I often find myself saying, "it's just a phase" or "this too shall pass." More than anything I don't want my children to be grown up, but some of the challenges that each stage brings make me wish away the bad phases...only to find something bad in the next phase too. So I've started focusing more intently on all the good in each phase. And here are some of the memories I have over the past couple of months:
Elizabeth and Andrew are tight. I used to be so bothered by the arguing and fighting, but now I'm seeing how much they rely on each other. Lizzy has a big girl bed, and instead of coming to me when she wakes up, she rushed in to wake Andrew up. There were a couple of times that he got annoyed by her jumping on his bed to wake him up so we decided to put a baby gate on Elizabeth's door to confine her in her room until I got her out...only to find that Andrew would wake up and rush to Lizzy's room, pull the baby gate off the door and play with her or even snuggle together in her big bed. Their love for each other is strong. They hold hands all the time. I've caught them a couple of times when they didn't think I was watching.
I also found the sweetest thing...Andrew kicked his shoes off at the front door, and Lizzy places each of her shoes inside of Andrew's shoes. I found it ironic...it's how she views her brother...as her big protector. I snapped a pic to remember.
Right now, Lizzy is in time out in her room for some ugly behavior. She is screaming her head off, and it reminds me of how she screamed her way through the store so much so that everyone in the store was giving me looks of pity which quickly changed into looks of hatred b/c they couldn't believe that I was on the phone while my daughter was screaming. I had to make the call, and my friend was so calming and quick to the point so our conversation could end. I got off the phone and scooped screaming Lizzy up. She melted into my arms and told me she was so sorry. She just wanted MY attention. She's just struggling to figure out the right way to get attention.
Andrew has such a sensitive heart. You can tell he bears the weight of the world on his shoulders at times, and yet, he is so full of joy that his joy becomes contagious. I love that happy little boy! One day, I was upset by something, and while I didn't say a word, Andrew sensed my discontent. He came over, loved on me and gave me encouragement the way another adult would do - not a 6 year old boy. He has an old soul and he is filled with love to the brim. His ugly actions cause him grief in a way that requires no further discipline. I'm so proud that he is self reflective, and he has a desire to love others.
Elizabeth has trouble going to sleep. She honestly requires little sleep. She's always been my bad little sleeper. Everyone at my house sleeps more than her :( Last night was one of those nights that she was still laying in her bed after 11. I went in her room, prayed with her and we sang songs and snuggled. Had I not gone into her room to spend that time with her, I would have missed her singing the full ABC song in such a beautiful voice that it melted my hear...and it was further proof that she's so stubborn that she's been holding out on me! She is learning the things I teach her!
And the other day when Lizzy had a tummy ache that caused her such pain that she screamed for an hour, it humbled me and warmed my heart when out of no where Andrew got down on his knees and prayed for his sister. Shortly after, Lizzy's tummy felt better, and we got on our knees thanking God for healing her little tummy.
Finally, I have to brag about my little genius. We've had some complications with Andrew's health. It's a long story, and we are still finding answers so no need to be concerned right now. The pediatrician (whom I love) was worried about Andrew's eyesight so she gave him a quick exam by having him tell her what letters were on a doctor form across the room. He read the words instead of telling her the letters, and the words were gigantic doctor words that I could barely pronounce. Andrew blew the socks off of us when he read each word perfectly. I was so proud of him, but I wasn't surprised. He can read better than me. The doc herself called Andrew brilliant and used words like genius to describe my son!
I love my two little strong willed ever so difficult children! I wish I could just freeze them the way they are right now!
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