While making an unplanned trip to Target a couple of weeks ago, I was forced to take all three kids with me. Usually, I am not brave enough to battle public perception with all three little ones in tow, because unlike other people's children, mine see the red Target sign, and the giant red cement balls out in front of the store, and they take that as their cue to run around like crazy maniacs. They grab at anything and everything within arms reach, request the purchase of completely unnecessary items ("I know that I have never had 'Hello Kitty' lipstick, mommy, but I REALLY NEED IT!"), and always believe that their terrible behavior warrants a hot chocolate from Starbucks promptly upon exit. This, in addition to the fact that with all of them in the cart (littlest still in the infant carrier), I am unable to purchase anything other than a small box of cereal, which makes the visit to the store completely counterproductive to its purpose.
As a side bar, in most instances while running errands, my husband and I will check out our children like library books ("I will take the oldest with me now, and then I will take the two younger ones with me this afternoon"), because him and I agree that being alone with all three of them by yourself can be overwhelming. With two parents to three kids, we can sub each other in if necessary. But playing iron man with our three kids, ages four and under, can be exhausting at best. However, because we were in desperate need of a baby monitor for my littlest that we are transitioning into the crib, and a few grocery necessities, I found myself brave enough to battle the red bull's eye solo with my brood.
When we pulled into the parking lot, I chose the spot as close to a cart return as possible. My hope was that DHS wouldn't be called for parental abandonment as I left the kids in the car, in order to track down a cart, so we could all four make it safely into the store. Luckily, a woman was leaving close by where I parked, she saw my panic (mothers can sense fear in other mothers), and she sweetly gave me the cart she was using with a look of sympathy on her face.
As we got everyone into the store, my daughter noticed the 8 foot giant family cart behind a pile of normal carts, and requested we use it so she could have a place to sit. Although I really hate the 8 foot giant family cart, I thought it was probably the only way I would be able to: 1) keep track of all my children, 2) keep them from grabbing random things off of shelves and sneaking them into the cart only be found at checkout, 3) have room to actually buy more than one item. So as a necessary evil, I began the process of getting everyone their place in the 8 foot giant family cart.
It was at that time that a random stranger noticed me struggling to get the older two strapped in, and offered to lug the baby (infant seat and all) into the empty cart area. After sort of chuckling, he said to me, "[W]ow, you really have your hands full ... and ... your cart." I laughed back, and made some sort of joke about how my kids and I always know how to make a grand entrance, and promptly thanked him for his help. However, after he walked off, and I was able to step back for a second and re-group, it was at that time I realized exactly what he had said.
Yes, my cart was indeed full. ... And even though my shopping adventure hadn't even begun, and I had yet to purchase one single item, I realized at that moment that my cart had everything I could ever possibly want and/or need. It was filled with items that money can't buy like love, laughter, and three of the most amazing (yet at times mischievous) blessings that God has ever given me. And, for the first time, I was grateful for my need to use the 8 foot giant family cart (for which I have grown a love/hate relationship).
Now, did we have a completely uneventful trip? Were my children the well behaved angels that in my perfect world they should be, where no tantrums are thrown, and no items are secretly tossed into the cart? ... Not by a LONG SHOT. ... In fact, some highlights of the trip included my oldest becoming hysterical because I wouldn't let her buy a 'Sofia the First' camping canteen ("But Mommy, I NEED IT!"), the baby getting upset (and rightfully so) because one of the older siblings threw a bag of frozen veggies on her head, and my son leaving a spill trail of his "reward for not so wonderful behavior" hot chocolate from the Starbucks counter to the exit (of which I had to assist the Target greeter in cleaning up prior to leaving the store).
However, as I finally made my way to the car, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace at that moment. Because after looking at my kids giant hot chocolate mustaches, and their smiling faces, I was again reminded of what the friendly stranger had pointed out. .... My cart is FULL!
