Lessons you learn the hard way

I love my little girl. I really do.  She's sweet, funny, active, loves to dance and listen to music.  She embodies a lot of the characteristics I'd want in a person or a friend.  But she's also two, and with that comes a lot of character-shaping and redirecting.  It's exhausting at times.
I was reminded just how different each stage of parenting is when we visited with our friends, the Childresses, this past weekend in Alabama.

Rylann is just 3 months old, and aside from all the feeding difficulties Kristen had had with her (which she put up with like a CHAMP), and Rylann's intolerance to a certain formula, she pretty much sleeps through the night and is generally agreeable.  For an infant, that is like a winning combo.  It doesn't get much better than that.  She seems perfect right now, even if she isn't (To Will & Kristen: I am in no way saying "she isn't!").  It makes me realize sometimes things were really good when I thought they were hard.

So, people ask me if I'm excited about a new baby.  I am, but to be honest, for better or for worse, I really haven't thought a whole lot about it.  I've thought more about what I/we need to teach and share with Mia before a baby arrives.  I've thought about all the house projects we'd like to get done this summer, Lord Willing.  I've thought about how I want to make the most of these months before things flip around again.  Because a baby pretty much rocks your world, and toddler tries to control it! :P

I'm thankful for where we are, but sometimes the lessons and the patience hit you pretty hard.  I guess it's a good place to be ... for a time.

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

 ¹ There is a time for everything, 
   and a season for every activity under heaven:

 ² a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 ³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
 ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
 ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
 ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
 ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.

And I am seeking wisdom, contentment & peace during these times...our family depends on it.