going to church....

(the above picture of course has nothing to do with church or this post for that matter)
Sunday morning it becomes apparent that if I wanted to go to church I would be taking several children with me, solo.
I wanted to go, I have missed that Sunday morning connection (I have been attending mid week services with the kids)
so after reasoning the pro's and con's of taking 6 small kids with one adult I just decided to do it, after all I was leaving the most high maintenance little one at home with Cassandra and usually when both of us go to church it takes one adult just to deal with him so really the other adult deals with the remaining 6 kids, no big deal. right? (I do see holes in that theory, but we moved forward all the same)
All went well until just before the sermon, (what is it about the sermon that brings out the worst in little people?) Baby decided to venture into fussy territory, so out I go with her and the 3 year old (who leaving unattended would simply be asking for disaster) Soon we return with a calm baby. 10 minutes later, back to fussy, so I whisper to the 3, 4 year old to follow me out (knowing that a little venture out wasn't going to solve this fussy baby, and hoping to avoid the in and out spectacle that we surely were) They don't follow me of course they don't, so I stand in the back with a calm baby, apparently she just wanted to stand (of course people in other churches stand all the time during the sermons, clap their hands and wave them in the air even (not this Lutheran I'm afraid) so I watch my crew of 5 several rows ahead, praying they will behave. a prayer that went unanswered....
I have a calm baby, but know that there is no way with her in tow I am going to get the two little rebels out without a major scene, so as I look around for someone to hold her, my eyes fall on two ushers who are chilling in the lobby, minding their own business...success.
As I approach they smile in that way of can we help you (if they only knew, they most likely would have ran) I approach the closest and simply say "could you hold her? I need to remove two little ones from a pew before they destroy the church" I don't believe I even gave him much opportunity to answer as I hand her over and raced into the church, thankful the noise level wasn't off the charts, as I snag the two rebels and usher them down the aisle, getting "those" smiles from many (you know that smile, so glad it isn't me) I pause for a moment near my mother in law and ask (beg) her to go sit with my remaining 3.
The youngest three and I spent the remainder of church hanging out in the lobby...where I creatively lectured myself on the folly of taking 6 kids to church by myself. sigh.
Later as I thanked Betty for sitting with my kids she says, "well I just didn't know if I should interfere" I found myself thinking "honey if you see 5 kids determined to bring down the Church interfere for God sakes"