If you know us well, you know that I’m constantly plagued by EB’s sass/behavior/belligerence/stubbornness/WHATEVER. It’s funny, occasionally cute, but I’m OBSESSED with her using manners (and she’s pretty good, let me give her credit), waiting her turn to speak and not embarrassing me (which falls way down on the list simply because kids talk..you never know what they’re gonna say and if it’s embarrassing, it’s likely because it’s true. Thank you my little conscious shadow). Basically, she’s almost three and I expect her to act 7 and find myself quite impatient with her. SHE’S TWO!
Anyway, the Women’s Ministry at church started up their fall studies again and “Spiritual Parenting” jumped off the page, into my lap and tugged on my heart during our entire church service. I prayed about it, asked Jason to support me on Bible Study nights by getting home on time and I raced to sign up…….. By nature I can be a little shy, but jumped in with both feet (and prayed about my class the whole way to church because I was a NERVOUS wreck..God has a way of working things out). 
Let me preface by saying, I’m in week two. Week one, alone, left me a carnivore’s sized plate of brain meat to feast on…. I feel like the book and the class were written ALL for me. Did you know we can’t control our children’s behavior? Like, I SOLEY cannot control it, simply because I cannot control anyone but myself (see, I need a lot of help). However, by placing them on the path of the Divine, her heart and actions will be pointed toward the cross. I was pretty darn sure I could control her… in fact, I tried REALLY hard. 
HEAR ME! I did NOT say she’ll never talk back or we’ll never have explosive moments (because we did..the VERY NEXT MORNING. I yelled, she screamed louder and we ended up in war ((with a two year old. Hilarious))), but as we train her up in the way she should go (God willing) my/our actions will place her on the path of divine. Now, more than anything, that is accountability for me as her mom… it’s a challenge…it’s exciting….slightly overwhelming for my flesh. Again, a simple reminder that my flesh cannot do it. I, myself, must be in the Word. Our teacher shared a phrase that I’ve become obsessed with, “What’s down in the well comes up with the bucket.” For me that means when I’m parenting Evie-the good, the bad and the ugly- I cannot draw on my flesh alone, but I must be rooted in His word for strength, guidance and direction. At the end of the day, God’s grace is enough to cover my inability to be the “perfect parent.” 
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
At orientation we learned that “Your kids are now considered the ‘big’ kids here.” I took deep breaths and JB leaned over to make sure I wasn’t crying full out, ugly crying. On the heels of that info, we celebrated our first THIRD birthday of a classmate. Wow. It was a lot for this want-to-stop-time-panicked-she’ll-be-in-kindergarten-if-I-blink momma. It’s all good. This will be a great year and we’re excited.
Last year was a great year for EB. She learned so much….like how to count to 30 with the exception of 26, 27 and 28. Did you know they are interchangeable? She also learned to say “butt.” We remedied that RIGHT quick and found out she learned that from her “daddy” and not her peers. She learned to use the potty and only occasionally tried to “potty like da’ boys.” She became incredibly independent and expanded her vocabulary threefold. I think her favorite accomplishment was wearing a helmet and learning to ride the big trikes…That one time we went to the ER for a busted lip was not from the big trikes. It was from her face planting into the corner of the windowsill. It was, indeed, a great year with an ER trip under my belt.
We try REALLY hard to stay on our P’s and Q’s and stress the importance of good manners.
Not really sure when “m’am” and “sir” flew out the window, but at Casa de Black….they are demanded. 
She’s so dainty and feminine. Full of sugar and spice and EVERYTHING nice. 
We’re just SO proud of who she is becoming.
Favorite place to go in the car: BEEESCH 
Favorite song: 
We are so thankful for these friends. First and foremost, they are just fun. They treat EB like she is their own. Let’s face it, hanging with a two year old can be annoying, exhausting and often frustrating. 
Not with them! She adores them and they return the love two-fold. They go with the punches when it comes to hanging out with us and have the patience of Job.
That’s how it all started…..poor girl! As a working mom, every day I struggle with if I’m making the right decision. Shelley, eased so much of that burden our first year because, quite frankly, EB cried for her. ALWAYS wanted her. Preferred her 99% of the time and lovingly called her “SheShe.” We “graduated” from that room last August. I cried…HARD. SheShe moved to a different school and I cried even harder. Ohhhh how we’ve progressed and kept in touch. Now, I’m not sure who she likes more…it’s a toss up between Mrs. SheLLey and Mi-i-i-chael.
We love you guys. Look at them… they are the type people whose sweet spirits and personalities just shine on their faces.
