INEVITABLE...

is what it was.

We all knew.

I tried to tell them.

Before it ever started.

I tried.

This week I had a conference with MC 2's teacher.
12 days into the school year.
Topic was his behavior.

I used the term independent.
She concurred.
She wanted to know if we saw the same thing at home.

I should have brought in my body of evidence.

And witnesses.

Lots of eye witnesses.
We compared two coloring papers.

One done correctly.

One scribbled.

She said, "I guess this was a day he was feeling independent."

I have evidence of many of those days.
You want to know what the most effective punishment is for him?

Going to his room with no after school snack.

Gets him right where it hurts.

Today, he got a smiley face.

Mom! Mom! Check my folder! I got a smiley face!

Does this mean I don't have to go to my room?

Yes, baby it does,

and all is right with the world.

For now.

Which is good enough for me.

Give you entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:34

The Message

THEY HAVE MILITARY SCHOOL FOR TODDLERS RIGHT?

Okay - prior to his lightening bug experience yesterday, mc 2 had also ascended to the top of our 10 ft ladder outside yesterday. Yes he climbed the wrong side and was just looking around. Today he had to go to school and he came back with a vengeance. First he was up by 5:30 AM. Second, I had laid the ladder down sideways because I felt confident that there was no way a 2 foot tall person could set up a 10 foot ladder. Oh how wrong was I? VERY! I went out this afternoon and he had set it up AGAIN. I said "Don't climb it" in my sternest voice possible. He promises "I won't mommy", but as we saw yesterday he has a tendency to speak some untruths. I stepped inside to lay what I had in my hands down, right back out to find him atop MT. LADDER again. Okay, so then as I cook supper, I catch him EATING the flour I just dredged the pork chops in - YUCK!! Third- he totally destroyed his bed when Nanny stopped by for a visit- mattress of the floor - bedding out.
And I have signed up to stay home with this one every day for a year??
Prayer......we...he.. I...I...I...I....I.. need lots of prayer.
Thank you for your time.

Did I mention that all this was going on while I was dealing with a young-en who was trying to wake up from dental work and was in tears because he had the hiccups? And his legs hurt. And he ate chocolate pudding too soon. And had a meltdown because I would not let him have gum and I changed from Star Wars Clone Wars. Did I mention all that? Well, as I wrote this the Spirit quickly convicted me how blessed a woman I am.

Yes - I am a blessed woman! I love all my boys madly. Besides without them what would I blog about? Whew - I feel better now. Encourage yourself in the Lord the word says. Think I just did:)

AT A LOSS

When I came home Friday, I discovered that it is 15 yards from the dishwasher in my kitchen (as if it would be anywhere else- sorry it's late) to my ironing board against the back wall. How did I discover this you ask? Pictures are worth a thousand words.

See somebody got a Glendale buck and since it was raining on Friday and he was home alone - well - you can just imagine. I can't show you the picture from Friday because apparently the "grouping" was not all that great. So here is the buck from today.

And here is where he missed. BUT only once. There was an explanation but I didn't really hear it. I was just in shock I think. At a loss.

Did I not tell you there was never a dull moment. NEVER!

I do love this man! I really do. I am a blessed woman. Highly entertained and blessed!

SPRING IS HERE

So man child 2 found some body spray from Bath & Body Works - Honeysuckle to be exact. Apparently when I say "it's body spray" it sounds to him like " bottom spray". So without too much explanation, let's say man child 2's rear end is smelling very flowery now.

SILENT TREATMENT

I chose to teach high school kids for a couple of reasons. One of them was they are supposed to be old enough to know how to act & not be as "needy" as the smaller ones. I was wrong. This is a conversation I had yesterday. Some names have been changed to protect - well- me.

Joe to Jack - soft whisperings
Jack to me - Joe would like me to tell you he is not speaking to you today.
me - Oh,okay (on with the lesson). minute pause
Joe to Jack - more soft whisperings
Jack to me - Would you like to know why?
me - Uhm okay - sure (why is some 17 year old boy REFUSING to talk to me today? Please I am dying to know)
Joe to Jack - again - soft whispers
Jack - He is not speaking to you because he will be serving a two hour detention today for something that happened last week in your room.
me - Oh - okay. Does he think this will continue on tomorrow?
whispering
Jack - He doesn't know yet
me - Okay then.

