Lucky Thing I Love Her So Much

Wow! I could probably attribute to Ella many superlatives, but the ones that come to mind tonight are neither flattering nor postable. "I love my daughter" was my mantra throughout the day, even as I considered calling in an exorcist. I hope that her willfulness will ultimately fortify in Ella a solid, virtuous character. Right now, however, her willfulness is one of the greatest challenges of my adult life.

I'm not sure if she didn't get enough sleep last night, if she played too hard at VBS, or if she was simply an ornery and fickle crank, but Ella gave me hell today. Ninety-nine percent of the time, she is one of the sweetest, most generous, loving, and thoughtful children I have met, but that other one percent of the time, she is a total and complete beast. I am right now too traumatized to remember the details of the day, even the events leading up to the following conversations, but here is a taste of the beast:

Ella: I hate my room. I hate everything about it, and I never even thought my bed looked pretty. Give my bed away--I don't want it. And you're a bad mom. I don't think you're pretty, and I don't like anything you say.

Mom: Since you dislike your bed and your room so much, you will sleep alone in the guest bedroom tonight.

Ella: I hate the guest bedroom. Do you know what I want? I want God to destroy the guest bedroom. Will you call him and tell him to destroy it? And I want him to destroy my bedroom door too. Ask him to send down a lightening bolt to destroy it.

Moral of the story: Vacation Bible School isn't making much of an impression.