Slices...

Yesterday I ventured out with my two tikes to do some errands. The older siblings are back in school, and there are a few things that must be done like return the library books, (we have about 50 checked out due to the holiday break) Well as you know, going anywhere with little guys is just a work out period---I mean there are the several potty breaks, proper gathering of just the right toys for the car, drinks, snacks and whatever else suits their fancy as I try to corral them in the right direction ---eeek! Well, we left late! Sheesh! So now I have only 90 minutes until I need to have Bear and his friend to preschool. Fine, we can do this.
So, off to the library. I actually love our library---lots of books (wow--who knew?), a beautiful kids section, a gorgeous display of an enormous doll house (maybe 100 sq feet?) to which they periodically change the decor--and this time it was still decorated for the holidays. Darling. Nonetheless, despite the charms of our library, they have this ridiculous automated check out/check in. So one must stand in line to return your books. What happened to the good ol fashioned dump and run eh? Come on--we are busy here people and do not think that my two little guys are even thinking about staying by my side whilst I stand in line. Paleeze!
Well we survive check in, only to find out that I left about 10 books at home---how is that possible, it felt like I carried a 40 ton brick wall into this building. How can they not all be here? Sigh.
So, I corral kiddos and choose books and take kids for potty break (of course I think it has been 23 minutes since we were last in one--) More books. Bear wanders to peruse the computers. I start loading up all the new fun finds. I finally convince my two little ones that we need to go, and we are headed to the door. I see one more book that we cannot live without (all kids books of course), and I see in my peripheral vision Bear and Pop starting to wander, so I snap up to halt this little break out---and I don't see them. Um...okay... I start walking toward the check out thinking that is where these logical 2 and 4 year olds would go. (Is there such a thing as logical toddlers?) But I don't see them, so I go back to the kids section (picture a big library folks) and quietly call for them. No answer, at least not from my kids, there are loads of children and parents here as story time has just gotten out, but I can't see my kids. I circle around and start again, walking toward the check out and think about the time Bear walked out the car by himself. Agggghhh, I start running outside to the parking lot to see if these two kids are in the street...nope, back in the library, wandering around at a fast clip calling to them a little too loudly than what may be appropriate. Help. Lots of moms with their children are watching me---the moms who luckily have their kids with them. I canvas at a run the entire children's section calling loudly for my kids. No response. Everyone watching, panic seep into my running, voice and reasoning. I check the ever popular bathrooms---no kids----not my kids. I run out to the entry way again---shouting for Bear and Pop. I run out to the parking lot and check around my car (all the while praying, but feeling blank) A mom tells me that she hasn't seen any kids, but she is just barely arriving, it has been... Has it been 5 minutes? 6? At what point to I call 911? Agghhhhh.
I run back in the library wondering how I have missed these little people and why won't they answer me. There is no way that there were both abducted from beside me. Run, Shout, no answer. Run back to the children's section---all the while calling their names. A mom 30 feet in front of me is pointing at the computer table. I look. There is nothing, is she talking to me? She keeps pointing---I run over there----and there under the table are Bear and Pop hiding...playing the best trick ever on their mommy.
I was ready to burst with relief and frustration, the two of them are grinning ear to ear with their great joke---and mommy's arms are shaking from the last frantic 8 minutes. Good one guys. Hilarious.
So back in the car, sometimes patiently, and sometimes less than patiently I explain why we cannot play hide and go seek in a public place and why we must answer mommy when she calls.
Off we run to pick up our car pool, take two little boys to preschool with hugs and promises of no hiding so mommy doesn't have to go to the looney bin. Good plan, we'll see if we can keep that one!
3 more errands with Pop, while singing all the kid songs on the car stereo and her favorites twice. In and out of the car seat. Walk and carry a 30 pound singing cutie! Phew.
Last stop, we go into the Farmer's market to grab some fresh produce. Pop is excited because we will buy some pears--this is living to my two year old! As we enter the store, there is a piercing sound of a baby screaming. Must be a new baby from the cry---wail, breathe, wail, breathe, etc... Wow he is angry. I am reminded of all the times, I have left a store abruptly when my baby's wail got to be to be too much. I've been out too long today, this baby is blocking out every thought---I'm looking at the produce and all I can think is "Pick up the baby!!" Pineapple, Bananas....wail, breathe, wail, breathe. Aggghhh. I guess my patience fuse for today was set ablaze at the library. I was now thinking I hope that lady (who I had not even seen at this point) will take her poor baby home---and then it hit me so clearly. I saw myself kneeling in family prayer that morning with my family and heard myself say the words "Help us to recognize the opportunities for service." It was so clear what I needed to do. I went down the aisle until I located a mother with her two young children. One toddler and one baby who was only lightly crying at the moment as his mother was rocking him now.
I smiled and said "I know you don't know me, but I would love to hold your baby for you while you grab what you need. I have five kids and I absolutely know how this feels." I can see in her face that she is about to say no, but she pauses for a minute and says "Are you sure you wouldn't mind?" And I told her honestly and happily it would be my pleasure. Well I danced with her little baby by the broccoli while Pop looked on, and the baby's older sister said "But mommy, that's my baby" to which her mommy said "Honey, she has 5 children, she doesn't want any more!" What a chuckle. I actually would take more, just not from the produce section.
Ironic how Heavenly Father can make more of our lives than we can make of them ourselves. I was spent at that moment, but when I looked with new eyes, more spiritually in tune ones, I saw a better way. I wish I wouldn't have needed nudging, but I am grateful for someone who does nudge me to be better than I am. These slices of learning and experiences make up this great school called life.