Welcome, Welcome Sabbath Morning

When a family gives up their Daddy to Church meetings for years, Sundays begin to take on a different feel. New traditions are created and some old ones fade away.

Here are some quotes from last Sunday morning:

Zach, from the top of the stairs: "Mom, what should I do about this big hole in my pants?"
Mom: "Just wear your new suit."
Z: "These are my new suit pants, but I lost my suit coat --I've looked everywhere."
M: "How in the world did you get a hole that size?"
Z: "Maybe when I was trying to do the splits at the stake dance."
M: "You did the splits in your new suit pants? That'd probably do it."
He smiles.

Screaming is overheard from the children's bathroom. Abbie comes to the top of the stairs. She is draped in at least five towels (one for her turban, a shawl for her shoulders, one for a strapless top, one for a dashing skirt...)
Abbie: "Mom, can we have a family council today about the difference between being rude and stupid, or just being plain insensitive?"

Five-year old Millie is singing to herself in front of the mirror in my bathroom. She's combing her hair.
M: "Mom, do you have any cover-up?"
Mom: "Did you just ask for cover-up?"
M: "Sam accidentally hit my cheek, and I don't want that red mark there."
Mom: "I think you'll be okay without cover-up. You're such a pretty girl."
She returns a loving gaze to the mirror and twirls for a minute.
M: "Don't you think I look just like a teenager?"

Sam comes into my room to sit by the heater and read. I notice that he has put clothes on without being hounded. I'm ready to turn on the praise.
Mom: "Hey Sam, I'm proud of you for getting ready. Let me see you."
He stands up. He smiles broadly and then casts a spell on me from the Harry Potter books he's been devouring.
Mom: "Sam, I think that might be Zach's suit coat from when he was a deacon. Can you find your blazer? Also, those are great school pants, but not our best for church."
Sam begins to melt into the ground. His face becomes contorted.
Sam:"Mo-o-om, this is the only jacket that has an inside pocket for my wand!"
(Oh boy -- I know where this one's going to go --should I pick the battle? I must)

Schuyler comes running in --full speed. In just 10 minutes church will start.
Mom:" Did anyone find the baby's boots? Can someone please grab the baby bag and make sure there's a diaper in there?"
Max-o: "Go bye-bye? Coat. Woof-woof. Car."
Mom:"Come here, buddy. Let's get your hair combed."
He goes running towards the playroom--full speed. Laughing.

The organ has just stopped as we walk in the door. I hear my husband's calm voice from the pulpit as we hang our coats. Having taken his post as greeter a quarter of an hour earlier, Zach smiles as he hands us a program. He looks nice in his new white shirt, BYU tie, and tan school pants.

I take my toddler by the hand and walk toward our family's pew (on the other side of the room). Abbie has his other little hand, Millie's carrying her special bag with coloring supplies. Her posture shows she enjoys making an entrance. We are getting seated just as Sam comes running in --full speed. He is in navy pants, well-worn at the knee. And although his black blazer is rolled multiple times at the sleeve, it slips off the shoulder. He has "fixed" the job I did on his hair. I look up at the Bishop with a broad smile and a bit of a sigh. Another Sabbath morning down.

I'm feeling pretty pleased until Max takes the tennis ball he's been carrying and chucks it into the center aisle.