Monday, October 7, 2013

after church struggles

  The sun is shining through the church windows and the last note has been sung as the congregation files out of the sanctuary. Peacefulness is felt in the air but as I step into the front foyer, mine and Adam's struggles begin. Cutting through the crowd of people I make my way to the babysit and sign out Caleb. He has missed his morning nap and his eyes are red. He is tired, hungry, and ready for his bed. I hold him close to soothe him and make my way to the next babysit. The door opens a crack and a ball of fire leaps out and takes off. I consider chasing Tyler but weaving through the crowds with a diaper bag, purse, papers and a baby is not that easy, not even for the agile. As I near the consistory door Adam steps out. With our eyes we signal across the crowd of people that boy#4 has taken off and is nowhere to be found. Adam starts to weave through the crowds and tries to remember what boy number 4 was wearing. Oh yes, he is wearing a bright shirt. This mother is brilliant and dresses him bright so that he is easy to spot. But that is also a problem, he is easy for everyone to spot and see what he is up to. There he is. He is tugging on great-grandma's purse and is trying to open it so that he can get some candy. Great grandma gives him a candy and as soon as we catch up to him, in a flash he is gone. Now we see him "begging" my mom for candy. (The kids only have to say "hi" and she opens up her purse) We think that he likes the challenge of my mom's candies because her gigantic King peppermints are meant for a horse's mouth. Tyler somehow stuffs the peppermint into his mouth and by this time Adam has caught up to him. Adam grabs him and holds him in a locked position. However within seconds slobber and drool is pouring out of Tyler's mouth all over Adam's clean pressed shirt and tie. Adam puts Tyler down to do some clean up duty, and poof, Tyler is gone again.
 Adam and I used to love after church time, fellowshipping with people. I loved standing in the library and placing some good books into the hands of eager readers, but I think that this will be on hold for the time being.
 We find Tyler again, nod hellos and wave to people and head off to the van. By this time Sunday school is almost over for the three older boys and we begin another round of activity - rounding them all up.
 Boy number 3 wants to go to his cousins house and after that is all arranged boy number 1 notices that there is now room in the van for him to have a friend over. Boy number 1 heads back into the church to find a friend. After some waiting boy number 1 comes back to the van with a friend and we wait some more for boy number 2 to show up. Boy number 1 graciously offers to head back into the church to find boy number 2 and we wait again. By this time, much time has passed, the parking lot is emptying and my impatient nature wants to leave too so that the baby can go to bed.
 Boy number 2 finally comes to the van but now boy number 1 is still missing. There are times that this can go in for another round or two before we are all finally buckled up in the van and can head off towards home.
I don't think that we are the only family that has these moments after church!
 And at least we haven't forgotten anybody at church...yet. That's another thing to remember on Sundays. Always do a head count before you leave church!

5 comments:

  1. I'm going to buy you a loud whistle.

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  2. maybe buy boy #4 some wooden shoes so he can't run so fast!!!! Yes I understand your position.....we could add some tears from one of the kids before the morning is done because friend so and so can't come over.
    It's a passing phase Kerri....keep on keeping on! God bless!
    Monica P

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  3. haha.... this sounds so familiar, Kerri, though I don't think I am so good about trying to keep up with the wanderers as you are!
    Getting the kids out of any place they love is one of my least favorite things! Nowadays we seem to hang around till our church rental time is up and we're kicked out.... which does make it easier!

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  4. Love this...and it's an all-too-familiar scene! I agree with Rach that it makes it easier to be the last to leave! It's amazing how the kids who were so upset to leave when it meant leaving their friends are suddenly in a huge hurry to go when all their friends are gone!

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  5. Thanks Keri! Made me chuckle. It is always so inspiring reading your posts, makes me thankful we are not the only family who deals with these situations;)

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