Oh the Places You'll Go and the Things You'll Do

Today will go down in history as, “remember that one time…?”

I want to know if God threw his head back laughing when He saw that I reached this day. As in, “oh this is gonna be good!” Like, did He know the outcome of my day already? Or was it still up in the air with our individual free wills? 

Let me lead you into the story of today….

The afternoon found the children and I bringing cupcakes into our church building. They only needed frosting. Once they were done, I just needed to finish a task in the office. Super simple, rather quick. Get it, get out. Easy peasy. Right? Right. Can you tell this isn’t going to be that way yet? At this point in time, I did not. 

I turned a show on for the kiddos and frosted those little cakes to my hearts content. Occasionally there was a giggle from the nursery. What music to my ears! Life is good! Soon enough the cakes were frosted, albeit 7. Because, tripling the recipe wasn’t enough. Oh well, not too big of a deal. Right? Right. Kids were happy and enjoying the toys. 

The kids and I then journeyed to the office. Shirley and Stan ran; racing to see who could open the doors first. I should have known they had too much energy to sit still for me on the couch. So, I compromised and let Stan run in circles while Shirley watched me work the copier. 

As I stapled the last stack of papers, the kids were showing signs of major boredom and lack of naps. Perfect timing I thought, all was completed! “It’s time go guys!” I said to them. — Now, moments prior to saying that, I knew Stan had run into the decor/catch-all room. I wasn’t overly concerned because I was on my last two staples and I could hear him. However, a kid can do a lot in those moments. I should’ve known. — Instead of hearing the hallway door close, I guess I heard a bathroom door close. 

I went to open the door but quickly found it was locked. Naturally with Stan inside. The sound of the toilet quieted and I hollered, “Stan, open the door.” He tried. His hands were too wet or he just couldn’t turn the lock on the handle. “Great,” I thought. As we tried several more times without success Stan began to cry. That’s when I realized he was actually incapable of unlocking the door. His cry broke my heart and helped take away some irritation of the matter. After some unfruitful searching, I finally called our Pastor in hopes he could point me in the direction of a key. Thankfully, he could.

As Walt screamed his hangry protests, Stan spoke his own language to me and Shirley slipped away to what I assumed was the nursery. — She had been begging to go there since the office, with all the promises in the world, that she’d avoid the cupcakes.— I finally gave up trying to take the handle apart. Because unlocking it wasn’t working. I called in help. My husband. 

I sat on the office couch nursing Walter and talking to Stanley, so he knew that he was not alone. Walt drifted off to sleep. What a relief. As we sat there the lights started flickering on and off. It was odd. Then they just stayed off and the alarm sounded as the emergency exit lights flipped on. “Oh dear,” I thought. Walt abruptly woke and Stan called out for me, “it’s okay buddy! Mom’s still here!” Inwardly curious and not yet too concerned. I called out for Shirley, just checking in with her. Nothing. I moved to the hallway and called out for her, “Shirley!” Still nothing. As I walked closer to where she should be, the thought occurred to me, “what if this is a break-in? Would they take Shirley? How would I defend the kids and myself with a baby on my hip?” Hm. I kept walking, slightly concerned. Shirley walked out of the nursery. Never mind that I had been calling out to her. Apparently she didn’t find our circumstances odd. 

We returned to Stan who was now crying again. We talked to him and reassured him Dad was on his way. It was about this time that I called my Pastor. I was doing my best not to interrupt his Saturday but I figured, the powers out. Maybe there were switches in that bathroom that turned them off or on? I don’t know. I wasn’t familiar with that bathroom. 

After a bit of waiting, Dad came to our rescue. He worked with the handle just as I had before. It was nearly off but still not budging. Just as he was thinking we’d owe the church a new doorknob, he got it! What a sweet reunion it was about to be between Father and son! 

As Jeff said, “hi buddy” and reached out his arms, a smiling Stan took one step forward but slipped onto his back. Why? Because apparently a good way to kill time is to try flushing a whole roll of toilet paper down the drain. The toilet backfired and flooded the bathroom. After ALL this time in the bathroom, I am ASTONISHED I never knew this piece of information happening on the other side of the door. I mean, I told him to stop flushing the toilet after the third flush but I guess I am still naive to think he’d use it for anything other than its purpose.  Anyways, the boys hug and Dad just so happens to be wearing an extra layer. He took off his extra layer and dressed our little man in his clothes. 

By this point our Pastors are arriving and joining us in laughter about the events of our last hour. Jeff’s mopping up the water, because yes it was VERY flooded. Stan’s already getting into other trouble. Like seriously, emptying a bottle of water on the carpet, to watch the water come out? It’s all just a “big ole hootn’annie” as they say. There’s really nothing you can do other than laugh. …and take bottles of water away from little boys. 

Oh!! And Shirley? She was sporting a chocolate mustache half the time. The cupcakes? They’re now two less than when I left them. ;) 

Moral of the story? I don’t know yet! haha, just laugh? 

I must say though, I think there are a few things that could be learned from this. The biggest one that stands out to me is the rescue. But I think i’ve written enough for now. That should be for another time. <3 class="Apple-converted-space" span=""> 

Have a good night!