While my zapekanka's in the oven, the ribs are getting ready to dive into the crock pot for the next 10 hours. It's going to be a long day. First, Church, then drop off Dave at the Birthday party, then Nadia's Harp Recital, then home sweet home with yummy dinner, Tres Leches torte included.
Oh no, the twins are already outside with their pajama pants down, peeing on the front lawn. This is impossible. Do I pull my 3 month-old baby from the breast and run out to yell at them, or do I pretend they are not my children? Moral dilemmas... They could cause hours of heated conversation in internet forums dedicated to raising children. Thank goodness, I am not alone in this. Tavish, full of milk and warm like a brand-new cookie out of the oven, is eventually handed over to my sister who loves him to pieces. Nadia rounds up the twins. And I escape to the shower. Scott is at school for the rest of this month. I say, GWU ranks last at being a family-friendly school. Even if you are a non-Christian or atheist professor, why not leave Sunday alone?! Are there not enough days in a week? I don't get it.
Surprisingly, we make it to Church on time and even get a soft seat. Towards the end of the Sacrament meeting, the only members of our family still in the chapel are David and Nadia. Ksusha took Tavish out, and my job was to hunt Ethan and Levi down and bring them back on the straight and narrow. Remind me again, why are we at Church? Definitely, not for my spiritual nourishment. Good thing, I know it's not about me, I am not too selfish. I hope one day I will receive a confirmation to my efforts watching my boys bless and pass the Sacrament.
In the meantime I LOVE the second and third hour of Church when Ethan and Levi are placed in loving care of their Primary teachers, bless their hearts. I have to mention that instead of walking reverently with arms folded (as opposed to running) my boys like to imagine they are kitties or puppies, or, even better, caterpillars. This technique enables them to crawl out of the Chapel, through the Church hallway, and into the Primary room sort of reverently. It's a site to see. We exchange our good-bye waves - they show me their "clawed paws" like they're bears. I exhale blissfully watching my boys sitting on their chairs ready for class and suddenly I miss them so much and don't want to leave them. I make an effort to turn around and hurry into the Mother's Lounge to feed Tavish and even possibly take a short nap. That beats Sunday school, if you ask me.
We had to leave half hour early. David's very best friend had a birthday and he pleaded with David to please come. Not only him, but his sweet Mom called and asked if David could come. She knew that we don't do this kind of stuff on Sundays (last year David declined their invitation) but this is the only day they can do it, so, please, please, let David attend their party. We love this family, they've been so kind to David, so, I let David make a choice. And, despite our family tradition to devote Sundays to Church and family, David decided to go to Gianni's party. The first fruit of free agency dropped unexpectedly on my head with a 'thud'. Did he set the precedent? Are we getting swayed by the world? Today, on the way back from Dave's violin recital I asked him what did it feel like breaking the Sabbath and would he do it again? You know what he told me? Said he: "Maybe... no! (yesss, I thought to myself!) Unless.... (uh-oh!) it's Jesus's Birthday." (Phew!) I have it written down, o child of mine! And I am so proud of you for choosing the right in the end.
And that's not even it for one Sunday. Nadia's harp Recital was also yesterday. As we were getting out of the car at the Recital place, my sister said something to the effect of how cool it is that we have such a big family and so many of us are coming to support Nadia, making her feel all loved and all such things. He-he. When our gangsta filed into the dead silent room of NAfME, filled with proper people ceremoniously seated, it's like we hit the electrical wall, not sure if we were invited. It is how it is. We are loud, and laid back, and not competitive, and we are here for Nadia and hope that she can have fun doing what she is doing. I don't care if she makes mistakes, or if she gets her trophy. I just want her to be happy. Every time Tavish smiled (he smiles kinda loud), we were sure to catch three or four stern looks looking back at us. The twins could not sit still for 5 minutes and they spent a lot of time out in the hallway with Scott and me taking turns watching them. But they felt right at ease when it was all over and were the first in line to load up their paper plates with refreshments. No inhibitions whatsoever.
There were some amazing harpists and pieces played were mind-blowing. I loved it! But to us, Nadia was the best of all, of course. And she did get a trophy for practicing over 1100 minutes in the month of May. Here she is at home playing her Mother's Day gift to me a month ago. She is pretty good for a beginner. Good job, Nadia!
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