I figured since we were on the subject in my last post about my sobbing I would share this little story.
Several weeks ago, I had a really tough Sunday for a seeming myriad of reasons. I am too emotionally scarred to share all of the details...heh, heh, heh, just kidding...but that did sound super dramatic, did it not? It was just one of those patience trying days for reasons like:
- Mike had to be gone for early morning meetings and the boys were...shall we say...quarrelsome...while dressing and preparing for church. I prefer the "Laying on of Hands" to be performed by worthy priesthood holders...my boys were practicing their own special brand of laying on of hands...on one another...violently...and there was nothing spiritual about it.
- My boys displayed some...how should I put this?..."spirited" Sacrament Meeting Behavior, and being that I had already reached max point before even entering the church building I was in no mood to deal with it.
- I started feeling some extreme Mother Guilt for my lack of patience with, said children because, in truth, they are really great little guys.
- I started feeling like an unsupportive wife for dreading the fact that I knew Mike would have meetings after church. I feel a lot of guilt about whether or not I am supportive as I should be. I could be an early pioneer walking across the plains in freezing temperatures. I don't even have to walk to church...I don't know what I am complaining about, sometimes.
When we arrived home from church I started all of the dinner preparations and encouraged (I use the term "encouraged", loosely) the boys to stop mauling each other with their accumulated energy from the three hours of church.
That particular Sunday was Evan's actual birthday and even though we had a party for him with friends and cupcakes at the YMCA pool the day before, I still hadn't made his birthday cake. Mike got home and went back to change out of his suit about the time I began to make the cake. All three boys plead with me to help and because of the aforementioned, Mother Guilt, I decided that I would not fail my sons by just doing it myself, even though that was my heart's greatest desire at that point. Mistake. When it was Brian's turn to man the hand mixer he dropped it in the bowl splattering frosting at a high speed everywhere and getting frosting in the vents of the mixer. The stream of frosting splattered me all over the neck and under my ears and showered Adam's head. I shrieked, and Brian took off running as I screamed after him in a shrill voice with tears forming, "It's okay, Brian!! It was just an accident!! It's Okay!!"
That's when the unwanted deluge of tears began.
I ran in the laundry room to try to calm myself but started sobbing instead. I called out to Brian, through sobs, "It really is okay, Brian...Mommy is just tired!! You didn't do anything wrong!!" The more I cried the madder I got at myself and the harder I cried. I couldn't seem to get myself under control...and then....I heard...
Riotous Laughter?
Mike had heard the shrieks and sobs and appeared with the dreaded Bubba Teeth in his mouth. He knows how much I despise the rubber, grotesque Bubba teeth...he was licking his lips and muttering how he wanted a, "kissy kiss". Normally, I try to escape, but I was so upset that I grabbed him and hugged him. Seeing how upset I was, he removed his Bubba Teeth and just hugged me and let me cry it out. I think the thing that upset me the most was the fact that I had let myself get so upset. Does that make sense? His hug helped me stop sobbing and had a wonderful calming effect. I don't think Mike expected me to be so upset that I would hug him with his Bubba Teeth intact.
Not only was Mike wearing the dreaded Bubba Teeth but, he was also dressed in a very special way in hopes of cheering me up. After I had calmed down, I begged to take a picture of him with his bubba teeth and his specially fashioned shirt. He refused and said that he didn't want to be objectified and exploited.
So...I, of course, exploited and objectified my very own children to show you how Mike was dressed.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
I think you can see why it made me stop crying...and laugh...in spite of myself.
Brian (5 years and 3 months old), Adam (8 years and 1 month old), Evan (11 years and 1 month old).
.jpg)
37 comments:
Yeah, i'm the first to comment. You are to precious Lauren. I love the way you tell a story. You are just so fab-u-lo-so!!!! What a great husband too. Way to go Mike!!!! I don't even know what your talking about on Sundays though because I am CONSTANTLY looking over at you and thinking to myself "self, if lauren can do it with 3 boys and no husband you should be able to do it with 2 girls." i look over at you and you always seem so happy and your children look totally fine. In fact I would go as far to say that you look as if you are listening to the talks... AND feeling the spirit.
