Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Thankful Thursday




Since my daughter has turned four, she has been...um...shall we say, challenging. The Birthday Fairy sprinkled her with about a pound of sassy glitter and it seems to be getting all over the rest of us. I do not like sassy glitter. Or attitude glitter. Or "Humphf! I don't like your answer" stomp stomp stomp glitter. The glitter needs to go.

But, you know what? Deep down, I like the little pistol in her. She's a tough little cookie and she's not putting up with much gruff from me or her Daddy. And if she's not putting up with gruff from us, then I'm pretty confident she's not going to put up with much from the little boys on the playground either. I'm okay with that.
And she's a determined little thing. Someone, somewhere has taught my daughter the art of the negotiation. She will attempt to negotiate a "snack deal" just about everyday. Or work out some kind of offer regarding just how many toys she has to pick up compared to how many I have to pick up. And when she very reluctantly agrees to whatever rule Mommy and/or Daddy have put their foot down on, you can clearly see a I'll-be-back-to-fight-another-day look upon her face.
And the drama. Do I have to even go there? Words cannot express how teensy-tiny something can be yet the tears, the pouting, the collapsing on the floor...Ugh!...it wears me out just thinking about it.
God love her. And so do I. Because, if anything set this wayward ship on the right course, it was this mighty gust of wind. I have been thankful for this little burr under my saddle for the last four years now. While I was pregnant with her, my husband and I often said we wanted a fighter. File Miss London under "Careful What You Wish For - You Might Just Get It".

Thank you for challenging me to be a better mother.
A better woman. A better wife. A better role model. A better example.

A better fighter, myself.

And a better Christian.

Thank you, Lord, for the pound of sassy glitter. Amen.

18 comments:

Ann said...

My daughter got a good dose of sassy glitter too! Thank you for helping me see the good in it, and give thanks for it.

Mary said...

She is adorable and beautiful. Children can teach us so much if we only stop to listen and learn. Thank you for this inspirational post. She is a girl after my own heart.

Blessings,
Mary

Denise said...

Such a sweet post, blessings to you, and your daughter.

i said...

What a lovely post. Your daughter is adorable!

Anonymous said...

she's so pretty! blessings to you and your daughter. =)

Melanie said...

She is a cutie.. and you can just see the "sassy glitter" in her eyes.

I'm having some similar struggles with my 3 year old (almost 4) right now. Thank you for reminding me of all the positives about being whiny, and fiesty, and dramatic. If we teach them to take these qualities and use them positively, they will definitely serve them well when they are older.

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Anonymous said...

You daughter sounds (heh heh) like a lot of 4 year olds I know. I'm glad you have a fighter...life certainly has zero tolerance for non-fighters.

I don't have any kids yet, but I'd love a fighter too (yeah I know, be careful what you wish for).

I will ask God for wisdom for you so she learns how to channel her fight.

Thanks for this TT - really enjoyed reading.

Laurel said...

The sassy glitter is a challenge. Obviously the fairy didn't use it all at your house because somehow we managed to get some over here, too. Griffin, who used to be my easy child, has suddenly become...well, challenging. I dont' like it. But like you, I think it's a good thing at the same time. Ugh. The ying and the yang. The blessing and the curse. Motherhood.

Love all those pictures of London. Her hair will never cease to amaze me.

Anonymous said...

She's adorable. Cute post about her. Happy Mother's Day.

Susan said...

Ahhh, this was great, she is just ADORABLE!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Lisa-Marie said...

We got the DRAMA glitter. It seems to sparkle extra bright, and loud. Thanks for the insight to be thankful for some extra glitter!

Amanda said...

Beautiful girl and wonderful post!! I have a soon to be one year old son and...let's just say mommy is already praying about the toddler, terrible twos, and I guess now the "sassy fairy"...because he is VERY STRONG WILLED and has been since birth. I can relate. I like your blog title...it caught my eye b/c 1. My name is Amanda 2. I am DEFINITELY a struggling Christian. I'll be back to read more soon.

Darlene said...

My daughter who is 18 has a good dose of ATTITUDE glitter! She knows everything about everything and I must be dumb as dirt.LOL Just wait your time is coming. LOL
Your daughter is beautiful and it looks like to me she was give a dose of sweet glitter too.
Have a great week and Happy Mother's Day!

Madame Queen said...

Thanks for reminding me to be thankful even on those crabby days. We've had a few around here lately!

Peggy said...

Oh my Amanda...the photos speak a million words but your description of your challenge is priceless!

Thank you for turning what could be considered strong will in a better light and seeing the positive traits that may come from this! I know...it sounded like me..
God help you... but it looks like He is! I pray that He continues to strengthen you from the weariness!

I LOVE how you brought this right back to how it makes you better! I
see a beautiful mother of a "challenging" daughter blooming in the beauty of Spring! Hang in there! Have a blessed and glitter free, stomp free, challenge free
happy Mother's Day well deserved!!!

Thanks Lord for this mom and daughter! Bless you...Peggy

eph2810 said...

What a cutie :) Yeah - girls like drama and all the above. But she is a precious gift - and like you said - kids challenge us to be better in the task He asked us to do.

Thank you so much for sharing your gratetful heart with us - Happy belated birthday to your little princess.

Blessings to you and yours...

Anonymous said...

Certainly you are not speaking of that sweet little angel of yours, London! PS... how is that new adult sized dog house you had installed over the weekend?!@#

Anonymous said...

Sassy glitter... I love it! My daughter will be 12 on the 24th, and her pre teen hormonal mood swings make sassy glitter sound so sweet. I love your writing in this post. Beautiful, just like your daughter!