The hardest job in the world

There have been many times I have not posted because I have not added any recent pictures.
But I have to stop that and just blog...when the spirit moves me. Which is tonight. (I promise to add pictures later, I have many.. )


When I had time to watch TV and used to watch the Oprah show, which I loved, I remember Oprah always saying how 'parenting was the hardest job in the world'.  I always thought it was funny, since Oprah herself did not have children.  Alex and I did not have children for almost 18 years.  Now, in a couple of weeks, we will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary, and I can tell you that I am in full agreement with the statement above, especially when it comes to a group of older girls (teenagers).

I was a very easy teenager.  My parents never had to worry about me.  I was also very obedient and respectful of my parents.  I did not dare raise my voice or do something to make them angry.  .  Not only was I obedient, but I was responsible and took care of many things around the house.  I was an avid baker, and did the dishes all the time.  I took care of my sisters and brother as well. I have talked to adults who were difficult teenagers and it is hard for me to identify with them since I was so easy.

In our house we now have 2 (going on 3) teenagers.  As they are all girls there is lots of drama, tears and the such.  It is difficult for me to sometimes not get roped into their drama and it happens sometimes... and sometimes they get to me, of course.  I am learning what to get into and what to ignore.

The girls are survivors, and as such there are advantages and disadvantages to this.  I try to take it in stride.   I am thankful for the quiet nights and the fact that they are quieter than they used to.

We have now rearranged our girls to be two in two rooms.  We thought long and hard about this since we had given our two oldest daughters the privileges of being in their own room.  There were tears and yelling and a lot of anger at our change.  We felt it was best to separate Yesica and Sucena.   We decided to create our third room into a study and office.

Milena probably did the most grieving.  Having a room to herself had been a lifetime fantasy for her.  .  Eventually she accepted it and is now OK with it, since she has mostly taken over the office and can do all of her studying there.  She is the only one who uses a desk to study.  We like it because it is more conducive to reading and the arts.  Milena and Mirellen spent a long time there today drawing from the computer while listening to music.  It was great to see how the space is being used by all. This was the idea of a friend in school. Thanks Kirsten.

I feel like most days we are  police officers and disciplinarians, there is not a day that goes by without someone being mad at me for some reason or another.  I am learning from some of my friends who also have teenagers that this is normal, and I will get used to it.  I am getting better though, and don't take things one day at a time anymore, rather, one minute at a time.