Squelching the Rumors

We had a super lazy weekend.  Nothing planned except for flu shots.

Everything went smoothly, with no crying.  Click here to see how flu shots went three years ago.  It’s a nice reminder that sometimes when the kids get bigger and more mature, it’s a good thing.  Jack actually went first for the shot, but he didn’t want me to take his picture.  Maddie did a little dance for him to make him forget about the shot, so in the picture above, Maddie is watching Jack dance for her.  Ben remained quietly behind me while the two of them got their shots, and didn’t cry when it was his turn, but did give me a panicked look, so I put down the camera and hugged my boy.

On Sunday morning, Maddie’s PREP (or Sunday School) class was in charge of the children’s monthly mass.  She and another girl got to read the announcements, and she did great, no spitting, tripping. or unintentional swear words slipping out (as you can imagine, she’s got to be so careful about that last one).

We were sitting in the front row because it was also “Enrollment” Sunday for the Second Grade class, which means that Father had the second graders stand and he asked them questions about their intent to love God and Jesus, etc. since it is their year to take First Holy Communion (in May).  Jack said “yes” to everything except the first question when I whispered to him, “Say ‘I do’!” so he did, but then Father asked the kids to say “yes” and I got a dirty look from Jack.  Hmph.  Last time I try to help.

So, now we get to the rumors I am squelching.  

I am way worried that my church congregation thinks Dave and I are either separated or just really don’t like each other, because since August, we have been arriving at church at different times (or even attending different masses) for a varied number of reasons (for instance, today I had to attend a 9:00 meeting during PREP time, so Dave joined me later for mass.  I tried waiting with the kids in the back for him, but I was worried there wouldn’t be seats left in the front for the second graders, so we went in without him). 

Here are some more reasons we are arriving at different times (I am thinking of having this posted in the church bulletin, what do you think?):

-from mid-August to mid-September, Dave went in early so he could speak/sign people up for the golf tournament he and some friends were organizing.

-Twice Ben was altar server for the early mass and we decided to let Maddie sleep, so she, Jack, and I went to the later mass.

-Maddie and I were away for the swim clinic weekend.

-Dave took the boys to the early service on Jack’s birthday so they could attend an open house at the Sportsman’s Club later that morning.  Maddie and I went to the later service.

-Last week, we arrived together, but Dave took Jack to the bathroom, and the big kids and I walked in and sat down, before I realized my error.

-And of course, this week, with my 9:00 meeting, we sat down and Dave arrived 10 minutes later just as Maddie was about to read the opening announcements.  You know the busybodies were whispering about that.

Dave thinks I’m crazy.  Dave thinks I’m hypersensitive.  Dave thinks I care too much what other people think.  Dave refuses to give me more than a peck on the lips during Sign of Peace even though I have begged him for a more…extended Sign of Peace, shall we say.  Dave refuses to engage in a makeout session with me after church in the vestibule, which I just know would stop those tongues from wagging (or at least cause them to wag about how inappropriately in love we are with each other.).  So I have to be content with smiling at him a lot, and faking silent laughter at his nonexistent jokes, and picking imaginary lint off of his collar in a loving, possessive way, which can be exhausting.

So, people, we are still totally in love with each other, so stop all the talk and fuss, you should all be ashamed of your darn selves. 

What Would Jesus Do?  He would say, “Beth and Dave, you guys rock, and also, stop making out, that’s totes disgusting.”