Crazy tongue tricks

Catchy title, huh?  Stick around...first I have to get through the craptastic part of my day.

I'd say we got up on a better side of the bed this morning.  Was it the right side?  Not necessarily...BUT, it was progress.  And I'll take progress.  B came and snuggled with me, saying, "You're always so warm and cozy, and I just love you."  Well, I just love him, too.  N was in his room, on his iPod.  Shocking.

Breakfast happened, and then the fun began.  There was a lot of smart mouthing and disrespecting and not keeping hands to selves.  When I told the boys that they needed to step up and pitch in to help with household chores, N lost it.  He blew up.  And I took his iPod.  For a month.  Because it wasn't the first time this happened.  He'd been given a lot of chances over the past few months, and his attitude has just gotten worse.  SO, I sent him to his room to make a list of ways he can be more positive and change his attitude.  He came up with several good ones, and as we went over them, I explained that these were all things he needed to do all the time...even as an adult.

He looked horrified. 

A little later, he was being super disrespectful again (read: sullen pre-teen, I guess) and I said, "Forget it.  No video games either."  Cue explosion!  And in that moment, the television privileges went away, too. 

"What am I allowed to do, then?  There's NOTHING to do!"  His options?  He was allowed to play outside...with his brother.  He was allowed to play inside...with his brother.  He was allowed to read or draw or write or color.  He started yelling about how he was a horrible kid and he hated himself, and he wanted to die.

And then it got real.  I reminded him that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and that was exactly what we were celebrating this weekend.  He died for sins we hadn't even committed yet, and God has planned each and every single one of our sins for us to learn from them.  I told him he needed to use this as an opportunity to wipe his own slate clean, just as Jesus did for us when He died on the cross.  He thought about that for a few minutes, and then went to go read. 

I went in there a little later, and we discussed the fruits of the spirit that hang on their wall.  We talked about the ones he does really well, and the ones he should look at a little more carefully.  And just as I thought he was getting it, he mentioned that he was really hoping to have his iPod  back by Easter so he could play with his cousins.

I declined his request, and reminded him that it would be April 30 before he received his iPod.  He will carry out his entire punishment.  There is no possibility of parole.  The video games/television privileges were not given a time frame, so he's forever hopeful.

We ran to get a couple of things for lunch tomorrow with the family, plus drinks/chips for school lunches, and when we got back, I turned on March Madness.  Of the three sports I will watch, basketball is my least favorite.  I enjoy it, but give me college football or baseball.  Yes, please!  Anyway, I lived in Kansas as a middle schooler (and my first year of high school), specifically, Wichita, so I know about the Shockers.  And SHOCK & AWE, they did.  It was the most excruciating and exciting game I've seen in a while.  In fact, I'd probably watch college basketball more regularly because they play for pride and honor...not a paycheck.  And I appreciate that.

Anyway, the last 5 minutes had me screeching at the television at decibels I'm not even sure dogs could hear, but in the end, the Shockers defeated the Buckeyes, and they're in the Final Four for the first time in 50 years?  I think.  After the Kansas upset last night, it was awesome to see the Shockers win against the number 2 ranked team.  I can't wait to see who they face next.

And that's when B brought me a cherry stem from his drink to see if I could tie it in a knot with my tongue. After I did, he ran into the living room to show N, "LOOK! Look what Mom did!" Just as I was taking a drink of water, N says, "Yeah, Mom is known for doing crazy things with her tongue."

Hahahahahahaha, needless to say, water went everywhere as I burst out laughing. N, realizing what he'd just said, burst into laughter, and B was left yelling, "What's so dang funny? You guys never tell me ANYTHING!" Oh man.

Every. Day. Life.

I really can't make this stuff up.

Aubs