Grocery store nightmare

I had only been in Walmart around 5 minutes when I confirmed to myself that this was getting ready to be a rough trip. lol - If you are a mom you know exactly what I mean. Some trips to the store are peaceful, pleasant, productive...you use your coupons, get everything you need, and get home in time to fix everyone lunch before they are super hungry. And then on some trips when you leave the store you feel like everyone is applauding the fact that you are FINALLY leaving.

 I have had some rough trips before....now humorous of course, but at the time really taxing. I remember one trip when Scott was a new born and he cried the entire trip because Ryan had hit him shortly after entering the store. As we were leaving somehow my 2 carts (why did I have 2 carts?? That was crazy) got separated while I was trying to drive both of them and Scott's when out in the middle of the road.

On another trip to Lowes  Josh and I were picking out carpet for the house when Ryan bent down and bit Scott's toe "to see what would happen" which resulted in a commotion that I'm pretty sure the entire store heard. We had to just leave on that trip.

But there are some trips when you are determined to get everything you need REGARDLESS of what happens. This trip was one of those trips. On the coffee isle for some reason Scott decided to head bang in the grocery cart while I was discussing Reach Out plans with a friend from church. (Head banging is NOT advisable for babies.) He landed his mouth right on the grocery cart handle and busted it right open. Blood galore. People concerned. Mother embarrassed. And then I did the only thing I could do...which was commit the cardinal sin no mother should ever do with a kid in the cart at a grocery store....I got him out...!!!!!!This resulted of course in a kid who was determined to not get back in to the cart for the rest of the trip. Shortly after the head banging incident, it became apparent that Ryan needed to go to the bathroom (and stay a while if you know what I mean). However he denied it although looking pretty uncomfortable for most of the rest of the trip. At this point I was totally ok with the denial just to get finished. Getting Scott back into the cart could only be done with bribery of things like keys, chap stick, phone, etc. Which all ended up being thrown eventually. To end the trip my debit card wouldn't work right, people waiting behind me, child on my hip wanting down, a long wait at the deli, Ryan taking off with the cart and the groceries and there you have it. I got everyone and everything in the car sat down, turned on the radio and heard these words...

Bless the Lord Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Worship His holy name

The sun comes up
Its a new day dawning
Its time to sing your song again
Whatever may come and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Tears filled my eyes and I was reminded that God has his hand on it all. From the inconveniences and struggles at the grocery store to news about a friend with a serious illness. Living for him means finding joy in him and remembering that momentary troubles will pass away. Our relationship with him is everlasting.

Beach Trip

I always look forward to going to the beach. The food, the sound of the ocean, the smell of sunscreen, laughter, games, and unforgettable memories. This is the first year we have had 4 boys that can all walk under the age of 4 so we knew it would be a wild trip and it proved to be just that! =) Here are some of my favorite and funny photos.

Smiles with daddy

First salt water splash!

Exploring

I am always the ONLY one looking in these photos. =)

Sand mud

Josh calls this the "Moses picture".

Best Buds

Story time

Love this face.

My boys

A little distracted.

Cousin love

Sweet Blakey chillin' with a 101 temp.

Watercolor painting

Little artists

And of course a little Math - perimeter

Just hanging out

Josh makes the best horse =)

Riding a ferry

Aquarium adventure!

Checking it all out.

Ryan thinking about touching a horse shoe crab

Sting ray

What a great time we had! It was a lot of work with all the boys, but certainly worth it. Sometimes the things that seem like the most work are the things that end up being the very dearest and yield the greatest blessing.