It's the little things....

And I don't mean the kiddos. I was just pondering this topic this morning as I ran about my house trying to organize the chaos and the kids for a "quick" trip to the bank and the grocery store. I have to repeat myself at least 4 times (one for each of the kids) where we are going and why, and if they give me any trouble while we're out.....etc. And so I am reminding (ok, yelling at) them time and again that they are supposed to be getting dressed, making their beds (with pj's in them, so we know where they are tonight) and brushing their teeth, NOT swatting each other with pj shirts and running around the house naked, or snatching the other's clothes and running around, causing the other to run after them, buck naked.....
Finally, we are getting in the car, and I buckle DD#3 in, and DD#1 begins to whine about this and that, and I shut the car door. Nothing. No sound. No whining or screaming. Just the hum of the car and the air-conditioning. AHHHH, I take a deep breath, and saunter slowly around to the other side and reluctantly open the driver-side door. And then it hits me that this is all I needed. Just a 20 second respite from the constant barrage. My friend, Lisa,(who is expecting #6 Yay!) says that her daily trips out to their garage freezer gives her the breather that she needs. And we both try to have a mandatory rest time, simply so that we can recharge our own batteries by praying or reading or anything...but as long as we don't have to be "engaged". (I use this term when the kids need to be disciplined or dealt with in any way.)
Of course, we love our kids dearly, and wouldn't have our lives any other way. But, it's nice to lock the bathroom door every once in awhile just to ensure that little bit of time alone. Just every once in awhile...b/c these days won't last forever.