Awards and Rewards...

I left one thing out on my last posting--I have been teary eyed A LOT. Watching my kids, feeling so safe in their world, loved and supported so completely by their teachers, peers, and family, is truly moving. Niko's buddies all stood up when he played for them, giving him high-fives, not to mention, they hyped his impending performance all week long prior to his performance like he was giving the concert of the year! Afterward, MIles came up and asked me if he could touch Niko's drumsticks I was holding for him. Mitchell wanted him to autograph a pair. Too cool. And Lauren, every morning I hear her singing --it often sounds like backstage at a hit show on Broadway, the way she belts out a song as she prepares for the day. I was thinking about that last night and it reminded me of when she was five and we all took a trip to New York City. We saw, "The Lion King" and were able to get great seats down near the orchestra. Intermission came and my girl child, that has to use every bathroom in the country, said she was just fine and didn't want to get up for anything. I looked at her stunned. And then I saw what she was thinking-- I leaned over and whispered to Juan, "She is having such a grand time she is afraid if we get up we'll lose our seats." I knew then, this child will perform herself someday. Watch for her...

But this was supposed to be about the next two weeks wasn't it? I digressed. Oops.

Anyway, this is the time of year for class awards, and I for me, it is such a treat to see how each of these children are given the spotlight to highlight each of their special talents and gift. And every year I am truly amazed at how the teachers really know these kids. Niko was voted by his class, "Best 4th grade Musician" and Lauren, "Best 4th grade Writer". They had some funny ones too they gave out at the end--Lauren was voted, "Most Likely to be Governor" someday, and Niko said they told him he was the Funniest. The teacher awarded them each with a Christian Character Trait as well. This to me is the most important--without good character, we have nothing. Niko got two, "Because I saw both in him, I couldn't decide which one to give him, and I needed to go to bed." :> They were Obedience and Industriousness. "He gives 100%, 100% of the time no matter what is going on around him." Lauren 's was Humility, "Every time I told her she was a good writer, or she did a good job on something she always responded--It's all God." I didn't think I'd need a tissue this year, but I was wrong.

And then I got home and Juan said, "Mrs. Christian called. Lauren is being presented with an award in chapel next week but it is a surprise so she cannot tell us what it is." I smiled. I got this message the same time last year. Just to be sure though, I emailed her thinking, "Are you sure?" "YES! and Shhh!!" I couldn't believe it. Every year, the staff gets together and chooses one boy and one girl out of the entire school, that represent a life filled with the Grace of God and presents them with the Timothy Award. Last year it was our son, and this year it was our daughter. Lauren is a flower, a lovely warm smile on a sometimes not so easy day, always pleasant and selfless, and when they called her name, she bounced up to the principal with glee! Showered with pretty pink roses from Mrs. Chang, and a huge box of Skittles from Mrs. Gibson, and a bear hug from Daddy, she smiled from ear to ear. You know, when I was 10 I was a real orphan, with hopes and passions of my own. I told myself then, if I ever had children of my own, I would give them the life I would have wanted. Little did I know how truly rewarding it is to give to without expecting anything in return. Their awards --our rewards-- Great, I thought the tears were over, but here they come again....