Today did not go according to plan.
We left the house at 6 AM – all 11 of us, dressed according to the highest Vision Forum code. We were wearing our khaki skirts and white shirts for the annual staff photo.
We didn’t technically have to leave at 6, but leaving later just doesn’t leave enough margin for traffic, vomit, etc. We learned our lessons in past years. Those years always wind up in the “gone awry” category. This year we had a great new plan. A fun plan. A plan that would work.
So we got up at 5, and left at 6. We drove all the way to town, an hour away, and stopped for breakfast. There was rain all around us, but here in town it was dry. There were low clouds ahead, but maybe they would burn off. The weather was far milder than in past years, perfect for standing outdoors.
We all trooped into WhatABurger like a mini-Duggar wanna-be family, turning heads and eliciting whispers and friendly stares. Texas is nice that way. They stare, but it’s all friendly. The girls were beautiful in their white and khaki, and the Perrys were dashing in their khaki slacks, button down shirts, ties and navy blazers.
We had a leisurely breakfast. We laughed and reminisced about other photo shoots. We were on time. We were happy. Birds were singing. We finished eating, and meandered out to the van. We changed a diaper and set out again. We were just minutes from the Alamo, and would be there at the appointed time.
It was beautiful, and then the phone rang. The birds stopped singing. The photo shoot was canceled, and would be rescheduled.
I would love to tell you that we all laughed at the irony and thanked God for a safe trip and a fun breakfast, but instead our van was suddenly filled with dead silence. We were crestfallen. Only hubby maintained his cheerful attitude, and did his best to spread the cheer.
“Why so quiet all of a sudden?”
There was a long pause, and I answered for the rest of us: “Because we have nothing nice to say.” I heard grumbles of assent. I’m ashamed to say I was a leader among the grumblers for a good while this morning. But when we went back to Vision Forum to drop hubby for work, I was struck and convicted by the cheerfulness of the others around us.
“Oh well,” said a smiling friend of mine. “I guess we get to practice being flexible.”
Ouch. Sometimes peer pressure is a good thing. I guess I can blame myself for the fact that the photo was rescheduled. I was obviously in need of some sanctification, and God knew exactly what to do. Now we get to try again next week, and see if I learned my lesson.
Oh well, it’s good training for next time! At least you know it can be done!
Ah, the lessons we learn that we aren’t expecting.
Love the image of your family eating out though!
My reaction would have been — good! I get to go home and take a NAP!!
Okay, I just can’t believe you had them all dressed up and THEN ate breakfast. That would be a recipe for disaster for us!
And I only have TWO kids!
Sheila,
We kept breakfast neat and simple: sausage biscuits, 2 big orders of fries to share with NO KETCHUP, and ice water.
I agree with Sheila…. we don’t even dare wear white with only six of us! LOL!
Funny thing! I thought I was just reading along for the story. I didn’t realize you were “preaching” until you got to the end and “stepped on my toes”. LOL! Stepped on my toes in a good way…. I would have been feeling pretty aggravated at that situation, but it is a great test of how we handle life when it does not go “our way”. I am sorry to say I would have failed God’s little test. ;( So, I will try to learn from your lesson, too. Great post!
Shannon,
I’m with you when it comes to white. We only own white shirts for the staff photo. After we’re done, they all go into storage until next year.
Yeah, white shirts! I think I’d avoid breakfast burritos, slathered in salsa!
(BTW, I LOVE the response to Perry’s question in the van.)
Different Sheila
Well, just think. When all of you walked into WhataBurger, everyone must have looked and thought, “Oh, look at that lovely, organized family. They look so crisp and clean. And so happy. They must do this everyday.”
Hey! Stop laughing! It’s a nice thought though.
Just remember that lamenting is modeled in the Word of God, and is acceptable to God. It is different than complaining. It is acknowledging that things are tough in a broken world, without complaining or showing anger or meanness to God or others. I think that needs to be modeled to kids, too. It is okay to be sad and disappointed that all that work seemed to be for nothing. It is NOT okay to say, “stupidpeopleatvisionforum…grumblegrumblecomplain ” or “GoddoesnotknowwhatHeisdoingandshouldtakebettercareofme.”
I think you modeled that well today. And I think you can blame the cancellation on the fallen state of the universe, although it is good to choose to learn from it.
Hello! I came by from NobleWomanhood. I just wanted to say hello.
Ah sometimes situations nip us in the bud but I agree with the other commenter-at least you know it can be done. No use in getting upset about small things.
Blessings!
Wow. You do not have good luck with those photo shoots. At least you got a dress rehearsal, I guess! You’ll be even better at it next week!
Good thinking LoisG. And good show KimC. It’s funny that I have been reading and commenting on this blog for years and never saw any other “Sheila’s” until recently. I rarely meet anyone with my name and now I’m the other OTHER Sheila. That’s right- a different 3rd Sheila. In fact I didn’t comment on the very interesting and thought provoking “Open Letter to the Working Mom” because I thought it would be just too confusing. What with all the Sheila’s. Let’s define. I’m the Sheila with the four kids from Missouri. And I was hooked on Life in a Shoe from the very first “A Child’s Story” production. It was a play written and executed by Kim’s girls-check out the video in the archives.
So I’ll be Sheila Jane (middle name) or Sheila in MO or something. Nice to meet you Other Sheila’s!
at least you got to enjoy some whataburger (which in my family we call water burger) ha.
Proverbs 20:24
I just absolutely adore your family, every single one of you are precious!!
Unbelievable. Perhaps you were in need of a little sanctification; but I think you handled that much better than I would have. I had to fight back tears of disappointment just reading it…LOL!