The Writing Mom on the Farm, Part II

Sometimes we experience frustrating and upsetting things (uh, duh, that's how life is here). But it's encouraging to look over some of my experiences and laugh at my misfortune. I'm definitely realizing how fast time passes by. My babies are growing up. My son is preparing for kindergarten next year. My life right now is organized chaos--much like my house--but it's full of love.

This experience on the "farm" has been less exciting, but I can actually tell you how grateful I am for a calm, typical day. The cow has been content--not trying to charge his electric fence, beat Daisy to her food, or mooing at me all day. Daisy Dog is actually the cow's faithful companion. She lies in the grass next to the cow and barks at anything that comes near them.

Our first afternoon at the farm, I had mixed feelings. It was a beautiful day, and I wanted to enjoy being outside on 12 acres of land with temperatures in the 60s. BUT...I desperately wanted time to write. The genius I am left my computer cord at my parents' house all weekend, so I had to live with a dead computer. Finally, I plugged in that computer and pulled out my handwritten notes to type up my new first few paragraphs. 

I put on the twins' favorite movie--The Little Mermaid--and hunkered down. It didn't last. Ella climbed up on a chair next to the kitchen counter and tried to play with Grandma's fragile chicken figurines. Adelyn--always into trouble--tried to pass the chair I used to block the stairs. Eventually, I finished, but doubts flooded me. First, guilt over my frustration with the twins. Second, wondering if I should've spent more time editing the first chapter. And then finally, I had the same thought I'm sure all writers have, "Is my writing really good enough?"

The best way to deal with these emotions is to round up all the kiddos and challenge them to tackle/tag football. It was brilliant fun. We shed our shoes and jackets. Together, we raced along the green grass, tackling/tagging each other, reaching for the bouncing football, and giggling. When the game wore us out, we walked to the back yard and played in the sandbox and on the swings.

Today, I decided to be bold and try the grocery store with all three kids and no stroller. Having listened to my sister--Kristi--and learned from my previous horrible experience, I searched for the blessed double shopping cart and found it.

They even look happy. Our only issue was the timing of our trip--lunch time. After halfway through our shopping trip, I ripped open a box of fruit snacks and fed the hungry dragon, sitting up in the cart. The other two enjoyed the ride. The only "excitement" we experienced was Ella screaming. I didn't even change my tone. "Screaming won't change my mind." :)

I'm looking forward to tonight--a fire in a real fireplace. It's a nice reminder: no matter how crazy my life gets, it's the little things that make me smile. An uneventful grocery trip and dog/cow sitting. My kids believing me when I say screaming won't change my mind. And running around barefoot on 12 acres of green grass in 50/60 degree weather in the middle of November. :)

Tell me--what are the little things that make you smile?

Voting...with twin 2yos

Disclaimer: There is no mention of political parties or those running in the 2014-2015 election.

Today is voting day. Of course, I planned to take advantage of my right to vote. The only problem was I had the twins with me.

I checked the weather first. RAIN. Oh, joy! But thankfully, it had settled to light drizzle when I reached the church--my voting location. I sat in the parking lot for a minute or so, preparing myself for the ordeal. I'll strap both girls in the stroller. No problem, right?

WRONG. But I'll get there.

I wheeled them over to the front door. The first thing I saw were stairs. I suppressed a groan. I was NOT in the mood to carry them down the stairs into the basement. But instead I faced a blessing--a sign pointing down the steep ramp, stating, "Wheelchair Entrance." I was so relieved I actually smiled, as I pushed them briskly down the ramp. I reached an old, metal door, propped open with a stick.

Now, I'm actually a pro now at pushing the double-long stroller through a single door. I have these long, lanky arms that can stretch over the stroller, push the door open, hold it open long enough for my stroller to fit through. Easy peasy. After all, I am Elastigirl (haha. I wish.).

Thankfully, this was no different. But it was strange. I was in a dim-lit hallway. Stairs to my left (Haha. No, thank you.), and a hallway to my right. I followed the hallway around until it ended in a large room. The section of the room where I entered had no lights on, but I could see lights at the other end. I passed children's toys shoved against the wall. Ending up at the voting stations, I searched for the sign-in station, which was (of course) on the other end, near the original stairs.

After I wheeled past the judges and random tables set up, I reached the end of the line--which contained only two people. I breathed a sigh of relief, because there weren't many people to distract or any waiting time. "This is gonna be easy," I thought.

Ha. Ha. Ha. Yeeeeah, no. No, it wasn't.

I parked the twins across from my voting station and got straight to work. I glanced up after a few seconds, just to check on them. That's when I saw her. Ella.

She had slithered her short legs out of the straps and crawled out of the stroller. She stood next to the stroller, staring at me and waiting for me to react. As soon as I opened my mouth, she ducked her head and started hopping/skipping around. I coaxed her over to me and sat her on a chair right next to my voting station (why was there a chair there? no idea). I told her to stay and returned to my voting. I scanned names quickly and pressed buttons. I looked up again. She was gone. I scanned the room. No sign of her.

Now, she's the one who actually returns when I call her name...well, usually. The past two weeks, she's been testing me. But I convinced myself it would work. I refused to give into my fear, and I had no idea if I was actually allowed to leave my voting station. "Ella. Come. Here. Now," I ordered. When I started counting, I caught sight of her. She was greeting the voter at the end of the stations. I sucked in my breath. My cheeks flared red. I mouthed my apology, but the voter simply ignored me and smiled at Ella, gesturing to me. She came hopping right away, the voter chuckling behind her. I scooped her up, planting her on my hip, while I finished voting.

Then I put her back in the stroller--not wasting time to strap her in--and hustled to the dark corner of the room where I had emerged. But before I could escape, the gentleman at the sign-in table called after me, "Have a good day."

I didn't answer, but I did turn around and give him a wave.

Sigh. That could've gone better. But then again, it could've been worse.

I'm hoping next year my girls will be in daycare/preschool, and I can have an uneventful voting experience. Any others out there have an eventful experience? I'd love to hear from you. :)