Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, 8:12 a.m., Golden Corral~

Dear Journal~

I know it's an odd time for me to be writing (while eating breakfast, keeping tabs on a mess of kids, as well as two elderly parents), but I had to write a quick one before we head over to church for today's services.

Bill here. Hope you are well; I am okay; however, I was ready to leave a kid at home because she woke up with an attitude. Miss Ronee' decided she wasn't getting out of bed. She wanted to stay burrowed underneath the warm covers. She started an argument with me. I told her if she didn't shape up she wasn't going to her "America's Got Talent" tryouts this weekend.

She got the message. However, she continued to glower at me. I just ignored her.

I don't know what her problem is, but I don't like it. She's the kid. I'm the parent. Case closed.

Then Emir threw up. He drank his milk too fast, choked, and it came rushing back up. I had a big mess (and a messy kid) to clean up. It was beyond disgusting.

Johnny, meanwhile, couldn't find his favorite shirt; he was whining because he was saying he was going to make us late for church and/or breakfast. He tore his room apart looking for it. It was right where he left it: on the bed! I just looked at Johnny, rolled my eyes, and said: "Honestly!" Johnny grinned sheepishly as he grabbed his shirt and headed to the bathroom, where I helped him get it on.

Johnny was in a good mood this morning. Last night he got an e-mail from Rebekkah Cohen. She is doing well; however, she is facing the possibility of more surgery. Her disease is rearing its ugly side again. Will have to lift her up in prayer. Susie, her friend, is doing better, as is Naomi, praise God! I will have to let the pastoral staff at church know of the prayer request/praise report.

They'll be sorry to learn of Rebekkah's situation; on the other hand, they'll be tickled pink when they hear the good news concerning Susie Callaway and Naomi, Rebekkah's mother!

We got our yard all straightened up: blown shingles, branches, twigs all picked up, yard looking neat again. We may get more storms later (probably around Tuesday or Wednesday); hopefully they won't go severe on us. We've already had a taste of springlike weather when the tornadoes blew through this past Tuesday!

We don't need any more severe weather--for a while at least--a long while!

Oh, great! Arjun, Emma, Vijay, and Janica are having a candy fight: they are throwing gummy bears and candy corn at each other, laughing up a storm. They are making an ungodly mess. Janica at nine and a half should know better than to engage in such childish behavior; she should be setting a good example for her little brothers and sister!

I know people are wondering why I am not gaining control of my kids; I can feel their eyes boring holes into me as they stare, shocked looks upon their faces.

Time to dish out some discipline...

Will write in here again soon; take care and God bless!

I need God to bless me from wanting to do something irrational to my misbehaving kids!

~Love, Bill.

Lord, grant me patience--