Grayson

My boy has come a long way. For so long I wondered if I was doing the right thing for him, if I was disciplining him correctly. His intensity was always being labeled as a genetic hindrance. Advice was always being thrown at me on how to "handle" him. He is so strong willed. He is stubborn. He is energetic and intelligent. He is creative and funny. His anxieties have been a source of grievance for me, but he lives in a space that is more aware than most. He is aware of life's details and experiences, and for that I would never change him. There was never anything "wrong" with him. These are the characteristics of the successful. He is just a little boy making his way, but is only 9 and has his whole life ahead of him. I have had moments with him that no one will ever know, where I saw learning and epiphanies take shape and hold.
He is becoming the sweetest, most well behaved ,creative little boy I know. (except for Marshall, but that is another posting) He is learning to have sympathy and empathy for others. We are teaching him that life is hard and owes you nothing.To be a man of integrity you must hard work and have thankful heart. I finally realized that because I am a good mother and in tune with my children, I needed to listen to my heart. I do know what's best. God knows what's best and my husband knows best. Outside help, whether academic, spiritual, physical or psychological is welcome, but the responsibility is ultimately ours as his parents. He will not be mean, because we aren't. He will be strong because his father is. He will have faith because we demonstrate ours daily. He will fall, make mistakes and mess up royally and we will always be there to  love him and help lead him back to his path. Some day he will have his own path entirely and the only thing we as parents can say is that we did our best to lay the foundation.
We can't save every paper, drawing and grade Grayson comes home with. I always feel guilty when I throw away something he has made, like I'm throwing away of peice of him. But I know that's not true. Some I have put away and some I have hanging about. These are some of my favorites.

 Grayson made this year's ago. So how many kids decide a butterfly has teeth? This is hanging in my office and makes me smile.

This is pretty accurate!

His telling of the day cracks me up. This was last year and he was so nervous about being on the bus without me. Funny how he recalls me telling him to not play in the rotten apples.

I found this little gem hidden in a pile of stuff. I thought it was so cute I had to frame it. Their is something about the way the mouse is looking at the flowers....her paw and thoughtful pose.