Vance was moved up to first string offense at football. After the practice where the coach moved him up he was really excited but trying to play it cool. After telling me he said, "I told my buddies, 'my mom is going to flip out!'" I just love that! I love that he knows no one will ever be more proud of his successes than me. I was excited before but after he told me that I made an even bigger deal out of it. Apparently I was supposed to "flip out" and I didn't want to disappoint ;) I am proud of him for the extra effort and hustle he put into practice to earn the first string spot. Go Red Raiders!
The last few weeks of summer, Vance was so sweet with Keller. He was prepping him and telling him everything he thought Keller might need to know. He would end it every time by saying, "But don't worry buddy, Brother will be there with you!" He is such a great big brother!
On that same note, Vance invited a friend over to play. Apparently that friend was excited to come over but much less excited when he found out Vance's little brothers would be there. When Vance was telling me about the conversation he said he told him friend, "Dude they aren't that bad. I'm sure they won't be with us the entire time and they can be fun. If you come to my house, you gotta be okay with my brothers!" Seriously he is the best big brother!
We say prayers together as a family each night. One night when it was Vance's turn to pray, he looked at us and asked, "Does anyone have anything specific they would like me to pray about?" I love that he was thoughtful enough to think all on his own if any of us had special prayer requests.
One of Vance's friends had a birthday. Now that Vance is older we have him write in his own cards. I didn't read it and just put in the envelope and off to the party he went. When I picked him up, the birthday kid's mom's eyes teared up when she told me how sweet and thoughtful Vance's card was. The dad, Vance's football coach, also came over and said, "I've been coaching for a lot of years. I've never seen a kid do something as nice as that card was." Apparently Vance wrote that his friend was not just a great football player but an all around awesome friend and taped $1 in the card with a note that said he really wanted to give him some of the chore money he had earned.
I recently had a parent/teacher conference with Vance's teacher. She started off by saying, "I have been waiting for you to come in because I am just so excited to brag about Vance!" He has never had a teacher who is so excited to teach and challenge him so we are beyond grateful. She went on to say not only was he the smartest kid she has taught in like 5 years (she calls him ad-vance because he is so advanced...haha), but that he is so well behaved. She said he is great teacher himself and helps the other kids just like she would (without just giving them the answers). She also said sometimes Vance will go out of his way to partner up with a kid who is kind of a troubled loner. She said he is so sweet with him and you can tell it means a lot to the other kid. She also had some ideas to try at home and school to keep him challenged which I was appreciative of. I left that conference beaming with pride!
Sometimes I feel like certain kids are naturally more defiant and need a lot of parenting. Other kids are just naturally more obedient and caring. Then it is really just your job as their parent to not screw up the good-natured kid God sent you. The latter is how I feel about Vance. I wish I could take credit but that boy was cut from a different mold. He consistently teaches me by his example how to be caring, selfless and faithful.
The last few weeks of summer, Vance was so sweet with Keller. He was prepping him and telling him everything he thought Keller might need to know. He would end it every time by saying, "But don't worry buddy, Brother will be there with you!" He is such a great big brother!
On that same note, Vance invited a friend over to play. Apparently that friend was excited to come over but much less excited when he found out Vance's little brothers would be there. When Vance was telling me about the conversation he said he told him friend, "Dude they aren't that bad. I'm sure they won't be with us the entire time and they can be fun. If you come to my house, you gotta be okay with my brothers!" Seriously he is the best big brother!
We say prayers together as a family each night. One night when it was Vance's turn to pray, he looked at us and asked, "Does anyone have anything specific they would like me to pray about?" I love that he was thoughtful enough to think all on his own if any of us had special prayer requests.
One of Vance's friends had a birthday. Now that Vance is older we have him write in his own cards. I didn't read it and just put in the envelope and off to the party he went. When I picked him up, the birthday kid's mom's eyes teared up when she told me how sweet and thoughtful Vance's card was. The dad, Vance's football coach, also came over and said, "I've been coaching for a lot of years. I've never seen a kid do something as nice as that card was." Apparently Vance wrote that his friend was not just a great football player but an all around awesome friend and taped $1 in the card with a note that said he really wanted to give him some of the chore money he had earned.
I recently had a parent/teacher conference with Vance's teacher. She started off by saying, "I have been waiting for you to come in because I am just so excited to brag about Vance!" He has never had a teacher who is so excited to teach and challenge him so we are beyond grateful. She went on to say not only was he the smartest kid she has taught in like 5 years (she calls him ad-vance because he is so advanced...haha), but that he is so well behaved. She said he is great teacher himself and helps the other kids just like she would (without just giving them the answers). She also said sometimes Vance will go out of his way to partner up with a kid who is kind of a troubled loner. She said he is so sweet with him and you can tell it means a lot to the other kid. She also had some ideas to try at home and school to keep him challenged which I was appreciative of. I left that conference beaming with pride!
Sometimes I feel like certain kids are naturally more defiant and need a lot of parenting. Other kids are just naturally more obedient and caring. Then it is really just your job as their parent to not screw up the good-natured kid God sent you. The latter is how I feel about Vance. I wish I could take credit but that boy was cut from a different mold. He consistently teaches me by his example how to be caring, selfless and faithful.
