Monday, March 7, 2011

watching my little birds shine



As a parent, one thing I've always been in awe of is watching completely different personalities unfold from each little person in our home sweet home. Each boy is so SO very different. They all shine in unique ways. They all pout in their own way. Their glaring flaws are opposite of another, and their talents and qualities are their own.



My heart's wish as a mama has always been to embrace each boy for who he is, never trying to change him or never burdening him with expectations he feels he needs to meet.

If you're a little bird, then be a bird!
How sad to watch a little bird flutter its life away
trying to be something else than what God created it as,
a BIRD.

I want my boys to know that they are GOOD ENOUGH as they are. They don't need to earn my approval, respect, or love. They already have it. guaranteed. always. I want them to be who they are and to always be trying to grow into a better "them" not someone I want them to be. However, I do support a spirit of excellence, and together as a family we continually try to improve ourselves as individuals.

too many pictures mama!

Our decade of parenting has been full of celebrating each boy for who he is! We all talk together about the super cool qualities each brother has. They all recognize that they shine in different ways and they don't have to compete with one another. They each own their individual little handful of talents. We cheer each other on as a team and we all know that there are no expectations to be something we are not.

They are free to be.
And that's really cool.



Chris and I often refer to our family as a team. Unity and a celebration of differences is the perfect mix!


I squeeze them, laugh with them, and bust some crazy moves when I'm excited over the amazing qualities they demonstrate. And I quietly hide away to cry, act like a bear, or have serious discussions with each one when their character weaknesses causes hurt. Every characteristic and attribute is noticed and experienced. This helps each boy to have a strong identity and to know who he is.

Meet Cameron Skyler,
our oldest...



He's 10.

analytical
serious
bookish
intense
prudent & reasonable
academic
perfectionist

follower of the rules
thinker
ambitious
studious
practical







Meet Dakotah,
the middle one...




He's 8.
compassionate
cool
passionate
hard worker
inquisitive
sweet
strong willed
creative
edgy
athletic
independent
curious



Kotah's all about the attention. I'm pretty sure that's why he gets an extra photo or two. {wink}


Meet Titus,
our youngest...


He's 7.
chill
pleasant
mellow
quietly competitive
positive
cute
entertaining
happy
funny
artistic
amicable
fresh








I am smitten with these three!

I'm crazy about their talents, traits, and even their faults and weaknesses too. If you have little feet in your home sweet home, celebrate their attributes and you will see them shine.





This post is linked to: LambAround, DIY Showoff, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, It's so Very Cheri, Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, TipMe Tuesday, Lettered Cottage How To, Tips and Tutorials Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Buzz on Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, VIP Party, Friday Favorites, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin It, Funky Junk Interiors, Fabulous Friday Finds, Tickled Pink*, Be Different Act Normal, Weekend Wrap Up

29 comments:

Lisa Fliehman said...

Lisa, Your boys are precious! I myself have 2 boys and they are as different as night and day. I love the qualities both possess.
For some reason they both still compare themselves to the other and they are 18 and 20. Will it ever end???
Smiles! Lisa

The Tuscan Home said...

Oh my goodness, your boys are absolutely precious. Loved your post and the signs...way too cute! Thanks for sharing! XOXO ~Liz

caveman said...

This post made me cry. What a joy each of them brings. I can't believe how lucky you and I are as parents. Our boys are incredibly lucky to have a momma who can love them so perfectly. We are blessed to have such a diverse, yet unified, team.

Jane said...

Hi Lisa
What a wonderful post! Your boys are so blessed to have parents who recognize that each of them are different...and yet maintain the cohesiveness of team Moore. You will see, as they get older, just how very important this is.
Hugs,
Jane

Kelly Miller said...

Love this tribute to your 3 awesome little birds. They are rockstars!

Rebecca said...

Ok this post is just too sweet!!

Sarah said...

what a wonderful idea for a photo shoot. it's a great way to remember all the things you love about your kids at this age & the things that make them special!

