Exactly one month before she turns 2, Megan has begun to sternly announce, “No, Mommy. I do it all by myself!” I’m absolutely certain the twins were not this young when they started using this phrase. Oh, the joy.
Alex threw an gigantic fit for the entire drive home from Meijer today because I decided we were too close to meltdowns to go to Sam’s Club, too. Apparently, I was right. Oh, the joy.
Erin has started making these horrible noises when she’s griping. They aren’t quite a whine. They aren’t quite a meltdown. They sound more like a sick cow has moved into the living room. Oh, the joy.
Mealtimes are fun these days, too. We never want what we are served. We begin almost every meal with a loud list of what on the plate we don’t like. We leave food uneaten at most meals, but we are always “still hungry” after polishing off whatever snacks we have in between. Oh, the joy.
Children have been banned from sitting on Mommy’s bed, except by invitation, because in the last three weeks, the mattress and/or sheets have been drawn on (with marker), peed on (multiple times) and pooped on. Oh, the joy.
But then again…
Alex wants to talk to and nuzzle his new brother in my belly. He also tried to look down my throat to see him (“We need a flashlight,” I was told.) That is joy.
Both Alex and Erin have started to “read” books to Megan when I’m not around. That is joy.
They love to go through our ABC verses. Little voices planting forever seeds into little hearts: “Fear not, for I am with you. Children obey your parents. My help comes from the Lord. Keep your tongue from evil. God is love.” That is joy.
Erin helping Megan do and learn new things. Megan offering to share: “Which one you like?” Sweet sister moments. That is joy.
Healthy children who are able to do so much (and the constant stream of “Look at me” with such pride over their accomplishments). That is joy.
Sweet laughter as they play together. Dressing up. Dressing each other up. Playing “Dragon” and Hide and Seek and 10 Little Monkeys. Doing puzzles or stickers. Building with blocks. Playing on the couch cushions. That is joy.
Alex, my storyteller, recording our lives (“Once upon a time, the two green lights turned into one red light and we did not have internet. Our computer did not work. And our TV did not work. And our speaker phone (landline) did not work. Because the wire was broken. But the white man came and turned the red light back into two green lights. And finally, our computer, and our TV, and our speaker phone worked again. And the wire was fixed. The end.”) That is joy.
Realizing, every once in a while, that the moment of disciple was rightly handled, blessed by the Spirit, and that true fellowship was restored. That is joy.
Our life is filled with joy. I often forget. I’m distracted by our crazy, busy, up-and-down, learning-all-the-time chaos. I get so frustrated when they don’t get it right. I get more frustrated that I can’t seem to get it right. But still, Jesus joins us in the mix. And when I remember to look for Him…there is joy.
