Ok, so today I did my grocery shopping. Now I have to say that it has been weeks since I did a full blown shopping trip. I've picked up things here and there, but now we were pretty much out of everything. My cart was completely overloaded with boxes of cereal, gallons of milk, potato chips, diet soda, fudge pops, toaster waffles, shampoo, and toilet paper. I should add that I also bought yogurt, cottage cheese, bananas, and salad fixings so it wasn't all junk food. I should have been grateful that I was able to purchase all that we "needed" without worrying so much about the cost...but that's not what I was most grateful for. I was grateful that I was able to go shopping without the children.
Today is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so the kids were off school. My mother-in-law was gracious enough to keep the kids during her day off, as both Tim and I had to work. So just before 3:00 when I got off work, I called and asked if she could keep them just a little bit longer so I could go shopping. She said that was completely fine, and so off to the store I went. Not many people would consider grocery shopping on a busy afternoon a peaceful activity, but to a busy mom it can be. I listened to the music I wanted to in the car as I drove across town. I wandered the aisles quietly without anyone begging for candy or treats that I was not planning to purchase. I stood patiently in the checkout line not worrying about whether or not the kids were bumping into other people's shopping carts. And then I listened to my music again as I drove back across town to collect my children. I was able to spend about an hour and a half with just myself. I was able to let my mind wander. I was able to sing loudly in the minivan without embarrassing anyone but myself. I was able to regroup and refocus myself so I could give my children the attention they deserved when we got back home. I love my kids. They are sweet, and intelligent, and fun. But an afternoon without them can be so wonderful.
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