Broccoli: The Newly Discovered Truth Serum

They were lying.

BIG TIME.

Busted.

My oldest proved his lying ways (of the last two days) when he tried to tell me that there was a birthday party at school and they had broccoli so he didn't have to eat his broccoli for dinner.

Oldest son: Mommy, we had a birthday party at school today and there were cupcakes, cookies, and broccoli. So, I've already had my broccoli for the day so I don't think I need to eat this broccoli at dinner.

Me: Oh, really? Well, I'll be sure to talk to Mrs. Warner and thank her and the mommy that brought it for serving such a nutritious snack.

Oldest son: Oh. Wait. I'm not sure if we had broccoli. I can't remember now.

Me: Well, you better tell me the truth because I'm going to ask Mrs. Warner tomorrow and if you're lying, you're going to get in bigger trouble than if you just told me the truth right now.

Oldest son: So if I tell you right now, I won't get in trouble?

Me: Oh, you'll still get in trouble, but you'll be in bigger trouble for not telling me the truth until later.

Oldest son: I don't think we had broccoli, Mom.

Uh, huh.

Which led to another conversation about the stinkin' ice cream cones.

Me: Who ate the ice cream cones, son?

Oldest: Hannah did, Mom.

Me: Remember what we just talked about? You better be telling me the truth. I will find out eventually.

Oldest: Luke and Hannah did it.

Me: Did you have one, too? (Insert evil eye glare, here.)

Oldest: Yes, Mom.

Uh, huh.

Needless to say, they lost the privilege of going to the first night of Explorer's (Awana's equivalent) and they had to go to bed right after dinner. No playing with Daddy, no tv shows, and no friends.

We'll see how that works out for us.

The worst part is that I feel awful for having lying kids. Like I'm doing a rotten job.

I'm sorry that I can't teach them everything they need to know about life before they need to know it. I'm only kind of sorry that they have to suffer the consequences for bad decisions.

I'm sorry that they are evil reprobates. (Just ask John McArthur).
I'm sorry that Eve ate that darn apple.
Eve better be sorry, too, dang it!!!!
I'm sorry they are born with a sinful nature.

I'm so thankful they have a Savior.

Oh, Lord...someday, they'll know.

Grace, grace, grace, grace....it's my new mantra.

Gideon Bibles

Doesn't everyone have at least one??? We have two...and then two more small Bibles that look like them. Our kiddos like to walk around with them and "go to Bible study" or pretend they are reading them. They have all taken their turns "reading" different stories from them. For a while, Noah was stuck on...what else? The flood and story of Noah. Luke likes to hear about Daniel and the lions den or the fire-y furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (sorry if I mis-spelled them...I don't have time to look it up). At Christmas time, we talk a lot about the Baby Jesus and they "read" about the three wise men.

Today, Hannah laid down next to Isaac and said, "I read, Baby." And then proceeded to open the Bible and start singing "Jesus Loves Me."

Aaaahhhh. My cup runneth over.

And then I had to remind her not to sit on brother.