Mrs. Frazzled
"I don't know how you do it!"People often say this to me, usually after finding out I have six children. Well, I've decided to share how I do it.Warning: you may be seriously disappointed.I'll use our last week as my case study, but any week in my life would work. They are all pretty similar.We left on Saturday to meet Brian's family for an annual reunion. This time we were meeting in Wyoming. I did the usual prep work, including laundry, pet arrangements, finding luggage for everyone. Typical stuff.I had some of my older kids help the littles get packed." Bring jackets and swimsuits! Don't forget underwear and pajamas!"I'd yell out reminders as I remembered them myself. Everyone was packed, we loaded into the car, and drove to the airport.We park both cars (necessary since Landon and I had to come home a few days early for his band commitment) and get our bags out of the trunk."Where is my backpack?," Tucker asks.ARGH!We look in both cars. No backpack. There is no time to go home and get his bag, so we get onto the shuttle without it. We are going on a week-long vacation and Tucker has no clothes, pajamas, swimming suit, underwear, or toiletries. Whoops."I lost my luggage! I lost my luggage...I don't have my luggage!" He sobbed through the entire airport.Everyone tried to console him. He was not having it. He did bring his blankets and his Nintendo DS, so all was not lost. The kid has some priorities.We got settled the first night and I realized a few things. One, two additional kids did not bring a jacket. I didn't bring even one pair of pants. In a Texas summer, that's no big deal. A Wyoming summer is a different story. Brrrrrrr. Let's just say I was glad I brought my pajama pants.The day before I flew back home, Brian and I were talking. I laughingly mentioned how awful it would be to forget my car keys and have no way to get home from the airport. We both agreed it would be a disaster.The final day for us arrived, and we spent the day at Flaming Gorge. Landon and I were packed and ready to go home. In the early afternoon, we said our goodbyes and started driving back to SLC. About an hour later I got a message that my flight was delayed.Delayed and delayed.We finally landed at 11 pm. I texted Brian to let him know we were safe...and suddenly realized I had left my car keys in Wyoming. I had done it. Unbelievable! The very disaster I had joked about was now my reality. I texted Brian."Are you joking?"Nope.I was angry, and yet immediately so grateful for Uber. I called for a ride and got safely home about an hour later.Landon dropped me off at the airport on Saturday, and I met Brian and the rest of my kids. Then I got my keys back and drove one of my cars home.So now you know how I do it. Not well, friends. Not well.Perhaps, if you see me on a great day, and the whole family is clean and cute and ready to go, you can smile to yourself as you pass by...because you know the truth.
