Parenting Rant

Just need to blow of a bit of steam here, pay no mind. We have these ebbs and flows all the time, and Id like to think we arent alone, just no one in the blogging world actually admits to anything but perfection. However Jonathan and I have reached our limit with the boys and wonder if we will survive. As we have been trying for another baby with no success, we are wondering if perhaps someone else knows better. That if indeed we were blessed with another child, perhaps we would fall off the cliff called sanity?
Tristan has said over the last few days, that he doest like Elijiah, Elijiah teases Tristan constantly, Tristan intentionally picks fights with Elijiah that in turn Elijiah takes his frustration out on Tristan, they are hitting, yelling, arguing, ALL the TIME, and in turn both or one of them is ALWAYS in time out, or in trouble, or has a something taken away, or causes either Jonathan or I to loose our tempers, so that by the end of the night, we are all exhausted, battle weary and unable to even set eyes on the boys without shooting daggers of frustration at them. There is so much conflict over who sits where at the table, who gets the oatmeal first in the morning, whos touching someones belongings or toys that its endless. Elijiah is almost 8 we expect more out of him, Elijiah thinks Tristan gets away with everything and therefore has huge resentment. Ive been SO close to canceling his bday party this weekend due to the hostility and fighting in our house. Shouldnt a birthday party be a privilege, not a right? Something extra not expected? Especially if one is constantly in trouble and causing conflict? Tristan is something to see- he is especially manipulative in causing Elijiah trouble and is the master of drama. Hes not exempt.
Last night Jonathan was in bed by 8pm because he couldnt take it anymore. Family counseling perhaps is on the list- we just cant continue like this for long. I am hoping this is another stage....another stage in a long list of stages that we have dealt with over the last few years.
Months go by with our house like this, where peace is non-existent, then they mellow out, things return to normal, we have civilized conversations, they play well, we have nice family dinners, we go on family outings...I just wish we had more consistency.
Okay my venting is done, now on with the work day.