Children learn what they live...

I remember this poem that hung in the hallway of my grandmothers home. It was called; Children learn what they live.  I remember passing it each day as I got ready for school. I loved reading it. I distinctly remember as a young girl thinking, "Someday... when I'M a mom... I will make sure my children have all of these good qualities."

I had already had a vision for how I wanted my children's childhood to be.
I KNEW I wanted different for them than what I had.

I still continue envisioning my children's futures. Now the thoughts that go through my head are...
"When Brynn is a mommy... "
"Will Caden get homesick on his mission?"
" I wonder if Weston will marry a brunette..."

All of these things cross my mind... ALL day.
But, I especially love when I get a little peek into their future. every once in a while, I catch glimpses of them and I SWEAR I can see them as adults.
One of these moments happened tonight.

I was busy cleaning and scrubbing, Mike was outside grilling on his precious day off and my two baby girls were on the couch together watching Caillou (a Camille favorite). After a while I noticed how quiet they were so I checked on them thinking that they MUST be getting into trouble together, but instead this is what I found....

Camille had fallen asleep on Ellie.

I know it may sound totally crazy but all of a sudden I saw two adult sisters, one leaning on the other for comfort. I saw an elder sister BEING there for a younger one. I saw unconditional love. I saw trust. I saw beauty.
At that point I could totally see Ellie being there when Cami has her babies. Or giggling and/or crying when the other gets married. I saw the future.
And for that I am SO thankful.

I will always continue to envision my children's lives, as long as they are with me. I think without vision of what we want, we are lost.
Will it turn out exactly as I see in my head? Most likely not. Does it warm my heart to see these little snippets of the love my children have for each other? Most definitely.

So, I will leave you with one of my most favorite poems....

Children Learn What They LiveBy Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.