new habits

I've been working towards changing old habits, and finding new ones to replace them with.  Thinking on what I need to "fast" from and what instead I should "feast" on.  And it's hard!  I am a creature of habit, though, and with practice I hope that in time I will succeed.

Lexi spent last night with us, and at bedtime she wanted me to read her the book pictured at the left.  This "book" was written and illustrated by Brandon in the 5th grade - I wish I could take a picture of every page and let you read it.  Very funny stuff.  And, as you might imagine, coming from my gene pool the illustrations are ... well ... a bit confusing at best (sorry Beej). 

It was a surprise to even find this treasure, as I am not a "keeper of things" and since my kids are grown I've sent their stuff with them.  But Lexi is entranced with it, and every time she's been here since we found it, she wants it for her bedtime story.  Last night she was so tired I said no, and she asked if we could have it as a first-thing-in-the-morning story instead.  Her sweet little face appeared beside my bed promptly at 7:00 a.m. this morning, and the book was under her arm.  She crawled up beside me, and we read.

Those of you who know me at all know that I am all about routines and schedules and such.  So it is not a stretch that Lexi, blood of my blood, is probably much the same.  But I was struck this morning as I was thinking about how hard it is for me to form "new habits" that it is VERY EASY for Lexi to form them.  And to remember them without fail, and to follow through on them faithfully.  She does this unconsciously, surely (she's only six, right?!), but I am paying attention.  I think I will do my best to take my cue from her.