II Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Thank God for Bedtime!!!

I feel like a zombie right now. My eyelids are heavy and I think I am numb to the world.
It all started with this bright idea I had to take the kids minature golfing this afternoon. Actually, it was Grant's idea. He found a golfball outside in our yard today and it sparked his desire to go golfing. I thought it sounded like a fun thing to do, so him and I left the house at 3 to pick Brooklyn up from school and then we headed off to the mini-golf place 30 minutes away. As soon as we got started, I could see Brooklyn was going to need an "attitude adjustment". She hit the ball about 10 times and still hadn't knocked it into the hole and on her last swing, she hit the ball right into a nearby bush. I started giggling and instead of laughing with me...she THREW her golf club onto the green, did a big, loud GRRRRHHHH!!! noise and then stomped off. It pretty much continued that way through the whole 18 holes. If she did good, I would give her a woohoo! and she'd be all smiles. But if Grant did good and I gave him a compliment...she'd make some rude comment like "He doesn't even know what he's doing" or "He can't even do it right" or whatever. I eventually had a talk with her and got the attitude adjusted. Then we headed off to Pizza Hut to use 2 of her Book-It awards and get the kids each a free personal pan pizza. I ordered myself a supreme personal pan pizza with a salad bar. I ate 2 plates of salad with fat-free ranch dressing and 3 peices of my personal pan pizza so I hope I didn't do too bad. (there)
Anyhow, after that, we went to Braums to share a brownie fudge sundae!!! AUGH! (somebody slap my hand wouldja?) Actually, I pretty much let the kids have the whole thing with the execption of the nuts they put on top because neither of them like nuts and I LOVE nuts. After that we ran by our neighborhood Wal-Mart to get them a movie from RedBox with my free code and then get a few groceries. This is where all H-E-double-hockey-sticks broke loose! It was like all of a sudden, the kids had flipped on their naughty switch! It was going to be a quick trip...like 5 simple food items is all I needed. How hard could that be? Oh boy did I UNDERESTIMATE that! From the minute we walked in they were running around, giggling and being loud and running into people and completely ignoring me. On top of it all...it was about 5:30 pm and the place was packed with women in their heels and skirts and men in suits all probably on their way home from nice, quiet, adult-filled jobs. Instead of getting a SINGLE look of sympathy, I felt like EVERY single one of them was looking at me with pure disgust in their eyes. As if I WANTED my kids to be acting that way!!??!! And don't think I was just ingoring them. I was passing out threats left and right and even a few tight-squeezes to the shoulder to let them know I meant business. Still...I felt like my eyes were crossing and I couldn't even think or see straight. I put Grant in the seat of the cart right away but he would NOT quit kicking me (hard!) while I pushed it and if I got close enough, he would reach up and grab my necklace and yank as hard as he could! I honestly thought I was going to start crying. My face was red, I was sweating bullets and the check-out lines were a minimum of 5 people with Full baskets long. We finally made it out to the car where I practically screamed at them that I would NEVER! EVER! EVER! take them out for a fun afternoon again since this is how they chose to thank me.
I know that wasn't the right thing to say...so please don't tell me that. I know what I "should have done" is stopped my shopping and taken them to the bathroom and wooped their little hiney's...but I didn't. I guess some could/would say it's my fault since I didn't do anything about it. Whatever...all I know is that right now all I can do is THANK GOD that it's almost bedtime and I can have some ME time. I don't want to hear any more fighting and back-talking and smart-mouthing and name-calling.
I seriously wonder sometimes how God decided I was worthy of this job.....

6 comments:

Amy said...

Oh, Jenni, you are SO worthy of those little sweeties...even if today they were little stinkers! Easton hasn't pushed my buttons quite like that (YET!) but I definately sympathize with you when you thank God for bedtime! Keep your chin up and try not to be hard on yourself. You are a great mommy! Take a long bubble bath (or nice hot shower w/your hubby) and try to put the stress of today behind you.
Love you!
Amy

Logzie said...

Oh girl! All of us Mommies have had those days. Just be glad it's O-V-E-R! I know what you mean about if you would have taken them to the bathroom, it would have solved the situation...and it's true...it would have...but I have been in the exact same situation where I just think that it'll be a quick trip and to take them to the bathroom will take soooooo long and we could be done by then and into the van where I could "handle" the situation but that's usually when it all backfires on me too. Why don't we learn? Ha! Anyway, know you are not alone...I have too spent many a day in the grocery store just about in tears and on a couple of occasions...actually in tears. Just be glad it's over and know that God did indeed find you worthy of this job...infact...there is NOBODY else on this Earth that would be a better Mommy to Brooklyn or Grant than YOU! It's true!

KC said...

I don't' even bother with the bathroom. When my boys choose to act that way, they get spanked right then and there, right in front of everyone. It usually only takes one or two swats and they know I mean business, and it is over. We give NO empty Threats...that is key, Follow through with what you say. :)

God gave you these babies...and he promises to never give us more than we can handle....so just pray for his wisdom and guidance. :)

Love ya girlfriend!

Beverly said...

Oh girl I so know what you are going through. The boys have been acting out so bad the past few weeks. I don't know what is in the air but I am so ready for it to pass! God give us strength!

Chantel Dawn said...

Jenni Lynn! I have a blog! colorsofmovement.blogspot.com!

You inspire me so much! I love you with my whole heart! Look forward and remember His promises!

Kate said...

I'm not a mom Jen, so I can't say that I can relate to this one . . yet. But from the comments, looks like all moms have those days where they just want to throw their hands up in the air and cry. You are a great mom and I know you had good intentions with the fun afternoon you planned for them. Just be glad it's behind you now.