Tale of a Woody Doll......and Mass

So, last Sunday in mass there was a little boy who had this.....

Woody....well, mama makes a mental note that JG just MIIIIGGGHHHTTT want this for Christmas after....

Homily has just begun

JG: Mama that little boy has my woody, we need to get it back

Me:  Buddy, we dont have a Woody like that, ours is little

JG:  Mama, I need a new Woody because mine is missing a leg (this is true)

Me: JG no talking in Church

JG:  But but but but but (stuttering stage) thats my Woody and I WANT IT!!

Me: shhhhh Christmas is coming lets ask Santa, but Santa only brings toys to good listeners

JG: But but but but but but but but That boy took my Woody!!!!

This commentary repeated about 20 times in the next 5 minutes....

Then yesterday morning

JG:  Mama remember that boy who had Woody in Church

Me: Yes buddy

JG:  We need to find out where that little boy lives, so Santa can take his Woody and give it to me.

Logic of a 3 year old.  

Have already been scouting Woody's, even though it was explained 1000 times that Santa Might bring one, but it will definitely not be the little boy in church's. Santa doesnt steal from other kids....he makes toys....right??

What just happened......

MASS
So my hubby is now in charge of projecting the music for the Lifeteen mass up on a screen in the church.  This is so great, but now it is just me, and sometimes my mom with the 2 kids during mass. Yesterday, Cross International was visiting, and we had a guest priest.  He was making lots of jokes, and everyone was laughing.  Including my 3 year old, who would hear everyone else laughing and then start laughing himself (louder than the entire congregation combined) and would keep laughing beyond the time the obvious polite laughter had died down.  This happened about 4 times in a row, and shhhh JG, we are all done laughing, was not working.  As I hold a baby in one hand, and try to calm my 3 year old with the other, mass respectfully continues on. 
Then, St. Frances Cabrini School has been AWESOME! JG at 3 knows about 10 prayers by heart, mass responses, and is learning so much each day.  I really cannot believe how much they get done with that many PreK kids, and keep their sanity.  The Our Father, comes up, JG with a huge smile grabs hands and begins praying.  Well, he doesnt talk as fast as adults, so he is about 4-5 words behind, bellowing the Our Father (again louder than the entire congregation combined).  I smile to myself, and know that Jesus is smiling too, even if everyone is staring at us in church. 
Whew, I have to go home and reread the readings because I only caught part, but my kids are going to mass every Sunday, which is whats important.
Sorry for all of you who we distract, but we are trying to keep our kids under wraps......
Exhausted as I may be, I know there are graces flowing down to us, now one day maybe mass will be relaxing where I can sit and just clothes my eyes and pray....
maybe in 10 years :)

Does my heart good

There is nothing better than hearing kids sing songs, especially during mass.  As they sing Alle -- Alle -- Alleluia sometimes in unison, my heart leaps.  I know that God is looking down, His heart full of love and joy for all these precious innocent souls.  As I see my son trying to stand on the pew to get a peek of me and G, while his teacher is whispering to get down.  I feel so thankful for Catholic Schools, and the experiences they give kids.  Not only to learn about God, but to learn how to Worship.  

So JG wasn't as excited about school this morning as he said "I think I just will stay home with mama today."  He has begun putting "just" behind anything after I.  A cute habit, which now my husband and I have unconsciously adopted when talking to him. Because I work literally 23 steps for the front doors of the church, and there is daily mass at 12:15, I really have no excuse not to make it to daily mass most days.  Since I have had 2 kids, I have been neglecting this more than I should.  Just feeding 2 kids and trying to get them across the parking lot without JG being hit by a car, and then going into the silence of daily mass, with no other kids or music to drown out the little loud whispers of my 3 year old, seemed a little overwhelming.  Even though i know people who have 10 kids and manage to get them to daily mass.  Anyway, my little boy is better in mass than in the cry room where he would run around aimlessly.  Being in mass, he sings, and knows some of the responses.  

My quote for the day (I stole from the Bible)

"The Lord is Kind and Merciful, Slow to Anger, and Rich in Kindness."  Lord, help me to live this and be forgiving, loving and kind to all those I meet.  Especially those who need Your Mercy Most.