Do you see that beautiful boy up there? That is my youngest. He has been a joy since the day I had him and not really much trouble.
Of course, being the fourth child, he has learned a few tricks from his siblings. The most notable ones, he learned from Olivia. Or rather Vija, pronounced BEE-hah, as he calls her.
She taught him how to be unabashedly cute.
Cotton candy sweet.
So adorable you just want to kiss their cheeks all day.
She taught him the "Sweetheart" look. This is where he turns his head to the side, brings his shoulders up in a shrug and stares at you through his gorgeous eyelashes (which he also inherited from Liv).
Yesterday, however, we had our first "test".
Daddy was sitting on the couch reading the newspaper. Matt decided to go up and grab the newspaper and scatter it all over the floor. Daddy tried scolding him and told him to pick up the paper but Matt gave him a stone cold stare and did nothing.
Steve laughed.
Trying to be serious again, he told Matt to pick up the paper.
Nothing.
Seeing Daddy struggle to hold back his grin and giggles, I stepped in.
Trust me, I am with these children all day and if I let one slip the whole group gangs up on me!
Now, normally we would resort to one of those up there but we didn't this time.
I got up, went to Matt and told him to pick up the paper. He understood but still did nothing. He got a swat on the thigh. I redirected him and told him again to pick up the paper. Another swat.
This went on for approximately 15 swats but it felt like an eternity!!!
I felt bad every time I had to swat him , but I knew that he was testing us.
At one point, he bent over to pick up the paper and when I said said "Good Boy!", he dropped it again and gave me that stone-cold stare. (little stinker)
Finally, he submitted and picked up the paper as asked and handed it to Daddy.
Victory!
Later, Daddy was holding Matt and said, " Matt, you failed... but we passed and that's all that matters."
Amen- we passed and that's all that matters!
God is good- thank you, Lord, for the strength to endure.
"He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."
Proverbs 13:24
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