A day of tantrums

Today, it seems everyone wanted to throw a tantrum.  I wish I could have. I nearly did.   I realized what I didn't pray for during my devotion time...I think they probably will figure out what I didn't pray for as well.

Today was our MOPS day, a day that is not an ordinary day at the Cole house. Our school schedule is changed for the day and moved to the afternoon. So, we had to get moving.

Enter tantrum 1: Linley
The boys are getting ready and I have to change her diaper and get her clothed.  I get her diaper off, get her laid on the changing table and the poop hits the fan.  For at least 5 minutes she screams about putting on a diaper.  Now, don't get me wrong, I know that it is probably uncomfortable, bulky, not fashion forward, and gives you a large rear-end when looking in the mirror. However, when you choose not to go to the bathroom in the toilet and I will probably step in it somewhere around the house, you WILL wear one of those things in this house.  Finally, the diaper is put on, after several, "What is your deal?" And Ethan standing right beside me making sure I'm not doing anything to her and she is crying of her own free-will (Can we say protective big brother and making her a Diva?) we get her clothes on, which surprisingly she never mentioned that part of the process. Shocker I know.

Enter tantrum 2: Ethan
Time to get shoes on and hit the door.  Ethan, however, has literally destroyed his cowboy boots (his fav right now since he doesn't have to tie them) and now has two holes in one boot.  Of course, like any Mom, I say, "No. You can't wear your boots. Wear your tennis shoes."  And the crying begins. Seriously?  You're toes are going to freeze off because it's 20 something degrees outside and not to mention you look homeless wearing those shoes. God has blessed you with another pair of shoes, put them on.  And the fit continues, and continues, and continues.  I am trying to get ready and this child normally does not need me to "help him" get dressed.   After several threats, all bad parenting on my part since I had somewhere to go at a certain time, we make it in the van with tennis shoes.  Now I will admit,  my voice did not have the most pleasant tone by the end of the altercation.  And yes, I remember my serious face coming over me, my eyes bulging, and my voice level raising.   If it was possible for steam to come out of my ears this would have been the time.  So we are in the van traveling to MOPS and Ethan starts in on his discusison:
Ethan: Mom, you raised your voice at me.
Me: Silence.  (I am having a hard time controlling my temper at this moment along with pride admitting I lost my self-control and running the whole altercation through my head that the REASON I lost it is because YOU DID NOT PUT ON YOUR SHOES!!!!!!
Ethan: Mom, why aren't you answering me?  You need to ask forgiveness from me.
Me: Ethan, you are right. I am sorry I lose my self-control and raised my voice at you.  I lost my patience and I am sorry.
Ethan: I forgive you.  I'm not going to tell you sorry.
Me: Silence.
Ethan: Do you want me to say sorry?
Me:Sure.
Ethan: You won't forgive me.
Me: Yes I will. I already have.  Jesus forgives us and I already forgive you.
Ethan: Well okay then. I am sorry.
Me: Thank you.  I forgive you.
Ethan: Can I play Batman when I get home now?
I don't think he saw me roll my eyes at that moment.

Tantrum 3: Caleb
We pull up to the church where MOPS is.  Caleb starts the conversation:
Caleb: Mom, you did NOT tell me this was where we were going.
Me: Yes I did Caleb. I told you we had MOPS today.
Caleb: I am NOT getting out of this van!!!!!!!
Me: That's your choice, but it is freezing out here and we are all going in.
Caleb's fit escalates in decibels. He gets out of the van and we start walking in.
Caleb: I do NOT like this TERRIBLE CHURCH!! This church is HORRIBLE!!!   (and it continues)
Note here: the youth minister of this church and his family are getting out of their van to go to MOPS as well as Caleb is talking about this.
Me: Caleb, you need to be quiet. This church is not horrible.
Caleb: (Holding the door for me as we enter the church) This is a TERRIBLE BUTT day.  This day is HORRIBLE.  As he is stating this assessment of his day a line of about 20 2 years olds are walking out of the sanctuary of this church to their daycare room.
Me: Caleb, change your attitude.
And that was the end of it.

So, everyone had to get at least one tantrum in for the day just so not to be left out.  I should have thrown a tantrum.  See how they reacted.  That would have been entertaining.

Side note-tonight was Super Hero night  at church.  Linley wanted to be Batman but Ethan convinced her otherwise (so he could wear the cape) and she wore her tutu. Once we got her tutu on her, we needed to leave. But she goes up to Ethan, stops, and says "DANCE!!"  Ethan stops what he is doing, puts everything down, and they literally waltz in the hallway.  Then, it's time to go.  Yes,  I would say she is spoiled.

Even though we had a tantrum day today,  it was a blessing that everyone is healthy enough to throw themselves into the floor, or voice their opinions at a high decibel.  Thank you God for these blessings.  Now, as I am typing this, they are all three sitting in the floor at my feet playing a Lego game together as happy as  can be.  And, they shared their popcorn. Even Caleb did.  Oh how they do love each other.  Thank you Lord.