a really long week.

This week has been long. Actually the past two week have been. Two weeks ago I agreed to help out a dad while his children were visiting him from out of state. Sadly, while his kids were here, he was not able to take time off work. I offered up our place. This kids were around the ages of my older two. It's summer, why not have a house full of kids running around right? I made sure they knew that well, we are pretty boring around here. No car to go places. A small yard. But I have kids you can play with! We set up the whole deal, then I was filled in on the whole "i work second shift" aspect. Alrighty then, three extra kids, till 11:30pm interesting. I decided it would't be so bad, after dinner Scott would be home, and one of us will take the kids home for bed. I have to say the first couple days went pretty well. Of course I had to give them some boundaries and have my kids show them the ropes around the house. It seemed like a good gig.

Well like all kids, as soon as they start feeling comfortable, they start to open up more and show a little more of themselves. When I heard repeated screaming, like a loud monster roar over and over again, I went out side to see the near 11 year old just inches from my toddlers face screaming at the top of his lungs. Of course Mama Bear kicked in and I put my foot down. Shortly after that several incidents of bothersome behavior started. I was patient and talked things over with the boys. And then he PUNCHED my daughter in the stomach. Excuse me. Do not come to my house and start beating up on my children. Again, I talked with him, drew a boundary and moved on. That is when on the way home from taking them to the movies the same child tried to break our electric car window and I thought I was going to lose my mind.

I know they are not in an ideal situation. It sucks. Being carted to your dads, he can't watch you so, you are carted to a babysitters for the day. It isn't ideal and it really, really stinks. I get that. But really?! Come on. So when I thought I was going to completely loose my mind, and the boys were at each others throats like crazy, my neighbor took the girls for a couple afternoons to let them play without the dynamic of the older two. Yesterday ended up being the final day they were here. I was honest with their dad and filled him in on the behaviors that were being displayed. He goes to our church so, I felt that I needed to be honest with him. I had no problem fulfilling my time we agreed to. When the grandparents decided to come and pick up the kids early today, I was a bit relieved.

In all honesty, I am very thankful for these past two weeks. It stretched me and it gave me much to be thankful for. Last summer having the kids float back and forth between Scott and I while we were separated, was miserable. Fighting for our marriage and our kids was worth all the pain and frustration. Seeing what could our kids lives could have become was very humbling.  I get it. Marriage is so super tough and sometimes it just doesn't work. After this past week I see how super important it is to say within a clode proximity to your kids.

And lastly. My Kids ROCK. I get so frustrated with their little squabbles and when they disobey, but this past week showed me loud and clear that my kids are awesome. Owen is a leader and confident in himself. He has no issue to tell someone, even his peer that he is upset with their choice. He is also sincere in helping other make good choices. Sometimes I wish he listed to his own advise. ;) He was protective of his little brother and did not waiver in doing right. Elliott mastered the skill to walk away. This has been an issue for her in the past, but when wrong was being done, she walk away and found something else to do. She too encourages the other boys to do right and stuck to her guns when it came to obedience. She also was a leader and became a really good protective older sister. She also sensed my stress and jumped wight into to lend a hand. I could not have been more proud of my biggies. They are amazing kids and making good choices. Unfortunately Rai picked up some bad behavior and we are working on his hitting now. :(

I am thankful for the time to help out brother and am thankful to feel the stretch of the Father in my life.