- Caleb, It's time to get up.
- Come on. You've got to get up now.
- Hurry up and get dressed. We're going to be late.
- No, I don't know where your shirt is.
- Hurry up. Quit poking around. Wash your face, comb your hair, and get your teeth brushed.
- Have you fed the cat and the lizards? How many times do I have to tell you?
- Come on, let's eat.
- Have you fed the cat and the lizards yet? I've already asked you to do it five times.
- You're going to have to start carrying your share. I'm not your slave. It won't hurt you to do a few chores.
- Take those headphones off. I'm trying to talk to you.
- Are you eating again?
- Have you finished your schoolwork? I told you not to play your guitar until you were finished.
- Turn the music down. What is that anyway? How many times do I have to tell you?
- I've told you a million times not to leave your stuff laying around. Do you like to hear me scream?
- It's time to go to bed. Goodnight. I love you.
- Turn that off and get to sleep. Don't make me come back in here.
- What?
- Are you serious?
- Hold on!
- Just a sec.
- Wait.
- Why?
- Why not?
- Can I?
- I want.
Blessed2Bless by Steve Klusmeyer
Teen in the House
by Steve Klusmeyer - 9/16/2003
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Surprise!
They're blooming again - the surprise lilies in front of our house. Ours are the Cherry Red Spider Lily variety. So far, there are 230 of the crimson red blooms perched atop the one to two foot stems. It happens every year about this time as soon as the late summer rains begin. They are a reminder of a special event in our lives 13 years ago.It was a Thursday afternoon. I had received an excited call at work from Brenda. The adoption agency had called to let us know a two-week-old little boy was waiting for us to come get him. We left early Friday morning on the four-hour drive to Fort Worth. As we closed the front door, we noticed the Surprise Lily buds had chosen that morning to stretch their spider-like fingers toward the sky. It seemed that they knew something special was going on.
Teen Talk
For better or worse, our lives have not been the same since we left the house that morning. And now, there's a teenager living with us. Is it just me or is talking to a teenager different from talking to other species? My parents probably had the same thoughts. Speaking of my mom, she thinks it is interesting that her two grandsons are 13 and 31 this year. That reverse-number thing will happen every 11 years. The 31-year-old is my nephew. My sister was born two years after me, but she is a lot older than me now because she has grandkids about the same age as Caleb.Anyway, back to teen talk. Most of the conversation seems to be one directional and not very deep. I find myself saying things like:
As you can see, my vocabulary has become quite advanced. Of course Caleb's is still limited. His response usually consists of a blank stare or rolling of the eyes followed by:
Saying More
Hopefully, our communication skills will develop a little over the next few years. I want to be able to talk with Caleb and I want him to know that he can talk to me about whatever is on his mind. I want to get past the "How many times do I have to tell you?" and "Hold on! Are you series?" to more of the "I'm proud of you! I love you." and "Dad, let's spend some time together."I imagine God has some of the same thoughts when He is trying to communicate with us. It is possible to have a deeper relationship with Him. He wants to hear your voice. Learn more.
Learn more about Surprise Lilies.