Summer Break–will we make it or will it break us?

School is officially out and the fun of Summer has begun. Stephen ended the year by making it on the A-B Honor Roll at school. Then Saturday he earned a new belt color during testing for Taekwondo. That is all great news but the best part if how he accomplished those tasks.
Saturday Stephen got up in a good mood but when we demanded our usual ‘clean up your room’ before breakfast things got ugly. He also wanted to wear jeans to the testing cycle. His instructors specifically requested ‘sweats’. After being told ‘no’ twice, Stephen was in a bad mood but refused to go his room. Mark had to drag him down the hall. It took a good 30 minutes before he came back out of his room, which was clean this time by the way. While we waited to see what he was going to do, Mark and I talked about ‘making’ Stephen go to the testing. I make him go to class each week but once he is there he loves it. I make him go because I think the discipline of this sport is very good for him. On Saturday I decided that ‘testing’ was a reward. Stephen had earned the right to a new color belt, but he would have to make the decision to show up to get it. Thankfully just in time to leave, he emerged from his room ready to go. That was the end of his bad attitude for that day. The whole rest of the day he was in control and had a marvelous time. I was proud of his grades and his new ‘orange belt’ but I am so much more proud of the fact that he didn’t blow it this time and that he turned his day around!!!!!! That is progress baby!
We started Bible School tonight and it goes for the next four nights. Stephen’s teacher asked us ahead of time about how to handle him. We told her ‘zero tolerance’. It really is that simple. He made it through class the first night but she told us that she did give him some wiggle room. Tomorrow night she promises not to do that. She says he will be out the door at the first sign of trouble. I figure I need to follow him to class and wait outside the door. Ha! Maybe he will prove me wrong.
As you may have noticed over the weekend, Angie and I have started a craft project. We are hoping to make a little extra cash. We are taking empty paint cans and creating gift baskets out of them. Look at the most recent blog to see a couple of our creations. We can make most any theme requested. If you see something you really like, let me know. Angie’s husband lost his job on Friday and she can’t go back to work post surgery for another 3 weeks.
Back to the kids. It is summer break and I am happy not to have to shuttle Stephen back and forth to school, especially with the rising gas prices. At the same time, I am a little worried about having Stephen at home 24 hours a day. It will be a challenge for sure so I plan to spend a lot of time in prayer.
More updates later.
Love, Kim