My kids crack...

me up, melt my heart, and make me sad more than anyone else I know, yes even Chuck.

Just last week I heard Luke say from the backseat "You better shut up or I'll beat you like a pinata!" Now hold on, I know what you're thinking! No we don't allow our kids to use certain words, phrases ect... But, that doesn't mean they always follow our rules. Big surprise right? Case in point Luke used the words SHUT UP! I had a really tough time reprimanding him for his choice considering I was laughing until I peed my pants (as you know I'm over forty and peeing is a common occurrence due to laughing, sneezing, coughing.) Come on, think about it. "I'll beat you like a pinata?" Too funny!! I eventually got around to reprimanding him for the "shut up." I don't believe the reprimand was as effective as it should have been.

A moment that melted my heart happened just yesterday. We took Chuck out for dinner to celebrate his 44th birthday. Did I mention he's old(er) than I am, by two whole really long years? Anyway, when we sat down to dinner our thirteen year old said to his younger brothers "You guys always get to sit next to mom and dad when we go out to dinner, it's my turn." WOW!! I didn't make a big deal of it, but I "treasured it in my heart." How much longer will he say that? I felt so good that our teenager wanted to be near us, at his own request.

Unfortunately I can't share what one son said to another on Sunday night; it broke my heart that he made such a poor choice. It broke my heart that he knows such words, and now his brother does too! I'm sad, and concerned by the fact that he's used the words once, and may use them again.

Ah, the roller coaster of parenting!