My Kid's Will Never Act Like That

I wish I had a $1 for every time I said "My kid's will never act like that" and I also wish I had a $1 for every time they did.

This weekend was one of those occasions. The boys and I headed out Saturday to run a few errands. Usually, there is nothing I enjoy more than me and the boys running around doing things together, not this time.

Our first stop was the post office where I needed to mail a package. While I was at the counter, my attention was distracted from them for a few minutes and when I turned around I found them in the middle of the post office floor wrestling. Disgusted, I pulled them both up, marched them out and then gave them the required lecture telling that they don't behave like that in public.

Next stop, the barbershop where Seth and I both needed to get our haircut. (Chase already had his done a few days earlier). Being a Saturday afternoon it was really busy. Seth ended up getting his done before me so that left both boys waiting while I got my hair cut. Before, I got in the chair, I gave them another lecture that they needed to keep their bobos (our word for butts) on the bench and to have good behavior.

As soon as I was in the chair, round 2 of the WWF match started. Over the 20 minutes, I was getting my haircut, I yelled at them, pointed at them, gave them the "stare" and all had the same result. It would generate a pause in the action for a few minutes but some chemical in their brains would kick in and they couldn't stop themselves. At one point, Chase almost had Seth's shirt completely removed.

I'm sure there was at least one father-to-be saying to himself "my kids will never act like that." He'll learn...

Keep It Down

The decibel levels in our house can get out of control. Between the boys wrestling, singing, playing superheroes the noise can get out of hand.

Tonight I told Seth to "keep it down" and he replied, "I can't, it's what I do."

Well, there you go...

Reverse Bed Time Routine

Over the past few months, bed time has become a battle. The boys fight us to brush their teeth, they fight us about going to the bathroom before bed, they won't even sit still to listen to a story or even pray.

The only thing they wanted to do is watch one of their shows. So, Shelley came up with the brilliant idea to reverse the order. So, we started doing all the things they don't want to do first and saving watching their show to the end.

We've had some success with this but last night Seth told us he didn't want to do it backwards anymore. When I asked why, he said "It isn't fun."

I guess all the fighting and screaming is fun for him. I hope our household hasn't already gotten to be that dysfunctional....

$3.19

I set a personal record yesterday when I paid $3.19 for a gallon of gas. This also makes me realize how old I am because I remember when gas was less than a $1. I also remember when it went over a $1 and how I thought that was crazy. Now, to be fair that was about 27 years ago.

I wonder what gas will be in 27 years and if I will look back at this post and just wish we were paying $3.19 for gas?

Our Basket Runneth Over

Our washer died about 2 weeks ago and our new one isn't being delivered until tomorrow. We've only done laundry once in the last 10 days and I have never seen so many dirty clothes piled up.

It is amazing how many clothes you can go through when you have me and 2 boys running wild. I am a self admitted dirty clothes generator. On a weekend I may change clothes 3 or 4 times a day and this isn't a good mix when your washer is broken.

Please pray for Shelley, I caught her just staring blankly at the pile of clothes as it threatened to take over our entire bathroom. I think she has gone into shock.

Raising Two Boys Is Hard

Raising two boys is hard. Here are a few things that was just said over the last few minutes in our house.

"Hey"
"Give that back to your brother"
"Hey, Hey, Hey"
"Do what I say"
"Go to your room"
"This is about obeying me"

Photo of the Day

A picture of our boys looking out over the lake at our church just before going to our Easter service.

Happy Easter

Easter was never a holiday I appreciated or understood. I never really liked hunting for easter eggs or eating chocolate bunnies and the real purpose of the holiday was totally lost on me.

Until I became a Christian I never realized I didn't know what it really meant to be a Christian but I was pretty good at criticizing them. I wonder how many people out there are like I was.

But, now this is the most incredible time. Now that I fully understand and crasp the magnitude of what that empty tomb meant, it overwhelms me. I just pray that this Easter at least one person that was like me finally gets the message.

It is also cool that our boys are learning the meaning of that empty tomb. When Seth is asked what it means, he replies "Jesus is alive."

Yes, he is. HE HAS RISEN!

A First For Me

This weekend has been full of first. As I mentioned earlier Seth and I went to a movie together for the first time. Chase rode his tricycle for the first time. And today, I rooted for Tiger Woods to win a golf tournament.

Ever since Tiger came on to the scene, I have been anti-Tiger. The main reason is when I was growing up one of my sports heroes was Jack Nicklaus and I thought they gave Tiger the title "greatest golfer" way too early. Well, I think he has finally earned that title and some of the things he does is amazing.

So, now I am cheering for him to continue his win streak which is currently 5 PGA events in a row and 7 total events in a row plus I hope he does win the grand slam so I can say I actually saw it done.

But, Jack will always be my favorite.

A First for Chase

This was a big week for Chase as he began pedaling his bike. It is actually a tricycle but don't tell him that. He was very pleased with himself.

Now, we just need to get him potty trained...

Horton Hears a Who

This weekend I did something for the first time, I went to a movie with one of my sons. Why has it taken over five years to do this? I'm not really sure except we just don't go to movies as a general rule.

But, he and I went and saw Horton Hears a Who and had a really good time. The movie was just so, so. It was a good adaptation of the story but it was kind of slow at points. But, Seth enjoyed it and it was fun to watch him sitting there eating his popcorn and drinking his sprite.

I Might Need To Change My Weekend Plans

I might need to change my weekend plans. :-)

Conversation with Shelley

Hello 2 AM My Old Friend

I have always had some strange sleep patterns but this latest one is killing me. I have been waking up at 2 AM for the past several months and not able to go back to sleep.

My mind starts running through all I have to do and all of my stresses and worries and I just can't shut it down.

I'm exhausted.

Heard Around The House

Last night as we were trying to get everyone wound down to go to bed, Seth was playing with one of his "action figures."

Me- Seth, time to put up the Power Ranger
Seth - It's NOT a Power Ranger!
Shelley - What is it?
Seth - It's a Transformer.

Then as he left the room he mumbled under his breath, "Daddy doesn't know what anything is."

And it has finally started. He has realized that despite 41 years of experience and 18 years of formal education, his daddy doesn't know anything.

Heard Around The House

Last night the boys were at their Uncle C and Aunt V's house and while there they got to play with their little Yorkie, Mavis. Chase was explaining how he once had a dog, Dusty. Now, Chase was only 2 months old when we had to put Dusty down but there are enough pictures, videos and stories to keep her memory alive with him.

Dusty was a Lab mix and Chase was explaining how Dusty was bigger than Mavis and then he thought it was important to note that, "My dog could whip your dog."

I can't wait until he starts declaring that "My daddy could beat your daddy." I just hope he picks my battles wisely.

It Is Snowing

It is March 3rd in Texas and it is snowing tonight. We have had one of the mildest winters even by Texas standards but now that it is almost Spring, it has decided to snow.

Procrastination Leads to My Wife Being Stranded

Both cars that Shelley and I drive have significant mileage on them especially mine which has nearly 120,000 miles. Back in December we had a series of events that had each car in the shop for repairs. I realized that I couldn't afford to have Shelley break down some place with the boys so I started looking at joining Triple A. Well, it is March 3rd now and guess what. Yes, Shelley had a flat tire this morning and I was over an hour away. Oh, if we had only joined triple A.

Well, Shelley got someone to change the flat for her and I joined us up for Triple A. Nothing like procrastination..

A Must Watch

This is a must watch and I know I probably need to watch it everday.

Video Link