Almost

There is an epidemic in our house. It started out as an occasional occurrence, but the roots took hold and it has sprung into a terrible over grown garden of the "Almost".  Some families have outbreaks of "just a sec" or "hold on", but our people grew the "Almost".  The "almost "can apply to any number of situations ie: my room is "almost " clean, my  chores are "almost" done, I'm "almost" finished with my homework...You can apply it to whatever you like really.  When the question is posed to one of the minions in our home "is your -fill in the blank- done", it is with near certainty the answer will be, you guessed it,  "almost".
This ambiguity to completion has served the kids well, but has worn on me for some time.   I try my hardest to teach pride in ownership,  good stewardship,  investment in the family unit,  and it really feels as if the "almost" is poisoning those values!!!! Ugh!!!!!!
I tried everything to destroy the "almost".  I tried counting back from 5, I tried time outs,  I tried talks about the things God expects of us through obedience and honor.   I guess I could say it "almost" worked.
Despiration.  The "almost" was winning.   Any of you mommies know that despirate, beaten down mommies are some of the most creative,  tenacious people in the world.   Tell a mommy it can't be done.   I dare you.   So I revved the engines of my creativity. 
It was a Thursday when the solution occurred to me.  
Thursday is gymnastics day.   Kids come home from school,  "almost" get their homework and chores done,  dress for their event and load up in the van for a  Chick-Fil-A dinner before gymnastics.   It is the highlight of the week!  Chick-Fil-A is a mecca of fast food for the Koenig kids.   Chicken nuggets, waffle fries and chocolate milk will line the streets of Heaven in their mind.
So we go through our home routine.  Everything is "almost" done when we leave the house.  So we drive.  We drive the 20 minutes it takes to get to Chick-Fil-A.  We wait anxiously to pull into the parking lot.  We turn in and drive to the back of the parking lot where we exit and drive to the gymnastics studio.  Horror errupts in thr van  "You Missed It!" the little voices cry,  "Mommy, you didn't stop!"  They are distraught.  Poor things.  I finally decide an  explination is deserved. 
"Wasn't that fun guys????" I enthusiastically reply. 
"Wasn't WHAT fun?"  They are clearly confused. 
"Our  "almost" trip to Chick-Fil-A"....
Ahhhhhh...suddenly everything is clear.
The "almost" lost.