Parenting FAIL or yes, we were totally THAT FAMILY this morning during church...

Sometimes I feel like a complete failure as a parent.  Today was one of those days...

We have been attending the 9:30 service at our chuch - Faith Church in Oakland.  A few months ago, Faith started a second service, so that there is a modern/contemporary service at 9:30 and traditional worship at 11:00.  I spend my teen years attending churches with a contemporary worship - so I was very excited about this new service.  I attend most Sunday mornings with the girls. 

I reallly love the format of the modern service.  There is just a teensy problem though. 

Right now since attendence at the modern (early) service is pretty low there is no children's service for the kids during the sermon.  Now, I know what you are thinking - when I was a child, there was no such thing as children's church - we sat through the entire sermon and we were quiet as little church mice...or else! 

Well, there is where the FAIL part of this post comes in.

It seems like we have yet to have a Sunday where I have not had to take one (or both) of the girls out of the service for not being quiet or just flat out being disruptive.  Most of the time, I am pretty philosophical about it - they try to behave for the most part.  But today...oh, today...

It was awful!  I took Tara out twice during the praise service - she kept wanting to go back and forth between her seat and her friend - the preacher's daughter...of course.   Who is always perfectly quiet...  After the second time she came back to our seats, I told her she could not go back to her friend.  Much drama ensued, leading to the first visit to the vestibule.  The second time, she literally made a break for it and went all wet noodle on me when I tried to keep her in her seat.  Cue the second visit to the hallway. 

After a sterm lecture from me and a pop on her bottom that she sullenly told me she was going to wipe off...she settled down and started coloring in a coloring book quietly.  I'll take it.

Then Savannah, who up until this point was behaving perfectly, decided to snatch the coloring book from Tara and, when Tara (understandably) protested, she stage whispered that she wanted to show her something.  She began flipping pages - loudly - and after a moment, I notice several disapproving glances our way.  I realize she really doesn't intend to show Tara anything and to settle it, I take the book back.  

Cue the drama - and just plain out orneriness from Savannah. 

I had had it at that point.  I was near tears with embarrassment.  I had not been able to listen to the message and I knew that they were being disruptive to others there trying to worship.  I yanked them both up and we left right in the middle of the sermon.  Well, not really yanked, but you know what I mean.

I have never been so embarrassed by my childrens' behavior!!  I fussed all the way home and sent them both to thier rooms until I calmed down enough to talk to them about it.  Actually, Dan took Tara and I took Savannah. 

Intranets - if there is some secret to getting your kids to behave during the church service, PLEASE let me in on it.  Nothing I do seems to make an impression. 

I love our modern worship, but right now, I feel the only alternative is to attend the traditional service from now own, so that the girls can attend children's church during the sermon.  Honestly, I think that is the only way I will be able to actually spend my time in worship and not as referee. And the traditional service is beautiful and the girls love children's church, so maybe that is where I am supposed to be.  I will go back to getting my praise fix from K-LOVE.

I am pretty sure that after today the other attendees of the modern service will not be sad to see us go...

Welcome to the World, Miss Riley!!!

I am a great aunt for the second time.  My niece Kristyn and her beau Ty are now the proud parents of little Miss Riley.  Good - now I can channel all my baby urges her way!!!  Not that I have a lot, but every now and then the idea of those sweet little toes and precious little baby sighs give me a yearning...  Yeah, don't judge - you know you get it, too, sometimes!!!  Kristyn had a textbook labor and delivery, which she totally deserved after the angst-ridden last few weeks she had.  Kristyn is tiny and carried very small (I am not kidding, y'all - I looked that pregnant at about 16 weeks with Tara!!!), and anyway, towards the end, there were some concerns that maybe Riley was not growing enough, so, they decided to induce her at just over 37 weeks.  But it was perfect!!!  She went in Tuesday morning, got hooked up to the pictocin, progressed steadily and had Riley after about 30 minutes of pushing!!!  A total trooper!  Riley came in at a perfectly respectable 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19 and a half inches long!!!  I am over the moon (oh, and Kristyn and Ty are pretty proud, too!!!) 

Anyway, without further adieu: