Encouragement

Last week Matt's Aunt and Uncle came for a quick 2 day visit.  They were moving from Arizona to Florida.  The last time we had seen them was on our honeymoon in Key West, FL.  That was 12 1/2 years ago!  Boy has lots changed since then!! 
Ryan, our youngest, is really funny about being around people who are new to him.  Usually he will hide his eyes, or hide behind Matthew and I and not speak a word.  If we are at home, he will just run off to the play room. I was worried about how he would respond to our visitors...especially because our visitors were family.  It frustrates me to no end that he is that way.  I think it is rude and highly embarresing.  I feel like I am being judged as a Mom because of it. Matthew and I, and our two older children are certianly not that way. We entertain family and friends and are very active in our church and community. We are very social people!!   Where did he learn this behavior from?  Truth of the matter, Ryan is who he is.  Designed by God.  Being in preschool has helped and the last few weeks he has begun to really come out of his shell and become a little more social.  Only took since September!!
The older 2 were so exicted the whole day that we had family coming into town that they had never met!  We kept telling them how much fun they were, and they did not disappoint!  Monday evening the kids are still eating at the table when the door bell rings.  My heart sank!  What antic was Ryan going to pull?  Keep in mind that Hubs was not home so it was just me!  The older two lept out of their chairs super excited and giving hugs!  Aunt Vicki and Uncle Paul finally made their way into the kitchen and Ryan was all smiles and announced "My name is Ryan and I am 4."  I almost fell over!  Whose kid was this....not my Ryan!  From the moment they arrived all 3 of my kids felt so completely at ease with them.  They were super exicted to show off their rooms and the play room.  Ryan was busy giving them an education on John Deere tractors and monster trucks!  They even managed to talk Aunt Vicki into playing Just Dance 3 on the WII!  Boy, she got a work out!  We had a wonderful, but much too short, 2 day visit.  We hope they can come back again...sooner rather then later!
Because their visit fell on Valentine's day they brought the kids (and Matthew and I) some Valentine goodies...including homemade cut out Valentine cookies!!!  Vicki had given me a really cute note pad.  I placed it by the phone and had not touched it until Saturday when I needed to jot something down.  When I opened it, I found the sweetest note!  Here is a little of what it said..
"You are doing a wonderful job raising your children.  They are a pure delight."
Wow!  I was not expecting that.  I admitted that I teared up.  I find myself as a Mom always questioning myself regarding how I raise my children.  But, then I found this note, and it reaffirmed that I (along with my husband) must be doing something right!  It came at a time when I really needed to hear that! 
Thank you Aunt Vicki and Uncle Paul for a wonderful visit and for your encouragement!  We wish you all the best as you start your new adventures in Florida!