What really happens here. And that’s okay.

I know that while this blog is a snapshot of things that go on around here, we would all agree that it's the happy things that are recorded here along with cute pictures. The stories of bad behavior, homework problems, and crabby mamma are just not things that folks are going to want to read. In fact, I rarely post a pic that includes the mess that comes with having 4 young kids around. Having said ALL of that, here is a story of one day in the summer when Landon was misbehavin' .

Landon is found by Adam, crying on the couch.

Adam asks Landon what happened and he says "Mom attacked me like a chimp."

(The chimp thing is important to understand. They are horribly violent- Google it- they first eat hands and feet off and then the face. Being 200-300 pounds, it is almost impossible to stop an attack. Often the attacks are made by captive chimps who are very familiar with the attackee. )

Just moments prior to the alleged attack, David was laboring away on the computer, playing his #th hour of Runescape. Sitting behind him at another desk, I was laboring away on letters to co-brokers, asking them for forms and copies of licenses, etc. Landon was also there. He was: running up to David and swiveling David's chair at unexpected moments; kissing him on the arm for a really long time; making loud unexpected noises in his ear. Repeat this several times and that's what was going on in the room. David kept asking him to stop but was failing to see results and kept batting him out of the way with one arm while maintaining keyboard contact with the other hand at all times. With each bat came a scream. After listening to this for a few minutes, I had all I could take of it and got up and physically grabbed the antagonist, still in full-on annoying mode and carried him in a less than gentle manner into the living room where I deposited him on the couch and made him sit there until I could finish up the last few things. Adam walked into the room right about that time and that is when Landon told him that "Mom attacked me like a chimp."

And then that story was told to lots of people because it is really funny.

And I cringed because…..ugh….the vivid picture it creates. I know that one dear uncle sensed my discomfort because he said from his tall height as he laughed about the story, "you're still a good mom, Mo". I felt better right then because he was keen enough to realize how that story made me feel and in that moment, I realized it was okay for it to be told. I have known for a few years now that parenting is humbling. But humbling is good because God promises that grace comes with it. (James 4:6). That must be why the word has been linked with something as delicious and attractive as pie- who wouldn't want to eat humble pie? With grace a la mode.