Paint Delays, Cows & VBS

I know this will come as a shock, but the painting has been postponed until Wednesday. 

Though you can barely stand it, you'll have to wait for the results.

***

You may remember that I have a mild fascination/obsession with cows.

I could watch them all day.  

In fact, I suspect there will be days that I do nothing but stare at the cows.

Their ears thrill me.

Thrill.  Me.

So we went to check out the farm over the weekend.

Turning into the gate, I was immediately welcomed by the loudest mooing I've ever heard.

Constant mooing.

Loud & constant mooing.

We drove around the barn and I realized what was happening.

The calves were being weaned.

Oh my goodness.

The babies were on one side of the fence and the mamas were on the other. 

They were crying.

It broke my heart.

Some of them sounded hoarse from the loud & constant.

This is the worst picture known to man, but I need you to feel my pain.

We went back to the farm the next day and it was still happening.

Only now, the kids were acting out.

There was head butting.  Lots and lots of head butting.

The King thinks I'm weird.

***

And this is VBS week at our church.

Please don't judge me for what I'm about to share.

I mean it.

No judging.

I don't necessarily enjoy the VBS.

Well.  I don't.

Teaching is not my thing.

Guilt, however, is my thing.

There are never enough adults to go around.

I may have been a teensy bit grumpy on our way to VBS yesterday.  

The Princess said, "Mom.  Since when did telling kids about Jesus put you in a bad mood?"

"Um.  Today?"

I totally know that VBS is the only place some of the kids will hear about Jesus. 

Once I get there, I can get into it.  The kids are really sweet.  

Though they do touch you a lot.

But they are sweet. 

It goes by fast.

There are snacks.

Our church does a great job preparing for the week.

It's just the every day part of it that wears me out.

I do get to wear a toga/bedsheet.  Which means more snacks!

Don't tell me I'm rotten.  

Guilt is my thing, remember?

***

I hope your Tuesday is fantastic.

*I have no idea why this post's spacing has gone crazy.  If it looks nutty on your computer.  If not, then ignore this.

Comments

[NancysLostandfound]

I'm with you on the VBS thing and I understand completely. Every year I dread that week like there's no tomorrow; but then the end of the week always brings that satisfied kind of tired. I'm always glad I did it even though I didn't want to do it!

[andi]

OHHHHH I love your honesty!!!! :)

[Carpoolqueen]

I'm prepping for teaching first graders next week. Let's just say the Lord is going to have to work on my heart between now and Monday so that I'll be in the right frame of mind, one that doesn't scream "Panic and unprepared".

I know, though, that once we begin, it'll be worth it.

[Tater Mama]

I love cows, too. For me it's the eyelashes and the big noses. I totally get your fascination.

What do you want to bet that 90% of us feel the same way about VBS?! You just had the nerve to say it! :) Here's hoping the snacks are really good!

[whimzie]

Would it be wrong to say that one reason I'm glad we're moving this summer is that I'll miss VBS where we live now AND where we're moving? I hate it for my kids, but YAY for me! Although I do always enjoy the snacks.

And The Princess's question? Oh, my. Thanks for the snort laugh.

[Straight~Shooter]

HaHaHaHa!
I get your pain Sister!
I too am not about the VBS.
Teach, no. Drop 'em off, yes.

And cows? Could there be any thing more precious than a calf????

Glad to hear things are sloooowly progressing.

Have a fantastic rest of your week!

[Dawn W]

VBS? Once my kids were past that age, we take our family vacation that week. The snacks just weren't a big enough draw for me.

I can SO appreciate your honesty.

Can't wait to see you paint selection!

Blessings!

[DawnJoy]

The cows are just too cute, but the weaning sure does pull at the heartstrings.

Love the reality check question from the Princess, but I also have some of the same thoughts about VBS as you. I'm sitting here cutting out more leaves for headwreaths, between typing.

I'll have some chocolate hidden in my tent tonight if you want to stop by, again.

See ya later. - Dawn

[Dana]

I'm SO glad I'm not the only one who loves cows. I admit, I'm sort of afraid of them up close (as an adult, when I was kid, I'd hang out in the barn with the cows on my grandparents' farm -- now they kind of scare me)...but I love them so much I have a Mary's Moo Moos collection among other cow decor in my dining room and kitchen.

:)

Yeah. I'm a dork.

[misty]

my sentiments on VBS exactly...

I would have cried, with the cows.

[Amy]

Um, I may be the lone voice of dissention, but I love me some VBS. I'm all about decorating. My husband has much to put up with when it comes time for preparation. I posted pictures of my room today if you want to drop by.

And let's face it, the snacks totally make it all worth it!

[Lindsay @ Bytes of Memory]

oo I don't like to teach either.. what if I say something wrong!! yikes! And the cows.. I am so glad I didn't have to hear the cows.. break my heart!

[kyoot]

ah but we don't have VBS :) come on join the Catholic side.... :P

[Dana Jones]

I was one of those kids who went to VBS with the churchy neighbors for the free koolaide and cookies. And then one day in between 5th and 6th grade, on a hot summer day, at a Baptist altar call, I white knuckled it as long as I could and then flew down the aisle and gave my heart to Jesus.

So, suck it up, you're doing a worthy thing there!

[RLR]

I'm with you on the VBS. I don't mind helping prep crafts and decorate, but teaching is not my forte. I've found that being a floater or working at one of the stations (crafts, science) is a much better fit. Our VBS is at night - snack supper at 5:15, VBS 6-8pm. It's always a rough week for the kids, but they don't want to miss out so we do it anyway. This year, VBS ends on Friday and we take off for a cross-country vacation the following Tuesday. My turn to ask for prayers!!!

[April]

Awww on the cows and complete agreement on VBS and dang woman on the color choice non-notification! As for the spacing: looks like you have a line height set to 10px and a font set to 16 px, dunno but that might be the problem.

[kris]

the cow pics are the cutest! I actually just got home from our VBS planning meeting, ours it at the end of June. Looking forward to it but not so much, so I totally know where you are coming from! Hope you survive it! ;)

[Michele]

Yeah for snacks....I hope there's some chocolate. I'd love to see you in your toga.. :)!!! At VBS, can you not be in charge of the snack table? with your toga on?
You really like having this paint color hanging over us...keeping it from us...that makes you happy, doesn't it...? I'm really wanting to know which one you picked.
I'm also wondering if you eat beef? Just curious....

[Kara @ Me-Moddy]

I love how honest you are. You crack me up!!!!

[Tonggu Momma]

Do you remember my post from last summer about how I also (shh...) loathe the VBS? So YES, to answer your question from last week, I AM your long-lost twin.

[Mama Belle]

I don't enjoy our kids' camp either. I volunteered one year and that was my last. If I want to wake up at the crack of dawn and be physically exhausted by the end of the day, I'll just go to work. No guilt.

[Capri Kel]

I am with you on the not loving working the VBS. I haven't done it for 2 years now. But I console myself by knowing that I worked as many years as our children were IN the program. Works for me.
Now I drop THEM all of to help! They love it!

[rrmama]

Our VBS is next week and it's at night this year. OH ME OH MY! Just keep thinking of the snacks...

[Kristen T.]

You are cracking me up about VBS! Ours is this week also. Thanks for the bracelets...we are loving them (and praying)!

[Tammy]

My spiritual gift is NOT teaching either and I also do things at church out of guilt (and I am NOT Catholic). I feel like I should "do my part" since I have kids, but helping totally stresses me out. I finally had to share this with our children's minister. He understood. Thank the Lord.

And I love the cows too. We had a cow trailer overturn on the interstate here last week and there were cows less than a mile from my house! Wandering around neighborhoods for hours!! :-)