Phoebe in Big Church ...

So from time to time I take Phoebe into big church for worship. She loves the music and I love to see her dance. Yesterday was an adventure. The crazy woman that I am I take both kids in with me. No car seat for Tommy - just holding him in my arms. First two songs go great. Phoebe is dancing and smiling. I am enjoying just watching her cut the rug in God's house. Then Tom gets up to do announcemnts. Phoebe yells, "Daddy!" and before I know it she is running down the aisle. I am thinking to myself, "When did she get so fast?" So I take off after her with Tommy in tow. I hear gasps from suprised people as we run past. I hear footsteps behind me and my friend Janet scoops up Tommy so I can try to catch my daugher. I finally catch her three rows from the front. She is not happy at being thwarted. She begins yelling, "I want daddy!" At this point people are trying to stifle their giggles at our crazy perdicament.
We get back to our seats after much protesting from Phoebe. The next song starts and she is once again content with dancing in the seat next to me. I turn to look at the screen then look back to see her on the floor crying. She took a dive in just a few seconds and the good smarartins behind us are trying to help her off the floor. I decided it's time to go. We'll try it again some other time - maybe when Tom doesn't do announcements :)

Parenting not for the faint of heart ...

Any pride a person might have ... once they become a parent it gets smashed to bits. Just when I feel like I have got this mom stuff down -- one of my children throws a curve ball. Currently it is a toddler refusing to sleep. Last week it was a baby throwing up from his vitamins. Next week who knows ...

Parenting is like a rock tumbler. As a new mom or dad you still have a lot of edges. Then comes the child - helping knock off those edges of impatience, self-centeredness, self-indulgences little bit by little bit. And man does it try one's soul at times. I hope I am more shiny today than I was last year - imagine what kind of gleam I will have gained 18 years down the road. I hope my children will be able to see Christ in the shine they are helping create.

For those fellow moms and dads on this journey of parenthood - hang in there. Keep thinking of the polish God is creating through the tough times.