Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down!

No this is not what Patrick proclaimed after receiving his ashes tonight along side his mom and dad....but this is what I feared he would start singing as we stood to sing at church. Especially when he noticed Matthew's ashes and says "Hey what you got on your head?" And Matthew explained "Ashes".

All in all he was a super duper kiddo considering the following - it was past his bed time, we arrived late so we each had to sit in a metal folding chair - pews were packed to the brim, and we haven't attended church in a while being that we have a 2.5 yr old who doesn't quite understand the concept of 'whisper' inside of church.....yet somehow has it mastered till we walk in - oh and because of the big crowd mass was over an hour long!

I know this is no excuse for missing church. Matthew and I vowed to be good Christian parents and establish the importance of religion in our child's life....but let's just say a battle of wills in a packed mass doesn't bid well on mom and dad. Last time I stormed out in the middle of the homily while my child screams - "I don't want to go to the baby room!" as I pass the wide open doors to the sanctuary in the lobby as I head to the nursery, only to have an usher laugh and smile and say "it will get better". I love that our church is understanding and I truly want to raise my child to know how to act in church....thus me avoiding the nursery at all costs. So as the beginning of Lent season approaches, I vow to be a better Christian and mom to my child...and resolve to the fact that it is ok for Patrick to go to the church nursery over the next year while mom and dad receive their weekly dose of forgiveness and love from the good Lord almighty!

Oh and it doesn't help that mom packed two dum dum suckers in her pocket to keep the peace. As we walk up to receive communion, I am holding Patrick and fold his arms across his chest as a sign to the priest for a blessing....all the while he is tightly clutching his sucker. I must give him props...he did take it out of his mouth before it was our turn to step up...and kept his arms crossed and sucker out of his mouth till we sat down. Maybe there is hope afterall!


Happy Ash Wednesday everyone!

Love
LeAnna, Matthew, and Patrick