Booby Traps

Cole likes to set booby traps. Seth likes to help him. Sugar likes to do whatever Cole and Seth are doing. Cole used to ask for thread, and I'd find it intricately wrapped around the house, the swing set, and certain items in his room. I'd tell him that someone will trip over it and get really hurt and he would feel really bad and get in BIG trouble. He'd always say --and still does when I serve that particular lecture -- that I don't need to worry, it will be fine. No one has ever been hurt. But there was a mighty close call on Sunday.

This particular Sunday was cold, and I chose to wear my brown boots, which have the highest heel of any of my shoes. We were, as usual, running late for Church. I had Luke--the source of our lateness and rushed to head downstairs. All 3 kids were supposed to be in the car by now with Shawn rounding up the gear. As I head toward the stairs, I noticed Seth playing with something on the bottom landing. He was not in the car where he should have been. Then I noticed he was playing with string that had been tied across the landing about 2" off the floor. He started laughing and told me the stairs were Booby Trapped! It scared me to death. This landing has 4 more steps that lead down to the living room. I was in such a hurry to get downstairs, in wobbly 3" heels, and shushing Luke at the same time. I NEVER would have seen that string if Seth hadn't been waiting to see the destruction. I would have tripped, fallen face first down 4 stairs, landed on Luke and most likely killed him. Instead I opted for killing the evil masterminds, Cole and Seth. As I started yelling all the dangers inherent in this type of thing, Cole popped out from his command post behind the couch. I was so shaken up, and yelling so loudly, that Shawn came in and said: "Our neighbors can hear you yell! Be quiet!" But there was no stopping me now. I think I finally cooled off as we pulled into the Church parking lot.

I had been yelling at my kids all the way to Church. How hypocritical. What a terrible tone it set as we made our way to worship Christ, the example of patience, love and forgiveness. I apologized to everyone, explained calmly, this time, how dangerous their booby trapping could be, and we had a great hug fest. I still felt terrible walking into Church. I hoped the kids wouldn't have some lasting negative association with mom yelling and going to church that would cause problems in the future. About 45 minutes into Sacrament meeting, Cole handed something to Shawn. Shawn started laughing and handed it to me. I started crying, which made Shawn laugh even more. This is what I read: