See

5 Minute Friday.   Writing for 5 minutes with the writing prompt:  See

I can see 4 children strung out across my living room.

The Preschooler is naked from the waste down busy playing his Angry Birds.  Potty training didn't go so well today so we have just resorted to the nakedness.

A nine year old with gangly legs thrown over the couch is trying to play a game on his Kindle.   He sifts through the games with fingers of lightening speed.

A red haired girl lays belly up on a red bean bag.    Sucking her thumb and watching her brother through foggy eyes.   Time for this one to head up to bed.  I am just to tired to get up so I continue to look and see.

I turn to look at the seven year old, curled up on the couch with a book close to his nose.   Turning the pages and stopping every once in awhile to study a picture he likes.

Quietness.   No one is crying or whining or shouting or fighting.   With this rare moment, I can see each of my children more clearly. Capturing it in time, savoring it, and keeping it for later.

Finding his place

It took us all a little time to settle into the desert.  As a mother, I didn't really know what to expect from my children.   I knew it would be stressful to leave our home in Colorado, our friends, and our school.  As I look back, I am still surprised at everyone's different reactions. Especially, my oldest son Gabriel, who is passionate, loving and full of emotion in everything he does.

Things for him started off pretty rocky at school.   The stress of the move came out in the classroom as disruptive behavior.   He had a teacher who didn't understand him or what he was going through and a mom and dad who didn't understand his reactions.   He struggled to find his place.

Weeks went by and negative reports kept coming home from school.   His grades were failing and disruptive classroom behavior continued.

Bryan and I worried.   We tried to help him by coming up with solutions.   We hired tutors.  We worked extra hours with him on homework.   We grounded him and yelled at him to get his act together.  We just knew how smart and capable he was and it was hard to watch him struggle.

Gabriel needed time.  Time to find his own way.  The weeks turned into months and things started to change as Gabriel started to feel comfortable in school.   His grades started improving and he started flourishing in the classroom.  His teacher that used to stop me after school to tell me something negative, started stopping me to say something positive.   I could see the confidence in his eyes return.   It was an amazing transformation.

In the last 6 months, my son has found his place.   He has overcome. He is stronger and better and more confident.

The day his teacher came up to me after school to tell me that Gabriel would be "The Student of the Month", I was shocked.   I cried as I walked my children home from school that day thinking about how far we have all come. 

This was a proud moment.  The day he received his medal.

I thought about my son and how much he is growing.   How this experience made him into a more capable young man.   He courageously persevered above his circumstances and then exceeded those expectations.

Gabriel's teacher said it best during the ceremony.  She said "Gabriel has shown tremendous growth this year academically and personally.   He is such a smart student who makes friends easily."   Both Bryan and I are so very proud of him.

My tendency as a mother is to make everything easy for my children.   I go to great lengths to ensure comfort and ease in their life.   Yet, when I am able to watch them persevere through something difficult, I am reminded what being a parent is all about.  Not just to make everything easy and comfortable, but to help guide, encourage, and love.  Standing by as they figure this world out on their own and make their own place in it.

Thanksgiving

The Dahl Hunting Camp

Spearfish, SD

2013

 Spending time with Great Gramps

4 days of hunting, eating, and enjoying each other.

And, after all the fun.   Some were a little tired.

We had a great time this year!

Tiny Dancer

On this day, my camera captured a tiny dancer.    My little niece with her hair piled high on her head and tiny pink ballet shoes on her feet.   I soaked in every moment under the lights of the dance studio knowing how precious and fleeting these moments are.

Cherishing the gift of time.  To sit next to my sister and watch 7 little girls in their attempt to become graceful dancers.

In their three year old way.

My precious niece intently watches and listens.  Concentrating with all her might to follow instruction.  Quietly disapproving when her fellow dancers may not be able to concentrate with such intensity.

 Gracefully.

  

She watches her teacher with eyes of admiration and love.  Following each footstep.

   

Being able to share this time with her helps me to see the woman she will become.

Looking forward to each part of her life that I get to watch as she grows.    A precious little girl who dreams of dancing one day.

4 years old

 Happy 4th Birthday, Eli!

 

Eli loved his cake.   He spent the afternoon playing with it.    He even played with the little Wiggles after the cake was gone.

We had Eli's birthday party at Grandma's this year.    It was fun to celebrate with everyone!

Family Time

Over the Thanksgiving holiday we spent some much needed time with our families!    We headed back to Wyoming and were able to spent a few days at Grandma's and Pop's before we headed over to Spearfish for Thanksgiving.

Gracies favorite thing at Grandma's house was this little blue chair.   She was so proud of herself when she was able to get up in it and sit down.    It only toppled over a few hundred times.   And, of course it became Addie's favorite toy also!

Gracie also loved playing with Grandma's sea shells.

It was so good to see everyone and spend some time together.   Enjoying each other and hanging out at Grandma's house.

Wind in the pig tales

One of the most amazing things about being a mom of 4 is watching my kids play together. Watching my older kids taking care of the little ones is truly special.   Knowing that my children have each other.  Take care of each other is beyond words.

This was one such afternoon.   The boys were riding their bikes around the cul de sac.   Gracie was running after them frustrated.    That 1 year old frustration when you just can't be as big as the other kids and you try so hard.

So, Owen grabbed her and pulled her up on his bike.   I almost yelled out at him.   "Stop it Owen, that is to dangerous".   I held my tongue and prayed for the best.

I have never seen a happier little girl.

Racing around the cul de sac.  Pig tales flying.   Squealing the entire time.

The faster Owen went the more fun she had.    

What a sweet moment.  One I don't ever want to forget.