Just when you think you are a horrible parent

Last night was a pretty bad evening with the kids. The house was trashed and I had set the rule that they can't watch TV or play games/computer until their homework and chores are done each day. Every day this week I have had to tell them to do chores. And they act like it is new or something. "We never have two chores when we cook!" (umm, look at the schedule, it's been that way for 6 months) "What!? I've never had to thaw out meat for my night, it is always just there!" (umm, no, you just don't pick and then we have to go to the store every night to get supper fixings) "We never clean good enough for you, if five of us can't please you, maybe it's YOU and not our cleaning!" (or maybe when you are done cleaning and then I go and mop after you and I blacken THREE disposable mop pads, it isn't clean enough!)

So, yeah, last night was a lot of screaming and tears and grounding and such. I was mean mom extraordinaire.

Then tonight, Devon, my strange Devon, asked me if he could go to the football game.
Not a problem, if you have money. Well, he didn't and would appreciate $4 for it. I can't spare it this check, I have $80 to feed 10 people for the next 7 days. (thank goodness I don't need meat!)
And Devon says
"Thank you. You know, for all you do and stuff."
And I asked him "Are you being sarcastic or sweet?" So not like him!
"No, really, I was thinking about it last night. You guys do so much for us and everything. And I've seen other parents and they aren't good, they don't get it. And you guys are what parents are supposed to be."
"Even though we are horribly mean?"
"Yes, you are supposed to be mean, you have to do it."

Who are you and what have you done with Devon?

Just last year, just 13 months ago Devon was having a fit about us not letting him hang out at the fair that turned into a tantrum about us being "poor" and him not having name brand clothing and all the latest games and such, it even ended with Devon and Drew in a fist fight. (Drew defending me)
Really, what happened? Devon has matured this year and I am just blown away over and over and over this summer. Earlier this week I had someone compliment me on how polite and kind Devon is. If you have any idea of the trouble we've gone through with him, you'd know how that moves me so.
I was shocked enough that it dawned on him this week that when he follows the rules he has lots of freedom, and when Drew broke the rules he had NO life, so he plans to have lots of fun following the rules. He also said he plans to keep his "lipginity" for an indefinite period of time, I'm thinking he meant at least through high school, not sure if he meant until marriage or not.

OK, I'm done, I will start bawling soon if I don't stop!