Charlene had a really busy week, so sleeping in a little on Sunday morning seemed like a good plan for recharging.
Since Charlene would not be joining us at the early church service (not really that early at 9AM), I did some advance planning to make for a smooth departure. I gave my boys a few warnings that we would be leaving for church promptly at 8:40AM, because it takes ten minutes to drive to there. After fixing breakfasts and ensuring that the boys looked decent, appropriate church socks and all, I hopped into the shower and was ready by… 8:50AM. Ugh. Behind schedule, but all should be fine. I yelled instructions to have the boys get into the car. I gave the dog a treat, entered the garage, slid into the driver’s seat, and was informed that one of the kids had yet to report to the car. What? Ugh.
Retrieving my lost boy, I turned the ignition and glanced at the clock. 8:55AM. Ugh. We would be late, but the Lord forgives. Right?
Pulling into church, I told the boys to follow my lead. I could see that they were still in one of the first songs of the service, so I led my little brood up the side aisle and slipped into the second row (you can always count on empty seats up that close).
Not more than ten seconds after we had settled in, the music stopped, and the congregation was instructed to greet their neighbors. Turning to the mom beside me to say “Good morning,” she gave a knowing smile. A gift, indeed, my opportunity to play the “Dad Card” and blame my worshipful tardiness on my kids.
A dad alone with three boys out and about. A natural recipient of sympathy. Even while I know that the sympathy is not deserved, it is still hard to resist. Plus, knowing that women receive the opposite reaction of “Why doesn’t she have those kids whipped into shape on time?” makes me feel bad, as well.
Just this once however, it felt liberating to play the Dad Card. I’m sure our Father who art in Heaven will understand.
How could anyone ever blame these sweet innocent Paulsen Boys (really angels in the flesh) for anything? Bad daddy! Bad, bad daddy!
They really do look innocent. What did it take to bribe them?
Oh, they act this way naturally. Every minute of everyday 😉
Miss you guys. Due to weather and events and holidays we have only had Sunday School once since Christmas and at least one family of kids were asking when they could go to Sunday School. Warms a Sunday School teacher’s heart.
We had a couple of days of cold here but mostly are told some cold weather is coming and then it is a couple of days in the 20s or 33s and then back up to more spring like weather. Have some daffodil shoots up even at our house. We are going over to Deb and Patricks’ to help them watch the Super Bowl. Had a good Souper Bowl event this a.m. church.
Elaine,
Here’s hoping that Sunday School is a go next week.
Hard to believe, but Jacob started confirmation classes this year. A bonus Wednesday night activity for the Paulsen Family calendar 🙂
– Dave