One of my favorite characters from the Anchorman movies is Brick Tamland.

He’s friendly, agreeable and smiles all the time.

He also rarely knows what’s going on around him.

In one particular scene an argument has erupted in the newsroom and because Brick doesn’t want to be left out he chimes in with one of my favorite lines from the first movie, “I don’t know what we’re yelling about!”

After more yelling Brick bursts in again with, “Loud noises!”

It’s these two lines that perfectly illustrate some weekday mornings at my house as Stacey and I prepare for work and to get the kids to school.

It’s chaos. Absolutely crazy.

Hailey can’t find her backpack.

Andrea can’t find her shoes.

Nolan is crying and Lincoln is mad because his toy car isn’t wooooooooorking.

Can you relate? Have you lived this one?

Before long Stacey and I are yelling at and getting after our kids in an effort to keep things moving and we feel like absolute lunatics.

The inmates run the asylum some mornings at the Jones house.

I don’t want it to be this way.

It’s not good for our kids, our family or for our marriage.

Cooler heads must prevail.

The truth is often times, “I Don’t Know What We’re Yelling About!”

It just happens. Stacey and I have decided to change the culture of our family mornings.

We haven’t mastered it yet, but we’re working on it.

Proverbs 15.1 is our slogan as we attempt to create a more civil morning routine for our family.

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”

Yelling and getting feisty feels so right, but it only makes things worse.

Softer. Gentler. Kinder.

That’s what we’re going for.

Proverbs 17.1 describes it this way:

“Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.”

We don’t want to have to choose. We’d like both.

Good food. Good kids. Good mornings together.

We’re working to change the culture of our family.

Our kids are worth it. Our family is worth it. I them to give the best picture of happy family I’m capable of.

If they see dad and mom as angry and demanding how will they view God?

I am the clearest example they have.

I want to reveal God’s character as I parent.

“Loud noises!” no more.

Gentleness, kindness, grace and peace.

That’s what we’re shooting for.