Embarrassed and Humbled

Why do children choose the most inopportune moments to disobey?  Are there any other mothers out there who are diligent in training and disciplining their children and yet have been utterly humiliated by them in public?  I think I have pretty obedient children (though they are definitely a work in progress!), but from time to time, even though they know what the consequences will be, they decide to make a public display of disobedience that must certainly make bystanders believe there is no such thing as training and discipline in my house.

Yesterday I took Abel and Amariah to the pediatrician for their (delinquent) well-child exams, and it was there that Abel attempted--and may have succeeded--to convince the nurse and doctor that my home is in complete disarray.  (It's not, but you would have thought so yesterday!)  It all started when the nurse asked Abel to take his shoes off and step on the scale.  For whatever reason, he had made up his mind that he wasn't going to do it; and he changed his mind only after Amariah went first.  If that wasn't embarrassing enough, he then literally refused to comply with the nurse's next request to lay on the table and get his length measured.  (As a side note, don't you think they could treat a three-year old like a three-year old instead of like a baby and measure their "height" standing up instead of their "length" laying down?...)  After my failed attempt to lay my writhing son on the table, I took him to the bathroom (where I would have disciplined him had we been in any other setting) and talked to him about how I wanted him to behave.  When we returned to the exam room, he proved the truth of Proverbs 29:15:  "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother" (emphasis added).  Indeed, reproof alone did not do the trick; and I was most certainly ashamed as the nurse and doctor and I resorted to using force for every bit of the remainder of his exam.

Let me say here that it is so against my principles to use coercion and force in place of the rod and reproof.  Though I did appropriately address the issue when we got home, I hated that I felt trapped by Abel's disobedience because of the setting we were in.  I hate that I couldn't deal with Abel biblically at the time due to the fear of what the doctor might think.  I hate that our society has equated spanking with abuse and that parents have become paralyzed by the fear of being reported or having their children taken away.

Obviously, I write this post in some frustration; but I also write in humility.  I much prefer to look like I "have it all together" (even though we all know I don't!), so I was admittedly a little hesitant to share this story.  I decided to, though, partly because I'm curious how other Christian mothers out there would have handled this situation.  Is it wrong or unnecessary to be fearful of what society may say?  Is it detrimental to be inconsistent in an inopportune setting?  Truly, I am in no way looking for justification for my child's behavior or for the way I chose the handle it, but I would like to hear your thoughts.

Amen to THAT?

One of my favorite things to do as a mother is to quietly observe the way Abel and Amariah interact with each other.  Just a moment ago I was listening to them having a tea party.  (Actually, according to Abel, they were having Carrot Strawberry Lettuce Soup with broccoli in it.  Yummy....)  After getting the table all set, Abel asked Amariah if she wanted to pray.  She said, "No, you pray," and so he did.  "Dear Jesus, thank you for this food.  Amen."  A moment later I heard him praying again.  "Our Father, please help Daddy to get home.  Amen."  This prayer was immediately echoed by Amariah:  "Dear Jesus, Daddy home 'night.  Amen."  And another moment later came one final prayer from Abel:  "Dear Jesus, help Mommy's tummy get smaller.  Amen."

Blog Hop--10 Things About Me

In thinking about how the blogging community can be a source of godly fellowship and encouragement in this busy, technology-driven era, my blogging friend Lynnette is hosting a blog hop to facilitate the "meeting" of us bloggers. In order to help us get to know one another, she has suggested we share ten charming, interesting, fun things about ourselves. So, here's mine!...

1. Ten weeks ago today I learned that God had spared my life. Upon being opened up to deliver my twins via the repeat cesarean section that I so did not want, my doctor discovered a complete separation of my old uterine scar. The only thing holding my babies inside my uterus was the unbroken bag of waters. Had I labored for the VBAC that I so earnestly desired and prayed for (and for which I was denied) or had my water broken, both me and my babies would probably have lost our lives. Praise God for doing according to His will and not mine....

2. Summer is my favorite time of year. Warm weather, fireworks, sweet corn... all my favorite things!

3. God has blessed me with an amazing husband. We celebrated our fourth anniversary one week after the birth of our third and fourth children!

4. I am a perfectionist who isn't very good at organizing things.... Does that make sense?... :-)

5. I have shaved my legs (almost) every day since I got married.

6. When I was getting to know my husband (before we started dating), I purposely didn't wear makeup because I wanted him to see the real me (and as it turns out, the Me he would have four years of marriage and four children later!). :-)

7. I was baptized in India while there on a three-week missions trip.

8. I am known by my family as being a long teeth brusher. The joke is, "She'll be ready in five minutes. She just has to brush her teeth." :-)

9. I was diagnosed with writer's cramp, a focal point dystonia of the forearm, after gradually and mysteriously losing the ability to write with my right hand. I have since taught myself to write left-handed and to use the computer for as many things as possible.