Sarah
http://craftingandcreativity.blogspot.com

Kirstin said...

Love these pictures. I love how you captured each one individually..did you use a small chalkboard or photoshop (C: I love this idea.

Lynn said...

Sweet, sweet post, Lisa. Your boys are three blessed young men to have a mama like you, who loves them so much and celebrates their uniqueness. They will grow to be amazing men, you just watch :) Thanks for sharing this. And now I'm off to check out your part in the online magazine on your sidebar. It looks like fun -- congratulations!

Lynn said...

What a beautiful e-zine you are featured in! Your snowflake cookies look amazing :)

Unknown said...

Great post Lisa, It is obvious why your boys care so much about you as a mom and friend. You are their number 1 fan and they know it. It is very true what you said. You do an awesome job encouraging them to be uniquely themselves and yet gently guide them towards self improvement.

Brandy J. said...

Your idea is brilliant and you boys are super duper handsome! As a newbie to your blog I just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration!

Emily T. Thomas said...

I love those blackboards!! great idea - might have to stealk it :)
BLessings!
Lib
http://bit.ly/fQI8ME

Alison @ mommadidit.blogspot.com said...

What an awesome idea! I have 4 girls and they are all so different. My second oldest is always trying to do what the oldest does and is bummed when she can't do it. I am always telling her we all have different talents and that is what makes our family so cool. This would be so fun to point out all those differences!

Sommer said...

Oh these are INCREDIBLE! I've seen the thumbnail at a few parties but just now had a chance to click. These should be in a magazine! You nailed this. I would be delighted if you could link this up to my VIP party tomorrow. www.designergarden.blogspot.com

Sommer

Anonymous said...

Cool! Like this idea. I ahve not seen anything like it before. Thanks for sharing it. And your guys look great in each photo.
Linda @ bushel and a pickle

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

How utterly sweet :) What a nice way to capture each boy's unique personal attributes.

Judy@cutest-little-things

Holly Lefevre said...

My heart is singing...I bet those boys are smitten with their mama too. What a wonderful and inspiring post. It is hard to let them be who they...I have struggled with that and recently when I get frustrated I find myself saying "He is not me."

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

What a super sweet post! Your boys are just darling!

Melissa said...

Great Idea!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for your children, are precious.
I speak and write only Spanish, but this site helps me to communicate with you: http://tradukka.com/
Greetings.

Megan said...

what an awesome idea!!!

megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com

. said...

Such a special post! You have amazing boys... And they have amazing parents!

Becca said...

Love it, Lisa! What an amazing post for your little boys to read. I hope you print this out somehow, so that they can read it whenever they feel the need.

DANA said...

I found this post through Making the World Cuter and wanted to say how much I like it! I would also love for you to link up with me at Saturday Mornings if you haven't been by yet! Everyone is welcome and prizes are awarded monthly to those who join in! Here is the link if you want to "Strut Your Stuff!"

http://www.thesaturdaymorningsblog.com/2011/03/strut-your-stuff-for-march-link-up_12.html

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Morning Lisa,
Stumbled onto your lovely blog and this post blew me away!

I am the mother to two fabulous..beautiful..smart..kind and totally handsome boys.

The only difference is that mine are 27 and 29!

My proudest truth in my role as a mother is that these two young men are and always have been each others best friend. They idolize each other and are in constant connection.
It makes me so proud and happy to know that if (heaven forbide) anything were to happen to me, they would have each other.

Your guys are such handsome little men and I'm sure a source of much pride for you and your husband.

They grow up so fast...enjoy every moment!

Janet xox

http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

buzzed on by from the blog hop! Very cute, I love it..new follower here!
http://momsbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Sommer said...

Oh Lisa I'm so glad you came back to link this up to this weeks party! I loved seeing it again =)

Leasa said...

Great pictures and I love the words with each of them. I also have three boys and it is amazing to see how all 3 of them are totally different but yet we all do work together as a team!!