With summer comes time off and more relaxed days to spend some quality one-on-one time with loved ones. Last week was a week of dates for me. First up was my date with Kirra. She loves Starbucks dates and loves when we go to Chinook because it often means a trip to American Girl. Kirra had saved up some birthday money and had been waiting for this date for awhile; and finally the day came. In fact, she even cut our time at Starbucks short so that we could go home and set up the gymnastics set and play with her dolls. And play with Isabelle and Lea we did! They are talented dolls and picked right up on all the gymnastics moves. I love sitting and playing dolls with Kirra and I often will just stand outside of her room and listen to her play with her dolls. She is so creative and such a little mother with her dolls.
Jaret had been asking me for the longest time, "When are we going to get to go on another date Mom, just you and me?" We picked a hot day and went and had lunch together on the deck at Earl's. It was really hot and so rather than deciding on the pool to cool down, Jaret decided we should spend it indoors where it was air conditioned - Xscape Centre. We had so much fun together. I even went on the Typhoon with him and I won him lots of tickets playing Plinko (arcade style). Jaret had been saving up some tickets on his card and decided to finally spend them on a game because he knew it would be fun to play with Kirra. We hurried home after our date and played a few rounds of the game. Time well spent.
While on my dates with the kids I asked them each some questions, an inventory of types.
What have been some of the best times you have had with Mom this past year?
Jaret: When you helped me on my province research poster and doing homework at Starbucks each week while Kirra was at dance. Also skiing together and having you come and watch me play ball.
Kirra: Going on dates, like Chinook Mall to American Girl and especially our date in Maui watching the sunset.
I guess I need to keep doing dates with the kids as this is something that is meaningful for them.
If you had to give me some advice on how to be a better mom, what would it be and why?
Jaret: Limit me more on playing video games because I probably play too much and then I could play outside more and go on more dates with you. Why are you asking me these things? You are already a good mom. (Awe, he melts my heart!)
Kirra: All of us need to work on controlling our temper like in the sermon at church. Sometimes you could have more patience with us like when Jaret and I aren't listening and we are fooling around and not going to bed. (Teehee - I think one day she will look back on this one and realize what she said.)
If you and I could sit down and talk about anything, what would it be?
Jaret: We already talk about lots. I feel like I can come and talk to you about lots of things. (So grateful for this and I hope that he can continue to be open with me for years to come)
Kirra: About all the things I love about you. (Awe, now Kirra is melting my heart.)
What are some things that are making you anxious or worried right now so that I can be praying for you?
I will keep Jaret's private.
Kirra: I really miss Ayden lots. And I am worried about Grandma and her skin cancer.
What's something you would like to do with mom?
Jaret: Go on more dates together.
Kirra: Go to Paris together.
Hmmm...I wonder which one is a little more practical?
How can I help you grow in your love for God and in your ability to serve and live faithfully for Him?
Jaret: Make sure we keep going to church as a family and read the Bible together more.
Kirra: Well, we already go to church and I like doing that as a family. Read the Bible together more.
What has been the best thing I've done (or that we've done together as a family) this last year that has helped you most in your understanding of God and His love for you?
Jaret: Going to church and seeing the baptisms and then talking about what taking that step is about and praying about baptism for me.
Kirra: When you ask me about what some of the Christian songs mean that we sing together in the car and talk about them.
What would you say has been the biggest area of growth for you in the past year?
Jaret: Handling homework better when Mom helped me and maybe I learned to speed up in some of my work.
Kirra: I have learned to do math better and science, even though I don't like it as much.
What have you learned about God/Christ/faith this last year that has blessed you?
Jaret: I learned about my identity in Christ. I am made in His image.
Kirra: That God protects us always. God is the Lion (King) and the Lamb (He died on the cross). I learned that my identity comes from Christ and that we are all different.
If you could grow in any area in the next twelve months, where would you want it to be?
Jaret: To be quicker at doing LA and learn to be better at decision making like to put more stuff aside and not worry about it. I think the problem is that I like to be organized and I like to do it perfect the first time.
Jaret is really growing up and starting to better understand his strengths and his challenges and how he can improve in various areas. Part of me loves seeing this more independent and responsible boy and part of me misses that he isn't a little boy anymore.
