sometimes we need to remind ourselves formally....

Rachel,
You love Nora. She is a really fun little girl. You love to make her laugh and to help her discover new things.  You love spending time with her and making her feel special.
You are also exhausted. You feel strung out, over touched, unappreciated, and ignored.  All you want is to be left alone and to not deal with whining, crying and fits.
But remember this is a stage. And soon Nora will be four and on to another stage. Alot of her behavior is a result of how you respond and react.  If you lose your patience quickly why wouldn't she fly off the handle right off the bat? And also she's 3.  Let her be silly. Let her make a mess. Let her talk like a baby.  Let her say what she's trying to. Listen more.  Give her the why first before the instruction.
Most of all slow down. Stop trying to get everything done all the time. Decide what to do together and do it.  Less letting her lead so you can stay engaged longer.
Bake together!! Let her help cook.  Let her help clean.  Include her.
Choose to be happy and not make a big deal out of everything. O and next time. Make you a priority. Take time to be alone, to find clothes that fit. To decide what u want and do it and not have anyone touch you.
And most importantly pray. You seriously need to pray more.

survival

Day after day the only way I stay sane as a mom is the knowledge that we get another try tomorrow. When I yell or lose patience too quick, when I ignore and put chores first just so I can feel like I accomplished something, that I could control something... Even if only the dishes or floors..
When I tell Nora no I don't want to play even though I have nothing better to do... Those days I walk in a haze of fatigue and can't remember what we did.... I can wake up with hope that today will be better. I can praise God that his mercy is new each morning... That his grace is there for me. I can stop and rejoice when Nora is a good girl or listens well. I can smile and sigh when I achieve the special one on one time with both girls and some alone time to boot. I can laugh at the things that often leave me in tears. All because his mercy is new. The day is full of hope.  my babies are growing and will eventually sleep and not throw tantrums daily.  I just wish I could wash down this hope with a cup o coffee....