Sunday Antics

On the Sunday’s that Corbet works I take the kids to church all by myself. This has proven a worthy challenge. I start mentally preparing by Wednesday. I start to envision getting the kids and myself ready and getting there on time which is at 9:00. Though, I have yet to make it on time on these Sunday’s it gives me something to work for. I try to be as prepared as possible. I pack the diaper bag the night before. I try to anticipate what Dylan will need; toy cars, a Sippy cup, a book and cookies for when I need something to bribe him with. I see the other mom’s bring healthy snacks and I try to do the same when Corbet is with me because his influence is enough to keep Dylan behaved, but when I am a lone reed I resort to bribery. (I’m not ashamed) Besides from packing the diaper bag, I lay out our clothes, bathe the kids the night before and prepare for a very simple breakfast.

Managing a two year old and infant at church for three hours has taught me to wear flats (yuck), tie my hair my back (not cute) and wear a long enough skirt so that when I bend over church goes don’t see London or France. Why flats you ask? Well I am no athlete, but I have learned that chasing a runaway Cub down the halls of the Lord’s house while holding Plum my catching time is best in flats!

The most challenging part of the whole day is getting the kids in and out of the car in one piece. Dylan loves to see me freak out when he puts his hands on dirty cars and wipes them on his clean slacks. Once we are in Church I can breathe a little. Today, we got to church at about 9:10 (our time in improving!) and we sat down in the very back row. That is another thing; I don’t try to a hero and sit close to the front. So anyway, we got there and things were going really good. Noel was content in her car seat and Dylan was sitting on my lap. Just as I was started to feel proud of myself (never a good idea) Noel burst into tears and Dylan takes off. I fumble to get Noel out of her car seat while I see the back of Dylan’s head getting smaller and smaller. By the time I get a hold of Noel, Dylan is up on the stand with the Bishop. When I go get him he starts laughing as do some of the congregation. I put on my patient mother face (which is all show), grab his hand and begin the long trek back to the nose bleed section where we belong. The rest of the first hour was a little fuzzy. I got the cookies out, took Dylan to the foyer for a little time out (so he could play with the water fountain) and managed to keep Noel from wanting to eat (which really is a modern day miracle). By the time Sacrament meeting was over, I was ready to pack the kids up and call it a day. I leaned to the mom sitting next to me, who also has a two year old and said, “I get why some churches send the kids to nursery even during the service, I think they are on to something.”

After the first meeting I take Dylan to Nursery for two hours so I can go to Sunday school and Relief Society. Usually he causes a big scene when I leave, which is pay back from my days of Pre-School (sorry Mrs. Pots and Mrs. Mole), but today he found a friend and trains and I was out the door. I still take Plum to both of my classes, but she is cake compared to Cub. Today she has unusually loud gas, which is uncomfortable for both of us. I don’t want to throw her under the bus and point to her when she relieves herself, but I don’t want to take the blame either! Between class and a few trips to the mothers lounge to feed and change Noel time went pretty fast. By the time I got Dylan from Nursery and got to the car, I was so exhausted! This may not sound like much and believe me a lot of women do it with more kids, but I am a big baby and for me taking my ankle biters to church wears me out.

Today when we got home I fed them both and put them down for a nap. I couldn’t decide if I wanted a nap or to just enjoy the quiet … so I sat on the couch and pondered the reasons I take my kids to church when for the most part it seems like a big chore. As always I found more reasons to go than to stay home. I am trusting that the Lord knows my struggle and that he will bless me. I have faith that though my children are small, little seeds of faith are being planted in their heart. I also can’t lie, I pretend that Nursery is free babysitting and that the mothers lounge is a club where Mom’s can hang out and exchange tips (which is true). I also learn something every Sunday. Even with my noisy offspring I never go home empty. If there is one place where I feel understood, it is church because most of the women have done just what I have done and most times with more kids and then there is The Lord who never forgets our sacrifice, even if sometimes we forget his.

For more information where you can take your noisy kids to church go to http://www.mormon.org/
 
Gratitude:
• My parents and Grandma came to visit! They brought Dylan a Cars Table & Toy Box! He is one happy kid!


• We had a great weekend that involved the farmers market, a wiener dog race, a BBQ with the rents and Church of course!

• The weather has been beautiful!

• The flowers I got at the farmers market are holding up beautifully.

• Our neighbor’s party (huge party) only lasted until 12:30 last night. We thought it would be until at least 3:00. I saw him after church and though I was exhausted; I know I felt better than him today!