It seems my days are filled with a very small vocabulary... no, stop, don't, and get off the couch. I end most nights with a sore throat and a throbbing headache. My best friends are driving me crazy!
My children truly are my best friends. I hate being away from them and they are the reason I breath and strive to be a better person. I used to think it odd when people would refer to their kids as their best friends, but it's true. My favorite moments are with them and I truly do enjoy being with them.
With that being said... that's why these last couple of weeks have been so tough. The kids are going through a new phase and do not listen to a single thing I have to say. In fact they laugh when they get spanked, keep doing something wrong unless I scream louder and louder, and cut me these "screw you" looks.
I love them so much that punishing them genuinely hurts me... for example I had to go in and yell at them four times before they actually laid down for their naps today... after the fourth time Claire was crying and I ended up crying to Tim. It's so hard to be so hard on them when all I really want to do is snuggle with them and run around the house with them. But I also know I have to shape who they are going to be and they need to be behaved and respectful. Sometimes I feel like I'm their frenemy...
I try to embrace the good moments more and more. Today was hard - they didn't listen, I had to yell a lot, and there were many time outs - but when we got home from our errands all we did was laugh :) I had to suction Landon's nose and for some reason this was absolutely hilarious to Liam and Claire. So giggles about that turned into a tickle fest then a "ready set go" game... before I knew it I was laughing so hard I was crying. Those laughs are what make the hard days easier to get through.
Here's hoping tomorrow is easier <3 <3 <3