Taking a moments reprive, I sat down by the fireplace. The kids were worn out from running errands in the morning. I had a moment to catch my breath after bringing the kids in from the car. First was Ella, who I carried in. She laid down on the couch, curled up with a blanket and fell asleep. Will had fallen asleep in the car on the way home. I carried him into the house and laid him down on his bed. Next came Audrey. After Ella fell asleep I sat down to feed her. Glory, glory Hallelujah, Audrey fell asleep after nursing! I laid her down on the couch too and sat down at the fireplace. I looked across the way at my little blessings and thought about how this is the best time in my life--right now. Then I started thinking about our grocery shopping trip. I ran in to two ladies from church. Now, mind you, I happen to attend church outside of my community. It's not too far away, but I usually do no run into people from church here in Corvallis. I have seen these ladies around a few times. I was thinking about how cool these ladies were when it smacked me straight in the face that God had sent me angels today in the grocery store. Not even just these two ladies, but several other friends. The last time I was in there I ran into four or five wonderful people as well. You could say that it's just a coincidence, especially considering that everyone was doing last minute Thanksgiving shopping, but I don't think so. Looking back at my last shopping trip with the kids, it's no coincidence. God is at work in my life. All of these people lauded me with praise for being there with three little ones. I didn't even know I needed the uplifting, but God did. Going grocery shopping with any number of children can be challenging. Imagine me in the store, if you will. Audrey is asleep in the car so I take her seat out of the base and place it in the shopping cart. Hmmmm, where to put the groceries?? Aha, mini shopping carts! Will is going to drive one of those around anyway, so why not put him to work? Sitting in the shopping cart is still a novel idea for Ella, at least for the first half of the shopping trip so that's covered for a little while. There's also a train table in the store. Hey, we can have a little playtime and incentive for being good in the grocery store if I dangle that over their heads, right? It's still crazy, but the shopping trip is going okay. I get some of what I need with just a little screaming from Ella. I'm looking for crazy things like stars of anise and a real live vanilla bean. Ella decides she must get out of the cart and lets me know in no uncertain terms--screaming. I let her down and whaddyaknow she heads right to the bulk candy section. I quickly bribe them and let them choose one candy each. Excellent--let's head over to the cheese aisle. That's where it ends. The train table is there and I give up, take a seat with Audrey who also needs to be tended to at this point. I sit down to nurse her, this is a co-op with lots of hippies so I feel okay about it. In fact, I feel down right conservative because I'm even covering up with a blanket! The quick grocery trip to pick up a few things turns into an entire afternoon, but that's okay because I have the whole afternoon. I have a few conversations with friends in the store. It was only afterward when I had a moment to breathe and reflect that I realized God had sent me all of those angels. There were a few tense moments in the store where I had to try and keep my patience, but with folks around me that cared, I kept it together. In fact, I did better than that after having spoken to them. People lift you up and you are better when you know there are people you love and respect watching you. I was a better mom the rest of the day for it. I'm glad that I opened my eyes up to the blessings that were all around me. I don't always do that. In fact, I feel like it is just recently that my eyes are being opened up to all of the beauty happening all around me. Angels in the Grocery Store: Doris, Berdella, Leonne, Brooke, Erin, George.
Sidenote: Let me tell you about the last shopping trip. The last time there was this sweet woman, who I didn't even know who said, "You have your hands full". She said it with a kind smile, beaming at my children, rather than saying it with foreboding. After she made the comment she completed her sentence by saying that I had my hands full of blessings. I just had to nod my head, beam at my kids too and say yes, yes I do. I was taken aback by this woman. I get that comment a lot (the first part of it), especially when people see me out and about. My children are young. It can be intense sometimes just getting the typical day to day stuff completed. The difference with this instance is that this woman saw the blessing in having young children. Yeah, it's a totally crazy life and if you're in the store with me you'll probably see me take Ella in and out of the cart several times, Will will need to be reminded to slow down with his shopping cart and Audrey will need to be held or fed right in the middle of it all, but this time rocks because I have babies and they are beautiful and healthy. I get to shop for good food and am able to provide for myself and my family. I get to be a mom.
Sidenote #2: Part of getting to be a mom means surviving on little sleep. Please disregard all grammar mistakes and the fact that I have no concept of paragraphs in this post. I don't have the brain power it takes right now to properly edit so I'm just going to put this out there as is. There. I said it. It's just a little frustrating to write at this time because I want to do it, but I'm held back by wanting the writing to be perfect. It's just not going to happen so I'm trying to let go and just get the words down before the moment passes and the memories fade. This is my rough draft.
Uncle Jeffro getting ready to set sail
Playing "chest" (that's what Will calls this game)
Ella with her future Aunt Desiree
Desiree taught everyone how to operate the bubbles
This picture is of Ella popping the bubble surrounding her
Brother and sister teamwork
Sometimes Jeff reminds me so much of my dad. I went to the Gilbert house quite a while back when it was only Ella and Will. I remember my dad having a lot of fun in the bubble room. Jeff did too!
This is my favorite picture. Jeff made some pretty awesome bubbles.
Audrey taking it all in
Will on safari. Doesn't he look regal?
Ella was really into dressing up
I think Audrey was about to fall asleep in this picture
