Sunday, November 6, 2011

"Church Clothes"

This morning as we started getting everyone ready for church, I thought, "I am going to put Harrison in real church clothes today." You see normally Harrison wears a nice pair of pajamas to church. He is just a baby and it is easy for him to wear some comfy footed pjs. But it has been cold and he is getting bigger. So this morning, I thought I would put him in this nice cool weather 6-12 month outfit on him.

I got him all dressed to the nines. He looked so darn cute in his little church outfit. I gave him to Jonathan, who had just finished getting all spiffed up himself, and went to go get ready for church. I took 20 minutes or so getting myself dressed up and ready for church, then I heard Jon downstairs, "Time to get in the car and go!"

The kids all rushed downstairs. I made a few last minute tweaks to my outfit and headed down stairs too. Jon was grabbing last minute things. "The kids are all in the car. I got the baby in the car but he is crying so let's hurry." I grabbed the church bag with our Friend magazines and some crayons for Noble and jumped in the car to do my make up.

I finished my make up on the 3 minute commute to church. We pulled into church and parked. Doors to the minivan opened and we started piling out. This is how cute my baby looked with his Daddy in their big boy "Church Clothes."

SO cute huh?!

Then I went to go get Noble unbuckled from his car seat. Here is what I found:


I guess we both forgot to get Noble dressed. I assumed Jon was doing that while I got dressed. He assumed I had done it since I actually got the baby dressed. In the end, when Jon yelled for the kids to pile in the car, they did, including Noble, in his Army Guy Pajamas ... no shoes. He piled in the car. Annie buckled him up. Jon and I never looked all the way in the back to check his clothes.

Jon and I laughed so hard. Camo Pjs for Church! Awesome!

Today I am thankful for clothes. I am not the "best dressed" person in my ward, or street, or house. Truth is I wouldn't be surprised or offended if someone turned me into "What not to Wear." I just don't or haven't shopped for clothes for myself in a really long time. But I am grateful for the clothes I do have. They keep me warm. They cover my body. And a few of them are even somewhat cute. I am grateful to have them. I guess I should also say I am grateful for my sister since about 50-75% of my clothes are hand me downs from her (most of the cute ones.)

p.s. I am a little curious. What would you have done if you had been me this morning?
A) Taken him to church in the pjs. No biggie. He is only 2.
B) Gone to take the sacrament then taken him home and changed him into church clothes.
C) Take him home to change him after sacrament meeting.
D) Turn right around and change him then come back.

Be honest. You can make your comment anon if you wish. I am really curious about what others would have done. I will tell you what I did after I read a few of your comments.

60 comments:

kathryn said...

So funny! I think Option B for me. Especially since it's only 3 minutes away for you. But I guess that depends on what else is gong on with the other kids too...

Laura said...

Option D for me...I don't think I could have really given the proper attention to the speakers if I knew my kid was still in his pjs! Totally not judging though - if I saw it had happened to someone else I totally would understand them bringing the kid in dressed just as they are!! :)
So curious to find out what you actually did!

Heather said...

This totally made me laugh!
I probably would have taken my kid home to change.
Although, the lesson I gave in primary today had the story about Spencer W. Kimball, and how he didnt have any shoes to wear to church, he looked through a box of shoes that were donated to his family, and the only ones that fit were the pair of womens nurse shoes. So, I guess it doesnt matter what you wear to church, just as long as you are there.

Anonymous said...

Once we made it to church and had to carry in two of our girls. One was shoeless and the other was wearing ballet slippers.

Our ward right now is not one I feel that comfortable in so I would have immediately gone home and changed him. That's hypocritical I guess because I hope if I saw someone else's kid in pj's I would be understanding.

Pol said...

Option D for me too - though there's no dress code at my church I always insist on "Sunday Clothes" :)
We've never forgotten to get anyone dressed - but we did once all jump out of the car and run into the building - leaving a 2 year old strapped into his car seat! It took 5 minutes before we realised he was still in the car!

The Fisher's said...

