A Crazy Night at Church

Yeah, well, that's a weird title but so was my evening.

It started out fine. ... just like any Wednesday evening... except we were a little earlier than usual. The boys played a little on the damp playground before I called them into the fellowship hall for supper.

I scrubbed their grimy hands and faces and we got in line.

After convincing Gideon that he really did have to eat we headed to our table. I was carrying my spaghetti plate, my drink, Gabe's drink, plastic ware and napkins as we chose a table. About the time we got there Gabe lost his plate. A three foot radius of Spaghetti covered the floor, table and a bawling 3 year-old.

I set my plate, drink, Gabe's drink, forks and napkins down and proceeded to help poor Gabe. His shorts, sock and shoe were covered in red sauce. I stripped socks, and wiped him off with the napkins. Then I wrangled the farthest noodles into a smaller pile. I set off with his right "croc" to wash it in the bathroom sink. (Don't ya love washable shoes!! I was praising the Lord he was not wearing sneakers.)

Someone volunteered to get Gabe a new plate of food so I headed to the kitchen for something to clean with.

But before I left for the kitchen some folks just sat down at the end of our table. I was sure to warn them, "Join us at your own risk," I said, as I sped off for a cleaning rag.

About the time I arrived with huge, wet paper towel in hand I looked up to see the table filled and Overflowing with my full cup of Tea. Our poor friend, whom I had earlier warned, was mere inches from the waterfall of Southern Sweet Tea pouring over the edge of the table.

In disbelief I asked if he got wet! He said, "No." Whewwwww! So I used the aforementioned paper towel on the tea instead of the now sticky pile of noodles and plate and garlic bread that had landed practically under Gideon's chair.

So, I'm on my hands and knees working on this sticky mess when Gideon comes over to me, "Momma, I pooped myself." It was at this point that I cried out loud. No tears, more like the deep wailing sort of grief. You've got to be kidding!! So, I said, "Go back and sit in your chair. You're third in this line and there's spaghetti, garlic bread, sweet tea and ice cubes before you."

I finished cleaning the mess as someone graciously brought me the 55 gallon trashcan. Patience thin, face flaming, boys teetering and plates untouched I said, "We're going home." So, I rounded them up and took them to the van.

We got there (all the way across the cemetery) and Gabe announced that he had to go poo poo on the potty too. "Well, you might as well," I told him.

I got everyone changed and wiped and presentable again ... and only got poo under one fingernail.... which I scrubbed mercilessly and headed back to church.

We ate our now cold food in the almost desolate fellowship hall. Gideon still wanted to carry on his one-sided dinner conversation, but I stifled it and told him to eat because he had already missed Children's Choir practice.

I had to be thankful though because that was some of the best tasting spaghetti I've had in a while and I didn't have to cook it! ... at least I told myself that over and over until I could go from completely frustrated to thankful.

I'm happy to say that the boys had a good night at church with no other incidents. I did wait until 9:30 to come home from choir (which ends at 8:45) so they'd already be tucked in bed!!!

Did I mention that one of the ladies who cooked the spaghetti offered some to me to take home?? Oh, yes she did!!! I told her it was delicious, but I didn't care to see any spaghetti for a good long time. I think she understood! We had a good chuckle.

I love my sweet boys, but they do exhaust me!! I can't wait to "hit the sack." as my Daddy would say. Good night!