Last year we joined the fun tradition of having a Back to School Feast to welcome in the new school! The kids loved it so much we decided to make it a tradition for sure! It really is a special night and something both kids look forward to! We designate a night before school starts for this special feast. The kids wear crowns to remind them of their worth and they dress up to also be reminded of what a special day this is! Jon and I sit down before the feast to choose a family theme for the school year that helps fill the needs of our kid's needs for the coming year. This year we chose:
Phillipians 4:13:
"For I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
We chose this theme especially for Mitchell this year as he has a hard time having confidence in things. Going into first grade and there are a few things we feel he has to work on and realize he can do on his own - some as simple as tying his shoe and riding a bike! Shayla can also get frustrated easily with hard things as there are not many things she views as hard in her life and so when she comes across it she has a harder time dealing with! We hope that with this motto both Shayla and Mitchell realize that when they have to do the hard things in life--be it math or making new friends or getting up early--that they never have to do it without help. We discussed how strong they are on how the Lord is always there to strengthen and prepare a way for each of us to accomplish our difficult tasks.
For the dinner the kids had to write down three hard things they wanted to work on this year. Shayla wrote saying daily prayers, being honest and being nice to a particular girl in school she has a hard time with. Mitchell wrote Reading, Wake boarding and tying his shoes. So we will see how they do!
After dinner, we had our traditional back-to-school Father's Blessings. Jon and I both had father's who held the priesthood and would give us these blessings before school started as well. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worthy fathers who hold the Priesthood and are able to use it to give blessings tho those in their family. A Father's Blessing is a blessing of guidance and comfort and when school starts is a great time for fathers to bless their children with this comfort and strength. It's a wonderful way to start the school year and a reminder that their earthly Father and Heavenly Father are both there for them any day of the year! I am so blessed to have a husband who can give these blessings and two wonderful children who bless my life daily!
