Our Target venture

Yesterday morning was off to a blah start. Everyone, definitely including me, was feeling droopy and whiny. Brett left for the airport around 5 am, flying to south FL where is was 78 degrees and sunny to install a scientific instrument on a gigantic yacht. They are taking it out on a test spin today. No, I'm not in the least bit jealous. 

We also were down to one solitary diaper, which is never good, so I decided that an adventure was in order. We frequently call "going out" an adventure around here. We all were dressed and arrived at Target pretty early for us...a little after 9. I think that was big part of the reason this was a successful venture. Usually I want to get the house cleaned before we go out, then by the time we are out it is getting closer to lunch time and everyone is grumpy. *Note to future self*

Long (fairly uneventful) story short, I was able to browse in Target for nearly two hours with very few complaints from Nate and Evelyn. Tons of children's clothes were being clearanced so I was able to get some needed spring clothes for them marked way down!! 

The success and pleasure of this venture has filled me with hope that I may possibly survive going out with 3 children in the near future and renewed zeal for training my children to listen cheerfully when we are at home. 

It felt like God understood that I needed some encouragement and sent it to me when I didn't even know I needed it. We prayed on the way home, thanking Him for giving us all self-control and the ability to have a nice time together. I've been thinking recently about how to teach the children that. So often I correct them and tell them to pray for grace, but then when they are good I just praise them without reminding them that their "goodness" is only by grace and not in their own strength. I suppose this is difficult for me because I so rarely thank God for when He gives me grace!! Child training has a special way of making me face my own sin, for which I am thankful (in retrospect, usually not in the precise moment it is happening=). 

Anyway, I wanted to remember this good time that we had together, which means it must be solemnly recorded. Otherwise I will most surely forget it, as I consistently forget essential facts like my children's birthdates and the names of commonplace household items...."Please bring me that...red thing...the one by your feet...oh yes, the spatula!" I am not sure that my brain will ever be the same again, but at least my forgetfulness makes for some good laughs!!