Tender Hearts

Kade's my tender hearted child. He's seven and has the heart of Mother Teresa. I love this about him but at the same time it worries me (ironically) that he worries too much.

Last week we had a tornado watch. It lasted about 1 hour. I debated on whether or not to heed the warning and wake the kids. Ultimately, I chose to carry them down with their bedding and lay them under the stairs in the window-less storage room. Jaxon got out his flashlight and read, the two little ones slept (or so I thought). Come to find out, Kade just laid there frozen with fear. I later found out he'd been sending out fervent prayers all night, asking that the strong winds and rain would cease. When it was time to go back to bed he hesitantly told me he just wanted to snuggle.

This week has been a rough one for him. The other night he caught a glimpse (maybe a 3 minute segment) of the news coverage on the devastation in Haiti. I have purposely kept the news off for this reason and for the fact that I got super depressed when Katrina hit. I knew I needed to keep the t.v. to avoid a repeat. Anyway, about 10 minutes after we had seen the bit on Haiti, I looked over at Kade and couldn't believe his face. I knew right away what he must be thinking about. He admitted he was upset about the person in Haiti who is blind and now hospitalized. The parents who lost one of their two children and all the collapsed buildings. Each day when he prays, he remembers all the people who are suffering.

Skip ahead two days: Kade comes to me and says he wants to tell me about a sad commercial he saw that morning. It was the one with the animals in shelters. The one where they say "Why did you leave me? Will I die today?" Though it was several hours after he saw the commercial he still got all teary just thinking about it and needed a hug. Poor little guy. He then made me assure him we'd rescue a dog one of these days.

Most of you know about Stephanie (Nie Nie), the Mesa lady who was in a fiery plane crash with her husband. Here's her blog button if you haven't a clue what I'm talking about.

Several months ago, I told Jaxon and Kade about her story and what an amazing women/inspiration she is. Well, Kade often asks about her and wants to see her blog. He wants to send her a care package, something to make her painful days a teensy, weensy bit more bearable. She's currently here in Arizona recovering from her latest surgery. I wish I knew where exactly, so we could make a delivery. If someone out there knows, drop me a line...otherwise, we'll just send it to her Utah address when she returns.
In true Nie Nie fashion, I give you my thankful list...

Today I am thankful for:

-The smell of Sophi's clean hair

-Good books and rain (that combo)

-Home school

-Free agency

-The Atonement

-Kimball's unconditional love

-Tonight's dinner at Ruth Chris

-The client who's taking us to Ruth Chris

-Tivo

-Prayer

-Good Health

-My compassionate child

Lastly today Kade said in a very mature and concerned voice, "What are we going to do about Sophia's bad behavior?" He feels that ever since we got an XBOX 360, she's been a brat. Too funny.