Things were perfect. Then things would get really crazy. Then they'd flow back to perfect.
Waking to an emotional 4 year old who is way too tired to have his eyes open.
Finding a diaper-less baby sleeping next to something that should be in that diaper that got flung across the room...yep, you guessed it.
Continuing to deal with the 4 year old emotions.
Trying not to get caught up in the four year old emotions.
Reminding myself over and over that this is the safe place for him to learn. That this is my honor to raise him and not to take things personal.
Pulling the car over to talk.
Then out of nowhere...giggles and laughter. Inquisitive wonder. All is right again.
For the moment.
For a moment. Imagination --on an airplane. Being served apple juice and peanuts on a hot playground.
Then its back in the car and we're slowly climbing that coaster again.
So thankful I have a partner for this crazy ride of raising these two boys.
Daddy came home. Rescued me. Perfect timing.
I rocked and sang my babes to naptime. Fell asleep with Eli.
All is right again.
Afternoon date with my eldest.
Tension runs high and then a great big zerbert starts the giggles again.
Apologies spoken. From both of us.
Easy dinner.
Family walk around the "peaceful & quiet" pond. Eli's favorite place.
Easy bedtime
I am hoping today brings a little more of the happy and a little less of the discipline aspect of being Mommy.
I get so frustrated when I feel like I say the same thing over and over and over and my kiddos don't get it and obey. I don't want to be frustrated. I desire to be patient and I know I need to have the self-control to be patient (the very things I'm trying to teach Eli & Sim).
"But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." (Nehemiah 9:17)
And I pray that my God would teach me about this characteristic of Himself. That I would know and understand His love for me in an even deeper way. That my kids would understand the love I have for them. That they would see me as a forgiving Mommy, who is gracious and compassionate, that is not angry with them and loves them richly. That even in the moments of the needed discipline...they would see God through me. I pray that God does a work in me during those moments...that I handle them in a way that shows my boys the same Grace that I receive on a daily basis. Thinking about the way my God treats me, when I repeatedly disobey, really helps me to keep my cool in the trenches of motherhood.
Hey mama's out there ---How do you deal with the crazy days of repeated need for correction? What keeps you level-headed? What helps you deal with the situation and raise up your kids with Grace AND expectations.
Snapped this today during one of the many happy-moments.
Happy that I have this memory.
Playing Pirate Ship on a rock at the park.
Good times
Linking up to Pour Your Heart Out.
3 comments:
Sometimes, all I can do is to remind myself that it will pass. That tomorrow... or even the next hour... will be better.
There are days when I have to remind myself that my son isn't always in control of his emotions. That he is as frustrated and feeling as helpless as I am. That I am the person he is looking to for a safe port in that storm.
Shell & Tara ---Thanks for the encouragement. :) And it did pass. Today was a perfectly fun day and back to normal.
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