I think I would have gone the route of after sacrament mtg in your case - although if it were here, I would have turned around immediately (or had my husband) since Sacrament is last :)He is adorable however and was probably super comfy...

JimandDebby said...

I was always really weird about how my children looked,(we have eight)not that they always had the most stylish or "in" clothes, but I made an effort to have them clean, mended and ironed. I sometimes made myself crazy over the issue, but it was just one of those things I thought was important. Why??? When we were first married, I was a snot. Yep, I admit it! We had several families in our ward with many children. They always had shoes that didn't fit, not very clean clothes and noses that needed a handkerchief. I heard how they were discussed by some of the other women and sometimes I'm sorry to admit I joined in those conversations. Maybe it was my lingering guilt, but whatever the motivation it became important to me that my family looked clean and put together... just so I knew that I was capable of having that many kids. My children that are all grown now still laugh that they were the only ones in high school who's mommy ironed their t-shirts! Life is too short to be hysterical over stuff like that, but yes, I would have taken my child home and got him ready for church. One thing I did figure out while having all those kids at home was to have one of the older kids responsible for a younger one on Sunday mornings, ...that really worked for us. Good Luck!

deb8able said...

I would have stayed...he's 2 and it's a great story!!

Melissa said...

Oh my gosh! That is the best story ever! Thanks for the giggle this morning!

Jamie said...

Since you only live 3 minutes from the Church I would have had my hubby take the other kids in, and I would have run home and changed him lightening fast & still been back in time to take the Sacrament. Funny story, how amazing that you could take pictures on the spot to remember. Love it!

Diana Lesjak said...

I would have continued laughing all the way to church~ He looks adorable! All Gods children~ precious!

Mindy said...

Best thing I have read all morning! :) I wouldn't even venture to say what I would do, considering I have no bebes. :)

Anonymous said...

Love your story! Thanks for sharing. I always love reading your blog, but I hardly ever comment. I need to do that more often. I have been following your blog for 3 years now, and your family is too precious! Oh, and option D for me. :) -Erin

Carrie said...

That is SO funny! I think we have all done something like that before! We live just far enough away and given the age I would have just taken him into church like that. It is a great story to tell and like I said most have probably been there in some way or another!

Anonymous said...

Very funny and I laughed out loud when I saw the Camo PJ's. I would just keep going. People have a sense of humor. A

Rebecca said...

Since you're only 3 minutes from church (which is about what I am too) I would have taken him back home and changed before sacrament meeting started. You'd maybe have been in the foyer when the sacrament was passed, but I think you could do a quick change and get back to church without missing much. I just don't think I could actually take my kid to church...even as a 2 year old...and keep them there the whole time in Army PJs...even though it would be funny :)

cynphil6 said...

I would have stayed. No shoes and in pj's. It is a great story, and I'm sure everyone would understand!! xoxo

chercard said...

We live around the corner from the church, I totally would have taken him home and gotten him dressed because I'm proud like that and like my kids to look cute :) But I never would criticize anyone who chose to take him in his jammies, I would just laugh with them and totally get where they were coming from!

Captain and First Officer said...

Cute story! I probably would have left my husband with the others and raced back home to change jammy boy :)

Wrights said...

Option D for sure. Not so much because of the jammies but because of no shoes. Isn't that a chapel 'no-no'?

Jocelyn said...

D.

Melanie said...

Most likely D since I would be back in 10 minutes.

Chelsea said...

LOL i'd be inclined to leave him in his pjs but i know by husband would be mortified by it, so he would take him home to change...as far as what do i think SHOULD be done? i don't know. a 2y.o. in pjs isn't a big deal, but we dress nicely on sundays to show respect so...

Dolly said...

When I was raising my own kids, I would have been embarrassed and rushed the 3 minutes back home and put "proper clothes" on my child. Now that I am a grandma I laugh and enjoy things like this!! What fun life is now that I am not embarrassed about what other people think about the choices my children and grandchildren make! Well, most of the time, anyway..... =)

Kim L. said...

