Children

I have often said they should video tape a normal family on a normal day and show it in sex ed class.  Teenagers would think twice before they engaged in activity that may result in the things they see on that tape.  Don't get me wrong, children are wonderful and I love being a mom.  However, they do take a certain amount of patience and I am convinced that as a parent you must be mature enough to have "nerves of steel."  My children prove this point well.  Lissy has been screaming now for 10 minutes because she does not want to pick up the legos she threw all over the floor.  I am ignoring her except to tell her that her screaming just earned her the right to clean up a few more things. Children are loud and messy.  They don't always let you sleep much.  They break things.  They scream. They fight. They eat and leave crumb trails and half of the food stays of their face.  They scare me constantly by climbing and tearing around in their rough play.  As a mom or a person really, these things drive me nuts.  I look past the messes, (well I yell at them about it) the fighting, (ok, I lose it sometimes and send them to their rooms) the broken things, (yeah, after I cry about them for a few minutes) and the climbing and rough play (I'm still paying on their hospital bills. )  I try to focus on the hugs, the kisses, the way Eve will stroke my face and say "I like you", or the way Ethan will still slip his hand in mine when no one else is around..  Children are blessings.  If you have any doubt look at one when they sleep.  The days offenses melt away and their innocence emerges.  Everynight I sneak into my childrens room when they are sleeping and give them one last kiss.  Occasionally in their slumber they tell be back.  Their hair falls across their cheek and they are cuddled up with their rabbit, blanket, or bear and for just a moment you see Heaven.  Oh, Lissy just picked up the legos.