I was working in the kitchen when I heard Noa say very calmly, “That’s not kind. Please stop. Please stop. Please stop.” By the third or fourth plea, Martha stopped whatever she was doing, and they went back to playing happily together.
That’s my miracle.
It feels like we work a million times a day on having the self control to respond in a God-honoring way when people do things we don’t like. This is one of those “I feel like a broken record” areas of parenting for me. So, it is a miracle that in this one instance, all that practicing and encouraging stuck. And it gives me hope that it will happen again.
So, if you’re a mama in these trenches of child-training, hang in there! Be encouraged to keep doing what you know you have to, even if it feels like it is making no difference.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.“ Galatians 6:9
This little incident was by no means a harvest, but it was a sprout that brought with it promise and hope. And as I think of friends with preschoolers who may or may not read this, I am praying for moments of encouragement for you. (And the sinful part of me thinks, “other moms have these moments all the time… only my kids could send me into such a frenzy of excitement over ONE positive reaction.” Oh well. I’ll keep my frenzied excitement and I’ll still pray for my friends!)
Alright, back to the trenches… 
These are just a few of things heard just this morning:
Noa: “Mommy, can you move Glo-ee’s chair closer to me. No, closer Mommy. I want her to be closer!”
Martha: “Hiiiiiii, Seetah!” (Hi, Sister!) when she saw Gloria for the first time this morning.
Noa: “Glo-Baby! You’re awake! Yay!”
Noa: “Baby Gloria! Hi sweet-heart. Hiiiiiii. You want a blanket sweet-heart? How about a baby? Oh, you are so cute, yes you are. Look, here’s your toys! See, Baby Gloria? “
Martha: (putting play make-up on Gloria and feeding her a dolly bottle) “Heee, Dyo. Met-up? A-juice?” (“Here, Glo. Make-up? Apple juice?)
There is certainly no shortage of love in this house for this little beauty:
I’m thanking God this morning for all the sister sweetness around here.
One of my favorite things we hear, when Gloria is sad or fussing:
Martha: “O-tay Djo, O-tay!”
(Translation: “Ok Glo, Ok”)
In fact, one of my favorite words she says is “Glo” or “Djo”, rather.
Sweetness.
~Yesterday as I cooked dinner, Noa paced around the kitchen floor talking to me and asking questions. It was a lovely and hilarious conversation. While I can’t remember everything she said, at one point, after telling me how excited she was about what we were having for dinner, she said,
“Mother, you are a GREAT making-girl”
making girl=cook (?) I’ll take it!
Thanks, Noa!
~Last week, I had left the girls at the lunch table to go get something in Eric’s office and Noa followed me in.
SB: “Noa, Are you supposed to leave the table without asking permission and being excused?”
Noa: (putting both hands on my face and looking into my eyes) “But I just needed to tell you you are the best Mommy.
Again, thanks, Noa!
At the end of January, we had a rare Saturday where Eric was caught up with school and work (it was the weekend between January semester and the regular semester – no homework!), so we were able to drive the two hours to see his grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Kuehn. It was such a special visit!
We had them all to ourselves for a few hours…
(Please note Martha’s foot up on the table. Making herself comfortable.)
And then were joined by some sweet Kuehn cousins who we hadn’t seen in so long!
It was a really special day for all of us and made us so thankful that we live close enough to have these visits with family.
We tried to get a good photo of all these sweet cousins and these are our best three:
Can’t wait til our next visit to Grandma’s house!
