Today started out as if the devil was going to have his way. Our intentions were to make it to 9:00am mass at the Cathedral as we do most Sunday mornings. However, a late start, a missing shoe, an exploded diaper, and a short-tempered dad created a cataclysm that rolled into our household, much like the recent hurricanes in our area, and seemingly destroyed what should have been a great Sunday. Frustrated, but forgiven, we made it to St. Pius and a packed-house for 9:30 am mass. We were pressed to stand in the rear of the church for the entire mass. I must say that I was very impressed with our kids, especially Gus and Beedle, who had to stand almost the entire time, except when they were kneeling (not on the kneelers, on the ground). And they never complained. (OK, God, you're pulling even.) We went back home to have lunch. After lunch we read from Gus and Beedle's journals.
They are terrific writers and are both creative. We all had good laughs. (God, you regained the lead!) We then divided the troops--Mom, Gus and James went shopping for clothes for Gus (he's growing like a weed and doesn't fit in almost everything we have for him) and Beedle, Gracie and I stayed home. I thought this would be a great opportunity to watch some football (Have I ever mentioned that I am a die-hard football freak? It's a sickness, really.) However, I really tuned out of the games and was having a blast playing with the kids. We pretended to fish. We pretended to swim. We colored. We drew. We read stories. We played board games (Cariboo, Hi Ho Cherry-O, etc.). We really had fun. I could tell because they both said, "Dad, I'm having fun!" And I was saying it too, and meaning it! (Ok, God, you're starting to pull away!) When the away team got back, we shared dinner, played more games (Ziggity and Sorry), bathed the kids, welcomed back GiGi and settled down for our evening prayer time. We decided to sing songs for prayer time. Everyone participated.
They are terrific writers and are both creative. We all had good laughs. (God, you regained the lead!) We then divided the troops--Mom, Gus and James went shopping for clothes for Gus (he's growing like a weed and doesn't fit in almost everything we have for him) and Beedle, Gracie and I stayed home. I thought this would be a great opportunity to watch some football (Have I ever mentioned that I am a die-hard football freak? It's a sickness, really.) However, I really tuned out of the games and was having a blast playing with the kids. We pretended to fish. We pretended to swim. We colored. We drew. We read stories. We played board games (Cariboo, Hi Ho Cherry-O, etc.). We really had fun. I could tell because they both said, "Dad, I'm having fun!" And I was saying it too, and meaning it! (Ok, God, you're starting to pull away!) When the away team got back, we shared dinner, played more games (Ziggity and Sorry), bathed the kids, welcomed back GiGi and settled down for our evening prayer time. We decided to sing songs for prayer time. Everyone participated. 
With Gus on the piano, Dad on guitar, Gracie on triangle, Beedle on harmonica, and James on the skins, never did a rendition of "Oh, How I Love Jesus!" and "Gentle Woman" sound so beautiful!
(Game Over! The winner, and still reigning champion...Our Heavenly Father!!!) In ending a day like today, I look at it as a summary of what life is like. We all do or say things in life that we are not proud of. We feel worthless, ashamed and broken. And there God is to pick us up, brush us off, forgive us, love us and then give us more beauty than our eyes and hearts can contain. Thank you, God, for today's full gamut. I should never have doubted your perfect victory!
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