By the way, please don’t read this if you thought our family was perfect – I would hate to shatter the image of what I wish sometimes were a reality!
Last night my family and I finished watching “Singles Ward 2”. I couldn’t hold back the laughter when I saw the camera span over the Sunday congregation and stop on a mother with a bunch of children to take care of. She pulled a gallon of milk out of her church bag and started pouring bowls of cereal for her kids. A few seconds later you see her making a peanut butter sandwich for her little boy. – Cracked me up! I thought of it as a large exaggeration of a typical LDS sacrament meeting at least in Utah or Idaho, but after church today I’m thinking I might want to try that plan of attack! Maybe that is the trick to avoid the humility my children seem to give me the pleasure of learning.
I’m am almost positive that on one Sunday or another many latter-day saint moms wonder if it is worth subjecting themselves to the struggle (yes, I want to accentuate that word) it is to take children to church. I even have the added luxury of having my husband sit with me on the pew – lucky me!
I usually double up on the deodorant for Primary, but I’m going to have to consider tripling up the efforts in that department, because here is what happened today during sacrament meeting:
1. We have Olivia! She is one of the cutest 3 year olds in the entire world and sweet as a button but chooses (because I know she knows how) NOT to whisper. She talks loudly or laughs loudly or gets upset loudly. O.k. so it probably seems louder than it really is when we are in a reverent quiet atmosphere such as sacrament meeting.
2. We have Lily! Again, one of the cutest, sweetest 7 year olds on the planet BUT don’t make her mad! She will make you pay and it is not pretty! (literally and figuratively)
3. We have JT – I forgot that I shouldn’t wear knee length skirts with a climbing baby – oops the people around me got more than they bargained for if they saw the show! Oh and I hope they shampoo the carpet at the church regularly because he has left several spit up remnants to help “break in the carpet”.
4. We have Alexis – now usually I can’t get on her case because she does a pretty good job, BUT today I looked over and she had pulled out a deck of face cards from her purse and she was telling Mason “pick a card”. Seriously, I got done listening to the new callings and bam – Lexi and Mason are playing with face cards? How did that happen, I didn’t even think we had a owned a deck cards? They were quickly confiscated – I am sure the people behind me loved watching that transpire because I was REALLY shocked.
5. We have Mason – honestly today, he did fairly well during sacrament meeting. But last week I looked over at him in Primary and he had an origami paper stuffed in each side of his nostrils.
Of course I am dwelling on the negative to prove my point – there really are some good things going on as well, but WOW the bad sure do stand out when you want things to go smoothly :).
I am learning about humility on my Sundays at church…I hope someday it will evolve into something much deeper and meaningful, but for now I am just hoping that I can pick myself up and gear up for one more Sunday!
Comments:
Magan said…
I think you guys spiced up church this week. Very funny. I can’t believe Olivia, I have barely heard her say one word.
Sunday, January 18, 2009 4:47:03 PM
Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…
This reminds us of what Sister Lent said in the worldwide training. She said a lady watched her at church and said “if my kids were as good as yours and if it was as easy for me as you, I would have a large family too.” They never know how hard it might have been, getting there. Keep up the good work, it gives others hope. They are good kids!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 4:37:13 AM
michelle said…
I’m with you Jodi! I have left many sacrament meetings feeling like we were the show. Zach chose to sing the closing song this week in his primary, scream at the top of his lungs, voice. The entire chapel could hear. I like your great attitude about being humbled. I will think of that each week as I am also humbled.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:05:58 PM
Magan said…
Eric reminded me how could I forget you want a bad church experience. My child pulled the fire alarm at stake conference!
Friday, January 23, 2009 4:48:26 PM