Sunday disaster

OK. I got home at a reasonable time on Saturday after taking the softball team to Yakima. Sunday morning went as expected, with a few panic moments finding clothes and getting everyone showered and dressed. Peter wasn't going to be attending with us due to a physical ailment in his toe...don't ask. I thought that I could handle taking all the kids to church all by myself as this is nothing new to me, having done this in Texas all the time. The only difference was that Sacrament was first here and Peter John was out of his medication...not a good combo. With choir practice having already started, I got there and was able to warm up with a few distractions from children. As practice was ending, Rachel was crying in the gym (we were on the stage, so the sound was very disturbing.) I try to get the kids in the chapel without too much success. The bishop comes in and says "This too shall pass". Like that was going to help. I seriously thought about going home at this point, but thought, "No, I can do this." The meeting started and the kids started in on each other. Alex wouldn't sit up. He had to lean on everyone. Rachel was wanting to put her feet on everyone in the seat in front of us. Peter John wanted to sit where Alora was sitting, and Alora was complaining about the boys being all over her. Aaron was trying to get Rachel to laugh by trying to tickle her. During the passing of the sacrament, it didn't get any better with kids wanting to use the bathroom...all at the same time. Since the choir was singing soon, I tried to get the kids to settle down before I had to go up front. That only lasted for about 3 minutes. I got up front and looked at my kids, trying to see if they were paying attention to the fact that mom was up front looking at them.........let's just say that the only one paying attention to mom not being there was Rachel. She started complaining. Fortunately, Aaron was able to keep her attention. Thank you Aaron. The choir begins to sing and I try to keep my attention on Sister Gallinger, but the kids are too much of a distraction. I look over and Alora is hitting Aaron on the head to make Rachel laugh and Alex and Peter John are fighting over the fact that Alex is trying to lay on top of Peter John. I am so angry and frustrated as I see Sister Sanette Casper move over to sit with them. At this point, one of the lines in the song is "When all my trials are done..." I begin the cry. I can no longer sing and tears are streaming down my face. I was angry with Peter for not being there to watch the kids, I was angry that the kids were a disruption to the Spirit that was present, I was angry that I had to go through all this when all I had to do was ask for help. I know that if I had asked, someone would have sat with the kids. I couldn't face the sympathetic looks from the ward members. I had to leave. Well, only to the foyer. I knew that once Sacrement meeting was done, the Primary had to deal with my kids.

Sometimes life throws you curve balls

Just when you think life can't get any harder, it does. I had to take Alex to the ER to have his face glued back together. His brother, Peter, accidently hit him with a shovel while flinging mud around. If he had hit him even 1/4 of an inch up, he would have hit his eye. As it is, Alex had a gash from the bridge of his nose almost to his tear duct and then across his cheek. Right now he is covered in dermaplast and this should allow his body to heal itself. Peter John was really sorry that this happened. This morning, Alex's eye was really puffy and not black and blue yet, but we are waiting for that to happen. The instructions from the doctor was to go home and rest and watch out for the shovel. Alex did really well holding still for the doctor while he got glued back together. I was able to inform his teacher this morning before school started so she was aware of what had happened and to help prevent any further damage, just in case. The lesson learned here...don't fling mud with shovels.