We find ourselves in this scene 3 times each day, which turns out to be a lot of time! Sometimes it's very pleasant and a great time for good conversation between us (yes, I'm talking about me and the girls...I have learned to be a very good conversationalist for a 3 and 4 year old, mostly just answering "why" questions after I bring up a topic).  Other times if I am not prepared, meals can be very frustrating and one of the most common times for me to lose my cool. I have finally figured out that if I don't already have everything ready on the table when they sit down, I leave it up for:

"Mommy, can you get me a drink?"

"Mommy, I don't like this cup!"

"Mommy, I don't have a placemat."

"Mommy. Mommy. Mommy!"

"Mommy, you forgot to buckle me."

"Mommy, can you get me some ketchup?"

"Mommy, I don't have anything to go in this spot on my plate."

"Mommy, can you get me a spoon?"

"Mommy, can you get me a paper towel?"

"Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Mommyyyyy!"

"Mommy, Hank doesn't have a bib."

"Mommy, can you cut my chicken?"

Next time we are in this situation, I will count how many "Mommies" I hear and update you...I'm sure it's a tremendous amount, enough to make anyone go crazy.

But serving with joy is a high calling. It's the example that we have from Christ. I need grace for this!