Be Still and Know...

 

The babies and I went to town today. We're getting pretty good at it. I say this because making the 45-minute drive to town by myself, in the winter, with a 2-year-old and a 5-month-old takes coordination. A LOT of it, actually. But we're getting quite skilled at it.

And thankfully my babies have a lot of patience with me.

Usually going to town is kind of exciting and kind of a let-down and kind of cathardic. There's the initial anticipation of getting out into the world and seeing all there is to see, and frankly just getting out of the house. But once I get there I remember that I've already seen most of it (I know Wal-Mart like the back of my hand) and that I really don't enjoy shopping that much anyway, so I try to just get done what I need to do and get out of there. Then, while just hours earlier I could not wait to break free of my homebound existence, I realize that I love being at home with my family and can't wait to get back there. However, had I not gone to town I would never have had this realization.

And this happens week after week. And I sort of like this pattern, don't ask me why. All I know is that it makes me happy to be home again.

So, we went on our jolly way once again this morning. Usually I limit myself to two stops at which I have to get the kids out of the car. (So getting gas doesn't count.) I do this to save my achin' back, and to save the sanity of us all.

However, today I was ambitious and added a third stop... The local Linens 'n' Things is going out of business (actually I think they all are, but I'm not sure) and I wanted to get Little Blue Eyes some new warm bedding since he has recently started sleeping in his big bed instead of his crib. (Sob, sob... My baby is growing up!)

Unfortunately the place was almost completely cleaned out. It was weird. It was eerie. I think we're going to be seeing more of this in the upcoming year. It's eerie. But it's a wake up call to us all.

I won't go into all that... I think we all are more than aware of the sunken state of our economy.

Anyhow, since I struck out on bedding at Linens 'n' Things, I tried Target instead. I just love anything that Woolrich makes, and since I knew Target carries their bedding, I knew I'd find something. And alas, I did... A cozy microplush blanket and flannel sheets. They're in the wash now. I just can't wait to get them on his bed and see him all cozy.

I love a cozy bed. I love it a lot. I love being cozy, I love seeing my babies being cozy. And I love using a microplush blanket as the bottom layer and flannel sheets so they're all soft and warm against your skin. Love it, love it, love it.

I think I'll go get in bed.

Oh, wait. I wasn't finished.

So thankfully I found just what I was looking for at Target. Then we headed back across town to Wal-Mart. It takes about 20 minutes to get back across town and I stopped for gas on the way, so both the babies fell asleep.

I swung through the KFC drive-through and got us a little lunch. Truth be told, I don't like fast food much. I prefer something a little more wholesome and/or healthy and/or tasty. But there is one fast food item that is my guilty pleasure. It's so unhealthy. It's so salty. It's so... Orange. It's KFC's macaroni and cheese. It's something that Little Blue Eyes and I love to share. It's our special treat. And I don't know if 'swung' is a word. But I use it. Come on... You know you do too.

Since they were still sleeping and I thought it might be best to let sleeping babes lie for awhile longer, I drove to the Wal-Mart parking lot and sat in the car as I enjoyed my vibrantly orange noodles. It was at this moment that, for the first time in awhile, all was still and quiet. Both kids were sleeping peacefully, the car was off, the radio was off, there was no t.v. in the background, no phone ringing, no talking, no nothing. (Again, I apologize for the poor grammar.)

It was so peaceful. So quiet. Something that I have been badly needing. And it was in such an odd and unexpected place. I just sat there and looked out the window and watched cars go by and looked at the mountain horizon beyond. It was not in a beautiful spa or in a wooded meadow somewhere in the sunshine, but all the same, it was lovely.

I actually had to remind myself that it was o.k. to just be still for a moment, or several.

Right before I was ready to wake up the kids so we could continue on our way, across the road from the parking lot, an amazing number of Canadian geese lifted up and took flight. There were hundreds and hundreds and hundreds. They all flew right over the car and the air was filled with the sound of them honking. Canadian geese have always reminded me of my recently departed Dad, so it was very special for me. In an amazing display of God's handywork, they separated into flocks and each flock headed in it's own direction. I guess sometimes you just know when it's time to move on.