Why Did God Entrust ME With Children?

Well, even I don't believe what happened to me today.

Just keep this in mind for later - I got a new Blackberry *just* last week - the one with keys but without the trackball.

Well, my oldest - a teenager - and I were in a fight (as usual these days, sadly). She was saying I didn't have to worry about her anymore - that she was going to live with her Dad (she's said it a million times). So after what seemed an entire morning of fighting, I bit my tongue as I grabbed two boxes from the front seat to move to the back. I sat my phone on top of the car as there was no room on the passenger side until I moved the boxes.

Understand, a typical teenager isn't one to be ignored - at least mine isn't - so in a continuation of a conversation I was CLEARLY TRYING to ignore she said "Mhm.... I'm GONE. I'm outta here!" Now please know that I'm not proud of it but I responded with "Why don't you just shut up and let's pretend you already are!?" then put the boxes in the back and angrily got in the car.

I went about 30 mph all the way down my street (about 1/2 a mile) turned right onto the main road and went a little ways. Once on the main road my speed increased to about 45 mph. Just as we were going around a big curve I hear a thump. My youngest (9) asked what the sound was, and I said it must have come from the tree we went under as we rounded the curve - then it hit me. My new cell phone.

I WHIPPED around and drove back the way I came and was looking on the opposite side of the road where I heard the sound. Nothing. So I WHIPPED around again in the opposite direction and looked again - still nothing. However, there were tons of cars behind me AND we're in a curve so I can't stop.

Now picture it... I'm freaking out - I just bought the phone last week(!).  Of course, my all-knowing oldest in the back says "MUH-THER WHY DON'T YOU JUST STOP AND LOOK FOR IT?!" Sometimes I think "Wow. How did I ever walk around before I had her - I mean with shoes tied and on the correct feet?!" I just told her that unless she wanted us all to die together - RIGHT THEN - that I needed to just consider that phone GONE.

So I'm driving and start to freak about the phone - there's a lot of information on those sometimes - even after only a week! Also, will it seem suspicious that I *just* bought it last week and will be using the extended warranty (something I've never gotten before)? To top it off I'm still fuming - and really madder at myself for allowing my emotions to make me so crazy that I forget my stupid phone on top of the car!

We got about a mile down the road and I thought about the phone protector I had on it - it's made of that really tough hard rubber shock-absorption stuff. So, hoping against all odds I pull over and there is the phone - STILL on top of the car! What we'd heard was it moving slightly when I increased speed and turned the curve - but the thing was stuck to the top of the car because of that tough rubber - NOT A SCRATCH ON IT. It's a wonder I didn't lose it while trying to find it with all the WHIPPING AROUND I was doing!

It's a good thing I'm a firm believer in cell phone cases & not running around without them. The best one I've ever had is Otter Box. Funny name, huh? They have different kids but this one kind is really more for shock absorption and keeps the phone protected from all angles - made of this thick rubber stuff. It also apparently keeps them from sliding off cars even at 45 mph in a curve. But I digress... like the title of my blog, I stray from the subject - and randomly interrupt MYSELF a LOT.

Anyway, phone aside, if you're a mom you've probably had these days (or will at some point). Sometimes I seriously wonder WHY - in his infinite wisdom - God gifted ME with children. Please know before I say this that I say it much to MY shame, but sometimes the "gift" seems like that Chinese curse "May you receive everything you ask for". I did ask for them - and believe me, I've seen MUCH better applicants for the job!!! I can't even keep up with a cell phone during a stressful moment!!!!

Revelation... this just hit me... (See? This is why I need to write). Regardless that I could've pinched my oldest's non-stop/back-talking mouth this morning - it's a good thing she has one. God gave them mouths so that, unlike the cell phone, they can say "Hey, I'm on the roof!"

Well, I suppose that answers why they're still here & in one piece..... even if I feel like I'm in a MILLION sometimes!!

That's my day so far, and as I write this it's not even 9AM..... but it helps to have written this, which made me realize that my teenager having a mouth COULD be considered a good thing. Lastly, that I'm looking at my new phone right now - intact & without a scratch. At any rate, I hope your day is going much better than mine started..... :))

-Kat