April 3, 2010

Conference VS Kids

This weekend is not only Easter, but our church's semi-annual world-wide General Conference. It is a time for us to hear the word of the Lord through the prophet, apostles, and other church leaders.

Since it is broadcast worldwide, we can watch it in the comfort of our own home.

As I look through other LDS blogs, women are posting great, well thought out, planned ideas for keeping children quiet and somewhat reverent during the four (two on Saturday and two on Sunday)  two hour sessions of conference. I bet they somehow managed to clean the house and dress all the kids too. I just hope they won't tell me or I'll REALLY feel bad.

Admittedly, I really dropped the ball of this. Even the "dress all the kids" part, at least until noon.  No fancy coloring pages, no cute prophet bingo games or note packets or conference toys.

No, it was just me and Luke saying, "Look! That's Elder So and So! Shhhhhh, kids I can't hear anything! Who is that? Sister who? Wait, why is everyone laughing? What did he say? Did you hear?"

Now, you must understand the we don't have our little ole' television set up to watch actual TV on it. We use it to watch movies, and that's all. So we were doing our very best to watch it on Luke's computer.

Between changing diapers, breaking up fights, holding cranky babies and catering food to the hungry children, I only managed to catch snippets of some of the talks.

And since I am honest sort of girl, this is what conference was like at our house today.


Meet Kunk and Dunk. That's what Savannah decided to call her new pets.


Yup, that's a bandaid on Jacob's nose. And yes, there really is a sore underneath it, it's not there for decoration. Although even if there wasn't a real sore he probably would have put it there anyway since my kids, like many, have a bandaid obsession.


"The choir will now sing"... Giddy-up Kunk and Dunk! Go one now boys! Giddy-up!!

Okay, think what you will, but this next picture somehow managed to wipe away all my "bad LDS mom" guilt.


I even managed to make a well rounded, healthy meal for my family. Complete with grains, dairy, vegetables and meat.

Oh  ya, I was so on top of it.


In all seriousness though, I did manage to listen with great intent to two talks of the afternoon session.

They were given with such love and power that I could actually feel a burden lifted from my soul. A weight that I didn't even know was there. It was an incredibly amazing and personal experience for me.

I feel lighter, more determined, more uplifted... even more happy.

And that is NOT the half bag of peanut butter M&M eggs talking.

20 super cool people speak:

Saimi said...

You're right Serene, conference was great and we also watched it on our computer/tv, techo husband plugs the laptop into the tv and we can watch it on the big screen.

We banned tv last fall.

Your kids are so cute and so young, whats a mom to do anyway?
The pizza was a great idea and little miss muffet kept the Krunk and Dunk entertained for you!

One more day to go!! Good luck!

ldsjaneite said...

I had that same pizza a few days ago. Isn't it funny how "supreme" means, like, 2 toppings now. Hmmm...

I had to listen to Conference at work. Totally bizarre experience, but I noticed the Lord helped me still gain what I needed from it and I still felt uplifted. I definitely think He blesses us for our efforts.

Love the Alayna picture!! It's fabulous.

Charlotte said...

My kids are old enough to print up their own stuff. I spent the entire first talk convincing my 3 year old that really was President Monson, he just looks older than the picture they always show. He still doesn't believe me.

We had almost the same meal (only mine was in the form of pizza rolls).

"Dressed" in my house is loosely interpreted. If they are actually wearing something other than underwear, they're dressed. I believe 2/3 of my kids are dressed right now.

So basically my conference sounds like yours. Only I fed them chocolate in between to make sure they were extra hyper for the last session.

Susan Anderson said...

I haven't seen those kiddie harnesses for a loooong time. I thought they had quit making them!

When I was young, all of my friends and I had them to anchor our babies into the strollers and shopping carts. It made the whole shopping thing much easier, and safer.

=)

the fowlers said...

I say that the kids are smiling and that is good enough for me.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I so remember those days.
I love the kunk and dunk. They look like pretty awesome kids to be able to play like that.
I never had darling Conference Kits either, my kids were little before the internet was invented.

Wonder Woman said...

Conference has been much the same at our house. Yesterday we had both my SILs and their families as well -- we didn't even try to turn on the TV for the afternoon session. (There are 9 kids, 5 & under between all of us.) And of course I find today that I missed my fave, Elder Bednar, yesterday.

