Wait for It...

Teenagers. 

They are notorious for bringing dirty clothes to the laundry after you "think" you are done. 

They are awake till all hours of the night, and sleep till late hours in the morning.

They have a knack for rolling their eyes at pretty much anything we say.

They are always hungry after the kitchen is nice and cleaned up, after dinner.

They don't hear half of what I say...make that 99% of what I say. 

They think we are way out of touch, and couldn't possibly understand what they are going through. 

They make annoying sounds, and think it's funny.  This is one they just don't seem to outgrow.

They like to give us the stupid look...it's that look that you can't quite tell if they think you are stupid or they just don't get what you are saying.  It could go either way, at any given moment.  :) 

It's also proven that their brains during the teenage years are chemically imbalanced.  A little screwy at times.    I try to remind myself of this when I begin thinking they are brain damaged, because, they really are!  We outgrew it, as did their grandparents, so there is hope.  

On the other hand:

They are learning to live in this crazy mixed up world that even we adults haven't figured out.  How could we possibly expect them to get it the first time. 

They have such hope, and promise. 

They bring a laughter and friendship as they mature. 

They begin to have an understanding of hurt and how it really affects those around them. 

They can be reasoned with!  This one I think they would like to keep a secret...it's just all in how we approach them. 

They are a bigger blessing to me than I could have possibly imagined.

They keep us grounded, and in pursuit of their hearts.

They keep the prayer life in check.

They are capable of way more than we sometimes give them credit for.  

They are us, 20+ years or so ago.  I can relate, it really doesn't seem that long ago.  I remember how tough it seemed back then.  It's tenfold now. 

The truth is, they are living in a time that life is hard.  Even harder than when we were kids, although it wouldn't have seemed possible then.   I have to say that we are coming through these years learning even more about ourselves as we learn about them.  It's a stage in life that is both frightening and wonderful at the same time.  While they drive me crazy when they come to eat after dinner is put away, and drop a huge load of dirty clothes on the floor just hours after I thought the task was complete, I can't help but be thankful for each and every minute we have to guide them on their way.  They are our little precious gifts, growing up and making their way through life's chaotic masterpiece that makes them, them.  How can there be such joy and frustration all at the very same moment?  I don't know the answer, but I know it to be true.  I look at those beautiful faces daily and thank God for each of them in my life. 

My messy, scatterbrained, off in their own world teenagers. 
I truly have little to complain about, they are awesome kids, still crazy teens, but pretty amazing ones at that. 

Oh, my heart overflows with so much love for them.