A look backward. . .

My cousin Lori turned me on to "Flashback Friday" on her blog this year. Each week I looked forward with giggly anticipation to seeing her display some of the most hilarious pictures of herself that you can imagine. Like the picture of her and her sister in their high school band uniforms, and her hat or some other part of the uniform is inadvertently backward. And the picture of 8-year-old me giving infant Lori her bottle on my Mammaw's braided rug as I watch The Price is Right on the huge console t.v. Well, here is my version, out of necessity. . .

I took this picture of the boys in their matching Christmas turtlenecks on the morning of Will's Mother's Day Out Christmas program two years ago. On that day Kevin came along and followed Joseph as he commando-crawled around the church foyer, while I watched Will yawn and fiddle with his overalls (in lieu of singing along with the Christmas songs) as he stood with his class at the front of the sanctuary. This year was a little different. Kevin couldn't come, and it was like herding cats getting the boys in their Christmas outfits and to the church before 9:00. For starters, Joseph woke up in a funk. Then Will didn't like the cereal I gave him for breakfast. And it went on from there. J: I NOT want to wear dat shirt, Mommy! W: Mommy, why do I have to wear a belt? J: I NOT wear a coat, Mommy! W: I don't want to be in the program, Mommy, I just want to stay home. So much for a this year's cute picture on the front porch before leaving. . .

Will was given the part of Joseph, as in Mary's husband, in the drama portion of the program. He had one line, which I hear he executed perfectly. I wouldn't know, because my strong-willed almost-three-year-old Joseph, as in ringtailed-tooter, wouldn't let me walk into the sanctuary. "NO, MOMMY!" he would order as I took one step toward the sanctuary. Another kind mother took pictures for me and gave me a play-by-play account, like the boy who said his line with his hands over his eyes, and the "shepherds" who danced and jumped in their robes out of boredom. I remembered to laugh at this moment, because in the grand scheme of things, the important thing is that I was there, and Will saw me and smiled with all his dimples as I waved from the door, even if I couldn't get close enough to take a picture. In one of those life-defining moments, I felt immense gratitude. For the church staff who greeted Joseph lovingly in the foyer. For having a church home where we are welcomed and known. For the supreme gift I have been given of this wonderful husband and these amazing boys. For that little baby born two thousand years ago in a faraway country. Miracles.

Here's wishing you a blessed holiday season. And a cute Christmas picture on your front porch.