You asked for Teenie-Bopper posts

We've had a flip-flop of personalities in our teens in the last few months. You get to a comfort level knowing what your teens are likely to do and say and react to. It makes life a little more predictable and, well, comfortable.
Sure, you still have blow outs and fights and crazy behavior, but you expect it and know what hit you.

But then they change things up on you and you are left standing there wondering what on Earth hit you up the back-side of your head. It isn't always bad, but it still freaks you out.

Like Devon and Kaytlin.
Devon has always been our "black sheep" and sure to drive us nuts child. Everything with him has always been difficult. We know what it takes to deal with him, but it was always long and drawn out and irrational. But it was Devon. I gave up dreaming that we would get through that before he moved out of the house. Or killed himself with his daring ways.
Kaytlin has always been our compliant, obedient, lovely child. You could always count on her listening to you and coming around. She has been mature and wise beyond OUR years for some time now. There were certain times of the month that the lovely part was less visible, but it was still there. She is lovely, but still assertive. She can rule the guys in the house with an iron fist. No one believes me, but she does.

But lately they have switched personalities.
Devon has been compliant and obedient and mature and wise. We prepare for our big screaming match with him and he just stops and does it our way. We are left standing with our jaws on the floor.
Kaytlin has started turning everything into a fight and giving us major attitude. We are left baffled and upset with her.

We are just enjoying Devon for as long as it lasts. (looks like a real change, not just temporary, a true spiritual maturity!) With Kaytlin we put down the proverbial foot right where it hurts her most. As soon as she knew we were serious, she turned back into her mature self and talked it out with us rationally. Whew! I wasn't sure where she was going, but I had hoped she would come back around. Stress from hard classes in school, multiple outside activities at church and school, and worrying about getting applications for college in on time and writing great essays for college apps and wondering how she is going to pay for it all has really weighed on her. She is such a planner and worrier.
I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. She works hard at what she does and to get what she wants. She is even paying for guitar lessons to learn to play better than she was.

She is also holding regular conversations with someone about Christ. It is frustrating her because he just doesn't get it and seems to be trying to aggravate her. I would be frustrated, too, but she is still going and searches for answers for him. She is learning that she knows way more than she thought she knew.
Pretty cool!

Thanks for all the prayers for Cody. He had a panic attack yesterday. He was still pretty freaked when he got home, but he finally started talking a little bit last night and we were able to figure out that he had a panic attack. He did go to school without a problem today. He is also opening up to his counsellor and the pastor. All great signs! We are working on what to do about the panic attacks. We just need to find the right counsellor and plan for him. We don't know why he didn't come to us when he was so worked up because we've always taken his school woes seriously, even taking him out of school to home school. He had to have been totally freaked out. Breaks my heart!