The Ash Wednesday Chicken Dinner Story

*Facebook 3/9 Who is that public-school mom screwing up the Catholic school pick up line AGAIN?!?! Oh, that's me. Sorry, folks-I'm new.

One of the most challenging parts of moving to South Dakota from my suburban Boston hometown has been coming to terms with a new way of practicing our religion. In Boston, I was the youth group leader, Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor and Hebrew Reading Specialist. My kids went to Hebrew school once a week at the school where my mother is the Education Director. We were IN-volved. My kids opened the ark at High Holiday services… Here, there are very few Jews and, though we are trying to be involved here as well, we are so busy and there aren’t any other kids! Our family life is different too. Bill’s kids participate in our Friday night Shabbat dinners and even know some of the prayers. In exchange, Brianna has been sharing her Catholic School education with me, usually right after each holiday occurs. Jesus hangs in our kitchen, a mezuzah hangs on our door. We lit candles on Hannukah and drank hot chocolate under our tree on Christmas. We’re blended, so that means all the ingredients count. We have had several wonderful successes:

*Facebook 12/5 Happiness is a guy that understands what the "clothes" night of Hannukah means.... (We “themed” the nights of Hannukah so as to contain the presentpalooza that is the month of December in our home. The fourth night is clothes night. This year, Bill gave me Pink Sweater Uggs!)

*Facebook 12/25 As we walked into Christmas Mass tonight, all 8 of us, someone commented, "what a lovely family...all dressed in plaid!". If there's something we Jews know, it's how to dress for church.

And some interesting challenges:

*Facebook 1/3 They don't have Hannukah scrapbooking stickers in South Dakota. Just so you know

We were about to have another one of those challenges:

As you know, trying to make homecoming perfect for Bill is one of my “things.” Last week was a complete and utter disaster, so this week I was determined to get it right. It hadn’t been our weekend with Bill’s kids, so the first time I had everybody together again after the Oh $#!% Dinner of last Thursday was this Wednesday, March 9.

I planned dinner the night before and made sure I had everything defrosting. I was making something I knew everyone would eat. I picked everyone up, brought them home, neatened and straightened and turned on the TV to settle everyone because I’m not perfect. Then I made chicken strips 3 ways, plain (for the littles) Honey BBQ (for the bigs and for me) and Buffalo Hot Sauce (for Bill, although everytime we do this one of the kids insists on trying them and then drinking a gallon of milk while steam comes out of his or her ears).

When Bill walked in at 5:05, the table was set, the kids were sitting, the dogs were fed, accounted for and quiet and dinner was ready! I noticed something interesting on Bill’s forehead, but didn’t mention it because I was so excited about my dinner success.

Bill walked into the dining room and surveyed my masterpiece. Then Brianna piped up, “Um, Jody? It’s Ash Wednesday. That’s the day we don’t eat meat.”

Oh.

Perhaps Brianna and I could work on learning about each holiday the day BEFORE, instead of the day after from now on… and I think I’m giving up 5:00 dinners for Lent.

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Jody, you're fabulous!! I am remembering my past - and I only had two kids!!! Think of yourself as an amazing mom of three in a learning curve with six!! It's a hard job, but if anyone can master it - or at least live with it, you can!! And, remember, Bill is a remarkable man! You know this! I am eager to read about this wonderful blended family! Thanks for aharing! (And put me down for a copy when the book comes out!)

Posted by: Kathy B | 04/01/2011 at 07:27 AM