Back in February, I had a conversation that has drastically changed the general flow of things around here. I am dedicating this post to the outcome of that conversation -- and that would be incorporating early morning seminary into our schedule much sooner than I had anticipated. I figured we had a good 10 years (until Sophie started high school) before having to make the seminary run. Just kidding on that!Anyway, so here we go. On the Similarities & Differences of Infants and Early Morning Seminary! Having recently had a new baby, I feel very qualified to make this little comparison. Ahem. Let's begin.
How Teaching Early Morning Seminary is LIKE Having a New Baby...
- It's a major adjustment to your routine. Specifically, your sleeping routine. And your daytime routine. Ok, all of your routine.
- You wake up when the sun is still down and are compelled to get out of bed b/c of a younger face (or several of them).
- My dishes are never done. Always something more pressing to attend to. When the dishes are washed, it's usually thanks to my stud-muffin, Bryce.
- My kids watch inordinate amounts of PBS - generally while I nap (you'll notice sleep is a major theme here...), but occasionally while I prepare a lesson.
- I have [re]mastered the art of falling asleep at any given second in any given location -- a serious talent.
- Seminary students (at least about half of them) smile about as often as a newborn. That is to say, not much. It's tough love, I tell you.
- And much like infants, all seminary students want to do at 6am is either eat (donuts, in this case) or sleep.
- It feels all-consuming. If I'm not teaching, then I'm thinking about the lesson or reading for the lesson or wondering what on earth to do for the next lesson. (side note - I've been told it gets easier over time. phew!)
- Seminary students like to snuggle with blankets (though I've yet to see one swaddled...).
How Teaching Seminary is NOT like Having a New Baby...
- I am wearing make-up. At 5:45am.
- And sometimes, my hair is even done, too!
- No one brings you meals in for teaching seminary. Bummer.
- Seminary students are not as cuddly as an infant.
- And they're also much heavier!
So there you go - Deep Thoughts by Lisa. And just like having a baby, after a number of weeks I'm sure this will all become part of the normal routine around here... But we're definitely still in the 6-week recovery phase, so just give me a few weeks, ok?
and b/c I can't post a post without a picture... here's the other reason I don't sleep very much. Yes, I've been having a hard time keeping my eyes open of late. hah!
an open-eyed, though slightly blurry pic of my littlest sweets and me. love her!
11 comments:
Oh sweet Lisa...it begins! You totally make me laugh with your comparison/contrast post. :) AND...you absolutely deserve dinner for teaching seminary! I will work on that once I start fixing dinner for my own family! :) hehehe Please let your cute kiddos come over here once in a while to play while you sleep...I mean study your lesson. :)
LISEY-BIRD! You are amazing and this post was great. HOWEVER--when my mom told me that you got called to early morning seminary, is it bad to admit that I got a little upset on your behalf? Who asks a mother of a baby (and two other children) to teach early morning seminary???!!! You should be translated for saying yes. I'm serious. :) Or if you aren't translated, I might fly down to TX to have a little talk with the powers that be. hee hee...I'm kidding (mostly).
Wow Lisa early morning seminary- wow! I know my Mom and Sister put in HOURS preparing that I just can't imagine having. Hope you feel the blessings pouring down- and food on your door step too!
Wow! You're amazing! I think teaching seminary AND having a new baby AND two other kids sounds incredibly overwhelming. I was trying to imagine how I would do it...it would definitely be an adjustment. Keep up the good work! You're doing awesome.
It seems most of my children's seminary teachers were in your boat. Bryce can better appreciate all they did for him now.
I just listened to Elder Perry's talk on his mother's notebooks and teaching. He realized that what really was happening was that she was collecting education and giving more to her children than to her class. (April 2010 - http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/mothers-teaching-children-in-the-home?lang=eng)
It's a great talk when you wonder "Why me?", which is what any sane person with your calling would ask!
If I were there I would definitely bring you dinner over. Yikes! That is a huge sacrifice when you have a baby. You are amazing!
Nothing makes you appreciate your own calling more than hearing about somebody else's...Hats off to you Lisa, I don't think I could ever be a seminary teacher, especially with young kids!
Leese, one of the blessings coming out of this is that you are led to study the scriptures every day. Nothing like a little external motivation! The more I am in the scriptures daily, the more personal revelation I feel guiding my life. That is a great blessing. What's that saying? - "that which does not kill us only makes us stronger." You are spiritually totally ripped!
Having taught early morning seminary AND having had three babies, I can say you are spot-on!! I got called to teach seminary in Alabama after I graduated from college and never felt so underqualified for a calling in my life. Turns out, that was such a great year for me! I learned soooo much, both from the kids and the scriptures, and I hope to teach seminary again one day! But with a little baby??? Wow, that must have been a stroooonnng impression your Bishop had to call you! And I'm envious of the time you have to seriously study your scriptures so you can teach every.day. That was my favorite part of the calling...I was forced to go deep into the scriptures seven days a week. I would usually read all the following week's lessons on Sunday, then seriously study each the day before I gave it. I taught Doctrine and Covenants the year I taught and I still consider it my "favorite". I know the Lord is blessing you and your family for this! Go, Lisa!
Wow. Lisa. I can't imagine teaching seminary right now. You are an angel! I do hope you get some sleep and those kids appreciate you!!!
Hooray for hubbys who do dishes... that's the only way they get done in our house when I'm working! Miss you tons!
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