Snakes and snails and puppy-dog tails

Today, the boys and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up last minute items for school tomorrow. They were running loose and we were all laughing. Some people thought we were cute, having fun. Others…not so much. All I know is that my boys and I were laughing and they were happy to be with me.

We moved to the check-out line and this wonderful lady asked me about my boys. "How old are they?" And then noted that they were behaving so well. She had seen us come into the store and thought, “how wonderful that they are all having such a great time together.”

I had to come clean. And I must now, too.

We were indeed having a good time, but this was no more than 45 minutes after I had gotten down on the floor at home, eye level with a 3 and 4-year-old and asked their forgiveness. I said, “Mommy loves you so much. I’m sorry I’ve gotten loud with you so many times today. Mommy has allowed myself to get mad, really mad…and I shouldn’t have. I will not be yelling at you again today. Will you forgive me?” Thankfully, they agreed.

Parenting is hard. So, so hard.

I pray over them every morning. I war over them in prayer. I ask God for wisdom to lead them. And yet, it’s still hard. Thank the Lord I have Him to take all this to, or where would I be?
They go to school tomorrow morning. It’s bitter sweet. Wonderful, because I love their school, their teachers and the fact that Mommy will have 7 hours to refresh two days per week. Bitter, because I’m actually delighted to have them gone for 7 hours and somehow feel I shouldn’t be THIS delighted. I know I will actually miss them, too.

Giving birth to and raising these creatures called boys is an exhausting, wonderful, frustrating, exhilarating , fulfilling adventure!

I thought I’d take a moment and give you a few glimpses into the daily lives of two adorable little boys I know:

Playing Superheroes, with their friend, Chas. Superhero action happens daily around here.

This is what greeted me in my 4-year-old's bedroom today as I went to put up laundry....a giant spider web. Notice the snake it had caught in it's clutches. Eek!

THUS…all these reasons (and so much more) of why I love them so.

Yes, parenting IS hard. But it's such a blessing as well.

Thanks for letting me share my heart. Just trying to keep it real. Thanks for listening.