So this morning was like your house, but when Pres. Monson started talking I knew I had to do something. I googled "LDS general conference bingo" and found the bingo cards. Worked great for 3 and 5 year olds with easter candy. we plan on doing this for the afternoon session, or at least as much of it as we can!

Garvin Smith said...

This too shall pass. There was many a year when I got absolutely nothing out of Conference (or Sacrament meeting for that matter). But children do grow up, and one day you will be able to watch Conference on your 50 inch TV, sitting on your new couch with another couple. The only problem now is that I wish my children were with me watching Conference. But alas, my children are wrestling my grandchildren as expressed above!

Living the Scream said...

ok so I had the said conference packets and bingo even new crayons and coloring books. do you think they actually did any of that stuff?? No way they also were playing pretend. i forget which game, I think it was queen and the servant HA So what I am saying is even when you do plan the stuff it still does not work out the way you think it will!!

Carrie said...

Ohhhh. I feel ya. I really really feel ya. I had it all planned out. "Conference Tent", Conference print-outs, games, bingo. I have an 8 and 4 year old for gosh sakes, they SHOULD be able to be good. Not even. I ended up shutting them in my office to play on PBS Kids. I can't believe I admitted that out loud. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

Jocelyn Christensen said...

Coloring pages included...that's what our house looked like this weekend too!

Mama Smith said...

You might try...doing what other couples I have seen do...Take ONE of your children to the CHURCH BUILDING...leaving the "other parent" home...with the "active" children...during ONE session...then, switch places...with your spouse...for the next session...and that spouse take one of the children to the chapel...THIS WAY...each parent gets to see at least ONE session per day of General Conference...and the ONE child...will grow up KNOWING that General Conference is SUPER IMPORTANT...

Jocelyn Christensen said...

Just had to give you a shout-out today on my blog: http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2010/04/downloading-general-conference.html

Lisa said...

Thanks for making me laugh! My sister-in-law was just saying last night that they need a talk on how to watch conference with young kids. Funny thing is that the people who needed to hear it, wouldn't! Maybe that is why ever other talk was on parenting. They knew the parents would only get a chance to listen to one or 2 talks.

mCat said...

Sounds like you got more conferene than I did - and I was only chasing one 3 year old. I remember these days, of not catching any at all. Then the days of creative games to keep them quiet and entertained. Then the days of rousing them awake and having them stumble to the family room only to fall asleep again, to now, I say nothing and they turn it on themselves.

Enjoy each stage...... : )

Cheeseboy said...

This is why Priesthood session is actually my favorite session: I CAN ACTUALLY HEAR! However, it seems I have to put up more and more with the Ironic Priesthood and their cellular devices during priesthood session.

Funny stuff, btw.

Cluttered Brain said...

I didn't even try to blog on GC wseekend. Wow. You are good. I posted my Monday mingle but that is about it.

We did the packets but most of the pages are blank. *sigh* Still can't keep the 10 and 8 yr old's attention. And forget the 2 yr old.

Pizza for dinner? YUM. Love pizza.

Sure its not the Chocolate and PB talking. Sure...

:)
You are so fun.
Stephanie over at Diapers and Divinity had a General Conference Book club. You read an article over a week then comment on her blog by Sun or Mon. and discuss what you wrote. It is cool. i figured i might join up. Gotta have some accountability to read these wonderful talks!!!

Have a great week! Can't wait for more of your funny posts!
Thanks for commenting on my Mingle blog today!

Vanessa said...

Ok... So I probably missed the memo. I didn't know we had to get dressed to watch conference. Much less dress the kids... My hunny and I watched conference in bed. while being bounced around by 2 kids who though it was a trampoilin. I admit that Cartoon was going on on the living room so we could hear conference for a few min.
The thing is... we were together. And the spirit was in our home. And through the noise, and ocasional wrestling sections between the 2 older kids. (4 year old son and 31 year old husband) I felt the spirit, and thought that it was great, and uplifting. I loved listening to the prophet. And hey, I will read all about the rest that I did not hear, next month. Don't be so hard on yourself. You are a great, awsome mommy. And you are NOT alone.

Louise said...

Whew! Glad I'm not the only one! But to make you feel even better, I was one of the mom's "prepared" this time, but the packets made it even more distracting! Kids: "What was his name again?" "What color is his tie?" "I got BINGO! I got BINGO!" Feel better? =)

Evelyn said...

I believe my words last year were "Shut up and sit down so I can hear the prophet talk about families!" Now that is something to be ashamed about.

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