Really, I just have to keep reminding myself why I'm doing this. When the days are long and exhausting it's so easy to forget the important things. I like to use my blogging as a reminder to myself- now, and 20 years from now. I want to remember what my life is like now, both the good and the bad. I just don't want to remember the bad parts as much as the good. That's why I am the eternal optimist. I don't ever want to lose sight of what really matters.
Now that we've cleared that up... I'm sure you'd all like to hear about my grocery shopping trip yesterday. Right? Right?? Trust me, you do.Yesterday my friend came over and watched the big kids while I took the babies to the commissary. Why yes, I'm a glutton for punishment. Why do you ask?
The girls were taking a nap and Matthew and Joshua were playing. I hurried out of the house with the babies to get a few things at the store. I know I said never to go into the commissary with twins. But sometimes you really need groceries and you just have to suck it up. Which I did.
First stop is always the produce section down the first aisle. Yesterday I was stopped twice in the entrance by well-meaning old ladies who wanted to point out that my babies were freezing. Despite the fact that it was warm outside and downright hot in the store, they thought I should have the babies in full blizzard gear. I love the unsolicited advice!
In the produce section I am stopped again. A crowd gathers. Someone starts taking pictures with a camera phone. After taking a few pictures she asks, "You don't mind if I take pictures, do you?" And I'm thinking, "Sure, if you want some strange person's kids on your phone, go ahead!" Suddenly I am having a flashback to Niagara Falls when we were stopped by a crowd of tourists who wanted to take pictures of themselves with the girls. The Falls were not as interesting as the identical babies apparently!
As usual, I'm traveling at warp speed. I zoom through the store. I smile and nod. Nod and smile. Stare straight ahead and ignore.
I make it to the last aisle and then I'm approached by a lady who exclaims in a loud voice, "Oh! Twins! You must come with me." Huh? "Can you just come back here to the office for just a second? Please? Just come with me!"
And I follow her back to the office. I've got a baby in the carrier strapped to me and a baby in my left arm while I push the cart with my right hand. (Twins give you the best biceps, I swear!) In the office, all eyes are on me and the babies. The lady introduces herself as a vendor and then introduces me to the store manager, the secretary, and several other people in the office.
The store manager starts chatting about his grandkids and then asks if these are my first babies. I tell him that they're actually my fifth and sixth babies. His eyes get big. Then I casually mention that I have another set of twins. And his eyes start to bulge out a little. He says that if I ever need help shopping I can bring the kids to his office or he'll have someone come push my cart and help me get the kids in and out of the van. I grinned and thanked him and then I told him how Jason is gone and I'm doing this all solo. Everyone was just amazed. (Really though, what choice do I have but to just grin and bear it? Not like I'm doing this by choice!)
Then the vendor walked me back to my waiting cart. She gave me her name and phone number and told me to call her the next time I come in to the store. She works for a chip and cookie company and she can hook me up. And I'm wondering, if I were to call her, would I say "Hey! I'm that strange lady from the commissary with the 2 sets of twins. Remember me? Can we have some cookies?"
I made it out of the store and back home with enough food to survive the next week. Then I get to do it all again! I'm considering bringing all 6 kids next time just to see what happens. Ok, maybe not.
We've had a few rough days as we have adjusted to Jason being gone. But overall, the kids are holding up quite well! I ordered the boys some dog tags with Jason's picture on them and they've been wearing them everywhere. Then I used the same picture to create these dolls for the girls and the babies. It's just Jason's picture screen printed on some fabric which is cut out and backed with a pink (green for the babies) camo fabric. Voila- it's Daddy!The girls are sleeping with Daddy and carrying him around the house. They talk to him and play games with him. They cover him up with blankets when it's cold at night. I think I'm going to make one for myself. So Daddy can do the dishes and clean up toys. Maybe change a diaper or two. It's the least he could do, right?
