Great Expectations

Can you believe it? Having 6 kids under age 9 is stressful! Who would have ever thought?

In the midst of the chaos, it helps to have something to look forward to. I found a church in town that has a parents night out ministry. One night a month, all ages, planned activities and run by Tech students. Oh, and affordable...there is a cap of $15 per family, it couldn't be more perfect!

Two weeks, I have been counting on this for two weeks. We are dressed and ready to walk out the door. Albert sends the older girls out to clean up their mess in the back yard, he tells them to meet us at the van around front and locks the back door...frantic knocking...

You wouldn't believe it could happen so quickly but our girls are gifted! Dee was swinging a broken broom handle...(they swing everything, I am constantly telling them not to swing purses, bags, etc...why don't they just listen?!)...and slices open Nana's right hand! Albert opens the door and the girls are frantic, Nana is crying, Albert tells her to quit crying, she is fine. He goes to put a band aid on it, just a small scratch...then he turns her hand over...it is bleeding profusely.
At this point, being supermom, I quickly assure her she is going to be fine, that we need to go to the clinic to have the doctor look at it, no big deal...right? NO, I am furious. Two weeks, I have been counting on this night out for two weeks!!!

Moving on...we get to the clinic (we make big sister come along so she can see the affecs of her actions) and as I walk in the clinic, 2 blocks from the house thank goodness, the girls at the front desk say, "You just can't stay away can you?" Now, when they know you on sight, you have been there too often! We finally see the doctor and it is the same one who took care of the baby boy on two previous occasions, I cannot imagine what he must think!

An hour and a half later, we go to drop the kids off at parents night out. Wow, they have a college intern who is amazing! All of the girls up there are wonderful! Baby girl did not even cry! Talk about miracles! And a wealth of willing babysitters!

Now to land this plane...we missed the movie, but had a wonderful dinner, just the two of us. We laughed and relaxed for the first time in quite a while. Obviously God has quite a sense of humor. My high hopes for a night out were almost dashed, but in the aftermath, we found a treasure trove of hope and good wishes.

Oh...afterwards the girls just raved and raved on our kids? What is that all about?