I accomplished two things today. Well many more - I'm a mom - but two stand out in my mind.
We completed the first half of testing for our next belt levels for karate this evening. My 4yr old will be a yellow belt stripe and my 7yr old (the red head below) and I will be blue belts (then it's just one more belt til black) woo hoo!
Both boys did good - I think I did too - but I'm a bit biased. It's such a good experience to have to show what you know in front of others. It builds confidence that will be useful when the boys have to give speeches and it let's them realize how much they've learned. I'm very proud of both of them. My 7yr old even got to "help" with some junior belt testing where he did the form or steps with them and was the "cheat sheet" for them. I can tell that he's very proud to be the one "teaching". As I watched him I realized how much his brain and he have matured. He remembers so much and he is now working on doing the steps well, not just keeping up with the steps. I can see him developing into a young (very young) man. And I'm proud. At the end of my youngest sons testing he ran across the mat to me arms outstretched - huge smile on his face - saying - yelling - I did it mommy I did it I did my testing did you see? He was proud, I was proud and taken over by such a sweetie!
I love that they learn confidence and can be proud of their accomplishments I pray that I'll be able to teach them to also be humble and not become too prideful. How quickly that can become the case and how quickly we can turn a good experience into an idol standard. God guide me in brining up these boys - please.
Oh yeah, my second accomplishment was my uncovering of a well kept secret. They now make coconut m&m's and Oh My Word they are too good to contain any calories what-so-ever! Good thing I got that karate workout ;-)
Blessings,
Heather
