honeymoon is over

The time has come.  

Other than being redirected, baby sister hasn't experienced any discipline.  Today she turned seventeen months.  Now, she looks me in the eye, smiles, and defies.  Again.  And again--smiling ever so coyly.  

She definitely understands directions.  She's just testing the disciplinary waters.

Hand taps have begun.  The siblings are sad for their baby sister, but their own common sense tells them that Momma is right.

Their sweet little hearts are merciful, however.  After staying close (tomato staking--from Raising Godly Tomatoes) and tapping Beth's hand three separate times for standing on the window ledge (it's equal to her height), I had to leave the room briefly to shuffle laundry.  I called to Mary, asking her if Beth was at it again.

First she said yes.  Then Mary changed her mind.  "No, she's being good Momma!"

I peeked around the corner to the playroom to make sure.  Beth was back up there.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth, Mary?"

"I'm sorrrrrrry.  I didn't want Beth to get a slap."  

I should have known better.  Of course she wasn't going to tattle on baby sister.  

Who would do such a thing?

I'll have to bring the baby into the bathroom with me now for my potty breaks.  No one around here can be trusted to keep her safe.  

I might be in trouble with little Miss Beth!  What a handful!

There are bees out there, Momma.

Oh, these sugar and spice girls!  What a blessing to have them in my midst!

I like this April 23rd entry in My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers.

"We are God's fellow workers..."

1Corinthian 3:9

Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him.  A great number of Christian workers worship their work.  The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God.  This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child; that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one.  A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work.  He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit.  Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated.  There is no freedom and no delight in life at all.  His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God's blessing cannot rest on him.

But the opposite case is equally true--once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone.  There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work.  The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him.  The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone.  But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing--to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.