The Circus and the Library Cards

In the words of our sweet Carli, today was totally WANDOM!!! *I hope she NEVER learns to say her R's.  I love hearing this!*

This morning, I went with my new friend, Sandie, to a Moms in Touch prayer group.  This was the most awesome group of women.  I spent way too much time talking about me and they spent way too much time listening.  Don't they know they have to STOP LISTENING before I hush? I should come with a warning label!!! We prayed for our school, teachers and our children.  It was such a blessing for me.  I cried and cried.  I felt so humbled to be invited to such an intimate gathering (only 4 of us) and they didn't even kick me out for crying!  WooHoo!  I felt so overwhelmed with God's love being there.  God has sent these women to me and literally THROWN them at me.  It hasn't been a secret that I didn't want to meet friends yet.  That was something I didn't think I was 'ready for.'  I left so many really strong friendships behind in OK that I couldn't let my heart love others so soon.....so I thought.  The hostess of our group had this precious little dog that LOVES lotion and bare legs.  Bahahaha!  So funny.  Guess who wore capri pants and lotion???  Yup...me....  That sweet little pooch went after my legs like a fresh soft serve ice cream cone!  She couldn't stay away.  It really made my day.  Every time I think about it, I get the giggles.  I've felt that way with chocolate before.  I could walk away just like she did and then the craving would be too much for me to handle!  I only speak the truth......

Shall we fast forward to my brain child idea of taking my circus to the library?  If you know me well, you know I plan EVERYTHING down to the detail. This is NOT always a good thing.  I went online to the Henrico County Library website several days ago.  I entered all of the information they requested for our library cards.  I thought this would be a HUGE step in the right direction when it came time to get the actual cards.  *It was not.*  While we drove to the library (about 4 miles) the kids fought over who's turn it was to tell me about the most awesome part of their day.  They talked over each other...they said ugly things to each other....  I wanted to park the car and walk away.  I wanted so badly to tell them that the best part of MY day was while they were at school because I was able to hear myself think!  **I refrained from letting them know this.  Their egos are fragile and they wouldn't have seen the humor that I saw.**  We pulled in to the library parking lot.  I gave them all a lecture about being respectful and kind to everyone and everything while we visited this beautiful place.  We discussed the fact that it would take a few minutes at the front desk for me to get the library cards.  We walked in to the most beautiful library I have ever seen!  The internet told me it has 53,000 square feet.  I believe it....and I fell in LOVE **maybe a little bit of lust** instantly!  The kids had gotten the message that you must be QUIET in the library.  This was awesome.  We step up to the counter with all the info the librarian needed to complete our requests.  I was ON TOP OF THINGS!  She....was not.  Ugh.  She was flustered and confused.  If you know me well....you know this is NOT a good thing for me.  I get flustered and confused too.  I talk about random things and laugh at the wrong times.  This didn't help anything!  I look over and my Carli is wiping her face back and forth across the fancy little glass thing on the counter.  I said...."Oh sweetheart, please don't do that." **this is my public voice for....what are you thinking???**   She says...."What?  I'm not licking it!!!"  **epic fail for Mommy of the year!**  She was all dressed up in half of her 'pirate' outfit from school.  This was a black leotard, red tights and a black and white pettiskirt tied up with a polka dot bow.....and don't forget the tall black boots! These women must have thought I had lost my mind!  I was beginning to wonder myself!  Kameron and Kylan found a display of WWII airplanes to look at.  I'm not sure there wasn't a little bit of glass case licking going on over there too.  By this time.....people are backing up.  The other librarians are trying to get 'confused librarian' to move over and let them handle our cards.  Finally, she gave up and let the 'not a bit nervous and upset' librarian handle things.  We are on our way......

We walk in to the 'children's area' and the 2 little kids almost fell over.  There were books, DVDs, CDs and other cool stuff everywhere.  They suddenly busted out in a total ADD moment and couldn't focus.  Kylan wanted Curious George books.  We had to look under the R's for Rey and he gathered up 3 books.  Then...he saw the movies....then he saw some other books.....  Carli has finally stopped drooling and finds a bunch of books.  They are carrying their plastic library cards, proudly....Oh wait!!...Looky....DVDs..... Kylan gets a bunch of movies that he has seen no less than 50 times on Netflix and is convinced it is a good idea to check them out.  Ummm...Ok...but do you know how hard it is for ALL of us to watch "All about Trucks" "All about John Deere" "All about Firetrucks"?????  Angelina Ballerina danced her way off the shelf and in to Carli's heart!  Guess what!!!  Their arms are tired and they can't carry the books.  They are much too heavy!  Enters Mommy:  AKA: Pack mule!

Kameron had a great time touching books.  He got a book and a movie.  Nothing more.  I love that kid!!! 

