I am having a bad mommy day. It started out so well. Really.
Then no one would eat their breakfast.
Then everyone played together like angels.
Then we ran to the grocery store. The one with the car-buggys.

I had 6 things on my list, everyone strapped in, the discussion about honoring Jesus was given, and we were off. First stop: Cake mix for $.80. It was here that Bubba leaned on Little who screamed like a banshee, stomped her feet, and hit the boy. This is where my mom would have packed everyone up and headed out to the car. I took the, “It was hard work getting all of you here, suck it up kids” approach – separated the children – and kept going.

No, lie – I cannot recall one time that my kids have been UGLY in the grocery store. I now admit it has been an area of pride for me. I didn’t realize it was an area of pride until the proverbial fall cameth today. Bubba and Little cried and scream/cried (respectively) through the entire shopping trip. We went to get in line and I saw one guy turn to look and help me find a line shorter than his!!!

When we did get in line, the lady behind the register said, “Oh, the children usually are so happy in the car-buggys.” I smiled. Smirked? No, smiled. She then asked the required yet obviously rehearsed (It seemed obvious how I was doing), “How are you today?” and I answered, through beads of sweat, “I am the lady everyone is staring at and questioning my parenting.” The bag boy laughed.

Redirection of everyone’s attitude was found in the minivan.
Once there was repentance and forgiveness, I found myself sulking and then realized that if I told them I forgave them, then it’s over. I cannot continue to punish them with my silence. I am battling to live that even now(as my oh so tired son refuses to nap downstairs).

Oh, and just to end this on such a positive note, if one more person looks at me and my three children under four and says through a sigh and with sardonic tones, “You have YOUR hands full” I am going to scream!! And especially don’t say that when I am pushing a gargantuan shopping cart with a car attached to the front holding my wailing two year old, with a crying four year old in the seat and and gurgling 4m old in the basket hidden under yogurt and a cake mix.

Swim therapy is back “on” as of this afternoon and Little hit the water like an old pro! One would never have thought she had been away for nine months! She worked hard and was exhausted by the end – even saying, “I’m ready to get out. Take the yellow ones off, please.” Love my Little!