SO keep up the great work, cause my Sundays depend on you!!!
As a side note, I am so happy to be able to serve with you in the YW program!
ps... the pictures of the boys are great!
Those pictures are AMAZING!!! I can't stop laughing. And, thanks for not actually posting a picture of Mike...it definitely would not have been so cute. So, you're welcome, again, for the Bubba teeth. They have made your life worth living. :)
LOL!!!!!
mmm...Cake!
Oh, honey. I'd have cried, too. that sounds like a horrible day. Glad you got to laugh out of it. I'm not sure I could have.
Been there, done that. Well, my hubby has never kissy kissed me with the Bubba teeth, but I HAVE had lots of I can't stop crying kind of days. I'm so glad that you had Mike to cheer you up.
I'm bookmarking this post and anytime I need a good laugh, this will do the trick!
YOu are wonderful!
I actually have my own Bubba Teeth. I wore them to Enrichment meeting while wearing a tea length dress, evening gloves, and a tiarra. We sang "I'm so Pretty". There were no photos taken. I hope.
Oh, and my children have never had a day like that.
ROFLOL!
I'm sure it was a MAN that decided to call Sunday, a day of REST.
Oh...I've had Sundays just like that. Fighting, guilt, more fighting, crying, NAUGHTY in Sacrament Mtg, more fighting, more guilt & tears. Bless your heart.
Your husband is a good man.
You are a GREAT mom.
The pics of the boys are HILARIOUS!!!
Ha! Ha!
I love it.
I love that you have someone who can turn your mood around on a dime.
Sometimes Zach makes me mad when he does that... I just want to pout for a while!!! ☺
We have all had those days. At least you had the frame of mind to try to comfort Brian in your melting down state.
Those pictures are hilarious! I'm glad you have a sweet and goofy husband to help you bounce back.
I think all of us have had one of those days. I do hate that I let the little things get to me, but there are some days that my patience wears thin a bit too quickly. You have such a wonderful hubby to help you in your time of need. Too bad there was no shot of him. :0)
Hey no fair. I wanted to see a picture of Mike dressed like that :)
We all need a day where we can scream and cry every once in a while. I'm glad that you have a great husband to cheer you up when you are sobbing.
OH MY. Those teeth are so funny! I so understand what you mean about the mommy guilt. I get so upset with myself when I get impatient with my kids, especially when it upsets them so much. You are a great mom! I am glad this story ended in a laugh. ;)
I love it! What a great hubby!!
I have had a "bad mommy" days too! Thanks goodness for the men in our lives right?!?
You are a good Mom, with way more patience then I have!
Those are disgusting. I'm glad you are cheered up so easily. I would have required a handful of valium to recover from a crying jag like that if someone showed up with those teeth.
Oh Lauren... how did I miss this post? I love your posts and the way that you tell a story! I too look to you as a model of what i want my kids to act like in church. If I could just get Annabella to sit like yours do or... I don't know even whisper that would be nice....
You had every right to cry I think that I would have been crying too...
My only question is are there no pictures with frosting all over Adam? If there aren't I think that you should reenact it and take some... ;)
I love the bubba teeth... I think those things would gross me out since I am a teeth freak!! i can't help but laugh at the boys pictures... you totally have great blackmail pictures for when they are older... You can totally make a slide show of pictures for their wedding rehearsal dinner and place these pictures in it and while everyone is laughing and enjoying the picture... they will be embarressed and it can be the one last hoorah for you as the parent!!! I think that it would be great...
You are an amazing mom...if your boys know how to make you laugh when you are having a "moment" then you are raising them right!
I've heard there's a good new Dentist coming to a town near us soon, you might want to pack up and come out to see him. He'll probably give you a volume discount and the bonus? All the Bay Area Bloggers you can meet!!
ewww... and btw, the bubba teeth were recently recalled due to lead..... check them out...
Ohhhhh, that has to be the sweetest...yet strangest....story ever. OK, more sweet than strange and those pictures are HILARIOUS!!!!
