Day 184.

My dear friend Megan wrote a post yesterday on her blog that meant a lot to me. It reminded me of the person I hope I become once I'm "out of the trenches." And honestly, I kind of hope I'm that type of person right now. Today, I had a chance to be that person in a small way at the grocery store, where I ventured alone this afternoon. Did you hear that - ALONE?! What heaven!

I am grateful for solitary grocery shopping.

It's hard to grocery shop with kids. One kid, two kids, or especially three kids (yes, Megan, you rock). My usual method is to have Noah in the front in the seat intended for children, then Dylan rides in the back, where I proceed to pile her high with groceries so that she can eventually no longer move any of her limbs. It's a good plan - until she wants to get out 7/8 of the way through the shopping. I usually bring a lot of snacks, water, and possibly even a small toy or two to keep throwing at them while I get down to business.

I'm not a fast shopper - I organize my list before I go, and still, I forget things down about every aisle. So, I return to aisle 2, maybe even 3 or 4 more times, frustrated by each repeat journey. But, eventually I get everything, and I check out, where I always pick the slowest line.

Today, I'm now convinced the WORST day to go grocery shopping in the entire calendar year, I was alone. So, even amidst the chaos that was the South Loop Jewel/Osco, it was somewhat divine. Winding around other carts, through aisles, and past strollers, I had to stop and remember that I was childless. And so I made sure to glance lovingly at each random mommy with screaming/crying child in tow. And realize someday, this will be the norm for me. For better or for worse.