Sunday Mornings

Do you know what it is like for me to get 5 kids ready for church by myself? I really admire single women and those whose husband's are not members. At least for me, I know eventually Aaron will be here to help. The most difficult part is maintaining the Spirit and keeping it all in perspective. When Mike, Aaron's brother, spent a summer with us, I remember one hectic Sunday morning he said to me, "Remind me again. Why do I want to get married and have kids?" I couldn't think of one good reason. The whole "they bring such eternal joy and happiness" just wasn't happening at that particular moment. It is a matter of getting everybody dressed and out the door with scriptures, diaper bags, and Primary talks in hand. Then, when we get to church it gets even harder. Aaron says it will all be worth it when they go on their missions. I say that is easy for him to say, he is sitting on the stand.

The problem is, I only have two sides so, I can't properly divide them up. I need to be shaped like a pentagon, then they could each sit on a different side of me. We usually play "musical mom" and whoever is misbehaving at the time gets to sit next to me. This changes several times throughout the meeting. Today, Vanessa decided she didn't want to sit in the Chapel. I took her out 4 times. When I take her out, we sit in an empty room for a few minutes. She throws a fit. When she's done, I take her back to the chapel. As soon as I sit down, she cries again. I can't stay out too long or it leaves the other kids sitting alone and that is not a good thing. I was getting tired of walking back and forth out of the meeting so, I sat on the back row with her. She sat perfectly quiet and still, but when I took her back with the other kids, she started screaming again. On the fourth time, I almost carried her out by her feet, but the Chapel is full of people with smiles on their faces. They look like they are thinking,"What a sweet little girl." I'm thinking, "she's anything but sweet". I figure about the time I get her used to being in Sacrament Meeting, Aaron will be released and begin sitting with us again. Actually, he has been either Bishop, Branch Presidents, or in the Stake for so many years, that none of our children have known him sitting by us.

I don't anticipate that we will receive callings while we are in Utah. For one, there are more members than callings, and secondly, we will be there on a temporary basis. Here, if you come to church twice, you get a calling. At the very least, you'll be asked to substitute a primary class. They are always in need of teachers. I love serving in the church and it will be hard not having any responsibility. That will also be about the time that Vanessa is old enough to go to nursery. Now, Aaron and I discuss which one of us can conduct, teach, and play the piano with Vanessa on our hip. I had her in Relief Society today, she saw a picture of a puppy and started barking like a dog as loud as she could. She can be such a distraction.

I don't want to be totally negative. There are some positives. There are weeks when they are really good. I'm glad that we go to church together as a family. Sure, I don't always get the most out it but, I feel the Spirit and I know that they do too and that is what is most important. I know on the day they go on their missions and get married in the temple, I will remind myself that it was all worth it.