Finding the Humor Amid the Dysfunction

You know the day is going to be rough when it starts out like our Easter began.  But, if you think optimistically, and I do have to make myself do this sometimes, you could convince yourself that you have the entire day for things to improve.  I have a tendancy to see the glass is half empty.  Bruce, however, would measure the liquid in the glass and tell me exactly the percentage just how full/empty the glass was.  He would never be concerned with whether the cup was full or empty, rather, just the quantative facts.  He is a realist.  We really are quite opposites in every way, but somehow, we work very well together, well, mostly.

Regardless of our philosphies about optimism, pessimisim, or realism, our day never improved.  William, who is the only one of the littles that knows there are no such things as Tooth Fairies, Easter Bunnies, or Santa Clause, was the first one to wake up on Easter morning.....at 5:30am.  Now, I am still recovering from being very ill and my energy has not returned to full capacity, so this 5:30am wake up call was not well received by me.  We made him lay down a little longer and wait for his brothers to wake in hopes of gaining a little more much needed sleep.  Just as we were about to drift into dream land again, the other two were standing at the edge of our bed.  So at this point, we knew additional sleep was a lost cause.  Therefore, our Easter festivities began. 

Once the boys enjoyed their baskets and we hunted the hidden eggs in the living room we had breakfast.  I tried to return to my bed and sleep, but that didn't work.  Once the boys found me, it was all over.  After I got over mourning the loss of sleep, I hopped in the shower hoping it would revitalize me.  On Sunday mornings, Beau and I have a system.  He makes breakfast for everyone (and medicates Ollie) while I get ready for church.  Once I am almost finished, I make sure the boys are getting dressed and brushing their teeth so that we can leave on time.  We only live about 2 miles from the church, and yet, we still never manage to get there early.  We do arrive on time, usually, but never early (which is Beau's preference).   In the midst of our altered sunday morning schedule, neither one of us medicated Ollie.  We only realized this when we entered the church and he all of the suddenly began crying over the tag I forgot to remove from his shirt.  Once Oliver began crying, then Carter started too.  I asked Car what was wrong and he decided he was starving.  Now I know this wasn't possible because he JUST ate.  So at this point, I was just waiting for William to begin crying.  Thankfully, he didn't. 

However, we made it to the back row of the church.  Beau and I used to be front row church members, but having 3 wiggly people, we sit in the back as not to disturb anyone.  Once I sat down, I figured things would get better.  They HAD to.  But no.  I look down at my dress that I was so proud of that morning and realized that I looked hideous.  A complete wardrobe malfunction.  Let's just say I am typically a modest dresser, and this morning didn't follow suit.  I just wanted to hide.  Anyway, we made it through church with only minor infractions from Oliver and Carter. 

We came home and spent the afternoon playing outside.  The sun was shining but the temperature was refreshing.  Just an absolutely beautiful day.  The boys took turns hiding eggs for each other.  They were having a blast.....until everyone was muddy, dirty, soaking wet, and this mom was quite irritated.  Their innocent game of egg hunting turned into EXTREME EGG HUNTING.  I really shouldn't be surprised each time my boys show up at the back door filthy.  But for some reason, I am always shocked.  We live on a property where behind our fence line, we have lots of woods and a small stream, which is still part of our property.  It's a great place for boys to find adventure and get into trouble.  I began working in the kitchen and suddenly I had a knock at the back door.  There stood 4 muddy, soaked boys.  Their faces were dirty, their pants were wet, and their shoes and socks were DISGUSTING.  If it hadn't been a little on the cooler side, I would have stripped them and hosed them down before entering the house.  Anyway, let 's just say I then had a filthy kitchen.  Ugh.

Playing with a weed feeder.  Don't ask!!
 

  I decided that this day would be a wonderful day for our first dinner outside of the season.  Beau was already planning on cooking out, but he wanted to eat indoors saying that it would soon be too chilly to eat outside.  However, I had my heart set on eating on the back deck.  So, being a loving husband, he and Zander cleaned our patio table and set it up along with the chairs.  Just as the sun was beginning to hide and the day was turning dusk, we sat down to eat dinner.  The very first thing out of my mouth (without thinking obviously) was how chilly it was.  Man, if looks could kill!  He was not my number one fan at this point.  So, I happily sat there eating dinner with my jacket on (so did Will). 

For some people, this day could be just as it was.  One little let down after another, a series of slip ups, moments of dysfunction, or just life.  But for others, we can let these things go and realize the bigger picture.  We have hope and grace because of a resurrected Savior.  Easter is a time of family, a time of egg hunting and decorating, and perhaps family "messes".  But it is ALL about our Christ and how he died and rose again.  That power is with us and gives us the hope to go on, even on days that don't go as we wish.  Humor and the ability to laugh at ourselves helps too.  Hope you had a lovely Easter.  Love from the Bennett's.