Testing, One, Two, Three

We have entered another season of testing in the VanLoon household. It's frustrating because we are always so careful with what we are teaching her and we have never given in. There is a lot of whining going on, as well as waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom many times, as well as yelling at her bedroom door to wake up at 5 in the morning (she's not allowed up until 7). It's not very pleasant, even though we know it's just a stage that we have to ride out.

As I type, Isaac is ending a long battle with Ellie over stolen gum and TicTacs (from our house, not a store). He's saying calmly, "What is more important is that you grow up to be a woman who does the right thing." I'm very impressed with the way he's handled this whole episode. First she took a piece of gum and ate it without asking. He handled it well, impressing on her the importance of telling the truth. As soon as the conversation was finished, she went right in and took a Tic Tac! He gently is repeating the whole episode again. At this point, he is much more patient than I am, which is probably good.

Adding to the frustration, this is after a long bedtime struggle, multiple night awakenings, and screaming and yelling since 5 this morning. Guess if this tired girl took a nap. Nope. Oh, the joys of this age.

Now, as Isaac is sitting on the floor holding a screaming, tantruming child, he calmly said to me, "We must seem as illogical and stubborn to God as a three-year-old does to us sometimes."