Shane was put in the Bishopric about 6 months ago and so since then, the girls and I have learned to adjust to sitting each week by ourselves. I've tried to teach them what's expected of them during that 1 hr. and 10 min. meeting- reverence, respect and that's it's a time to sit and listen and to try to learn something! YA RIGHT! Okay, I'll give Shelby and Sage some credit because they do try hard to do what they're suppose to, but we, and I include myself in that WE, all have our moments. Like yesterday...
Lexi (I know you're all wondering what she did now) well, she grabbed a straw on the way out the door to church. I didn't realize it until she was blowing through it at the little 2 year old in front of us just as the meeting started. She wasn't just blowing through it, she was spittting through it- disgusting! That little 2 year old didn't appreciate it and started spitting back, so of course, Lexi not EVER backing down, blew harder and spit more. So then as I realized what was going on and I took the straw from Lexi. She did not like that so of course, here comes the tantrum, full blown! Come to find out, Lexi had brought this straw so that she could drink the water from her sacrament cup with it. That's right, she had a sole purpose for that straw . How many kids do you see with a straw at church drinking from that little cup? Or for that matter, would a big ole straw really work to drink that water? Maybe one gulp? Lexi thought so! She began kicking and hitting me and our friend Doug who is a widower that sits next to us during sacrament.
Meanwhile, I look up at Shane for some support, sympathy, whatever you call it, and there he was enjoying the sacrament. Obviously in thought, like we're suppose to during the sacrament. The thought crossed my mind, "How do I get his calling? How do I get an hour or so of sitting and enjoying a nice spiritual meeting?"
Then I came back to reality with a kick in the gut from that sweet girl. I then grabbed Lexi by the arm and with Libby on my hip dragged her out of the sacrament meeting. We had a nice ole chat and she eventually calmed down. I think I sweat more at church with these little battles then when I go for a quick run sometimes. Yeesh! I did tell her that she needed to apologize to Doug for kicking and hitting and of course she wasn't about to do that.
After church was over we , the girls and I, were walking out to the car and Doug just happened to be parked right by us. He was in his car and called me over. He then told me that earlier he was walking down the hall when he heard from one of the classrooms, "Doug!" He said he stopped and turned around to find that it was Lexi calling from her primary classroom. She then said, "Hi Doug! Sorry!". I can just see her with her big ole smirky grin calling for him and apologizing. What am I to do with this little thing! I'm glad that she took it upon herself to do this, but I guess I'm learning that sometimes it's better when they do it on their own rather than when mom or dad makes them. Is that right with a 4 year old?
Anyhow, I was exhausted! I'm finding that I'm battling more and more with Lexi. She has so much energy and it's always her way and on her terms and I'm struggling...I love this little girl because she makes me laugh and smile all the time. Last week, I had gotten upset with her about something. Then I started vacuuming and when I turned the vacuum off, all I heard from the back room was "Mom, you should be ashamed of yourself!" What? What did I do that I should be ashamed of myself? But then she makes me think. I should be a little more patient and little more loving and a little more unconditional. I'm learning these little lessons each day and I think that's the beauty of being a mom. Right? At least that's what I keep telling myself...
