Family Time

Well, the family is in town and the official "kicking your feet up has begun".

We went on a date tonight and enjoyed 4 beautiful hours of quiet. Maggiano's was eaten, Cheesecake Factory was visited, Starbucks was drank and we window shopped the aisles of Bed, Bath & Beyond and Crate and Barrel.

Loved every bless-ed minute of it!

God bless the grandparents and the aunts of this world, because I love 'em!

David's mom and sister arrived yesterday with arms full of gifts, hugs galore and too many kisses to count.

Little girl is officially in spoiled mode and bits of attitude have risen to the surface to show proof of that.

There have been looks that have been given to me by my nearly 3 year old these past few days that give me a beautiful foreshadowing into teenager-land. The shrugging of the shoulder away from me as I try to grab for an arm to get her to make eye contact, the throwing of things when I tell her to go sit on the rug for a timeout, the sheer and utter willful defiance when I ask her to pick up something or put something away.

Ah Yes. These are the days.

It's hard for Grandma to watch these displays of attitude unfold and she quickly tries to change the subject, distract her with "things" and offers assistance to move her in a new direction.

Disciplining is hard. Consistency when you are really, really tired is hard. But it's called "good parenting" and this is what I want to be doing with my child.

I will tell you this, that every time I hear the following words come from my baby's mouth, I feel like my job is all worth while and I will happily take all the attitude my little girl likes to throw my way, as I see the impact we are making on her life in even the smallest of ways.

As she needs to get past someone in the grocery store in the sweetest of voices, "excuse me please".

If she wants to watch a show in the car, "Please can I watch a show mommy? Please? May I? May I please watch a show?"

If she feels scared - "I am scared mommy, but Jesus is with me. He's my best friend."

"You look pretty mommy. I like your necklace. I like your shirt. You look pretty for church."

"Did you buy this present for me mommy? Thank you mommy! Thank you! (hugging her present) "That was so nice of you mommy."

"I will not throw any more fits. I am done crying mommy."

Yep. Some things are getting in that cute little brain of hers and there's nothing more rewarding than shaping a young life. Thank you Lord for this little girl and thank you for her siblings to come in the future.

May they all tell me my shirt and necklace are nice and that I look "pretty" for Sunday morning - oh, and yes, all the other manners of course too.

Sweet little things.