Terrible Twos.

 If you ever want to be brought to the end of yourself, see your deep need for Jesus and have a whole new understanding of what the gospel means in your life: become the parent of a two year old.

   

Now, my Laney, she is the best. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her. I love her fiercely. But when she has a tantrum, I mean an all out, screaming, arms and legs flailing, tantrum, maybe even her tiny hand raring back and hitting me in the face, in public, several days in a row, it brings a mama to her knees begging God for mercy.

 

 I turn to these wonderfully and wisely written books, who's author's only desire is to help me, and I leave feeling.completely.defeated. I want to implement every word they say, and I think how in the world am I supposed to this with my two year old.

 

 I've had many wise friends tell me that it gets worse before it gets better. Trust me, wise friends, I don't doubt you. And when I think back to the newborn days when Laney would scream and cry for hours only leaving me screaming and crying out to God, "when will this end? will I ever sleep again?!?" And now I look back on those days and cherish them. Her tiny body resting in my arms crying out in the night, only wanting to be soothed and to be with mommy. And I now know that those days did end and I did eventually sleep again. So, with these days of terrible twos, I'm trying to cherish them. Knowing that she's only trying to learn how to be herself. To exert her own will. And once she learns to exert her own will with a bit more wisdom, knowing there's consequences to actions, these days of tantrums will be mostly over and she will be an independent kid. And I will miss these days, which are also mixed with many hugs and kisses and "I love you mommies."

 

 Also, if you are a wise mommy, who has been through this season and has any words of wisdom you wish to impart on this poor, tired mommy. Bring it. I need them. :)