We had stake conference last month, and we meet at the tabernacle next to the Ogden temple. It was so pretty on the day of stake conference, and we got some cute pics of the kids.
And then after these adorable, angelic pictures, the real shenanigans began. We went into the tabernacle, and the kids were excited out of their minds to find that there was an upper balcony. We told them we could sit up there and found a seat near the front of the balcony. The kids were hyper and excited from the get-go. But the real kicker was when Brooks chucked a handful of magnetic shapes that were stuck together (in others words they were heavy enough to pack a punch) over the balcony into the crowd below during the opening prayer. I cringed inwardly as the I waited for the prayer to be over, knowing that those magnetics had probably walloped someone on the head. After the prayer a little girl came to us and holding the magnetics and asked if the belonged to us. Why yes indeed they do! I couldn't trust Brooks to hold anything after that, and he was super restless, so I had to take him to the cry room, and leave Tyler to fend for himself with the other two. When conference was over, lets just say I could tell that the kids had put the hubby through the ringer. He later told me how he had given Dawson a piece of gum as an incentive to be good. A couple of minutes later the lady behind him tapped him on the shoulder and whispered "your son stuck his gum to the back of your shirt," and was kind enough to help him get it off. Tyler almost packed up the crew and left right then, but managed to make it to the end of the meeting. I laugh when I look back on those stories!
Sometimes Tyler and I wonder why we even go to church when the majority of our time there is spent managing children who like to tease each other, poke each other, wiggle, and try to escape. But I know that in the end it will pay off. The kids are learning to have self control, and are in a place where the spirit is present.
Having three (almost four) children under the age of six sure is an adventure! Some days it is just down right hard and frustrating. Given all that, being a parent is also very rewarding. Just knowing that I am trying to raise little people who will grow up to be big people who help this world a little bit helps me through the rough times. I wouldn't trade my life for anything!!!!
