Wrangling Max

This past Sunday Carl and I were asked to speak in sacrament meeting.  We were looking forward to speaking but we were not sure how we were going to watch both kids while the other parent was speaking.  It can be particularly challenging to get Max to hold still, or at least stay in our row, because sacrament is our last meeting.  I spoke first so I went up to the pulpit and started my talk and everything was going well and then I saw a little movement out of the corner of my eye.  I just ignored it, figuring it was the piano player coming to take her place for the intermediate hymn.  Then I saw a little more movement and there was a slight chuckle from the congregation. I look down and there is Max, standing next to me with the biggest smile ever on his face.  I completely stop talking and look over at Carl who was holding Joseph and trying to keep the pacifier in his mouth so he wouldn't cry.  Carl just shrugged and I was still temporarily struck mute.  Fortunately, the branch president grabbed Max and he just sat on President Wilkinson's lap, happily snacking on his crackers.  I finished up my talk, grabbed Max, and we made our way back to our pew.

During the hymn I asked Carl what happened and he simply said that Max escaped. Perhaps at an earlier point in my life I would have been mortified that my child ran onto the stand during a talk but yesterday the whole situation just seemed really funny.  As I sat in the pew trying to rock Joseph's car seat with one hand and keep Max from climbing over the top of the pew with the other, I just smiled and giggled.  My life isn't always easy and it is far from perfect but I love it and it brings me joy beyond description.