10. When I am home alone with my kids, I can often be found dancing and singing silly songs to them. (Please call before stopping by.) ;-)

My Growing Babies

This morning I took Isabel and Elliana to the pediatrician for their two-month check-up.  It's hard to believe they are already--to be exact--two months and one week old!  Since we don't vaccinate our children, today's appointment really just consisted of getting their measurements.  I was looking forward to seeing how much they've grown since their last appointment at 12 days old.  Since that time, Isabel has graduated from preemie size diapers and preemie size clothing to size 1 diapers and newborn size clothing; and Elliana has graduated from newborn size diapers and preemie size clothing to size 1 diapers and (some) 0-3 month size clothing.

Today's measurements confirmed all this growth!  Isabel, who was 3 lbs. 15.8 oz. and 17 3/4 in. long at birth, is now 8 lbs. 6.5 oz. (5th-10th percentile) and 20 1/2 in. long (3rd percentile); and Elliana, who was 5 lbs. 10.2 oz. and 18 in. long at birth, is now 10 lbs. 2.0 oz. (25th-50th percentile) and 22 1/4 in. long (25th-50th percentile)!  Both girls are growing faster than the normal growth curve and are reaching developmental milestones right on schedule.  (In fact, my little Isabel has already rolled over from tummy to back!)

I'm finding that it's exciting to watch my children grow.  While it would be fun to keep them as babies forever (okay... maybe not forever...), it's also fun to watch them learn and develop and discover their world.  I've heard parents of older children say that each new age is more fun than the last, and I'm beginning to see where that could be true.  As I've begun to accept the new reality that Travis and I are most likely done having children (see this post), I find myself somewhat excited to move into the next stage of life.  This past Sunday I was watching one of the "grown up" families in our church, and I thought to myself, "How rewarding it will be to one day fellowship with and worship alongside my grown children."  It was like looking at the eventual fruit of all the work that goes into having a young family.  And it was like God was showing me through the simple sight of a mature, godly family that it's all going to be okay.  I may not have more babies to look forward to, but I have so much to look forward to with the beautiful family He has already given me.

Girl Time

Last night the girls and I welcomed Travis and Abel back home after their three day trip to St. Louis.  While they were away watching the Cardinals play baseball, we...

...ate hot dogs and baked beans for supper (one of Amariah's choice meals--and mine, too!).

...turned the air conditioner in the house from 73 to 75.  (Unlike my husband, I'm not a big fan of rooms that feel air conditioned.)

...had a chance to talk to each other (because Abel wasn't here to fill the air with his incessant chatter). :-)

...took a long walk and enjoyed the sounds of the outdoors.  (You should have seen me--carrying one and pushing two, I must have been quite the sight!) :-)

...worked on potty training...

...and obedience training...

...and attitude training.

...prayed together that God will make us into the women He desires for us to be.

...went shopping without spending money.  (If I would have had a dollar for every "You've got your hands full" and "You're a busy mom" comment I heard, I could have spent lots of money.)

...slept through the night!  Oh, wait... that was only Amariah and Elliana.  (Isabel, our time is coming soon... right?)  ;-)

How thankful I am that God has blessed me with a "handful" of daughters!

Kids Live Here!

About a month ago my blogging friend Lynnette challenged her blog readers to take pictures of all the out of place things around the house that signal, "Kids live here!" I didn't take part in her challenge, but as I think about all the misplaced things I've just recently discovered, I'm beginning to wish I would have!

• sidewalk chalk laying on the bathroom floor
• multiple pairs of socks--and shoes--outside in the sandbox
• toys in the dresser drawer
• costume jewelry--and a cabbage patch--on my closet floor
• baby doll outfits hanging in the nursery closet
• crayon markings on the front storm door
• my stark naked son running through the backyard

These little things that might be annoying--and sometimes embarrassing (see last bullet point)--at the time are, I must admit, kind of funny in retrospect. I have to wonder what prompted Amariah to strategically place her toy kitchen stuff in Abel's dresser drawer, what Abel was thinking (or if he was thinking) when he decided to strip and head to the backyard, etc. I guess these things do more than keep me busy cleaning and training--they keep me smiling (in the long run, at least!), too. :-)

My Four Gifts

We are blessed.  I knew that children are a blessing, and I knew that twins would be a double blessing, but I never could have imagined how great that double blessing would be.  When I look at my two babies I am awed by the goodness of God.  If we must be done having children, what a way to go out--with not one baby but two to love and enjoy.  Last night, as I looked at them lying side-by-side on my lap, I said to my husband, "My joy couldn't be more full...."  They are incredible gifts, and I love them.

And then there's Abel... probably the only son we'll ever have.  He is such a big little boy.  He's smart, attentive, caring, and responsible.  He's my companion and my extra set of hands.  He is a gift, and I love him.

And Amariah.  She has such a love for life.  She's sweet, cute, silly, and fun.  She'll steal your heart in an instant.  She is a gift, and I love her.

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." (Psalm 127:3)