Notes To Self:
- DO NOT attempt your first outing by yourself with a 1-month-old baby and a 2 1/2 year old toddler on Easter Sunday.
- DO NOT give yourself only 20 minutes to get ready. In college, that worked. In your pre-baby days, that worked. It no longer works…not when you have to nurse a baby, take a toddler to the potty, get toddler dressed and shoed and brushed, get gigantic bag of supplies packed, get self ready (see #3), etc.
- DO NOT wait until the last minute to figure out what you should wear – especially since (a) your pre-pregnancy clothes don’t quite fit, (b) your favorite black tees aren’t quite appropriate for a celebration, and (c) you *really* don’t want to hold a newborn and chase a toddler around in high heels.
Needless to say, we never quite made it to church.
At 10:55 a.m. (5 minutes before the start of the service), I texted my husband (who is a pastor) to tell him we wouldn’t be coming. He texted back, “that’s fine.”
So, instead – we decided to make crafts:
And then I gave my 2-year-old daughter some chocolate cat-shaped cookies from Trader Joe’s.
As she was sitting on the kitchen floor munching on them, she held out a cookie, “Want some? Cookies make you feel better.” Sometimes her brilliance astounds me.
And I guess the cookies sort of did make me feel better.
And taking this picture definitely made me feel better:
And the rest of our day was outstanding.
Lunch at Grandpa & Grandmas. Dinner with friends. 2 Easter Egg hunts. Playing in the park at sunset. Good company, good food, good conversation.
We are blessed. In so many ways.
Today, I am thankful for the good things in my life.
Most of all, I am thankful for what HE did:
And we didn’t even have to go to church to reflect on that…
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Allison Johnson says
April 24, 2009 at 8:39 pmWho says you have to be in a church to celebrate, you have two little miracles at home!
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Andrea says
April 20, 2009 at 5:42 amBeautiful pictures!
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Erin S. says
April 15, 2009 at 3:08 pmso true
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Summer says
April 14, 2009 at 6:55 amI was the only one who made it to church Sunday. We haven’t gone as a whole family for 5 weeks due to illness. Now my oldest has strep! Yikes!
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Cheri says
April 14, 2009 at 6:40 amThankfully we don’t have to always be in church to reflect on what HE did! It looks like a lovely Easter with family!
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Erin --It's Your Movie-- says
April 13, 2009 at 10:28 pmI loved this post! I know exactly what you mean about getting out of the house. I can’t tell you how many times I think I finally have it all together and turn around and see that Clark has taken off his shoes and socks. Happy Easter!
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Elena says
April 13, 2009 at 10:10 pm“And we didn’t even have to go to church to reflect on that…”
AGREED! Sometimes we don’t even reflect on that at church!
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Damselfly says
April 13, 2009 at 8:38 pmSounds perfectly fine to me! A beautiful Easter, actually. :)
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Blessed says
April 13, 2009 at 7:05 pmOh, I so get it… I’m glad you had a happy Easter anyway – and you’re right, church is important but it certainly isn’t necessary for remembering what is truly important.
2 more months before I’m taking pictures like that one of your littlest! I can’t wait! (especially since I’m too the point where most of my maternity clothes don’t fit either… oh well!)
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Adventures In Babywearing says
April 13, 2009 at 7:01 pmThis is precious! And I know how that goes!
Steph
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Melynda says
April 13, 2009 at 2:13 pmDied–as in past tense, LOL!
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Melynda says
April 13, 2009 at 2:12 pmRight there with ya! We laid out pretty Easter dresses the night before…and I woke up to Ms.A (5 years) vomiting on me. Oh well, we are always thankful that Christ dies for us–even if it is in a Sweatpants-on-Easter-Sunday way.
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Ashley says
April 13, 2009 at 1:35 pmSteph,
It took me quite sometime to master getting myself around with two little ones. I still run late quite often, because we can’t find this, or my son doesn’t want to wear that. Looks like you had a great day! Did your hubby tell you what Garrett said to him? If not, ask him, it was pretty funny.
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Anne at Catholic Mommy Brain says
April 13, 2009 at 12:04 pmOk, what a gorgeous family you have. How cool that your husband is a pastor! What a blessing that must be. :)
I know exactly how you feel! I’m still late for stuff all the time, and I keep asking myself how I haven’t figured it out by now. But I haven’t, and I’m sure it never gets easier! I’m amazed you even attempted it! Keep recovering and enjoying yourself. :)
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Madeline says
April 13, 2009 at 11:15 amEvery day I’m surprised by the fact that everything takes twice as long with a kiddo in tow. I imagine it takes even longer with two. Glad your Easter was so blessed!
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Darcie-Such The Spot says
April 13, 2009 at 10:37 amWe missed church last year and I didn’t even have the excuse of a newborn. *Actually* we had just arrived home from a weeklong trip to DC/NYC and we were EXHAUSTED. Add to that the fact that Jeff had traffic school that day (can you believe they hold traffic school on Easter?!) and you can imagine why we didn’t venture out. You’re right though; you can still reflect on the big stuff from your very own couch. Or table. Or grandma and grandpa’s house as the case may be. :)
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Naomi says
April 13, 2009 at 9:15 amThe second child really slows you down, in my experience… one is portable but two… not so much! Good for you to not try to take on more than you can handle. Sometimes it’s better to reflect on holidays in the comfort of your own home, anyway!
Gorgeous family pictures, too.
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Sara says
April 13, 2009 at 9:10 amAhh yes, Sunday mornings with little ones.
We love cat cookies too!
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Nell of Casual Friday Every Day says
April 13, 2009 at 8:14 amI didn’t realize he was a pastor…how awesome! We made it, but it took us two hours to get everyone ready! lol Happy Resurrection Sunday!
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Becky N. says
April 13, 2009 at 8:05 amI’m constantly amazed at how the time it takes to get ready for *anything* increases exponentially with each child. And how I still haven’t adjusted to that fact, even a year after the birth of my 3rd. We were rushing out of the door, running late for our own church yesterday, when I realized that my youngest had blown out of his diaper. So I had to not only change his messy self, but dig up a new set of clothes for him to wear. Ah, yes, we’re well acquainted with late. Too bad being late is one of my pet peeves, so I’m always stressed out by the time we get to our destination.
Anyway… Happy Easter! I’m glad you had a wonderful day, despite the failed attempt at church. Quite honestly, I wouldn’t have even made the attempt at one month, though I know plenty of women who do. I’m still resting/adjusting by that point, glad to have an excuse to not push myself too hard.
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Ashly says
April 13, 2009 at 6:17 amGlad a not-so-perfect morning turned out to be a more than perfect day for you! Happy (belated) Easter.