Kirra: I want to get better at reading and reading even more.
What do you think mom is most passionate about?
Jaret: Responsible with doing your best at work. Spending time with Kirra and me and doing special things with us and for us.
Kirra: In your work you show love to all the kids at school. At home, you help us with lots of jobs and belong us to be responsible.
What have been some of the best times you have had with Mom this past year?
Jaret: When you helped me on my province research poster and doing homework at Starbucks each week while Kirra was at dance. Also skiing together and having you come and watch me play ball.
Kirra: Going on dates, like Chinook Mall to American Girl and especially our date in Maui watching the sunset.
I guess I need to keep doing dates with the kids as this is something that is meaningful for them.
If you had to give me some advice on how to be a better mom, what would it be and why?
Jaret: Limit me more on playing video games because I probably play too much and then I could play outside more and go on more dates with you. Why are you asking me these things? You are already a good mom. (Awe, he melts my heart!)
Kirra: All of us need to work on controlling our temper like in the sermon at church. Sometimes you could have more patience with us like when Jaret and I aren't listening and we are fooling around and not going to bed. (Teehee - I think one day she will look back on this one and realize what she said.)
If you and I could sit down and talk about anything, what would it be?
Jaret: We already talk about lots. I feel like I can come and talk to you about lots of things. (So grateful for this and I hope that he can continue to be open with me for years to come)
Kirra: About all the things I love about you. (Awe, now Kirra is melting my heart.)
What are some things that are making you anxious or worried right now so that I can be praying for you?
I will keep Jaret's private.
Kirra: I really miss Ayden lots. And I am worried about Grandma and her skin cancer.
What's something you would like to do with mom?
Jaret: Go on more dates together.
Kirra: Go to Paris together.
Hmmm...I wonder which one is a little more practical?
How can I help you grow in your love for God and in your ability to serve and live faithfully for Him?
Jaret: Make sure we keep going to church as a family and read the Bible together more.
Kirra: Well, we already go to church and I like doing that as a family. Read the Bible together more.
What has been the best thing I've done (or that we've done together as a family) this last year that has helped you most in your understanding of God and His love for you?
Jaret: Going to church and seeing the baptisms and then talking about what taking that step is about and praying about baptism for me.
Kirra: When you ask me about what some of the Christian songs mean that we sing together in the car and talk about them.
What would you say has been the biggest area of growth for you in the past year?
Jaret: Handling homework better when Mom helped me and maybe I learned to speed up in some of my work.
Kirra: I have learned to do math better and science, even though I don't like it as much.
What have you learned about God/Christ/faith this last year that has blessed you?
Jaret: I learned about my identity in Christ. I am made in His image.
Kirra: That God protects us always. God is the Lion (King) and the Lamb (He died on the cross). I learned that my identity comes from Christ and that we are all different.
If you could grow in any area in the next twelve months, where would you want it to be?
Jaret: To be quicker at doing LA and learn to be better at decision making like to put more stuff aside and not worry about it. I think the problem is that I like to be organized and I like to do it perfect the first time.
Jaret is really growing up and starting to better understand his strengths and his challenges and how he can improve in various areas. Part of me loves seeing this more independent and responsible boy and part of me misses that he isn't a little boy anymore.
Kirra: I want to get better at reading and reading even more.
What do you think mom is most passionate about?
Jaret: Responsible with doing your best at work. Spending time with Kirra and me and doing special things with us and for us.
Kirra: In your work you show love to all the kids at school. At home, you help us with lots of jobs and belong us to be responsible.
This was such a great conversation to have with the kids as it helped me to understand what areas I need to work on. It also gave me the opportunity to be intentional about getting deeper into their thinking in different areas. In knowing what they are thinking, it helps me to know how I can help them in their growth and development.
I was also able to have a date with Terry. We went out for supper at Milestone's and then to the movie, Dunkirk. It was great to spend time together but we need a redo soon as the date wasn't what we hoped it would be. I was disappointed with my meal and then we were both disappointed with the movie and the customer service at the theatre. So, another date is on the agenda soon.
I am so grateful for the quality time. A true blessing and gift to spend time with those that mean the most to me.
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