Secret Sister

I have had a rough past 2 days. I have not been a patient mom. I have yelled at my kids.

Wes went back to work on Monday after being home for 7 weeks. I got used to him being home, I kinda liked sharing the household responsibilities. It took me a while to get over the "invasion of my space" and it turned into a collaborative effort in running our family. And yes, it even allowed me to be a little selfish at times...go shopping, fly to New Brunswick, you know...things like that!

So our 2 year old has decided he needs to find out who is boss again in this whole transition of daddy back to work. This has resulted in too many "nose in the corner" and the more serious solitary (I mean business) time-outs in his room. The last 2 nights at supper time have been gong shows...I try to cook a nice meal to not even be able to enjoy it because of screaming children...food is cold, shovel it in, hurry and get their fruit, wash their hands...ok bathtime? Well let's cut your hair too....This only produced more high pitched screaming from Ash (who was mad the whole supper time because we tried to "make him" eat spaghetti and meatsauce) that actually brought daddy running upstairs to see what the heck was going on. A mere brush cut I say...

Neither of the little guys are going to bed easily...Ash is needing to be rocked to sleep the last 2 nights and Addison comes out of his bed numerous times. Last night I called Wes on his cell phone (he had physio for his ankle and then was picking up milk). I was short with him. I was frustrated and I took it out on him. I needed him to help me put the kids to bed. I was not a good wife. I was not respectful. I was not that loving. I was unfair.

As I rocked Asher to sleep last night, I sat in the dark and stillness. I heard "children are a gift from the Lord." Tears streamed down my face as I thought about how I had treated my gifts that day. I didn't treasure my gifts from the Lord.

So, today is a new day. I started my morning off with reading my bible (yeah!) and read Isiah 40. The words that were spoken to me before our 2 year old awoke: "He tends to his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isiah 40:11 I prayed for his guidance in mothering our children.

I could not attend Friendship Factor this morning as the little guys still have runny noses and can't be in child-care with the snot rockets they produce. I had gifts for my Secret Sisters that I needed to drop off, because I didn't give them anything last week...I felt like I just needed to give. So we stopped in...well actually, I ran in and drop the gift bags off and ran back out to the van. On the gift table was a gift with my name on it from my Secret Sister. This is what she wrote:

"Shauna- Each week when I see your face I am thankful you are here. I have been thinking about your family often and understand what it is like to need encouragement for being at home raising Godly children. I believe you are right in the center of God's will when you are at home with your boys. You are a fantastic mother it seems, and there is evidence in your children; they are beautiful. I look forward to getting to know you deeper Shauna. In Him, S.S." I almost cried. God is so good, He works through people I don't even know...He knew I needed that letter this morning. Thank you Lord, and thank you Secret Sister.

Because of You, I am having a much better day!