You've got a very special little boy."

When I read this I actually cried! Christian will never be the stereotypical boy. He doesn't usually run and shout or play in the dirt or take things apart. He doesn't fight or climb like crazy. But that's okay! What he will bring to the world will be an even greater blessing. He reminds me so much of his Daddy. Jared is the nicest person I have ever known, and I have a feeling that Christian will be following in his footsteps. I must have done something right to deserve him. I love you Christian Douglas!