Kids don't make it easy, do they?

Today was my first Sunday at Church this Lent, as my last post stated, I missed the first Sunday. When we were in the parking lot today, the first thing I told my 2 year old daughter (which is the same thing I have told her each weekend since we started going to church together), "Now remember, this is a quite and listening place." and as always her response was to put her finger to her lips and very quietly whisper, "Yeah, quite place Mama". And from there on, she was as quite as a mouth, then the church doors opened, and all quietness went out the window. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?
Each time we go to church, no matter what book I bring to keep her occupied (and hopefully quiet for as long as possible), all she wants to do is put the kneeling bench up and down and jump on it. Hey, the second I get to church, when I'm not running late, my first prayer is for my daughter not to scream, kick, yell, or do anything else, especially during the more solemn moments in church. 
And of course, you can't just say, that's it no more Church, I've had it, no  mater how much you want to, or the dirty looks you get from the other parishioners. Today, I even got an offer for a baby-sitter next week, which I actually got today from a complete stranger - I felt both guilty that she felt the offer was needed, and it was, but also a relief.
Maybe it's the terrible-two's really kicking in high gear, but as my husband would say, she's has been a beast today. She kept going from high-energy, cranky-pants, and uncontrollable screaming pants to the point where I had to step out into he hall, where she almost immediately quieted down. Then, we get back in to the church and she starts up again. At one point I had to hold her crying, and she was just clinging on to me. Her only real good moments were when she was staring at the 6th month old behind me, and they were both quietly doing raspberries back and forth to each other. It got to the point where I was almost ready to give up and go home for the day, which she kept asking me to do here and there, "home mama", "there mama, out there", "mama car". Just when I was about to give in, the most amazing thing happened, she took her head up from my shoulder and was quiet as can be, took her two little stubby hands and put them on both sides of my face and kept kissing me on one cheek, then giggling, then the other cheek, followed by more giggles, and the forehead, more giggles. My whole face just lit-up and I kept smiling. "Mama you silly mama", she tends to say this, whenever I laugh at something she is doing, or try to imitate her. Outside of "I love you Mama", her "Mama, you silly mama", are probably some of the sweetest words I hear here say.
If anyone would ask me if it's a hard job raising a child I would have to say "100% YES", then give a big broad smile and continue with, "but it's 100% worth it, and one of the most rewarding things you can do with your life".
Next time I'm going to bring my mom for reinforcement, and pray for my daughter through out the week. Hey, The Lord gets more prayers on Sunday, then he usually does any other time of the week, maybe mine weren't heard over the more important prayers, or maybe I need to learn more patience with my daughter, or the lesson is more for the parishioners themselves. Only God knows.