Within 10 minutes kid was talking to me again. Gotta love high school. Apparently kids are needy at every age. We will see if I get the silent treatment again today:)

UFC

If you know what those initials stand for, welcome to my world. Next to watching hunting shows from every crook & cranny of the globe, HH loves him some Ultimate Fighting Championship. If you recognize the names Rampage Jackson, Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, BJ Penn, & George Rush St. Pierre, you know what I am talking about. If you have seen Ultimate Fighter season whatever or Inside the MMA, you get the picture. The UFC has come along way. It is no longer the "bar room brawl-last man standing" blood bath is used to be. There are rules & points & strategies & rounds. Heck they even have judges. Even wholesome act Mandy Moore shows up at these things. Don't get me wrong - there is still blood, and at times lots of it. Broken bones & knockouts, submissions & tap outs. And potty mouths- at times lots of potty mouths. If nothing else, UFC has provided voice over work for Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs" and has given Joe Rogan a gig after "Fear Factor".
Yesterday as I was helping MC 1 gear up to ride his bike, he starts throwing punches like Joe Frazier. Some of which came dangerously close to my face. I don't think his skills are up to par where he could pull a punch fast enough not to hit me so I was bobbing & weaving as well.
The reason behind this massive cardio workout-
"I am working on my punches in case I decide to go into the UFC."
Great. Every mom's dream. He is not even in double digits for his age & already has plans for this? Super!
He does have a good stand up game though, and that is important (I think).

PROOF

THIS IS WHY HE IS CALLED HUNTER HUBS. AND THIS IS ONLY HALF OF MY LIVING ROOM!
Ya'll have a great weekend!
You get me now don't you. You understand. Men children.

Just remembered - in previously mentioned house fire- after the fire men arrived & where able to get in the house, the lone deer mount we had at the time was the FIRST thing out of the house.

POP

Quick note for today. HH is a great BBQ man. Loves to do it & is good at it. The other night we had some friends over & we chowing down on some ribs. Man child 2 was tearing them up. Country style or regular style, he did not care. I jokingly told him if he did not stop he was going to pop. All was okay until our friend also told him he was going to pop if he did not stop. Well that brought on the tears and 1 1/2 hours of "mommy- I don't want to pop". Kid spent the rest of the night laid up by me on the couch holding his tummy lamenting the possibility of "popping". And we think what we say does not matter.

Fashionistos

I was pleased when HH and I were blessed with boys because - well- I am not a very girly girl. I thought great - no hair bows- no coordinating outfits - none of that pressure. HOW WRONG WAS I. Because although I am not very fashion forward (or conscious for that matter) HH IS. The man is hunter by design & that includes hunting for the latest clothing sale and fashion trends. He recently turned his "look" 180 degrees. He has been a boots & jeans guy since day one. Recently he discovered Kohl's and came along to the retro guy side ( I am so out of the loop I don't even know what you call the newest style for guys). Anyway, he has pulled it off well if I do say so myself. Now even though I know this about HH, I didn't really feel too concerned about the men children. AGAIN, HOW WRONG WAS I. Man child 1 decided a couple of years ago that he had his own style and would decide for himself what to wear. Normally he pulls it off well. He usually matches his colors and dresses appropriately for the occasion. And well, I really don't care. He leans toward the skater/hip hop dancer theme which I am fine with. However, yesterday he decided he wanted to be a "cowboy". Now he does have some boots, but the kid has not worn Wranglers in at least 2 years. so his announcement that he needed some of "those jeans with the thing on the back -like cowboys wear" for church on Sunday does create a problem. Now rest assured I am not rushing out to get him some. He can wear what he has. However, if this is a sign of fashion times to come, I am in trouble. The boys already have to get dad to help fix their hair if they want it "styled". The drama of what we are going to wear each day is not supposed to be mine. I have boys. They are supposed to put on what ever & go. I am not ready for the "fashionistos" (and yep totally made that up, I think. It might be a real word, I am sure someone will let me know if it is) growing up in my house. And another thing, can someone please tell me why Saturday is the "rise & shine" early day of the week? Sleeping in seems like an unattainable dream! Oh well, you guys have a great Saturday!


Update- I just had to fight a huge temptation - the Snuggie. As seen on the LPM blog & Big Mama's blog, they are diverse. And even though I adore Beth Moore, I just had to pass, free reading light & all.