Oh... What a Day...

Who am I kidding?! "Oh... what a last couple of months..." would be more like it. *sigh* This parenting stuff it hard. Really hard. If anyone tells you it's a piece of cake or a walk in the park than they are either flat out lying... or they forget what it was like when their kids were little. 

Today I yelled more than I would have liked to, cleaned up more spills than I can count, regret some of the decisions I made, had one of those "Oh Lord Jesus THANK YOU for protecting my baby" moments when Larren pushed Caidrie off the (tall) bed, did a small mountain climb with the number of times I hiked up our stairs, kissed owies, dried tears, broke up fights... I'll be honest... I'm quite glad to have all three girlies sleeping!

On days (months!) like these I'm so thankful for (and NEED!) those little "oh I don't want to forget this" moments... and this here is a fine example!

One of the shades on Larren's sunglasses popped out, so we took out the other one and donned them her "smarty pants glasses". She loves 'em! And the fact that she consistently wears them upside down is even better!

Every time I see her in them I can't help but smile and vow to lighten up a little bit! :)

Larren is super smart... she's got a servant's heart and LOVES to help however she can... she notices how people are feeling and knows just when to give them a hug... she's got her daddy's mechanical mind... she loves to curl up on our laps with a good book... she watches every move her older sister makes and wants to be just like her... she is the most stubborn and the absolute sweetest girl, all rolled up into one! 

But sadly, Larren is the one that I tend to conflict with the most. Maybe it's the fact that we had a bit of a rough start and haven't quite recovered, or that she's two years old and pushing all the limits, or that she's difficult and so am I... I don't know. But I do know that I can't settle for "oh well, it is what it is". Because where the relationship is, isn't good enough. 

She deserves more cuddles. More one on one time. More grace. More smiles. More I-am-so-glad the Lord-made-you-just-the-way-you-are's. 

And if I don't start today, in all it's craziness and frustration, than I won't start. I will only be inviting regret to come in... and frankly, regret's not welcome. 

So, I am praising God that...

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; 
His mercies begin afresh each morning."
(Lamentations3:22 & 23)

Tomorrow is a new day... oh, thank you Jesus that tomorrow is a new day!!!