THE PETERSENS

Me and the boys were upstairs in their room putting away some of their newly-laundered clothes when out of the blue…

JL: Mommy, can we have a baby sister please?

Me: Hmm…well, you have to pray that God would grow you a baby sister in Mommy’s belly, ok?

JL: Okay, I will pray.

(At dinnertime with Ben home.)

Me: JL, can you tell Daddy what you asked Mommy for today?

JL: Daddy, I would like a baby sister.  I prayed for a baby sister today!

Me: Really?  When did you pray for a baby sister?

JL: I prayed for one when I was cleaning up my toys.

Me: Oh, okay.  What did you say?

JL: I said, “Dear God…can you give me a baby sister please?”

Ben and I just smiled at each other.  No, we’re not expecting.  But, JL has his request in with God and anything is quite possible with Him!

The dreaded has happened.  My husband has been summoned to JURY DUTY.  The first thing that came to my mind is the loss of income due to this patriotic duty.  The second thing that came to my mind was MY experience with jury duty.  Yup, it was pretty memorable.

It was 3 years ago.  JL was just a bit over a year old.  We were getting ready to move in with my parents for a few months before leaving for seminary in NC.  It was a crazy time.  Then comes my summons in the mail…probably the last additional thing I needed on my plate at that time.  The day arrived when I had to show up for jury duty.  My dad offers to watch JL, but shows up late that morning because of unexpected traffic.  I being to panic.  I zoom to the courthouse and park quickly, only to find that my keys are stuck in the ignition.  After working up a sweat trying to wrench metal out of metal, I flag someone down…

He looks nice enough and was able to help me quickly, so I ask him, “So, are you here for jury duty, too?

His response?  “Actually, I’m on trial.  Don’t worry; my crime was nothing too bad!”

I was pretty much speechless after that.

My husband was kind enough to let me go out tonight with a friend for a little break from taking care of my cute kids.  He loves me well!

As I was heading out the door, I kissed my Hubs and my 2 boys.  I told JL, “I’m going out on a “date” with Auntie Autumn!”  Reminded him to obey Daddy and love God.  He just smiled and watched me leave.

By the time I came home, both boys were in bed sleeping already.  I asked Ben later if either of the boys had looked for me.  He said that him and JL had this conversation…

JL (while eating dinner): Daddy, where is Mommy?

Ben: She’s out on a date with Auntie Autumn!

(JL sits quietly for a bit, thinking.)

JL: Daddy, I want to go out on a date with Mommy, too!

Ben: Yes, JL, you and Mommy will have to do that.

Wow, I just about melted when Ben told me this.  Absolute sweetness to my ears.  I guess me and JL will be going out on a date this week sometime!