Lord Give Me Strength!

Okay, I know you have to be strong when the kids aren't listening. And especially strong with bedtime. But boy it is getting hard with Lexi. My little girl who used to go to sleep as an infant by just laying her down and walking away. Now... not so much!

Tonight I came home from Collinsville's Faith in Action auction fundraiser. It was about 9:30 and Mary was still trying to get Lexi to bed. Lexi has turned into the queen of stall tactics. "Can I tell you something" is the famous last words as you try to get out the door. She does them all... needs to potty, is thirsty, one more book, one more song. I don't give in so you would wonder why she keeps trying.

I thought we had got her to bed and came down to pay Mary and talk about her evening with the kids. Alas, little 3 year old foot steps came down the stairs. "Bye, Mary" as I headed Lexi back up to her bed and prepare to partially close her door. She hates her door closed even part way as she is trying to fall asleep. But that is the rule if she gets out of bed again.

She is crying... wanting her door open...I leave the room...
"Mommy, can I tell you something? Mommy, I have just one more question."
"No, Lexi, not again. Goodnight." I leave and pull the door half way closed.
"Mommy! Mommy? Why aren't you answering me. Aw! Mommy, you aren't answering me. Will you open my door later?"

I am quiet in the hall... she starts to cry louder. I fear she will wake up Nicolas who is out cold. So I do go back in and told her that her door will be closed all the way if she doesn't quiet down. I leave.

"Mommy? Mommy? Will you open the door again? Mommy? Aw, you aren't answering me again." (all this is being said in a teary, sad little voice)

I am on the other side in the hall struggling between sympathy and laughing. Then the clincher...

"I just can't be happy anymore."

Okay, my little girl is always happy. I laughed and then had to stop myself from running in there to make everything better. Currently writing this just to stop myself from going in and "fixing" it all. Maybe I'll work on more blog photos that I am still backed up on and try to catch up.... please go to sleep my little Lexi!