Fun & Frolic at the Funeral Home

We just returned from the visitation for Uncle Otto. I have to say it was an interesting evening! Big sis D had play practice & we arranged for a family friend to pick her up when she was done. We did, however, take the boys along.

Personally, we feel it's good for children to have a healthy respect for life & death. We would never want them to do anything they weren't comfortable with, but we want them to know that death happens & it's something we shouldn't be afraid of. We have always used death & funerals as a way to talk to our kids about life after death through Christ. It's good stuff!

Anyway, I'll give you some of the highlights from the evening:

• Mr. B started screaching to be let down the minute we walked in the room. We took him outside to let him run around a little before the rest of the family arrived (please keep in mind that Jeff is the baby of 10 kids, so his family descending upon a funeral home is not just an arrival, it's an event).


• We were introduced to Jeff's second cousin at the entrance. She only burped loudly twice shortly after introductions. Apparently the gas station burritos she had for dinner didn't agree with her.


• K-man had to use the bathroom the minute we walked back in. This kid LOVES public bathrooms & feels the need to check out the bathrooms the minute we walk into any public building - even if he just went at the last stop.


• Right when we were going to go to the casket to pay our respects Mr. B let us know quite publicly that he pooped his pants. The ladies bathroom was set up such that when I pulled the changing table down it trapped a lady in one of the stalls & she couldn't exit until we were done. Good times.


• Back to the casket...Mr. B says "what's wrong with that guy?". Jeff tells him he is sleeping. Mr. B says, "is he sick?". Jeff says no, he is sleeping. Mr. B exclaims "let's get outta here, he's wakin' up!". Good times.


• We let Mr. B down to go by his Aunt Janie only for him to make a break for the lobby where he wildly jumped on the couch. When I came for him he dove head first several feet away to the ottoman. He stuck the landing & let me tell you it was definitely a "10". I tell you letting that kid down is like letting a chimpanzee loose at the zoo. Good times.


• K-man disappears to the next room where a separate vistation is going on. He comes back & let me know he went to check out the other guy & that he was wearing a tuxedo. I asked him how he looked and he replied "dead". Good times.

Thankfully we found a play room in the back with coloring books, games, books & puzzles. Things settled down after this discovery & we actually had a good time visiting with people we haven't seen in a while.

They look innocent enough, don't you think?

You may think I was asking for trouble by taking the boys along, but we've never held back from including our kids in things that are a part of everyday life. Unfortunately funerals are a part of life, but there is victory for those that know Him. Good times.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57