Whoever stole my ...

...Sweet, loving and kind little man, please RETURN him ASAP! And please take with you the terror you left behind!

WHAT happened 2 days ago to turn my 2 *almost 3* year old into this new child???? I'm pulling my hair out and working overtime with my patients!!  *Is there a return policy? Cause this ISN'T what I ordered..mine seems to be broken now! (... if it's not too much trouble, I'd like an upgrade too!*)  : P

Seriously, I know it's the "terrible two's" but as with my first one, the 'terrible' part didn't come until almost 3!! I've really enjoyed these last 2 years of such a sweet child, too! : (  

Then we have my older son who is 10 *almost 11* years old and going through a lovely phase too of 'finding himself' and busy being a tween.  It's so hard to NOT rip his head off when he mouths off to me (kidding- well, kinda!) but I try my hardest not to jump on him for the way he's talking to me. My new phrase is "It's not WHAT you say, it's HOW you say it!"  I'm constantly reminding myself that I was one this way too (although I was pretty close to being perfect so it's hard to believe! HA..see post "what I've learned so far" if you believe that!)  This year he's in 5th grade and it's a whole new world since they are being prepped for jr. high school and hormones are starting to kick in too! Make it a NICE cozy little cocktail of turmoil - for everyone involved!

To add one more item on that...my wonderful hubby is working more these days *not longer hours, just more stuff going on at work so he comes home completely and totally drained and just wants to chill.  I can't blame him, really since I used to be a full time working mom once upon a time I know what he's feeling but HELLO...I'm about to rip a couple of dear lil' peoples heads off if he doesn't take them outside or something while I make dinner!! UGH!

So, if your reading this and are feeling the same way then know that your NOT alone and that just having mental images of ripping their heads off, really does help. (*again, kidding....well sort of!) ; P

I hope to come back with a more pleasant mood and fill the post with heart gushing love and success stories of how we managed to keep a smile and good humor through all the sport functions, appointments, school, homework, play dates and all the other fun, run of the mill activities that grace our family week after week.

Until then I will leave you with this;  I received some great words of wisdom during our church sermon a few weeks ago;  "Fill others buckets with love".  It's kinda like the old saying "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" but it goes a step further by saying that we should treat others ABOVE and BEYOUND that. Fill their 'buckets" (soul) with love.  I make it a point to ask my husband and kids how their "buckets" are?

I sincerly hope that your "buckets" are overflowing!
~Kristie