Oh big sighs from this Mom. My 19 year old son hates exercising. He loves to hike and visit the frisbee golf course but it's not consistent. I've done plenty of nagging and explaining, but nope. I hope he gets to your level of passion, and I hope it's not because of some awful thing happening first. His FEV1 is 72.

Former pentecostal pastor's wife and piano-player here, shouting Yes! When people tell me that P&W "doesn't lift the mind and heart toward heaven," I laugh. Most of the songs (at least from "my" 80s and 90s) are directly from Psalms, which is more than can be said for those books in the pews (those ones from Oregon something-or-other). My mind and heart are absolutely lifted toward heaven. I also agree with the above poster's final point, as we were taught to watch the congregation (while playing and singing, no less) and continue with a series of songs if the people seemed "into it" and move on if we noticed half-hearted participation.

I'm sorry that I like this post so much (!). But I'm not going to say so what, it's all no big deal; what a dreadful few days. And also, my 3 and 6 year old come down almost every night, while the baby sleeps. Whoever gets down first is in our bed, the other gets the couch. Often, the 11 year old comes down and throws a blanket on the floor, but she doesn't really count because she doesn't wake us up (we find her in the morning, usually when we step on her by accident!). My only tip is that I make everyone have a rest for one hour, then a video with a snack (cuts down on noisy arguing if they're eating) when Addie sleeps. Smiley faces and hugs, Love, Allison