My Wonderfully Strong-Willed Daughter(s)

Oh, the joys of parenting...joys, right? I'm not kidding myself, there are "joys," right??? Yes, I know there are, but this week has been trying. For whatever reason Alayna has decided that from 4 to 5 each afternoon, it would be a good idea to be extra clingy, whine and complain, and not exactly be satisfied even if I am holding her. I know, I know...she's cutting more teeth, etc., etc., but even so, it doesn't make it less exhausting. Especially when that's the time I'm scrambling to make supper and Julie wants to put together a puzzle, or play a game. And since her sister is demanding mommy's attention, she get's more aggrivated and yells at Alayna. Which, turns into Julie going to her room, Alayna going in her crib (sometimes), and me calling Dave asking how long until he comes upstairs from his office..."I'm just wondering, for no specific reason." :) Usually this all ends with Julie saying she's sorry, and Alayna going in the high chair to be fed her pre-dinner cheerios...if she'll eat them rather than throw them on the floor.

Then, there's bedtime. Oh, where do I begin with bedtime??? Dave has had a meeting every night this week, so far. Monday night a Trustee meeting, Tuesday night an Emergency Vehicle Operating class he's taking for the fire department, Wednesday night prayer meeting, and tonight he's back at the fire house to help plan an upcoming pancake breakfast. I don't resent his commitments, honestly. I'm thankful he's found his nitch with the VFD, and he seems respected there. But, after a full day with the girls I'm anxious for some help with the bedtime routine...which goes something like this, "Julie feed the cat, go potty, brush your teeth, get your pajamas on, and finish putting away toys"....now I get Alayna changed for bed, brush her teeth, and try to keep her from unraveling the toilet paper while Julie brushes her teeth. I have a rule with Julie that I only tell her to do something one time, and if I have to tell her more than once she loses priveleges at bedtime, ie., reading a story, singing a song, etc. This has been pretty effective, and she even tells me now if I've told her something more than once. Now, none of this seems too terrible, but the drama can sometimes just be beginning once she's tucked in. After Julie is tucked in she likes to get back up to tell me something about her imaginary friend Pablo, or something she did in school, or something she wants to wear tomorrow...the list goes on...and it never fails that once she's in bed her bladder kicks into overdrive and she has to "go" again. What is it about their head hitting the pillow that gives a child the urge to squeeze that last little bit out, before going to sleep? :) Okay, so I've really had to crack down on her this week. She likes her door cracked open. So I tell her that if she gets up, I will shut the door...okay, now the door is shut...she's up again...now I will not tuck you back into bed again, you do it yourself...okay, she's back in, then she's up again...now this is where it ends, stricter disciplinary action is taken, and I hate ending the evening this way. But, it is working, and she doesn't seem to get up again. Am I making progress? Probably. Am I exhausted? Definitely! Will Dave be home tomorrow night to help? YOU BETCHA!!! He is always such a help, this week has just been exceptionally busy for him.

I told Dave tonight at supper that I think I will join some kind of committee that meets once a week, so I can go out. He asked if I'd like to join the fire department. Um...no thanks. Is there a once-a-week shopping committee that I can join?

Our daughters are such a blessing. They are each strong-willed in their own way. Julie has been Type A difficult since day 1. I tell people that she came out screaming, and has hardly stopped since. Alayna tends to be more calm, but if she's crossed by her sister (taking her toy, telling her no, etc.) then look out...this child has a scream on her. Oh I love them so much, and I pray each day that they will both give their lives to the Lord at a young age, and desire to live for Him. I pray that once they make that decision for salvation, that they would never forget it. I know so many that have doubted their salvation, because they were young and just don't remember, so I pray that they'll remember. I also pray that they would be discerning, and that the Lord would protect their innocence and purity. These are such important things...these are the things that matter most. I can talk until I'm blue in the face about behavior and discipline, but if Dave & I aren't sharing Christ with our kids, and living it in front of them, then none of the other stuff matters.

Oh, how I need wisdom as a parent. I need patience. I need perserverance. I need discernment. And I need that alone time with the Lord.

I read this past week in Galatians a verse that has been stuck in my mind. Paul is writing in chapter 4, v. 18, "It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you." This has been my prayer this week...that I may be zealous, and not just when I feel others are watching.

Thank you Lord for our girls! May they know You at a young age and serve You with all their heart.