[kay]

Friday night was problem free. The kids were less than thrilled with Knotts Scary Farm, because there must have been 3 trillion people there so in the 6 hours they were there they went on 2 rides and through 2 mazes. But C got to hang with his best friend and long distance girlfriend, so that was a plus. Then yesterday - C had my permission to be out until 8 at the latest. Long story short, he finally sent me a text message at 1:30 saying he would be late (!!!!) and not to worry, and wandered in (thank you barking dogs, for the alert!) at 4:30. I have a handle on where he is and who he's with, when he leaves the house, but as one friend has to go home and follow the rules, he just hooks up with another, then another,then another.

He was beyond furious with me this morning when I hauled him out of bed for church. I didn't argue or blame, just stated calmly that it wasn't my problem that he was tired, that was his choice - and we go to church every Sunday! He went with extreme attitude and lots of choice words - but then afterwards actually apologized!

I don't know what it's going to take to get him on track. We had a calm conversation this afternoon about what better choices he could have made - even assuming he wasn't going to come home on time, which would be my preference! He agreed he should have called sooner, and then said "but I thought about it! Before, I wouldn't have even thought about calling!" I just laughed and told him he didn't get points for thoughts, just for actions.

A Sunday miracle: I was to sing a really cool song in a small group for the service. When I got there I couldn't even talk, much less sing - managed to get through rehearsal and couldn't talk again - then was actually able to sing for the "performance". I honestly didn't know until I opened my mouth if anything would come out, or if I'd just stand up there mouthing the words! Hooray hooray!

Hoping I'll be done with this cold SOON!!!

[tybeemarie]

I think you are doing a fabulous job, Kay. I would be LIVID if my child came in at 4:30 am after an 8:00 curfew. I suppose I will have to talk myself out of that attitude before my oldest gets to be C's age! You handle these disappointments and worries with such love and grace. He is so blessed.

I am glad you were able to sing at church. That is a nice little miracle. The bigger miracle to me, though, is that C went to church, foul words or no, and took in enough of the Spirit to look at himself, see that he was being an idiot, and apologized.

You are a great mom!

[Barksum]

Kay, chiming in late; had a week there where real life intruded on my computer time. Have to work on that.

My Dh was less than enthused about going to church for a time in his mid-teen years. Finally one Sunday a.m. he told his mom, "I only go to church because you make me." (And I imagine this was not in a reasonable tone, and I assume he was probably kind of snarky.) His mom said, "I don't make you go." He said, "Fine then. I'm not going!" to which she replied, "Oh, yes you ARE!" Needless to say, they BOTH continued to attend church regularly.

On and up note, he always has, even when he was seriously struggling as an adult in his 20's.