Sunday

Five hours at church, three kids, 1 mom, no help. Does that sum it up for you?

Andy went out of town, and I had a stake meeting at another ward building. I had asked my neice to come and entertain/watch over the kids while I met, but she was ill. So, off I go to a ward that meets at noon. However, scheduling was off, so we didn't meet until the whole block was over at 3pm. My kids went to primary, and I sent Gabe to the nursery regardless him being a month shy of 18 months. He did ok until the end. I could hear him crying, and I went in to find him sitting in a tiny chair, eating snacks, sobbing the whole time. Out he came with me. The ward being over, we took over the cultural hall to plan the stake primary activity day. I will be forever grateful to the husband of one of the presidency who played with the kids until the meeting ended at 5pm. And the kids really were great. Really great. I'm proud of them. But a baby can only take so much before he needs to nap. They had eaten the string cheese and the cereal and the secret weapon (chocolate) and drunk the water. When we finally left, Gabe conked in the car, the girls were starving, and I couldn't even see myself pouring a bottle of milk much less make dinner. I mean, that was a lunchless day. Straight to my mom's. Hot meal, chocolate chip cookies, a game of Parcheesi (the royal game of India, you know), and I was replenished. Gabe had napped, and we were ready to go home.

Craig and Jessica (bro and sister in law) came over, and I made them stay until 3:45 a.m. so I didn't have to go to bed alone. I find myself staying up until I am stumbling-drunk sleepy when Andy is out of town. That was 4:30 a.m. in this instance. So, of course, I ruined today. I feel like crying. I feel like getting out of here, but the price of gas... I also feel like ordering pizza and getting McDonald's, but, once again, responsible spending. Remember SuperBanker? I'm not ready to forfeit my cape.

Then there is the issue of FHE. What will I do? I can't play Battleship¹ without Andy on the other team. I guess we could take a nature walk. We do that every afternoon, though. And we read our scriptures every day. Oh, I got it! Write/draw to Mamu and Papu! I have an envelope to send them with some little things from Charlotte's preschool. Phew!

¹This is our default FHE. It is probably 25% of our Monday nights. The kids beg to play it. So Rugglesy.