Oh my gosh! That's too funny! I think everyone has those melt down days, I know I for sure do. Next time, I'm coming straight to your blog. I know I'll start laughing, even though they're not even my kids!
The quote I left on Shally's blog was from Steel Magnolias. Have you not seen that recently? If I lived by you, I'd be on your doorstep right now with a large bucket of popcorn and that movie. YOU MUST SEE IT. NOW. You live in the south, woman!
Ahhh yes...bubba teeth fix everything!
Love the photos of the boys.
I am having a hard time picturing Mike like that...I think I need photos of him too.
Too aid in the visual of course!
I feel your pain...some Sundays I wonder why I got up.
I always feel better knowing that other moms suffer Sunday pain like I do. Honestly, I sometimes DREAD the Sabbath. Thanks for being honest and sharing a smile! You must be doin' something right.
true love is knowing when to pull out the bubba teeth
(note to self-the laundry room is a good place to hide from the darling children)
No you did not post those pictures!
You are awesome! Seriously, you are one of my favorite people I met in GA. Can I just say, I love your use of the word "Deluge" of tears. I haven't seen that word since I was in France, or reading James Talmage's books.
Hey, I was wondering if you got the invitation to my blog. I sent it to Mike's email. It's the only email Paul had from working with him in YM.
Oh, and congrats on being the blogger with the most comments! 30 comments! I've never seen anyone have THAT many!
I don't think I got your invitation...sometimes things bounce into our SPAM and I don't always remember to check them all. So, Sorry about that! I tried to click on your name here and it said your profile is not available so, would you mind sending me another invitation?
I remember having lots of those days on Sunday.
I was the Primary President with 4 out of control children of my own who would push my buttons until I was a maniac. I would yell my head off at them and then go to church and stand up before the primary and welcome the children in the most calm voice possible. UNTIL my 4 year old child stood up and said "Mommy why are you talking so nice? This morning you yelled at Taylor and you said Damn!"
That was a stunner. Good thing all of the teachers in the Primary room had a good sense of humor. I'm sure it was talked about around the dinner table!
Jennie
I hope he did an accompanying obscene dance.
Oh my gosh, I was nodding & laughing as I read this. I think these little meltdowns, that we ALL have-you are NOT alone my friend, is a big reason men will never totally figure us out! The same thing happened to me yesterday afternoon not because of one major thing, but lots of little ones...including my two offspring.
You did a good job re-telling the story!
Oh, I forgot, the pics are a SCREAM!!! Totally LOL!!
I'm sorry for the 3rd comment here, but I just finished reading your other comments, and Jennie's is about to make me use my inhaler! I can't stop laughing between the lovely pics of your boys & her comment.
THANKS...I SO needed the laugh today!
I found you! (through Aleasha's blog) Its funny how much we all see each other in church and can never chat- yes, the world of computers to communicate. Thank you, thank you for posting this. I love to think I am not the only one who comes home on any given Sunday ready to lock myself in my room (my husband is sitting with me, but as he is tickling the kids, he is sometimes part of the problem instead of the help!) Of course, I am partial to Evan (I was his teacher, after all) and find it hard to believe that he could EVER hit, be rude, or make his mom sad. Just can't see it.
Oh, and man, can you teach me some of your coping faces, cause I don't ever think I've seen you look exasperated, or remotely distraught. Someone at church this past Sunday actually laughed because they saw me give an audible sigh at my uncomfortableness and annoyance at the kids. I got caught!
I am afraid I might have even boxed you in with those "ALWAYS happy, never anything wrong with them" people. oops.
So you're still running to small, enclosed rooms when you cry. I love you!
Um, so what ever happened with the cake? Priorities!!! I can no longer bake a cake in front of my people because there are not enough spatulas and beaters to lick, which is the real reason anyone asks to "help" bake a cake anyway.
Oh, and P.S.: Stop with the Mother guilt! Those boys don't know how good they've got it having you as a mother. Not just any mother, but YOU, Lauren from GA!
That's all.
Post a Comment