But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!
2 Chronicles 15:7
Sometimes as the mom of a toddler, I feel as though I am a broken record. Record me saying "no" and replay it all day, and it's very likely that I wouldn't have to utter a single sound for the entirity of that day. It's frustrating, tiring and quite frankly, it feels as though any type of ground work I am laying for a solid foundation of manners, a relationship with the Lord and some semblance of a disciplined person is in vain and falling on deaf ears.
Today the instructor of a fitness class I used to be a part of (and I so wish I was still involved, but there's no way I am getting out of the house by 8:15 with two babies right now) sent the class this verse. It was a like a breath of fresh air over my weary momma soul. God does not return void on His promises. And He promises that if we "train up a child in the way he should go" that "he will not depart from it". Yes, discipline in your child requires even more discipline from you. But I am hopeful that 10 years from now, I will be able to look back at this time and realize that I did not labor in vain and I will be rewarded for all of the work I am doing now.
: :
Last Saturday Brayden started showing symptoms of a chest cold. I crossed my fingers and prayed that it was nothing, but it was evident by Sunday that he was indeed getting a cold. Monday I was hopeful that the reason he was sick was because he's been breaking in his 2 year molars (I didn't realize this until Monday morning, at which point two of the four molars had already broken through... explains a lot of the fussiness and whining I've dealt with lately!). Unfortunately now Connor and I both have the same symptoms. I am least concerned about Brayden and myself; Brayden's old enough to take meds and I am adult and can deal with the discomfort. However, poor little Connor gets in these coughing fits that are heartbreaking. Last night it scared me so bad I jolted out of bed, ran in his room and sat him up. I subsequently spent the rest of the night on the recliner in his room, scared that he'd choke... or worse. If you think about it, please pray that we will all get better.
: :
Unless you've been living under a rock the past several days, you may have noticed that a majority of the country has been or will be hit by a mega snow storm. Arkansas was not to be left out of the action, and we received roughly 8 inches of snow, which was preceded by about 1/4 inch of ice and about 1/2 inch of sleet. I know you northerners might laugh at the amount I just gave you, but seriously, our state shuts down if there's even an inch of snow on the ground, so this was a big deal. People were calling it snowpocalypse, the stores were completely bought out of anything and everything that had to do with a bad winter storm, and children were (and still are) giddy with glee that school would yet again be canceled (at this rate they'll be going to school till July though!) Add to the fact that the storm was accompanied by record breaking lows (this morning it was -5 degrees!), and we've been holed up in the house since Saturday. Poor Brayden is getting cabin fever, and I thought Drew was going to go nuts yesterday after being stuck working at home for two days straight (Drew is not a homebody). And my poor, poor puppy. He's had to be rescued from the backyard twice already because his little paws get so cold that he can't walk. The poor guy hasn't pooped in a while because it's so dang cold that by the time he's circled the wagons and finds his spot, he's too cold to do anything but sit there looking pathetic till we come and rescue him from the snow. Drew was awesome last night and took the electric blower to a part of the yard in an attempt to give Toby a decent place to pop a squat, but so far he's not wanted to go there, so I guess Drew's valiant efforts were in vain. The snow hasn't melted one bit since there is ice underneath it and the temps are so cold, and we're expected to get even more snow on Friday, and possibly some next week too. BRING ON SPRING!
I have a couple of pictures I've taken over the past several days, but alas, I have been too busy to upload them. Hopefully I'll get to them tonight or tomorrow to please all of the Aunts, Uncles and grandparents that read the blog :)
