A little keyring..

A little keyring is missing. The key ring had a key on it (as most do). It was laying on my kitchen cabinet. Now it is not. Well, actually were there and 10 minutes later they were not. How can that be? These keys are pretty special, but they can't walk. They do start a car, Sarah's car. They also happen to be the only set she has...HUGE bummer.

I can relay all of that above with little inflection. But if you had volume on my words? My children would tell you there was MUCH inflection. I really think it went into the sermon category.

I can tell you who was not near the keys....Michael, Ryan, Daniel, Seth, Tasha, Tori or Rosie. Rosie was in her room (way on the other end of the house), Tasha was at the ball field, Tori was sleeping on the couch next to me. The boys were all outside playing baseball. Who was unaccounted for? Mercedez, Lita and Bella. Who is Sarah driving to Country Place in her car this weekend, thus giving them a very vested interest in finding the keys? Mercedez and Lita. Who is mad about not getting to go? Who was mad during those 10 minutes at Sarah (actually mom and Sarah because I made her go with me to Tori's game and not with Sarah)? The un-named person. Who is constantly hateful(that is really an awful word)to Sarah? bingo...same un-named person.

So this morning as everyone searched for the keys, everyone was mad. I talked about our behavior. I talked about one of the positive consequences of being truthful and respectful is that you are not often (if ever) thought to be the one who did an injustice. And if you are falsely accused due to your attitude and behavior? Well, that too is a consequence...a negative one that comes from bad behavior.

The keys remain unfound. Scott will be giving Sarah his van to drive to Country Place and thus setting a chain reaction of disruption in the household vehicle situation.

I am so very frustrated. I really really really really really really really really really (lol...ya got it?) aggravated. SOMEONE took them. SOMEONE is lying. SOMEONE is in BIG trouble. This morning I gave a one minute safe zone(meaning you bring me the keys in those 60 seconds and I will forgo any punishment). Did that person step forward? Nada chance. I love hardheaded kids...I do. But lying, stealing, cheating, disrespect is NOT hardheaded...it's just wrong.

I used to feel such anxiety over these moments, but what teachable moments they are! All nine of the children who did not do this learned a very valuable lesson...the key searching will continue and the lessons learned will be interesting to see. Seth cried this morning in frustration (he hates being late to school), he said "somebody better do the right thing!!" I explained that I felt exactly as he did (only times 10). I loved his thoughts though...I agree....somebody better do the right thing!