Parenting: It Ain't Easy!

Do any of you ever feel like this? Like you had parenting “figured out” BEFORE having kids...ha!  Boy, was my immature self SO wrong!  Elijah was super-easy, and we naively thought it was, in part, due to our awesome skills as parents!  Well, PorkChop joined us (he’s never been easy) and Elijah turned 2 ½, and “reality” set in...parenting is hard!  In fact, parenting is probably the hardest task we have ever undertaken...the one thing that requires more effort, patience, consistency, forgiveness, love, self-control, determination, discipline, and (especially) prayer than any other “task” that’s been put before us.  Perhaps to some of you parenting is/was a breeze...if that’s the case, then more power to ya and feel free to share your secrets!  But, we have found that to raise our children the way the Lord wants AND glorify Him in the process...whew! That’s tough!

I am grateful to know many other parents of young’uns, and their ability to share their struggles reminds me that I’m not the “only one”.  The only mother who surprises herself at the level of frustration these two boys can elicit!  Please don’t get me wrong, we love, LOVE these sweet, precious, funny boys more than anything on this earth, but there are times when that is easier than others. I find myself praying constantly for patience with these little guys...and then more opportunities arise for me to practice patience.  Perhaps I should stop?!  Just kidding!

I also find myself missing my own mother more and more as I face these challenges. I wish I could seek her counsel...her tips, tricks, godly advice.  Her ability to let me vent honestly about my frustrations, my exhaustion, my impatience, even my anger without a single ounce of judgment...just understanding.  I don’t know how she did it as a single mother.  I have a wonderful husband who is so supportive and helpful, and I still feel like I’m spitting fire some days! I also have my MIL, Kathy, who is great, and I am so thankful of the friendship that has developed between us since moving to Memphis.  She has raised 4 godly children successfully, and there is a lot to be said for such a feat!  But, with the wonderful examples and support that the Lord has placed in my life...I still find myself wishing I could seek the counsel of my own mother or at least get one of her pep-talks! That longing will never change, I’m sure.

Ok, ok, I’m done with the pity party! I really don’t want to complain or for you to think I’m ready to jump off a bridge or something! Not true! I just want to be open and honest so that I can look back on these days and know that the challenges, the consistency with discipline, and the hard (but right) decisions will all be worth it and pleasing to the Lord..and that someday they will be adopted into His family, too.

Ah, after such a heavy post how about some light-hearted fun. 

 Nothing special, but here’s what we’ve been up to...

Sega Gym with Daddy-O

Serious bed-head! Phyllis Diller, anyone?? (For you, Lauren!)

You just never know when they'll have those Christmas trees on sale!

Sumo-Miles

sleeping partner

Papa Rara came for the weekend! Always fun!

A Papa Rara inspired activity!

Yep, that's a face plant...

 And, yep he ate sand...

...but recovered nicely!

soccer star?

And, lastly, I found this to be hilarious this week, and a good way to end a heavier post! A video on YouTube about cats playing "patty cake".  Really, this is for Jill and Rachel (and any other cat-lovers...Steph J, Amy W??!!)...enjoy! (if the link doesn't work, just youtube "cats play patty cake")