????

Not sure what to title this - more random reflections, I guess.
It was so interesting to watch the Olympic opening ceremony with M. This is the first time she's been old enough to understand any of the Olympics. And with a dad who's a big sports fan in general, and who was a competitive athlete in several sports in high school, she's enjoyed the whole thing. And we've had some interesting discussions about the world, different countries, why China isn't like the US, etc. I am finding it harder and harder to always answer her questions about things like that - the presidential campaign this fall will be interesting from that standpoint.
On another M. front, have to share this story, which also involves something she's picked up from dad - the use of 4-letter words. Monday night, she was pretty tired after dinner and mad at C. over something I couldn't figure out (I'm thinking at the moment it was something like C. was still breathing, but still). C. had to go potty. So, we were in the bathroom and M. comes in and takes off her sandal and throws it across the room into our bedroom (the bedroom and bathroom connect). I then calmly asked her if she was going to go on our walk tonight or not (we usually take a short family walk with the dog every night). She looked at me and screamed/growled "YES!" so I told her she needed to go get her sandal and put it back on. Then the real battle of wills began. She was convinced that I would either get her sandal or put it on for her. I told her no, if she was going to go on the walk, she needed to do what I asked her to and put it on. I think I also reminded her that it would still be on her foot if she hadn't been so into throwing a fit (which didn't do anything to help her calm down - but I managed to keep calm myself). Finally, C. was finished, I went to get their pajamas, fully ready to just put them to bed (C. has also been fighting off a cold and pretty tired) and M. stood up and got her sandal and brought it to me. I told her that the deal was she got it and she put it on and then we would go on the walk. So, after a minute of going back and forth over this detail, she sits down to put on the sandal, and while doing so looks up at me and says, "Sh!t! F@ck! Hell! Damn!" and probably a few others. All I could do was laugh. Which really confused M. - I think she was convinced this would throw gasoline on the fire so to speak. But it was so funny. She still has no idea what she really said -
W. of course, who is the source of this vocabulary for M., didn't hear any of it. When I told him about it, his response was, "So I either need to watch my mouth or teach her how to properly string them together, right?" Sigh from mom.
On to C. She has decided, as of Monday afternoon, that she does not wear diapers during the day anymore. For those who think an 18 month old is incapable of such sheer willpower and determination, may you never have a stubborn child. And she's done remarkably well so far with no diapers. If this takes, I will be a very happy mom.
I am amazed at the change in weather that August brings here. It is still hot - 90 plus today - but seems so much cooler than the 100 plus days we had in July. We are starting to have some cooler evenings again, which is nice. Soon it will be snowing, I know - so I'm trying to enjoy this.
Things at the church are marginally better. Not much - that will take much more time - but the key leadership is starting to see that W. is not the problem, he is the lighting rod for the anxiety that has been bred of year of mis-communication and indecisiveness and "trying to be nice to everyone" disease (where we want to be nice so we let certain people run roughshod over the rest of the congregation instead of just saying no to their latest outrageous scheme.) No, W. is not perfect - but he is far from their greatest problem. And just dumping on him isn't going to solve anything. Now, we just need this newfound enlightenment to trickle down to the rest of the congregation.
Well, it's late. Time for sleep. Tomorrow is another day....

Rough Times

So, time for my once-a-month update. The girls are fine. Growing like weeds - and now C is old enough to really annoy her sister when she wants to - so sibling issues are cropping up more, but they also really love each other. And it's neat to see them play together more and more. C is also talking more and more. She started saying "anks Mama" on her own - (for "Thanks, Mama") when ever I give her anything. It's really cute. And she will say "anks" when she gives you something as well. In fact, she was "helping" me and M clean the bathroom this week by handing the things on the counter to M who then handed them to me to put out of the way (Did you know it can take 10 minutes or more to clean off a bathroom counter? Don't you want help like mine? :) ) and with every item she said "anks!"
M. is now reading. It has suddenly clicked over the last 2 weeks and she can read simple words and stories. She is still far too slow to really enjoy it - so she doesn't want to much - but I am encouraging her to try some every day so she gets better. She loves doing school now - in fact, I had to put down my foot and say we could only do school 2 days a week, because she would do school 7 days a week and kill me if I let her. I am trying to be more intentional about setting limits in my life in general, so this is good practice. Her preschool begins in a month, and I think that will help keep her busy and not bored. I hope. She is really fun to teach, very enthusiastic, cooperative - but the non-stop go, go, go of her little mind wears me out!

The title of this post refers to W and the church - it was a rough winter, things got better in the spring, but the last couple of weeks have been hellish again. So much anxiety flying around, and leadership that doesn't know or want to follow the rules they wrote, and a church that doesn't know how to communicate effectively at all - add some drama queens in and you've got the nightmare W is in right now. He is really down about it and I'm worried about him. So, prayers appreciated. He still feels called to be here - but it's hard stuff.