i decide to take the boxes i’ve been stashing outside to a burn pile for my honey to burn when he gets home – so as to make room for the rest of our trash (yes, we are a family that large now). i recruit all 3 of my largest helpers and we get them in place. and it begins to rain. and sweet pea starts to cry because he’s hungry. hmm. decision time. bring the boxes back in? are you kidding me? let them turn into a wet unburnable mush? uh, no. so, i decide to burn them myself. right then. and sweet pea? where’s he? strapped onto me, of course. i break the news to the oldest 3 and they squeal with delight, “fire!” so we do. and as i keep 3 small children from a fire (have you ever tried this? it’s harder than you’d think) i attempt to keep sweet pea convinced that no, he’s really not hungry.
and out from the bushes walks daisy with something in her mouth. (can i remind everyone that this is the animal that i wanted to leave in the last move to fend for herself?) the something is a rabbit. oh! another science lesson! yea! “look kiddos, look what daisy is carrying. she’s been hunting. look.” and she brings it closer to the them so they can see it so much better. and then i realize she’s getting closer to the open back door and i am standing by a roaring fire with a baby attached to me. and i start sprinting. and daisy dashes. in. to. the. house. and i’m in hot pursuit. and daisy realizes this and drops. the. bunny.
and now i have a crying hungry baby attached to me, hysterical now because i’m yelling. and 3 small children squealing and giggling. and a fire outside unattended. and a mad cat. and a bunny running loose in my house.
and i remember a post from someone wise a few days ago. something about laughing. and handling the imminent danger first. and the peace that will inevitably follow within about 15 minutes.
and i laugh.
