Say Yes

Scott has the kids this morning and I am sitting here, restfully, taking in the last few days we have shared here at home. We have started this new year with many aspirations. Our licensing process for becoming a potential foster family is coming along. We have begun talking about expanding our garden and maybe even adding some animal life to our family. We have rooted around in our drawers and taken many unused clothing items to Goodwill. We have been playing outside despite the cold (as evidence from the picture above of Kalen and Brady outside when it was the mere 28 degrees yesterday). These are all good things and dreaming sure is fun.

A theme runs through my mind as I think about the activities that went on during our day yesterday. When my kids wanted to go outside in the freezing cold to jump on the trampoline in the middle of our homeschooling morning, I said yes. It worked. The fire inspector actually came right when they were all bundled up and I was allowed to just do what I needed to do with him (this is part of being a licensed foster home). When the kids came back in, they were so delightful and truly got some energy out. Saying yes is sometimes so difficult for me to do. I want to control things. When the kids asked me if they could go out in the woods to play (knowing that it was going to be muddy), I said yes. That was not easy. I knew as soon as they were to return, I would have to drop whatever I was doing to wipe and shake down each kid. This was doable though. I just had to be available and willing.

Last night, Scott returned from working and the kids all corralled around him, shouting out all the big highlights of their day. Patiently, Scott listened and then it came time for him to chat with me. This takes a bit of effort with four children. I suggested that the kids go upstairs to play until supper was ready. They happily skipped upstairs. Scott and I were able to talk uninterrupted as I heard lots of squeals of excitement and pitter-patter of little feet upstairs. Not long after that, Maddie came down and told me she wanted to show me something. They had made a wall of pillows upstairs in the hallway. It was quite cute. We had dinner and the kids wanted to go right back up to their pillow wall. They gathered all the loose blankets upstairs and draped them over the enormous pile of pillows. Soon, I was asked by Kalen and Brayden if they could sleep there. I hesitated and then told them yes. It didn't hurt a thing to say yes. They actually fell asleep. How fun is that?

It is so easy to say no. No to messes. No to childishness. No to inconvenience. This year, I am challenging myself to say YES more. Will you join me?