Way to go Lauren!

I experienced such a wonderful thing today when I picked up the kids from school. As typical me, I totally forgot Lauren was having a spelling bee today and we went over the words once 2 weeks ago and I lost track of the list. Her teacher whispered that she won the spelling bee. I could not have been more proud. Of course Emily had to try and take her thunder and point out that she did not have one today, but if she had, she would have won. I just wanted to scream "shut up Emily and let Lauren enjoy her success for 2 minutes" but of course I did not. I have struggled so much with raising a second child. She has frequently been known as Jeckle and hyde with the wide variances in her mood swings. But, inside that little girl, is the most endearing heart. She has and feels empathy which is something most adults I know cannot achieve. There is no one that can pick me up on a low day or wipe away a tear like Lauren. She takes things so personally which makes my job difficult, but when her words or actions hurt someone, she truly feels bad and tries her best to make it better. There are several "second" children in my family whose lives have been badly hurt but the parenting differences between no.1 and no. 2. I am trying to be aware of my every decision. It is so hard. Emily is just easy. Does what she is told, perfect student doesn't give me a lot of trouble. It is that fire in Lauren that challenges me, but I know, she will let nothing get in her way down the road. Things don't come as easy for her so every success that she has will be from her own determination and hard work. I hope Emily realizes that she cannot take everything for granted. It all may come easy for her, but she will still need a good work ethic to be truly successful. As for Ben, I may need to find an instruction manual. I fear I have spent so much effort not screwing up the first two, that I am totally lost in raising him :)