I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

Parenting a two-year-old at times is quite exhausting. The more I do it the more I realize why these times are referred to as the "Terrible Two's." I don't think that is a description of the child as much as it is a description of your feelings toward yourself.

As Geneen has all ready pointed out Evelynn can be at times a very taxing child. She can be defiant, obnoxious, boundary-pushing, and a whole host of other delicately chosen adjectives. That being said there is a huge side of Evelynn that is sweet, wholesome and just darn entertaining.

I remember one time while putting Evelynn to bed she had trouble staying in her room let alone in her bed. She kept coming out with a different excuse. First an owie, than she had to go potty, then she wanted to say prayers again - on and on. Finally Geneen put her in time out. Evelynn went to her corner, sat down and promptly started singing the primary song, "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." Listening to her sing that song in her little voice it was impossible to stay mad at her.

We must be doing something right, just yesterday Evelynn put her bear in time out. She sat it in the corner and said, "Sit down!" over and over. Followed with, "You stay!"

"Do I really sound like that?" my head asked my brain. "Yes, yes you do," came the sure reply.

Everything turned out for the best though, when she came and made her bear apologize to me. I'm not even sure what he had done wrong.

The other day she sat down on the toilet. "Do you have to go potty?" queried Geneen.

"Yes," came Evelynn's reply, "I want some gum." (Her typical go-potty reward.)

From her made up songs and dances, to her yelling and screaming fits; life with Evelynn is up and down - in and out - loud and --well okay, it's NEVER quiet. But there's nothing as sweet as seeing her lying in her bed asleep, or having her come up and give you a kiss and say, "I love you dad." It makes all of it worth it, you start to think:

"Maybe I'm doing something right; maybe I am a good father, someone she'll be proud of."
And then as soon as you think all of that she follows up her kiss with a smack in the face.

"Get back to reality dad, you and I have a long way to go!"

I can't wait for the rest of the ride.