AGGHHHH!!!

Ok, since last post, Chris ended up having to go to Urgent Care. He was running a temperature of 104. They decided they had no idea what it exactly was, but it sounded like some sort of virus. To rest and drink lots of fluids. So, he was in bed from Wednesday through Saturday. Thursday I didn't watch Abram and hung out. I honestly can't remember what we did, sorry.
Friday I had Abram in the afternoon. Nathan had an accident with his pants and so we had to run up there and get him a change of bottoms. Then to get Hannah and back to get Nathan. We stopped at Price Chopper inbetween to pick up some oranges that Chris wanted to suck on.
Saturday we went to the Pumpkinfest here in town. The kids had earned their allowances, so they used it to ride the carosel, feed a burping camel, and Nathan rode those huge slides that you sit on a gunny sack? They played a couple of games and won an inflatable dolphin. They had a good time.
We then went grocery shopping and then spent the rest of the afternoon playing outside with Joey( Amy's brother), Abram and Brett. I also kept tabs on the Missouri game. (Congratulations to the A&Mers!!! )
It was a pretty good game to keep up with. Now, however, MU isn't undefeated. :-(
Sunday we went to church and then it rained all afternoon, so we played some games, the kids ran around playing hide the "something". We hid a stuffed pig, a bracelet, and even a candy pumpkin. It was fun.
Monday, our week started out a little hairy. I dropped off Hannah and then Nathan. I then ran to Hobby Lobby, because I am a homeroom mom for Nathan's class and am in charge of the craft for the fall party. I need to get some construction paper, googly eyes, etc.
I got home to find 3 messages on the answering maching in regards to Hannah. She was having a fit. Ms. Catherine couldn't get her to stop screaming. She couldn't touch her thumbs together right in their daily prayer, the toilet paper wasn't coming off the roll right, etc. They didn't want me to come get her necessarily but that they wanted to talk about what was up.
Everyone seems to think she might be slightly autistic. I don't know anything about it, but she has been quite a struggle from time to time. Chris' mom thinks she is just strongwilled and we should read "The strongwilled child". Can't hurt.
Anyways, I called Chris and we decided to get our point across that her actions were unacceptable, we removed everything from her room except her bed and her little table. All the toy boxes, play shoes, pretty dresses, and such were taken to storage. Her bookshelf and doll house were turned around to face the wall.
Ms. Catherine also left her in the office during recess time. When I picked her up, she acted as if nothing had happened. I made it clear to her that I was disappointed and that there were severe consequences. When we got home, and she saw her room, she was surprised. She got her spankings and naughty corner to go along with it.
I read her the story of Cain and Abel and that God had warned Cain that sin was knocking. After their situation, Cain called his punishment too severe and how God still loved Cain, but had to punish him.
Lorna had a good idea about having a note come to her from God with scripture that was applicable to the situation. I left her and Nathan one. Hers was, "A gentle word turns away wrath, but a harsh one stirs up anger. Let your gentleness be evident to all for the Lord is watching." She was pretty glad to see a letter from God. I have also been working on a devotional she and I can do together about Princesses and using the Disney princesses as references. Since we are God's princesses and He expects certain things from us, I thought it would be good for her and I. So I started that today. We talked about Cinderella and that she was yelled at and her stepsisters had things she wanted, but she never yelled and she always served them with a smile. When she was forced to do extra work, she sang while she did it. We talked about that Jesus was a little like Cinderella in that He didn't come to be served but to serve. And our verse was Galatians 5:15, which says that Jesus has given us the freedom, not to sin, but to serve others with love.
She made Ms. Catherine an "I'm sorry" gift and it will be in the classroom as a reminder to her that Ms. Catherine is her friend and that friends treat each other with love. All I can do tonight is pray that her eyes are opened and her heart is what God expects of her. She is such a sweet girl that it pains me when she is this way. It is like some days she is two different people.
I agree more with Lorna that she is just testing her way. And Hannah admitted to me today that she acts that way because she wants others to do things for her. I reminded her that princesses don't expect people to do everything for them, but that God wants his princesses to show others remarkable love.
Please pray for her.
On a lighter note, at the end of that day, (Monday) Chris and I were praying over Nathan before he fell asleep and he said, "You know what. I bet the Chinese people are just now eating their breakfast." Chris and I couldn't stop laughing. We had pictured in our head little chinese people with chopsticks eating eggs or something. Nathan went on to say, "Well, you know, they are waking up when we go to bed. They are on the other side of the world, you know?"
Chris just said it was the little bit of Leach in him. :-)
I hope this finds you all well. We are hanging in there and I am just now starting the Purpose Driven Life, so I am praying that through every stress in life, God is teaching me something new.

On a last note, I attached another link. It is to Kim and Mark Hubbards blog. They are some amazing people from our church and I am looking forward to developing a closer friendship with them. I am excited to keep up with what is in their lives, so if you want to do so too, you can connect there.
Until next time, maybe gentleness and love season everything you do. I hope that will be my motto this week.
All our love!!