Hi Stephanie,

Definitely (A)!! I laughed and laughed when I read your post. We have all done something similar, I bet!

Your Texas Friend,
Kim

EvaMarieva said...

If it was me I would have done A. It is just one week and a great story to tell in the future. Being a mom (& dad) isn't an easy job and you make mistakes along the way. Some are silly ones like this and it is a great chance to sit back and laugh. Plus it would make a great lesson for FHE about how to plan Sundays and your children can see that you need reminders sometimes too :)

Anonymous said...

A - you get a free pass on this one.

Such cute "boys" - all 3 of them!

You might carry an extra pair of socks in the diaper bag. (Also helpful when they get peed on.)

I see he is holding a roll. Food trumps clothing.

Liz's Blog said...

Leave him in PJ's! no big deal... seriously.. not to worry! I just have Jacob and he has gone in pj's before.

Susan Anderson said...

C.

A, if he'd had shoes on.

=)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the laugh! I seriously needed that this morning! I would have left him in his p.j.'s. He's little so it's not a big deal. I would have made sure to tell a few people about your story though, that way they would know how it happened and get a chuckle out of it!

Allison said...

Ha, curious to see what you did! I would have gone back home right away to change. I WISH I could go with the flow and just leave it alone, but in reality I know I couldn't.

Rebecca said...

D for me. So glad you could laugh about it right away! And thanks for sharing this story. :)

MaryClaire Brown said...

hilarious. i probably would have done B. what did you do?

Anonymous said...

Option D for me. This post is hillarious & adorable! You are a great mom!

vicky t

Anonymous said...

I would send Hubby into the church with all the other kids while I took the little one home to change. With any luck I'd be back before the sacrament.

I find that kids' behaviour can be influenced by their clothing. For me, a child in PJ's in church would be a huge distraction to the people around us, and set a casual tone to the meeting (at least on our pew). But I'm one who always dresses babies for church. I don't think I've ever taken a baby to church in pajamas, regardless of age. (I have 3 boys) Not passing judgement on those who do, I just don't.

Anonymous said...

D for me too. I just couldn't take my toddler into church in pj's. Not entirely sure why, but I know that I do care what people think more than I should. Also, my mom is in my ward and I know she would have been mortified and she would have let me know it and although it's embarrassing to admit, I am WAY more worried about her opinion of me and how I am raising my kids than I probably should be.

Anonymous said...

A! It's funny and he's cute. Can't wait to hear what you did!

Andrea said...

Haha, I'm vain, I would have sent my husband to church with the kids, and taken him home to change him.

Lee said...

That is so great!
Definitely option A. Then again, if you could see my kids on any given morning, you wouldn't need to ask.

Sunny said...

D - with the amendment that one of the parents stay with the rest of the kids.

Karen UK said...

I don't know what I'd do but my husband and I were having a giggle over this. We have 3 boys (9,8 and 6) and a girl(1)-it's only a matter of time before this happens to us but you know the day that happens is the day a General Authority comes to visit out of the blue or someone takes a ward photo for the Ensign! If it was a normal Sunday I think I'd leave him but our chapel is the Stake centre and we're only 4 minutes away so if it was conference or something I'd probably send my husband home for clothes while I went in to save seats. What did you do? -Just in case it happens this week!

Marin D said...

I don't even know what I would have done. Our building could take 10 minutes to get to if you miss lights so I would be tempted to just get through the first hour. I, like other commenters, would say the shoe thing tips me to go back home. I am not that worried about what others think. We all have those moments!

Melissa O said...

Since I live so close to my church building I probably would of had time to run home fast, but if I didn't I would of went and taken the sacrament and then went home. But all in all I really wouldn't care what someone was wearing to church. Its sometimes hard to remember that, because we always want to put our best foot forward, but who cares...you are there.

Robyn said...

I would have stayed with the other kids while hubby booked it back home to change him. We are blessed enough to live just around the corner, though, so there may have even been a chance he could be back before the sacrament was passed.

Alesha said...

