This Saturday morning I woke up on time but with a sore throat and possibly rhinovirus.  I was late getting out of bed but managed to get through my prayers effectively.

The bickering with my wife and my tendency to fault find resumed but I tried my best to resist and let her own her own feelings.

I got my son started on mowing the lawn first thing when I got up. This involved a lot of tasks outside on my part.  Once I got him started, I came inside and had to feed the little kids.  In the process i had to clean the kitchen and I got very resentful.  This is when I had to stop myself.  My wife asked me why I was throwing dishes around but I just chose not to answer and stop banging things.  My son complained and whined and sopped and started and I went back and forth with him to get him to do his job.  But, In the end he persevered and got it done despite a sore stomach.

Most of the morning was spent cleaning the house and some touch up yard work.  I also set up my son and his friends with outdoor games that I bought them at the thrift store.

I thought again about all the things my wife does for us.  She worked this day and she babysat my best friend's kids.  When the mother was picking them up she told us a story of her bickering with her husband (my friend) and thus I didn't feel so bad after.  I updated the software on my wife's phone for her.

In the evening she had to work.  I got a little resentful while I was cooking dinner by myself and I felt somewhat ill.  A firend came over to do 12 step work and while this made things a little more laborious I still felt better.  He joined us for dinner.

After dinner all went well for a while but I lost control of my temper with the kids at bed time when some of them started misbehaving and whining at the same time.  I sort of exploded at them and broke a broom and a light bulb on the fan when my son hit his head on it.  We all calmed down and talked and said prayers and went to bed peacefully.  I thought about how my temper tantrum must sound like their whining and misbehaving to God.  So I must get over it and grant them the same tolerance and patience that he gives me.

Thanks be to God.