Parenting!

I am so thankful that I have a good size laundry room. It contains my washer, dryer, extra refrigerator, shoe storage, and vacuum cleaner. On several other occasions it holds confiscated toys. Most of the time, those would be Jackson's toys! Several months ago we had to take Jaycee's toys away for her lack of wanting to clean up her room. We moved her entire toy box with every toy that we could manage to fit in it to our bedroom and then others into the laundry room. She was without her toys for at least 2 weeks if not longer. When she finally got them back she was thrilled and to this day we have not had a problem with her cleaning up. Most of the time, she cleans up her room without us saying a word to her. Now, Jackson on the other hand seems to be loosing toys everyday. Last week we had taken the majority of his toys away. We gave them back this past Saturday because we were having people over for a Super Bowl Party and thought the kids would need toys to play with. Jackson was very excited to have his toys back and spent most of that day in his room playing. For the most part he did a good job picking up his toys. Unfortunately, his efforts have already turned sour. Last night he refused once again to clean up his room. This time we have removed every car he has. Those are really his prized possessions. I went through every inch of his bedroom gathering every car in every size and removed it from his room. Now, my laundry room once again has containers of confiscated cars. Hopefully, Jackson will grasp the fact that he needs to clean up when we ask him. If he doesn't come to understand this I am not sure what we will need to do. Maybe just clean out his entire room leaving nothing but a blanket and pillow on the floor for him to sleep on. I think the terrible two's are hitting him late and that its going to be more like the terrible 3's. He is just testing his boundaries and seeing what he can get away with. Unlike his sister, he doesn't enjoy "growing up". He would prefer to be a baby forever. Jaycee we have to remind her that she is 4 not 18. The joys of parenthood. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with two precious amazing adventurous and lively children. Even though at times I would love to pull my hair out, scream at the top of my lungs, and throw my hands up in surrender, I still wouldn't trade these moments for anything in the world. The hugs, kisses, and the laughter make it all worth it! Not to mention, to see them grow in their love for God and to see them over the years become the person that the Lord is calling them to be. As a parent, I don't think there is a greater accomplishment, for a lack of better word, then to see your child become all God created them to be. Parenthood is the most challenging and most rewarding "job" out there.