Attitude Check!

Do you ever have days where you want to pull your hair out?  The other day was not a good one for Brody.  When I picked him up from school he was begging to go to his friend, Logan's, house to play.  I told him no....and thus ensued a total meltdown at the bike racks.  He was crying and begging and pleading!  A few friends from his class came up to him to see if he was okay and I don't think he even noticed!  He was so focused on begging me to let him to to Logan's that the rest of the world disappeared.  I told him that I hadn't talked to Logan's mom about a playdate before school...so I wasn't going to let him just go show up at their house!  I also told him that his attitude wasn't helping things.  He cried all the way from the bike racks to our house...begging, crying, pleading the entire way home. 

I was so fed up with his attitude by the time we got home that I just sent him to his room.  I had originally planned on taking the boys to The Batter's Cave after school to practice hitting, but there was no way I was taking Brody now!  So, Barrett and I went out in the backyard and set up the net and tee and hit balls in the backyard while Brody pouted in his room.

Brody finally came out of his room and sat on the back porch eating his snack...and sniffling.  About an hour after school I got a text from Denise, Logan's mom.  It read, "Can Brody come over to play?"  I replied that it would have to wait for another day.  Then I went into the living room to tell Brody about the text. 

Me: "I just got a text from Logan's mom asking if you can come play."
Brody: "You did!!!  What did you tell her?!"
Me: "I told her it would have to wait for another day."
Brody: "WHY????" (and the tears began again with a pleading look on his face)
Me: "Because of your attitude!"
Brody: "But I wouldn't have had a bad attitude if I'd've know she was gonna text!"

I explained to him that was a ridiculous statement!  His attitude should not depend on him getting his way.  It is selfish to only have a good attitude when you get your way.  I told him that he should've had a good attitude regardless.  The way he had acted was unacceptable and totally selfish!  More crying ensued...so back to his room he went.

He finally got over himself and was able to enjoy the evening with our family.  After Mike and I put the boys in bed, Brody came out into the living room.  He looked up at me very seriously and said, "Momma.  I'm really sorry for my attitude early.  It was totally wrong.  Will you forgive me?"  I knelt down and wrapped my arms around him (tears welling up in my eyes).  "I already have forgiven you.  Thank you so much for apologizing.  It makes me so happy that you can see that you weren't behaving well earlier...and did you know that not only does it make me proud, but it makes God proud that you humbled yourself and came and asked for forgiveness?!  I'm so proud of you!  I love you!"  With that he hugged my neck and went back to bed.  He came out about 5 minutes later with tears in his eyes and said, "Momma...I'm really sorry for the way I acted.  I promise that I will have a good attitude tomorrow." Another hug and kiss from me and then he was finally able to go to sleep.

Days like this can be very trying...but when I saw Brody's heart tonight...I knew that God has been working on our little boy in spite of our shortcomings.  I'm so proud of his tender heart that really does want to do the right thing and strives to imitate Christ.  I pray that he always remains humble and willing to ask for forgiveness when needed.  It's hard to set aside your pride and admit you were wrong!

On Monday we had another time where the boys were taking their time obeying and I got really frustrated with them.  I asked them to put away the clothes from their laundry basket while I got ready to go.  I went into their room 30 minutes later to find that they had successfully put away THREE items of clothing!  Seriously?!?!?  I got a little frustrated and told them they were losing stars for not obeying.  Before I left for class that night Brody said, "Can you wait just a minute?  I need to write you a note."  Here's his note...

"Momma

I'm sre (sorry)

for not

doeg (doing)

wut (what) you

set (said) rler (earlier)"