The Hardest Job

I love my kids so much!! I never knew I would (or could) love them as much as I do!! Their smiles and laughter bring an abundant amount of joy to my heart, and their little voices are so precious!! I want to have a hand in everything that they do, I just love to experience life with them, every second of every day!! They are our pride and JOY!!!!

Now that Maddie is two she has become quite attached to the word "mine!" Mine-itis attacked Sesame Street a few weeks ago and I think it caught Maddie!! However when it left Sesame Street, it came straight to Allison street!! The word "mine" seems to be Maddie's new favorite word! Oh boy!! :) I am big on discipline!! I think all children should be disciplined!! Discipline is how we shape our kids into Godly, well mannered, respectable children, teens and then adults!!! I really desire for our kiddos to be all of these so, I have been really disciplining Maddie when she gets on these "mine" kicks!!! She either has to sit time out, and then apologize or she gets a spanking (which rarely happens! I have to admit she knows when she does something wrong, and she usually feels really bad so it doesn't take much!! It is all about being consistent :)) WOW!! I thought they would have stopped by now, but nope, not yet!!! She is getting better and she is really good at apologizing!! She is so cute and I love so much, but she HAS to be kind to others, especially her bubby!!

Zack is now one and he is SUCH a boy (I LOVE it!!!)!! He wants to be everywhere all the time!! He likes to get into things, just to see what is going on! He does NOT want to sit still, he wants to crawl around! His newest thing is...he throws fits! They are not always big, but he knows what he wants and he wants it RIGHT now!!!! Unfortunately for him, that is not always possible!! :) I just started giving him time out and it seems to be working ok!! He is my precious son and I want him to be happy, but he has to learn that fits are never an option!!

Being a parent is the hardest job I have ever had!! It is the most amazing job I would ever want, and, it is certainly a career!! :) I have been praying over my children since the second I found out I was pregnant and I will never stop, but it amazing to me how my prayers have changed!! At first I prayed that God would keep them safe in my stomach, and that they would come in God's timing! Then I prayed that they would be safely (and quickly) delivered!! Later I prayed for them to be good sleepers and quick eaters!! Then I prayed that they would be safe in their cribs once they left our bedroom!!! I prayed that they would learn how to be mobile, that they would eat well, that they would not throw fits when we were out with friends!! Now more than ever I am praying that they will come to know Christ at a young age!!! I pray that they will always be loving to others and that they will set the example! I pray that God will help ME to be a good momma to them!! That He will shower me with adoration and patience and an abundance of love and grace!! I pray for their hearts and for their minds and for the words they will speak to others!! I pray for the friends that they will make and for the people they will date!! Our God is SO big and so Great, I know that He is preparing them to do something amazing in this world!! I guess it helps me to feel a part of it when I talk to God about it, as their momma and as His child!!! Life is so exciting, so fast, so rewarding and so scary all at the same time!!! I am so thankful for the gifts that God has given us!!!