Loving and a little TMI vent

Last night for FHE we did a lesson on love. Something that we as a family can definitely improve on. It's not that we don't love each other, it's more that we sometimes don't show that love to each other. I.e. sharing. Or should I say the lack thereof. i.e. hitting. i.e. yelling (oh I am so guilty of that and I am seriously trying to kick it in the bucket!

Okay so we had this lesson on love. I think it went pretty well. Everett actually paid attention the entire time. I was impressed. We showed several pictures of Jesus doing miracles, with the children, in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the cross, and at the tomb. With each picture we told about how Jesus was showing love in those pictures. We also told a little story from a FHE manual we have.

Then we made paper hearts. One for each member of the family and took turns telling about how we feel love. I wrote those down on the hearts and we hung them on our back door so we can see and remember how to show love to each other throughout the day. It went well. And, today the boys were doing pretty good. When they would start to fight, or do something they shouldn't, I would say 'remember the hearts? What was something we can do for Ryan or for Everett to show love?' The boys are doing good at giving hugs, kisses, saying 'I love you', and other things we put on our hearts.

Overall, so far a success. So why the need to vent? Well let me tell you. It's all about me. Seriously. Today I tried to enjoy spending time with my kids by having hot chocolate and marshmallows. It's a cold day and I knew they'd think that was fun. What does Ryan do? Dumps his hot chocolate everywhere. But that's not just today, that's every day, every meal, every time. Seriously?! Aren't we over that? Apparently he's not ready to give up the sippy cup yet.

Then there's another thing. I've been really trying to focus on giving Everett some autonomy, some room of his own for growth and choice. But, I feel like the more I do that, the more trouble that causes me. For instance...today (well and just lately). He somehow COMPLETELY misses the toilet while urinating. So, we have these yucky, stinky puddles of pee all over our bathrooms. Gross. I talked to him about it yesterday and I thought I was pretty clear about no more pee messes. Obviously not clear enough. I wish the story ended there, but it doesn't.
After getting one bathroom completely peed all over, he went to the other bathroom to do his 'other' business. And he always likes his privacy. Fine. So do I. Who doesn't?

After cleaning up the puddle mess, I went to the other bathroom to put some things away and noticed that the rest of the roll of toilet paper was gone. Great. He probably put the whole thing in the toilet and clogged it. Sure enough, I opened the lid and there is a huge wad of paper. I decided to try to flush it and it didn't do anything. That's when I noticed it was actually a wash cloth. Yes, Everett put the rest of the roll of TP and a wash cloth down the toilet....UGGH!

So how do you show love to your child when you are so FRUSTRATED!! I was certainly not thinking of the hearts when I found either of those messes. I was certainly not thinking, 'oh my sweet little boy, I could just eat him up he's so cute'. I did try to keep my cool better than I usually do, but seriously?!!

I guess on with the loving.