Church and "Cats"

Ah, Sunday.

A "day of rest" that always seems a bit chaotic (and "unrestful?") for my little family.  We are often rushing to get to church.  Someone (of the "under four feet tall" variety) is usually taking their church clothes off right as we're about to walk out the door.  Someone needs to poop, someone needs a snack.  Someone needs their hair combed, and someone throws a fit.  (Uh...okay, that would actually be me throwing the fit.)  By the time we slide into a pew I'm already upper-lip sweating.

Something strange happens the moment we say "amen" to the opening prayer:  my little tots turn into apes.

Then, my juggling act begins!  I juggle sippy cups, coloring books, and finger puppets in a resolute attempt to keep order in the Lord's house.  I juggle animal crackers, sticker books, and toy cars; tools used in an effort to maintain some semblance of reverence.  Unfortunately, my children's attention spans are a short as Tom Cruise.

The madness doesn't end when our church services do.  Once we get home, clothes need to be changed, lunches need to be made, and Cam needs to be put down for his nap.  I do all of this with lightening-fast speed, since everyone's sanity seems to go kaput at this point.

Today, I was in the middle of changing my clothes, hunting for Cam's nap time blankie, and getting Lilly more milk, when I trotted into the kitchen.  McHubby was there--quickly eating before leaving for a brief church assignment.

McHubby:  Are you going to wear that?
Me:  What?  What do you mean?
McHubby:  I mean, is that your outfit?  Are you going to wear that for the rest of the day?

I looked down and saw my favorite Beatles t-shirt, coupled with my black leggings.  (Side note:  I wore a terrific red dress to church today; accented with black and white polka dot trim.  I wore leggings underneath the dress.  The same leggings I was wearing in the kitchen, with my shirt that barely touched my hips.)

Me, a little surprised and laughing:  Oh my gosh!  I was in the middle of changing my clothes and I got distracted by the kids.  I didn't change my bottom half!
McHubby, smiling:  I wondered.
Me:  You know how I feel about leggings.  They are NOT a substitution for pants!
McHubby:  Yea, well...you look like you're auditioning for Cats.

I watched his face as he began to laugh.  The way his eyes crinkled and shut.  The way he let an occasional snort slip out.  The way his shoulders shook just a bit.  Encouraged, I twirled around the kitchen and tried out some nifty ballet moves.  (That were not ballet at all!)  James chuckled and grinned, and I became keenly aware of how much I adore him...of how much I love him.

I'm so grateful for my man; that "Tom Cat" that makes me "purr."  ("Memory, all alone in the moonlight...")  I'm grateful for a partner who helps me laugh through our CRAZY, sweet, beautiful Sundays...and every day. 

I'm glad he's the one I get to share a pew with.