Beautiful Little Surprises

Posted on Saturday, December 27th, 2008

I love having kids for many reasons. One of them is that, like most people, I love to be entertained. There’s nothing more entertaining than children, no? Life is full of surprises with these little crazies in my life. With them, Christmas travels and festivities never ever have a dull moment. (Even if I would really really like a dull moment every now and again.)

For instance, right before we were leaving for Christmas at my parent’s house, bags packed and boys in the car, I was running around looking for pacifiers. I’m a wise mother, and I knew we would need at least five for the car trip. That way, when Asher threw the third one on the floor just for kicks and then cried, I’d still have two pacifying pieces of plastic up my sleeve. Or in my pocket.

But I couldn’t find any, of course. I knew that the boys had just been playing with about six of them in Asher’s room, but they were nowhere to be found. I called out the door, yelling to Ryan to ask Miles where they put them. He said, “in Asher’s room.” I looked again. Nothing. So we left with two pacifiers and spent the next few days at my parent’s house, searching for one or the other every hour or so. Especially at night groping around in the dark, trying to make sure Asher wouldn’t fully wake, when both pacifiers could be found under his crib or hidden under his blanket. I finally came through the anger and depression stages of pacifier grief and had accepted that we could make due with only two. After all, there are worse things.

Then yesterday, I found this beautiful surprising treasure…

Right where they belong, in the bottom drawer of Mommy’s dresser, with the pj’s. Makes perfect sense. It was like hitting the jackpot in the land of the EO. FIVE pacifiers to place in all corners of Asher’s crib to ensure a better night’s sleep. Pure bliss. And a good laugh too.

I would like to say that Ryan and I enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at my parent’s church, but I’d be lying. We didn’t really see any of it. Miles and Asher haven’t quite mastered the art of sitting still and being quiet. We spent much of the service with other parents who have no control over their children lovely families in a room off the sanctuary. Except for when the pastor called the kids to the front for a story. About three minutes into it, Asher took off down the center aisle to be with the kids up front, stumble-walking with me trailing behind to ensure he wouldn’t unplug any speakers or fall off the stage. Then my Dad gracefully took over watching him in front of the crowd. That was so nice, even if he did end up giving everyone quite a show when he tried to stop Asher from climbing something by grabbing the back of his pants. Let’s just say there was a full moon in Bethlehem.

Now we’re back home, catching up on sleep (sort of) and battling the toy packaging to release the boys’ new treasures. We ended up with piles of recycling strewn about, so I asked Miles to grab the small pieces of cardboard and bring them to the recycling in the back room. He listened. What a pleasant surprise! So I puffed up my chest a bit and smiled to myself, patting me on the back for being such a great Mom. Later, as Miles napped, I went to feed the dog and found her bag of food full of cardboard.

It was close at least, the dog food and recycling bins are in the same room. I’m choosing to believe we’re making progress!

Sigh.

And finally, life’s surprises are not all about our kids. No, sometimes strange animals show up on your driveway to welcome you home from your Christmas travels. Even though you live in the city…An odd little city dweller, don’t you think? We will call him Nick, since he arrived shortly after a man with the same name, only of the “Old Saint” variety. Or perhaps The Little Drummer Boy. Or Star of Wonder. Or… o.k., I’ll stop.

I hope all of your trips, food festivities, and merry-making adventures have been full of surprises as well. Maybe yours have not been as deeply meaningful and profound as our surprises. If that’s the case, don’t you worry. There’s always next year.