A WHY?? and a WOW!!

DS 4 is officially in the tween years. He turned 11 a few weeks ago. I have to say that these years (between 10 and 14) have not been my favorites for any of the guys. It's such a time of transition for them. I've been thinking a lot about how each of the first three navigated these waters and praying especially for DS 4 as he takes his turn. And, of course, it makes me reflective!

Today I was at the store with him. He was spending his birthday money from his grandparents. While there, he wanted something and I said "no". He's definitely mastered the art of trying to persuade. In fact, I was thinking today that this skill should serve him well on our state writing exam in the 8th grade where he'll likely have to write a persuasive essay. Still, like most of us, his list of "reasons" can often sound like whining.

Like any younger sibling, they LOVE to throw the "But so-and-so got such-and-such and you didn't say no..." While listening to it (and practicing the art of not feuling it) I saw a young Mother stroll by with three kids in the cart. The one in the front looked to be an older toddler or even young preK child. He had a HUGE pacifier sticking out of his mouth. I confess my FIRST thought was "Wow, he seems to be a bit old for THAT!" Followed quickly by this thought, "Why don't they make a pacifier for the tween set?" At least I might be able to elicit a little peace and quiet when it's needed.

Honestly, right after that I could only imagine how many times someone might like to have one for ME! I am sure there's times the boys would like for me to just be quiet. And likewise I'm sure DH has had that thought a time or three or four! Add to that my friends, my extended family, my colleagues and God. While I try not to do it often...I know that we all have our "whiny moments" when we are behaving like the child we used to be---pleading to have things just our way.

I prayed then that God would help me recognize it when it rises in me. I also whispered a prayer of thanks that my kids really ARE past that age. I know that no age or stage lasts forever---thank goodness!

And in the WoW! department.

While we were out shopping, I took back an iPod player that I purchased a few weeks ago back to Target. Here's the deal...I couldn't find the receipt. I didn't have the box, the instruction manual...or anything else but the player and the little things that came with it. It seemed to be working fine on all accounts BUT when you put the iPod in it, nothing comes out. Soooo...I went with the purpose of having someone help me with it or calling the company so I could figure it out.

I didn't even KNOW which credit card I used!

I packed up all the pieces I did have in a pampered chef box and took it to customer service. The lady at the counter said, "You need to go back to electronics and find the exact model and then I can look it up on one of your cards." DS 4 and I found it on display, but no boxes. The girl back there wrote all pertinent information down for me. We picked out an alternate model and returned to the front desk.

I gave the lady the number and she found it in about two seconds flat! She scanned the new machine and I was out the door in about 15 minutes total! Not ONE question asked. AMAZING!

Soooo....there ya' go a WHY? and a WOW! from my neck of the woods! Happy Saturday!