Not for the faint of heart

It has been one of those days here.  

I hope my girls remember the happy days of their childhood instead of today.  

Here is what happened all before 10:00 AM...

Cora dropped her bowl full of oatmeal and honey on to the floor.  

Anna spilled her cup of orange juice.  

I decided I need to steam clean the kitchen floor.

Anna was disciplined for yelling at her sisters.  She then embarked on a major meltdown, including throwing apples and pears across the kitchen and knocking toys off her dresser in anger.  

After I was cooling down from the frazzle of Anna, I panicked when I realized I didn't know where Cora was.  A quick search of the premises revealed she had accompanied her other sisters across the cul de sac to the neighbor's yard.  This was after I gave the older girls explicit instructions to keep Cora in the backyard.  

Woofta.  I was exhausted, frustrated, crying overwhelmed, feeling like a failure.  

Parenting is hard.  

I get annoyed when people suggest raising girls is so much easier than raising boys.  Girls are different than boys, but it is still a struggle.  I am surprised when people ask if I get overwhelmed.  Yes!  Every day I get overwhelmed at some point.  I recoil for a moment when people compliment me on how well behaved and calm our girls are (in public).  They are still kids who act crazy most of the time, and it is hard work to teach them how to behave.  More days than not, there is crying, anger, and quarrels.

I have to tell myself everyday that patient perseverance is the best way to train these little sinners.  If they were perfect, they would not need me or their father.  I love them too much too avoid the tough situations where they need me to lead them.  Giving of myself is my ministry to my children.  

It is humbling to see myself in my children.  My Heavenly Father gave himself for me, even though I make a mess of His beauty, follow my selfish whims, and do not obey Him.  

But He will not give up on me, and I will not give up on my children.