HOME

The black and white number 4 (kids, that is) doesn’t seem like something to get jumpy about.  Yet we still seem to invite commentary. Even before the latest arrival, we drew the random , “Wow, that’s a lot of kids,” as we headed into the library. Usually, I just smile cheerfully and say “Yep, and they’re a blessing.”  

The number 4 doesn’t seem like something to faint at, in my opinion.

Until Trader Joe’s.  When two weary parents who had been up during the night with their 3 month old and already attended church (making it to sunday school and a service for the first time in months), decided it would be a good idea to take the 4 kids (3 of whom had colds of varying stages) to Trader Joes.  

Because it sounded like fun.

On this outing though, we felt like that family.  You know that family.  The one you watch with waryness, keeping a distance of several cart lengths.  You try to stay on a different aisle, and you have no problem doing that because you can hear what aisle that family is on.  On this day when we were that family, we even armed our 4 year old (the sickest one who hadn’t had a nap) with his own child-size shopping cart.  As we made our way through the store (note: nothing about TJ’s is large) we moved like a wave crashing against the shore, taking out all of the shells and sweet little crabs in it’s path.  

The aforementioned cart had a large pole attached to it (for what purpose other than people bowling, I don’t know) and on the other side a boy who didn’t want any help steering.  Next to him was his 6 year old sister with arms crossed and lips out because she wanted to be the one with cart. And then there was the normally content baby discontent in her sling.  What about the 4th you ask?  Luckily she knows how to spy out these situations (when mommy and daddy’s color is changing to pink) and walk the straight and narrow while her parents flounder about behind her.  

After 10 minutes of this, I couldn’t think of single snack that would make this trip worth it.

My husband has more stamina (which means he can block out noise and activity longer than I can) so his curiosity led us around the store for about 20 minutes past the time we should have left the store.

Later, as we sat there emotionally drained from the venture, I leaned back on the couch and said to Matt, “I feel like a family of 6.”

He started laughing, “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

No comments