These People

Chris left the house this morning. This is actually news because Chris almost never leaves the house, by himself, with me home, with all 3 children. Shocking, I know. So, Chris left to get the oil changed in the van, stop by Lowe's and pick up some chairs from his mother's house. I was determined to get the bathrooms cleaned this morning. So that is what I focused on. And the three children ran around like hoodlums...screaming, whining, carrying on like...well, like children whose mother is not focusing on them. At one point, while I was wiping the mirror in our bathroom, Chan came in holding up the chain to the ceiling fan in the spare room. "Um, Mama. Um, Quinn wanted to touch the light on the ceiling in the spare room, so Casey and I tried lifting him up (*understand they had to stand on the bed and lift him up*) to reach the light, but instead he just pulled off this chain. I think it might be broken."

Ok. Deep breath. Exhale. Count to 10. Perhaps count to 10 backwards as well.

"Chan. The lights are hot. They can burn you. You or your sister or your brother should never touch the lights. And you also shouldn't pick up brother while standing on a bed."

"So what do you want me to do with this broken chain?"

Ok. Deep breath. Exhale. Count to 10. Perhaps count to 10 backwards as well.

Chris called to let me know that he was on his way home. Praise God. I greeted him in the garage when he pulled in, clapping my hands and jumping up and down. Yes, it was a sight.

"What's wrong with you?" was his return greeting.

"These people are going to be the death of me."

" 'These people?' You mean the ones that you gave birth to?"

"Yes, those people."

"So the morning went well, then?"

"Absolutely."