The Highs and Lows of every Age

Parker and I are slowly making our way through Deuteronomy. I have to say, we have not been reading so much lately, about once a week, because I think there might be a little jealousy going on with Garrett. I'm quite sure that he would not want to sit and listen to the Bible every night even if I tried but watching Parker get to read with me every night is more that he can take I think. More on that later.
Meanwhile, Parker and I had a great conversation about Moses and the Israelites. He asked me why we should fear God, followed by, "I thought we should just love God". I told him of course we should love God but who brings us to Heaven? He said, "God". And then I asked, "who sends us to Hell?" He looked worried and said, "ooh God" followed by a little light bulb. He was worried that God will kill us if we do something bad. The old testament really is hard to explain to an 8 year old. He even said, "Man God was so violent and mean." Its actually a hard concept for me to grasp sometimes so how can I expect him to get it? Anyway, I tried to explain to him that God is always with us and he knows our hearts. We should ask for forgiveness if we make a mistake and that is what sets us apart from those that go to Hell.
He still seemed worried about something. Not to worry, he isn't shy about getting stuff off his mind- in the middle of every sentence I'm trying to read. I just have to stop and let him get whatever off his chest, which are when we have our best talks, and then I can get back to the boring reading. He told me he was worried about his friend at school. He always talks ugly but never seems to get in trouble. Other kids follow him and they get in trouble but this one particular boy doesn't. He was worried that God would not like the way he was acting. But, all on his own he said, "maybe I can show him how to act better so that God won't be upset at him." It makes me so proud that he would think that way. I know he will try to conform and he's probably going to want to be like the cool kids and that he won't always make the right decisions but how awesome would it be if he really takes what we are learning and spread it around. I do pray that he can! With all of the horrible stuff kids are exposed to so early now, these comments of his give me hope and motivation to keep teaching him and eventually Garrett and June.  Definitely a high point for Parker and me.
And then there is my Garrett. I hate to say we are at a low point right now. I'm not sure if its the middle kid syndrome or just not enough attention or what but we are going round and round. His newest phase, along side the whining phase, is lying. I have to write about this, although its so funny I'm sure I won't forget it. So one day after school he tells me that his buddy Ethan was in a wreck and hurt his back that's why he has been absent. I thought, "how awful" and I should call and check on them but got busy and just didn't do it. The next day, some of the moms and I were talking and I told them what Garrett had said. It caused a huge stir and everyone started dialing their phones. Turns out, Ethan had a stomach bug. Awesome Garrett.
So the next day, I saw Ethan's mom and said, "Sorry that Garrett started that rumor about Ethan. He has really been telling a lot of stories lately." She looked at me funny and then asked if we could talk outside. (That's always a great way to start the day!) She told me she wasn't trying to get too personal but she needed to ask me something that Ethan had told her about Garrett. She said that Ethan has come home several times and told her that Garrett is really upset at school because his dad died. (Jaw dropping now.) But that things are getting better because his mom had gotten remarried and they had June together. (WHAT?! Jaw on the floor!) On top of that  his Valentines picture was of him in a tux from a wedding (my friends wedding) and Garrett told Ethan that was from me and my new husbands wedding! (Seriously! Where is he getting this?) With a red face, I told his mom that all of that was a lie and I really couldn't believe it. The best part is when she said, "you know, I should've known that it wasn't true when I asked Ethan how Garrett's dad died and he said that Garrett told him it was...wait for it... a poisonous lizard!) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I wish I could say that was the extent of his lying. He tries one at least once a day. Thank goodness he's not a very good liar so I catch him and talk to him about it but it is so exhausting! Between that and the whining, he ties up a good 80% of my day with lecturing and negotiating and fussing. I hope he gets through all of this quickly. I might need to start reading the bible to Garrett, or at least teach him about Heaven and Hell! I love the little bugger but I'm definitely ready for his next great phase!