On grocery shopping with two.

A few days ago, I decided it was time to brave the grocery store with the kids. I had been putting it off for far too long, and we were out of eggs. I strapped the babies in their car seats and headed in the direction of my worst nightmare. I found myself wallowing in self pity as I strapped Micah to my chest and freed Piper from her car seat, demanding that she hold my hand in the parking lot. That thorn of self pity dug deeper into my side as I chased Piper through Trader Joe's, trying to keep her from filling her pint sized cart to the brim with chocolate bars and clementines. Tired and frustrated, I begged and pleaded with Piper to sit in a big cart. Eventually she sat, but little Miss Independent was not happy about it. I rushed up and down the aisles, tossing bits and bobs in my cart, praying that the nice folks in Trader Joe's wouldn't have to experience a Piper or mommy melt down. We managed to get out of there without any major disasters, but I was still feeling sorry for myself as I walked back to the car. Why did a simple trip to the grocery store have to be so hard?

As I considered all that was challenging in my world, I noticed an old woman trying to get an even older woman out of a car and into a wheelchair. They were parked against a curb and the wheelchair was too wide to make it to the car door. The women struggled and fretted and I desperately wished I could help. As I watched these women, working so incredibly hard just to get themselves into the grocery store, I realized how very lucky I am. Lucky that the weight I am carrying is two beautiful, perfect, healthy children - no wheelchair required. That kind of weight, though challenging at times, is such an incredible blessing. I get to watch them learn and grow and I get to feel never ending amounts of love every day. This stage of life can be tough, but it is also rich with joy and hope. When I grow old, I know I will look back on these days with fondness, and I don't want to regret not having enjoyed it. So, today I will love on my babies and try to focus on how beautiful my life is right in this second. I will also stay far away from the grocery store.