Growing up my sisters Cheryl and Emily got us 7 younger girls ready for church each Sunday. They would spend time searching the house for matching socks, tights and bows then lay them out with our neatly ironed dresses the night before. I think they still do it with their own children - or maybe they've trained their oldest daughters to help out just as they use to. Either way evening preparation is a great idea. Saturday really is a "special day" when you've got 6+ kids and church starts at 9:00 am.
So here's hoping we can make it there on time with no surprising hold ups. Here are a few from the past:
-Trying to find parking on Broad St. in Philadelphia on the day of the Mummers parade
-All the kids dressed bathed and ready to go but just as we were loading the car Peter, who at the time was just 2, got into a jar of Nutella
-We were getting kids into the car but couldn't find William (he was 4), I searched the house, Paul was looking up and down the street. I was so nervous for the 10 minutes he was missing. We spotted him in the other car all buckled up ready to go just waiting for the rest of us.
-Not too long ago I gave Peter the treat of having the bath all to himself. The girls were pulled out and dressed while Peter played. I turned my back for a minute and there was Maryanna all dressed and climbing into the tub.
I don't know why it takes so much force and energy to get out the door on Sundays. I suppose it is to humble us- remind us of our weaknesses and make us more teachable. Whatever the challenge though, it is worth the effort. What a great blessing it is to have a day of rest, a day of worship, and enjoy a few hours of reverence in our week. I loved this story in the Ensign and will think of Paulo Tvuarde next time I think the task of getting to church is challenging.
Or, is it because Satan knows that great things will come out of your kids if he lets you guys go to church every week. That is what I think when I get ready for the temple. It is so hard.
ReplyDeleteIt was always fun to see what Scott put on Jerome and Asha on Sundays when I I had to leave early for meetings. After a few funny outfits, he started reminding me to lay the clothes out.
~Marie'
Hey Al--When you were all babies-I help get you ready too!!! :) Cheryl took over when I was older--and you all were probably more fashionably dressed when she got everyone ready. The hardest part was finding matching shoes in the back hall for all the little kids. They were many maryjanes, but finding a matching pair was impossible. My kid are older--and it is still hard. I think I am going to trick them all and turn the clock forward 10 minutes on Sunday so we can be more on time. I also tell my kids they can not eat until they are dressed and ready.
ReplyDeleteMarie'- It is fun to see how Dad's will dress the kids.
ReplyDeleteEmily-Sorry, I made some edits. I remember you alwys bathing us and dressing the babies also.
Thanks !
The food idea is good now that your kids are older as I suppose it is even harder to grt teenagers out the door than toddlers.
Actually Emily, I even remember some of the older boys helping us also. I got really frustrated when they would not tie my bows very tight or put on unmatching socks.
ReplyDeleteI just remembered another one....
ReplyDeleteI made some dough before church and left out my 25 lb. bucket of flour. Maryanna got into it just as we were heading out the door.
The first time I tried to go to church after having Kate, I had to wake up at 4am to grt there on time only to realize that I packed everything but an extra diaper! I had to leave church right after sacrament meeting.
ReplyDelete