This is the stuff...

So this post definitely needs the Francesca Battistelli song playing in the background, so sing along with me while you read :) ... "This is the stuff that drives me crazy, this is the stuff that's getting to me lately. In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed. This is the stuff that's getting under my skin, but I've got to trust that You know exactly what you're doing. Might not be what I would choose, but this is the stuff You use!"


The past few days have been rough for me. I try so hard not to complain about my "stuff" because I know how undeservingly blessed I am, but I felt the need to share- just in case anyone that reads this might be struggling with the same things.


For starters, I feel like I spend all day repeating myself and my kids don't listen. (That's probably not the reality, but that's how I'm feeling). I don't like having to ask them to do something 17 times before it gets done, but I also don't want to spend all day punishing them. I'm just looking for a solution-- I want to raise children who are obedient and respectful.


Then we can move to our sleep situation. (You should know that I require more sleep than most people. I was always the first one asleep at the slumber parties!) The girls are both trying to give up their naps-- and I, like most mothers of preschoolers, am fighting it with everything I've got! I love that afternoon down time, so I'm trying some other options. We're working on "quiet time" in their beds for an hour with the timer set. Today was the first day and it went really well- both actually fell asleep, giving me some time to blog! :) We're also having some major issues with bedtime at night. The girls are currently sharing a double bed, and we are having a really hard time getting them down. We're considering separating them, but be praying that we'd find a solution. I want to have a peaceful bedtime routine! 


Lastly, I'm not sleeping well at all. I know it's probably mostly due to being almost 28 weeks pregnant, but I'm having some very annoying symptoms on top of just being big and uncomfortable. My nose has been severely congested- I'm talking pressure to the point of not being able to breath AT ALL through my nose. This is causing me to have to breath through my mouth at night, which is leading to the driest dry mouth I've ever experienced! When I wake up (5 or more times a night), my mouth feels like sandpaper. I definitely haven't had a problem with this in the past or in my previous pregnancies, so any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated! Sudafed doesn't help at all. I've tried a netti pot, but the water doesn't even come out of the other side. Saline spray and a humidifier by my bed haven't helped. I'm trying to drink more water, but I feel as though that's waking me up even more due to my ever-shrinking bladder!


I'm so thankful for my sweet girls and for our precious Stella. My prayer is that I can see past all of these "little things" to truly enjoy my girls and my pregnancy. I'm also very thankful for my sweet mama, who listens to me vent and then comforts me with her wisdom and discernment from the Lord. She reminded me of this today:


"He tends his flock like a shepherd: 
   He gathers the lambs in His arms 
and carries them close to His heart; 
   He gently leads those that have young."

Isaiah 40:11

Thank you Lord for leading me and providing me with what I need to be the wife and mother you've called me to be!