"Norah, Can you go get the clothes out of the dryer and bring them to me?"

"Norah, You need to pause your movie and come unload the dishwasher now."

"Norah, Please help your sister pick up those puzzles...again."

"Ugh. Norah, I spilled some spaghetti sauce. Will you get a wipe and clean it up, please? I'm sorry, baby. I just can't bend over to do it myself right now. Thanks."

"Norah, Will you please, please, please bring me a glass of ice water? Awesome."


We're depending on Norah more and more these days. She's so capable and helpful and usually has the most easy going spirit about dropping what she's doing to help us anytime we call on her. Of course, she complains sometimes. (So does her mom sometimes.) But even as she complains, she's usually on her way toward the chore we've asked her to do to do it anyway. (So am I, usually.) And she always apologies sincerely when we correct her for her attitude. She acknowledges that she's not right in heart when she isn't helpful toward her loved ones.

Up to now, it felt natural and good for us to expect her help around the house without being compensated since she was a serving as a part of the family, since we all work together, her dad always helping, too, since she was so young and didn't even understand money, since we were doing right by her as parents in training her to take care of herself, her possessions and understand more about what it takes to live a well ordered life in a well ordered home, etc. Even after we started asking her to help her little sister more and more over the past months, we felt that we were teaching her to consider the needs of others, not just sitting around when someone she loves could use her help with something like their coat or bag, etc. We just expected her to help because it was "right."

But, at this point, she's so constantly called upon to help with stuff she would have never had to help with because both her parents are busy with baby preparations and I am so much less capable of getting up and down and bending over, that Dwayne and I looked at each other at the exact same moment a few days ago and agreed that Norah should begin to be compensated for all she does. And we were both eager to reward her for the helpful spirit she has developed. She is truly a such blessing to us right now. I actually pray that God will notice her heart and service and bless her in His own unique way.

And, with her allowance has come some really good discussions with her dad about money and how to use it. I am watching my husband come alive teaching her these truths. It's like having another teacher in the house and it's fun to witness.