It's time to check out the books!  They have automated self check out!  WOW!  We scan Kylan's card....scan 4 books (at one time....how cool is that?) and it says DENIED!!!  Big red letters....DENIED!  I felt like an alarm was going to go off and the library police would enter at any time.  We try Carli's.....same thing.  We try MINE....same thing!  Kameron's.....ahhh...you get the point!  We go downstairs....Kylan drops a CD and the case comes all apart on the marble staircase.  LOTS of noise.  Oopsy!  Kameron thinks he might die from the embarrassment.  I think I might die because my nerves are SHOT!  We walk up to the librarian's counter and I ask about the 'sheet of paper' that explains how to download library books on our Kindles.  She was super kind, but I think the bulging eyes and raised eyebrows completely gave away my lack of sanity!  God bless her....she got me out of there quickly! 

We went back upstairs and informed the ladies at the front desk of our DENIED fiasco!  They had to re-enter all 4 cards several times to get them to work.  I wanted to run away....but they were so gracious and apologetic, I couldn't stand the thought of leaving them with the circus!  **What???  You thought I would take them with me......nope...no way...not at this point!** 

When we walked outside, I felt like I could breathe.  I was FREE.  I didn't have to bring the circus back to the library until it was time to return things in 2 weeks.  Then....I hear the approaching voice...Mam...Mam....can I talk to you??? Mam???  I turn around to see this precious little guy with a plaid backpack.  I can't image what he wants.  What did my circus do this time???  Did I have a hole in my pants???  He says....."I'm a massage therapy student and I'm looking for volunteers to come to our school and get massages for FREE.  Would you come to help me out?  I have to have a lot of massages logged before I can finish school."  I said...."Wait....did you see my limp?  Is that what happened?  My hubby is a chiropractor.  I know you must have seen my limp."  He said...."Well...yeah...kinda.  But will you come?"  I told him to give me his card and I would see if I could make it to his school for this said FREE massage.  He was too darned cute to let him down.  As I approach the van...it dawns on me....the biggest sign of needing a massage wasn't the limp I have from my knee surgery, but the THREE KIDS WITH ME!  Duh!  Head slap!!!  Of course, I'll come see you little guy with the plaid backpack!  I NEED a massage....and a margarita! 

We picked Kevin up at work and all 3 kids had to tell him about their day AT THE SAME TIME!!! I was almost to lose my mind!  I couldn't think....I couldn't breathe....I was fading fast.  I informed Kevin that it was after 6:00 and I had NOTHING planned for dinner.  We would have to grab something out or figure out how to thaw some meat in a HURRY when we got home.  Everyone voted on a hamburger place that they had heard was 'wonderful.'  This place was busy.  It was, obviously, where all the cool locals go for burgers.  It was bright...it was loud...it was busy....  I thought I might melt into a puddle in the floor.  We walked up to the counter to order.  The Daddy knows EXACTLY what HE will be eating....he orders....leaves me to help the kids decide.  **I'm secretly plotting his demise at this point.  Setting his alarm clock for 3am? Hiding the coffee???  He's going down....and I'm going to be the one to take him down.**  I step up with a smile painted on my face, bulging eyes (not sure they ever went down), raised eyebrows and a sickening sweet voice.  "I'm so sorry....this is our first time here....I'm a bit stressed."  The poor little guy behind the counter.....looking back at the huge line behind us....smiles nervously and says...."Oh...ok...that's fine."  We order...we pay...  The circus has found these HUGE boxes of peanuts and cute little bowls to put them in.  No circus is complete with out peanuts and a nutty Ringmaster....right??? They are on tip toes trying to reach.  I'm seeing the heads on the other side of the half wall and wondering if they will think it is 'funny' when that whole box of peanuts falls on their head.  Quick...somebody get me a coke...I'm going to find a chair....where are my new prayer friends???  Forget the school....pray for me!  I'm wrapped up in my own misery and I can't find a way out!

The ride home:  "Ok kids....when we get home...you go straight upstairs...get your showers...get your jammies...meet us on the couch."    Kameron tripped on the step front step....tore a hole in his good jeans and skinned his knee....blood...close to death....Carli has a melt down....Kylan remembers he DOES have a LITTLE homework after all...but it's just a book.....  Momma bear....."UPSTAIRS!!!  SHOWERS!!!!  JAMMIES!!!! THEN COUCH!!!" 

Gosh...it's so nice when they fall asleep on the couch.  They are so precious when they sleep!  I love that circus with every ounce of my heart.  Why do I lose my patience?  Why can't I just be the 'perfect Mommy?'  A well planned out meal would have been a really great idea.....it would have been better financially and I wouldn't have been worried about all the mishaps.....  Basically.....I had some wins and loses today.  I'm going to wake up tomorrow with a clean slate.  I'm going to try everything in my power to do better, but history shows.....I'm going to goof....  I think I'm going to decide to be 'ok' with that.  I am laying out my earmuffs right now.  What will those kids think when they get off the bus and see me wearing earmuffs???  Will the bus driver ask???  Do I care???  LALALALALA   I can't hear you!!!