830 last night I decided to go to bed. I had to be at church at 730 for worship practice and then sing in both services, this morning so I thought it would be a good idea since I had been feeling a cold coming on all day, (yes mom, I almost drowned I drank so much water). Some extra sleep would be good for me. Well, my bladder woke me up several times (thanks mom) and at 345am could no longer fall back to sleep. Tried to lay still so I wouldn't wake Brian. Got up before the alarm went of. Showered, dressed, and left for church. Came home and Brian said that he was sick, Emily had a green snotty nose and Kelli was coughing and all stuffed up. So I got Andrew ready and the two of us headed back to church for 2nd service. Great morning at church, great music, sanctity of life Sunday, amazing testimony (I'll post more on that later) and a great message from Psalms 139. Got home, made lunch, Brian slept in the recliner, all three kids napped for a bit (some longer than others) and I got my office really cleaned up and also got all my bill paying stuff organized better to make monthly budget setting and paying bills and tracking our expenses easier. (I will perhaps post more on that later too). Then the two older kids woke up and that is when the day went from a great Sunday to several of us in tears. Brian was watching a not kid appropriate movie that was almost over, so I had the kids come in the office and pick up their "area". That was problem #1 a 4 yr old and a 6 yr old in a 3ft by 5ft space. "Andrew stop pushing me!" "Kelli get that off my desk." "Andrew, DO NOT THROW THAT AWAY, it is mine!" "Mom, Andrew..." "Mom, Kelli..." "Mom" "Mom" "Mom"...this continued for a little while with a few attempts to get them back on task but finally ended with me sending them both upstairs to "play QUIETLY, your sister is still asleep, in your room while Daddy finishes his movie and I finish my project." What seemed like seconds later they were chasing each other through the hallway running back and forth past Emily's room screaming at the top of their lungs! I went upstairs and dolled out some punishment, that perhaps was too severe, but we have been having listening issues alot lately so I went with my gut. No computer and no video games for 1 week. Oh the tears that followed! I told them to get their room picked up and I would call them when dinner was ready, and reminded them to be QUIET, because miraculously Emily was not woken by the wild Indians running around outside her room! Again, what seemed like seconds later, Andrew came down the stairs crying (which is unusual, he is usually the cause of other people's tears). He came in the office, holding his arm, "Kelli bit me!" Sure enough, I pulled up his sleeves and not only teeth marks, but broken skin. I figured Kelli had to be instigated and asked Andrew why she did it and he said for no reason at all, after further questioning there was something about him having poster of hers and he wouldn't let her have it...blah, blah, blah...Sent him to sit in the living room and I headed upstairs to find Kelli crouched in a corner of her room waiting for the inevitable arrival of one parent or another. Her story was that Andrew was yelling in her ear and wouldn't stop (and I wouldn't be surprised if he also had her in some sort of head lock). For a moment I was proud of her for retaliating and defending herself against his attack, but then remembered that it still wasn't acceptable. I sent her downstairs to sit with her brother while we decided what their punishments would be. They were sitting in their respective "naughty chairs", sullenly looking at us, waiting for their sentencing. While Brian and I were talking about it, he asked me if Kelli had apologized yet. She hadn't so I had her go to Andrew and apologize. She walked over to his chair, put her arms around him, broke down into heaving sobs, "I am sorry, Andrew." "I forgive you." Andrew immediately replied returning her embrace. Kelli still crying, weeping really, returned to her chair, to look at me, to find me also weeping. I am sure it was a combination of elements that started my tears...lack of sleep, pregnancy hormones, frayed nerves from constant rivalry between the two of them, Kelli's broken and contrite spirit, Andrew's quick forgiveness and embrace...But being the great sensitive mother I am, I used my tears, to my benefit. I told them I was so sad because they were not listening to me and that it made my heart hurt. They both then were crying along with me apologizing for their behavior and for making me sad. VICTORY, I proclaimed! I told them they had already lost computer and video games, next it would be tv. Then I said, "if you loose all three of those things, what are we going to do tomorrow? I guess we will have to sit around the dining room table all day and learn Bible verses about how to listen to your parents and treat your siblings!" Kelli said that she thought that actually would be a good idea, and I agree! Sent them back to their rooms, after hugs, with strict instructions on what to do, while I prepared their dinner. Got dinner ready, got them seated, sat with them while I prepared this months budget (yes 19 days into the month!! But better late than never, right?). They ate quietly and quickly and headed back upstairs to finish their room. Remember that earlier proclaimed victory...
no....such...luck...
fighting...screaming (as if an extremity had been severed)...dad intervenes...kids in bed for night...
office cleaned...bills paid...three kids and a hubby in bed...I am going to make myself a snack and a drink (perhaps spiked??)...bundle up on the couch, fold laundry and watch Mama Mia (Brian rented for me to watch this weekend. He is wonderful to me, have I mentioned that before, seriously wonderful)
I am doing this because, well, because I deserve it...beause we get to do it all over again tomorrow...but hopefully better, with a little scripture memory time!!
