Elizabeth had a scab along her nail bed, which had been healing. At one point in Mass, I look down at her and she's pushing up a blood bubble through her itty bitty scab. Beautiful. I figure I must have something in my bag that I can remedy this with so I grab my bag, just as Father launches into the consecration. I lower my head, ignore the blood, and close my eyes. The consecration takes maybe a minute, max. 45 seconds?! Next thing I know, (head down, eyes closed), is the feeling of a finger on my nose.... a bloody finger on my nose as Elizabeth whispers "Look, mommy" and wipes blood on my face. Talk about pulling you out of a moment. Thankfully, by that point the consecration was over, so I could go into my bag and get a wipe which she held to her finger the rest of Mass. Lovely. :P It didn't phase me, but all I could think is 1. surprise 2. some people really don't like blood and here is my daughter working blood out of her wound and 3. blood isn't sanitary, which people also don't like. Thankfully, it really wasn't much blood at all, a small little blood bubble and it didn't continue to bleed, but really?! Blood on my nose during the consecration. I bet that won't ever happen again.
As for the kids:
June: A+
June turned to the pages when a song started and tried to sing along. He also turned to the proper section for the readings and read along. He sat/stood/knelt when necessary. He usually fidgets like the rest of them, but knowing he would be graded, I think he kicked it up a notch and because of that, I think he got a lot more out of Mass too.
Josh: B+
Josh kept to himself and was quiet all Mass. He did, however, take an envelope and pencil from the end of the pew and drew for most of Mass. That lowered his score because although it occupied him, he wasn't supposed to write on their envelopes.
Elizabeth: B-
For her age, she actually should probably have an A... my kids never really kick it in and behave until 4 and she is still very 3, but being an honest critic, she gets a B-. Smearing blood on people's faces isn't exactly proper behavior, neither is opening wounds in the first place. She was nudging close to June, trying to get his attention at one point and whispered A LOT. She also, claimed she was SO TIRED at one point and tried to lay in the pew... not happening. Soooo... while she wasn't disruptive to anyone else in Mass, she could still improve quite a bit.
All in all, I was pretty proud of them this week. We have had much worse weeks and they all kicked it in pretty well. Jim said Emily for a B+ in the cry room too... she wants to get down and walk around but otherwise she was quiet and mild mannered.
When we were leaving the elderly lady tapped me on the shoulder and commented on what well behaved children I had. It is REALLY good to hear that because often it feels like you are raising hellions when they are all little ages like this... kids come with energy and curiosity and put many of them in one house, it can get crazy. It's weekends like this that give you the boost to keep going because they just might turn out ok after all. :)
We also tried a new diner as a reward for them sitting well in church. It's always a gamble whether Jim and I feel up to taking them in a restaurant and many Sundays, we just don't have it in us. We were able to get right into the diner with no wait and all 4 ate nicely. We may never see such a mild mannered Sunday again. At least I'll have this one too look back and remissness about.
However, right now, reality calls and my dirty floors need to be mopped! :) Happy Tuesday!
1 comment:
Isn't it funny how the days we think they aren't doing so well at mass the older generation feels the need to tell us oh they are such good kids or beautiful kids? Or even an I've been there, this too shall pass? I'm so thankful for those days.
On a side note I wish our church had a cry room.
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