Ragno and May Lynn

I always hoped to be the kind of parent that never yelled. I wanted the saying "A soft word turneth away wrath" to be me. I knew I wouldn't be perfect, but those few times I messed up would really be important and the kids would understand that. I am not that kind of parent. I lose my temper easily. I try to count to ten, I get to about five. I try to take five deep breaths to calm down before I say anything, I might take one. Sometimes I try to just leave the room, the kids follow me.
I know I am not perfect. I know they are little and are supposed to drive you crazy. But I don't want them to drive me crazy forever.
Ragno has started to put on all his favorite shirts all at the same time. He can have as many as seven, and he refuses to take any off until bedtime or bathtime. He is potty trained, but he wears pull-ups at night. Tonight he tried to put on five pull-ups, I think he could have done it if we hadn't caught him. I know it's just a phase, but it's so hot still. And he loves to jump on the trampoline, but he also loves to jump on May Lynn on the trampoline. Ragno is surely a challenge, I love him, but my goodness.
May Lynn is worse in some ways. She will deliberatly take Ragno's toys and run away with them. She hasn't really started saying real words yet, so when she wants something she yells. Or just trys to get it herself. Whenever I am at the computer she pulls on my arm and scratches and screams and crys until I pry her away and put her in bed to calm down. Now I can't work unless she's in bed.
My children are generally good kids. They have so many good points, like Ragno loves May Lynn so much. He will do anything for her, get her blanket out of her crib, share his cookies, help her up when she falls, and hug her when she cries. He also is very polite, he says please and thank you, you're welcome and even no, thank you. He is independent, he will play by himself for hours and be just fine. One day he just decided it was time to be potty trained and he did it. If he hurts you he will give you a hug and kiss and say sorry mommy, sorry.
May Lynn loves to read. You can't sit down anywhere in the house and a second later she will bring you a book or two to read. She waves and blows kisses to anybody. When she sees her family she gets so excited and runs toward them with arms up and a big smile. She loves to play Duck Duck Goose, she has to touch everybody's head and say Duck, then she runs away. She likes to find everyone's nose/ears/eyes/head/mouth. She plays the wheels on the bus and puts her little finger to her mouth for the mommy on the bus says sshhh. She loves to eat Pringles, she carries around a can, and she shares with the dogs.
So while I may not be the perfect mom....my kids are not the perfect offspring. And that's okay by me. I am grateful the Lord saw it fit for me to be blessed with such vibrant, outgoing, individual spirits, and I can only pray that I will help them grow to be the strong people they can be.