Some parenting notes

1. Having two children potty trained is the best thing ever. Liv had a random accident today on the floor, but that's seriously been about it since we started this a few weeks ago. I put the diapers away, the changing pad away. Bliss.

2. You know how kids are destructive? Well, my kids aren't weren't. You know why? My superior parenting skills (ha).

3. Hannah missed the destructive phase a year or so ago, but is more than making up for it now. Ripped books, using my scissors to cut her clothes and toys (praise the Lord, not her hair), finding lotion and giving her room a good rub down, spitting on things, breaking things, stuffing toilet paper into vents, unscrewing drawer knobs. Causing general mayhem.

4. Because of all this, I've realized that Hannah needs to be highly structured. An idle mind is the devil's workshop? That's Hannah in the nutshell. So we've had to make some big changes around here. We thought for a week or so maybe we would send her to preschool in the fall but as we thought and prayed about it, we don't feel that's necessary if I can just get on my game.

5. So I've completely bought into the toddler "busy bags". Matt and I put our heads together and came up with about 20 different ones. Hannah will be allowed minimal free time running around the house. She'll get some (I do think that's important too), but not near the amount she's used to.

6. We have also had to restructure naps. She used to be allowed to be in her room for naptime, from about 1:30 to 4pm, pretty much with a free reign. Now, she has to stay in her bed the whole time. She can read from 1:30-2pm and then she has to sleep until 3:30. Then I wake her up.

7. Which brings me to my next point, she has been staying up until sometimes 10pm reading, singing, causing destruction, and then she is up early, 6:30am sometimes (although she has to stay in bed until 7:30). That's why I am only allowing her to sleep for an hour and a half. I know that's normal for most kids but Hannah has always been a long napper. Now I have to get used to only two hours every afternoon for myself instead of three:)

8. Olivia is still napping and sleeping well. 12 hours at night and three hours for nap.

9. Have I mentioned that my kids are drama? We won't go into details, but let's just say that we've been saying a lot of prayers for patience for ourselves and Hannah's behavior. She just needs to come to Christ. I can't tell you how many times I've read portions of Deuteronomy to her and Liv during our morning devotions about obedience:)

10. We have also failed Liv. She's been tricking us into thinking she's a baby because she doesn't talk, so for some reason we have not been disciplining her as we should. We are finding ourselves being the "repeater" parents. That is stopping as of last night:) Poor Liv.

11. Hannah asked me to repaint her room pink. Right now. Go get the paint. I am more than happy to have a reason to repaint a room!

12. Liv doesn't talk. But last night I was asking them what they were thankful for. Hannah was grumpy and just grunted at me. Olivia looked at me and said her little soprano voice "My daddy". Words! Cute words!

13. Hannah is under the impression that the parenting circle includes her and the three of us parent Olivia. I wonder how many times in a day I say, "Excuse me Hannah, I am the boss."

14. I wonder how many times in a day I tell Hannah to adjust her attitude.

15. Three is a fun age:) No, it really is. It's the most challenging age yet, but also the most fun and hilarious.

16. Hannah is awesome, we just need to make sure we depend on the Lord to channel her high energy and sassy mouth in good ways.

17. I've officially decided that age three is harder than age two. Olivia gives us our fair share of drama. And I remember (because it was just last year) Hannah acting the exact same way (and it bothers me less this time around too).

18. In the end, both my girls are fantastic, we are just having some tough parenting situations.

19. Now that you've made it to the end, I will tell you that we have been matched with an expectant mother. It's a long long long way off. No need to tell me congrats, wait til placement for that. I want to give more details later, but it's a long story. I really just want to make sure I remember all the details should this match work so I will write it down at some point, when it gets closer. But it's a long way off, too long.

20. Enjoy this gorgeous weather and hug your kids. Even if they are being difficult:)