That is too funny! LOL Option D for me. I dont think I could have done it!

Anonymous said...

I agree, such a great story. I actually can't believe this hasn't happened to me but (knock on wood) I haven't had this particular pleasure. :>

I would send one of us (me or my husband) home to change him. I agree with the poster above about how it would just be too distracting. My kids have a hard enough time paying attention in church when the kids in the row in front of them have snacks or a cool coloring book or WHATEVER. There would be no peace if someone was hanging out in camo pj's. :> Just my two cents - I will be interested to hear what you did!

Brittany said...

I laughed so hard! I'm pretty sure I would have just taken him in his jammies. I would not have cared at all what everyone else thought. And the no shoe thing...I don't think that applies to ones that little. My 4 year old would take her shoes off a lot in sacrament meeting and nursery, when she was that little. And my 1 year old (who can walk) has freakishly tiny feet and hardly fits into any shoes and the ones I do put on her are off in 1.5 seconds. I think I would just make sure that the older kids know that it is not appropriate to wear jammies to church and just explain the situation to them. I don't think one time of him being in pjs is going to make him never want to wear church clothes again. And most everyone in the ward would get a kick out of it :)

Anonymous said...

Definitely D. I know this is judgmental, but I have a pet peeve about babies in jammies at church, so I definitely wouldn't bring a two year old in jammies. There are plenty of comfy yet still nice-looking baby clothes. My kids look like ragamuffins a lot of the time, but on Sundays we look our best, from day one. Now, I am probably a complete hypocrite since my 4 year old daughter has made it to church w/o shoes (and we live super close)and I haven't gone back home. I guess we all have our different breaking points.

Melanie said...

So many comments! B for me.

Gertge Family said...

Hysterical! I love it. Best story ever.
I bet no one would even notice in Sac Mtg. But, I would have ran home & changed while hubby took the others in.
I Love that you took his picture. What a cutie!

Anonymous said...

I would have done B. I think I wouldn't have minded the pj's because that is all sorts of awesome, but I would have been stressed by no shoes! Is that crazy or what? No shoes would stress me out - like he would get his little toes trampled by some adult or heavy door. If he had shoes - I would have laughed and been A. It makes for a great church story.

Darren and Nikki said...

Steph - that last one was me - why did it show up as anonymous?

Leslie said...

I would have done something else -- had one of us go into the church with the kids and the other race home to get an outfit then change him at some point at church.

Funny story, though! Hehe!

Anonymous said...

My first thought was D because by nature that's the sort of person I am. But through your blog, I've been able to be more of a person who's ok with choice A. Why? You've let us all see the things that matter most in this life and the things that are not so important through your trials. These sorts of things really are the little things that are relatively inconsequential. I think it would speak volumes to your kids as well (as I'm sure they will rememeber the Sunday everyone forgot to dress Noble) that you were still there as a family for your meetings rather than leaving to change because of an outfit oversight. Thanks for helping me to have a perspective that accommodates the A choices when I tend to get myself all strung out and tempted to choose B-D.

Cairen said...

That's Hilarious!! I would have taken him home to change him.. but he is very cute in his little jammies.

Catherine Noorda said...

i loove this story. i would have left him in his pjs that day, but his church clothes are awfully cute.

Melissa-Mc said...

I would have either grabbed clothes as fast as I could and got him dressed at Church at some point, or if I didn't have a 2nd hour calling I would take him home and been a little late for Nursery and Sunday School.

Court and Britt said...

What a funny story! That is hilarious and one you will probably laugh about for years to come!! Knowing myself I would have run home and got clothes :)

KateC said...

Hello from Boston. I love reading your blog and your goings on and your committment to your faith.
Not actually knowing a single Morman, I loved reading all of the responses, and seeing how many people would go back and change Noble's clothes.
I'm not so sure it would happen here in a catholic church - feel it is a bit more relaxed overall.
Your kids are adorable!

Anonymous said...

Although I'm confused on how I got here through google and I am very, very late... I would have chosen D. Turn around and change him at home.