Settin' Me Straight

So it was 80 and breezy today - the perfect weather for outdoor play.

Except my children didn't think so, and my efforts to shoo them out the door so that I could attend to household matters was met with great resistance.

I was almost in tears over the state of my house and my inability to do anything about it, and Andrew was weeping over the thought of being outdoors!!!

In and out, in and out they went until I begrudgingly joined them (I still have not unpacked from our trip this weekend).

Andrew gave me a beautiful violet which I promptly placed behind my ear and grumbled to myself about all the things I needed to be doing.

A while later Stephen asked, "What is that purple thing behind your ear?"

Julie: "It's a flower Andrew gave me."
Stephen: "Are you wearing it because it makes you look more prettier?"

Julie: "I guess so. Does it work?"

Stephen: "Not unless you have a smile to go with it."

Hmmm. I once heard a mother say that you should consider what your child sees when he is looking at you. I think she was right.

Finally about 5:30, the boys settled into playing.

They were greatly amused by removing their shirts and swinging or tossing them in the yard.

(Please don't call DCS over my emaciated-looking 6 year old. You can lead a boy to food but you can't make him eat.)

How can I help but smile when I'm around Stephen? You just never know what may happen.

Laughter truly is the best medicine....and with these crazy nuts, there's usually a reason to laugh (if only to keep from crying).