It Gets Better, I Promise

Daddy woke up sick today, and it was daylight savings. Anyone with kids knows that's a bad combination of events. So I picked out a dress that makes me feel happy and put on a smile as I mentally prepared myself for church with four littles.

As we went out the door the kids were already complaining of hunger (even though we JUST had breakfast). I gave them each a snack for the drive, which only made them thirsty, resulting in a trip to the water fountain shortly after arriving. We made it to our seats with ten minutes to spare, which is pretty good for a one mamma show. Joseph proved to be the most difficult as he began sprawling out on the bench and squishing the older two. Then he lost something under the bench and when he hopped off to retrieve it Camilla accidentally kicked him in the head. I hauled Finley and Joe out while he screamed, one on each hip, and sat in the foyer until Joe calmed down enough to go back in. We made it through the sacrament hymn and then Joseph wiggled and squirmed through the prayer. He was being loud, and giggly, and frustrating, so I took both of them out again crossing my fingers that the older two would behave themselves. I dropped Joseph on the couch and sat down beside him as tears welled in my eyes and ran down my face. It is so hard to enjoy Sundays with littles. As I sat there red faced, and teary eyed a few people trickled in late. One dear sister sat across from me, looked over with an endearing smile and said, "It gets better, I promise." I smiled as I blinked away tears.

When the sacrament ended we went back to our seat and I found the older two fighting. "She kicked me!" "Hyrum threw my tiger into another bench!" Camilla was in tears and both of them were trying to justify their actions. I about started to cry again and sent them to different ends of the bench while another sister came and walked Joe to her bench to sit for a while. I envisioned the terrible scene they must of caused as they kicked and fought during what was supposed to be the most reverent part of the whole meeting and I felt totally embarrassed! 

After the meeting I threw Finners in the carrier on my back and bounced him to sleep while I taught my class of seven year olds. It went surprisingly well, and I was grateful to teach such good kids! He slept through the last two blocks of church which gave me just the breather I needed. 

Once I had everyone belted in the car I gave them all a nice little pep talk I had been working on during the last hour of church. I explained to them the importance of the meeting and how they didn't just ruin it for them, but for everyone else around them. I told them Daddy would definitely be hearing about it and we would talk more when we got home. As we drove the older two whispered in the back seat. They were quick to jump out of the van, and tried to be on their best behavior. 

While I made up grill cheese sandwiches for lunch one of them snuck into the kitchen and left a card on the counter that said "Dear Mom, I love you. Wen you are dun reding this in a fu minits, cum into Hyrums room." I went downstairs to find a "Sorry" sign taped to Hyrums door. When I opened it they shouted, "SURPRISE! WE LOVE YOU!" They gave me some big hugs and said they were sorry. As we walked up stairs together they said, "Does this mean you don't have to tell Daddy anymore?" I couldn't help but chuckle. Then in Hyrum's lunch prayer he blessed that "Camilla, Hyrum and Joe would be gooder next Sunday". 

Thank goodness for the sweet moments that help take away the bitter. We made it through, and that smile is back on my face again.