My little blessing

Today was supposed to be our first day back at work, meaning Aubrey's first day back at daycare.  She needs to go back to daycare.  Seriously, she has been going stir crazy and needs to interact with other children.  But....we are stuck in the house with -12.8 degrees outside with a wind chill of -45 degrees.  And no, we do not live in the arctic.  And 11 inches of snow outside with a travel ban.  Darn.  So we're stuck in the house again.  I swear the terrible twos have gotten worse and worse over this break.  I have a kid that never ever stops going and is pretty demanding. 

 

I swear I have read the same books 20 times each, one of them being the children's Bible she got for her Baptism.  She wants to color but not color because her idea of coloring is looking at the book.  Mommy don't dare use that crayon.  Mommy, I need milk.  No napping, constant fussing (teething).  I've been at my wit's end as a mother.

 

However, reading my book this morning, I came to a realization.  I am blessed.  I know I am.  My daughter wants me to read with her.  The fact that she wants me to read the Bible and points out Jesus really says something.  She says please and thank you.  She reaches back and gives me a kiss. 

 

I have to remind myself of this in church as she runs around the narthex.  We ran into a friend of mine who helped me with her, and she just chuckled at how curious and active Aubrey was.  She said "she was so good! Thank you for the entertainment."  I never thought of it like that.  I'm always like "why can't she just sit still?  why is she acting up?"  In fact, unless she's screaming or crying, she's not acting up.  Sure, she's active, but I am lucky in that I have an active little girl.  So many people don't have this.  I am blessed.

 

As T walked down the aisle for communion, she looked at the crucifix above the altar and whispered "Jesus" to T.  He said "yes, that is Jesus."  She looked around the church and found a picture of the Sacred Heart and said "Jesus!"   T goes "Yes, that is Jesus, too."  We need to treasure these sweet moments like this.

 

Today she is acting up.  Teething is awful, and I can't imagine how she feels.  But I am trying my best to remind myself just how blessed I am.  She is the best part of T and myself.  Sure, she drives us crazy, but that's all part of the adventure of parenting.  And some day I'll look back at these little moments when she's a teenager and not wanting to talk to me and really miss them.