WHEW!!

honestly, i've had one of those weeks.  one of those weeks that i'm grateful to be a woman of prayer and faith.  because i have uttered more prayers for patience and strength than ever before.  i'm not sure why these days seem to run together without letting up sometimes.  those days where you hear whining even though nobody is whining.  it's really just your ears ringing to the tune of your child's whine since it has been programmed to that sound all day.

i love that sound and i'm thinking about setting my ring tone to it.  SIKE!!


i'm a huge fan of talking softly to my children.  i don't want to bark my commands at them.  i strongly desire to direct them in a loving manner-even in the midst of pure havoc (not that i'm always successful).  that is why i've prayed more this week than usual.  i've wanted to bark, instead i've prayed.  i've wanted to yell, instead i've prayed.  and the best part is that i have actually felt calmer after my prayers...even though the havoc was still deep.  i was centered.  GOD delivered exactly what i asked for.  patience.  strength.

it's funny because i am so thankful to see a new side of lucy.  i remember wishing that she wouldn't put up with as much as she did.  she would let her brother and her friends take things away from her without a single fight.  i wanted to see her on the defense a little more.  i didn't want her to be a pushover.

careful what you wish for.  sister ain't playin'.  do not...and i repeat...do not take anything away from her.  sister finally has a voice.  she's showing passion these days that i didn't know that she was capable of.  and even though it's causing me to hit my knees in prayer more...it's good for her.  she needs to have an opinion in life.

now it's my job to steer her on the right path, while protecting that sweet spirit.  i had a very serious realization this week.  i had mentioned very macho-like, a few posts back, that i was ready for sister to battle me.  that nathan was the best training.  to quote myself... "i've got this."

joke is on me.  yes, i've got this.  but there is nothing macho in me right now.  if anything, i'm humbled.  i'm feeling growth within myself.  growth that is necessary to train up another beautiful person.  i have forgotten how consistent you are supposed to be.  i've forgotten because i've had a nice little break.  nathan started being a good listener and hasn't hardly looked back.  i'm not saying he's got it all figured out...but we most definitely moved away from the front lines.  there are still battles but they are much simpler to tackle these days.

it's been a nice breather.

i have every intention of devouring the book, shepherding a child's heart, by this time tomorrow.  i remember it bringing me so much insight when nathan went though his phase.   i need to study up.  i am about to be tested.  quizzed.  and i am about to ace this bad boy (why must i be so macho?).   this book is precious to me.  it doesn't focus on raising children that walk this thin line.  or raising the most obedient child.  it really focuses of the heart of a child.  what emotion is your child trying to work through...is it selfishness?  is it rebellion?  when you can recognize your child's heart...then you can help them through their struggle.  which simultaneously creates an obedient child because that is ultimately what they desire in the first place.  it's just our job to help them get there.

i'm not trying to write a book review.  i'm just excited about my upcoming refresher course that i desperately need.

although this week has my neck in knots, and the bags under my eyes aren't anything to brag about...i'm thankful that i'm able to still soak up the moments (though they were brief), that were fabulous this week.

i remember waking up monday morning and having this positive burst of emotion jolt through my body.  as i looked in my lap, i smiled.  i take notice to my favorite children's book lying in my lap-with my cup of coffee on top.  i had to snap a picture because it was so fitting for this grand ole day that i had imagined.  it was- without a doubt-the start to a great week.

and surely the immense adoration of siblings was just one more foreshadow of how terrific our week was going to be?

little did i know that it was anything but.  even my ultra positive attitude can't stop little people who have minds of their own.


however, we still hit up a park.  that was a good hour.  maybe the only successful hour of our whole monday.  hey...i'll take it.

i mean, afterall...monday was a bust minus that hour at the park.  surely tuesday was going to run smooth, no?

not exactly.  however, we did have another good hour.  an afternoon outdoor craft was actually a very good cure-all.  and again...i'll take it.

i loved seeing those proud faces after i pinned their finished crafts on the tree.

even though this week has been wilder than i'd like, i'm thankful that it is inevitably causing growth.

here's to an evening of reading.

pause button please!
christy