Utter Failure

Today is one of those days whereupon, the end, makes me thankful. Thankful it is over. And that tomorrow will be fresh. New. Because His mercies are new. Every. Morning.

This whole chore thing is rocking my world. I am LOVING it! Yesterday the children dusted and vacuumed our bedroom. Sweet. I'm having to let some things go...they don't do it exactly like I would.

I am SO okay with that. Chores aren't new around here, but making the time to properly train and follow up is. Summer is proving to be the perfect time to really work on these skills. 

By fall, I hope to issue a command and watch as they scurry to do my bidding. I tease. A little.

But really, it is such a welcome relief to have a little bit of the weight of these domestic chores lifted from my shoulders. Speaking of weight lifted...the children CLOSED THE GATE on their own this afternoon! Since getting Warrior, any trip away from home requires opening and or closing our old gate to get the car in and out. This afternoon, the children closed and properly secured the gate. HALLELUJAH!!!! That made me SOOOOOO HAPPY! Two years of this EVERY time I've left the house and now, THEY CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!! How very sweet it is.

As for the rest of today, it has been an utter failure. One meltdown after another. It began with breakfast and fighting over who got which color umbrella toothpick. Puh-lease. The fact that you were eating breakfast with an umbrella toothpick says enough.

And then for some completely ridiculous idea, last night I decided we'd pull out the paints and canvases today and make masterpieces. Only, there were arguments over who got which color and why he got more paint than she did, and "if I can't have such and such then I just can't do my project," etc.

I lost my patience and yelled.

I had just read Philippians 2:14 to them and told them I wanted that verse to inspire their paintings. 

Know what that verse says?

"Do all things without grumbling or complaining that you may be pure and blameless children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the Universe as you hold out the word of life..."

Yeah, I'm shining like a crooked and depraved Mama! I turned my back long enough to strain the chicken broth - like one minute, maybe. And they were all hands IN the paint.

And I was not cool. I ordered them out to the backyard and hosed them off, had 'em strip on the back steps, and marched back in and put everything away and told myself I'd never do this again.

And then I sent them upstairs to clean their rooms and the playroom and called my neighbor (who is older and much wiser) and told her I had failed utterly and that I am raising the most selfish and ungrateful children in the world. And she offered encouragement. And I got a little perspective.

And you see what they were doing this afternoon. So. Cool. In. Her. Shades. Little Bit wants in on EVERYTHING Sister and Little Man do. Sister taped an earring to her ear. So Little Bit copped some tape and slapped it across her face. Overnight life has gone from two and a baby to three little people in our house. Aside from the fact that I cannot seem to get a leg up on the fight against my sinful flesh, these ages and days are incredibly fun. Usually.

Oh to be a fly on the wall. I wish you'd seen what Sister had on earlier. I'm working on a little project and ran out of painter's tape. There's a paint store just down the road. I told the children to get dressed so we could make a quick run. Upon arrival, Sister came crawling out of the car in one of her creations. Fabric tied together, to make a dress of sorts. I stifled a smile and kept my composure. I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.

Here's to fighting the good fight and running the race with endurance!

Happy Weekend!