Airing Dirty Laundry

Last week, Challi and I decided to throw caution to the wind and take our collective three children on a 6 hour road trip. Did I mention that those three children are ages 2 and younger? Fun times in the car. But, we have done it before and will do it again because when we have a goal in mind, we'll stop at nothing to reach it.

Especially when that goal is getting to our parents' house, or as we like to call it, Resort De Grandparents. Chal and I spend blissful days of sleeping in, seeing movies, shopping, getting much needed haircuts and massages, and other wonderful endeavors that require babysitters who enjoy our kids as much as our kids enjoy them.

It is a win-win situation for everyone.

We've often joked that when the grandkids are around, Lolli suddenly loses the desire to eat or sleep, for fear she may miss out on some precious time with them. And Pops begins to lose his mind, throwing money around and saying yes to any and everything. Well, everything minus changing dirty diapers and Park's creative finger painting on his wall, that is.

There is something so precious about watching the joy your children bring to your parents and vice versa. And there is something equally as precious about watching that scene unfold from your rearview mirror as you and sister peel out for some getaway time.

As usual, many precious memories were made on this trip. And as much a I would love to share about the church's Fall festival, the playgrounds we visited, or the play dough we made, I feel like it would be a disservice to everyone if I did not use this opportunity to relay Challi's embarrassing moment.

What's a little sister for, right?

So, Chal and I loaded up the oldest boys in the double stroller for a walk in the neighborhood one evening. Shortly thereafter, a truck pulled up beside us. There was a young man driving and a man in the passenger seat, as well.

"Excuse me ladies. Can I ask y'all a quick question," the driver said, and without waiting for a response, he continued with , "Do you ladies like to eat?"

Now about this time, I noticed the deep freeze in the back of their fiery red pick-up truck and realized we were about to get a spiel on why we should buy their frozen meat. As I braced myself for the lengthy roadside presentation we had unfortunately stumbled upon, my sister was preparing to embarrass herself.

"We are actually in town visiting family and besides that, we are happily married. Thank you for understanding," Challi tells the driver, in her charming It's Hard For Me To Hurt Someone's Feelings Southern accent.

I see the men exchange confused glances with one another and suddenly they both smile, as if to say, "Surely she did not think we could possibly be interested in them." Hardly able to contain their laughter, they muttered a brief, "Thank you for your time," before speeding away.

Somehow, she had misinterpreted their feeble attempt to interest us in buying raw meat as an attempt to lure us out on a dinner date. Double stroller, and all. I burned more calories laughing than I ever could have walking.

Challi took it all in stride, seeing as she is no stranger to embarrassing situations, and all. Several months ago, while pregnant with her youngest son, Kage, we were at a children's shoe store. The sweet young girl helping us was making conversation and asking about Challi's due date. The two exchanged pleasantries and discussed various pregnancy topics before Challi proceeded to ask about the girl's due date.

Now, I kid you not, this girl was no where close to being overweight. In fact, she had a very shapely figure and flat little stomach. You could see the look of bewilderment in this girl's eyes as she looked back to see if there was possibly someone else Challi could be talking to that was standing behind her.

No such luck.

After finally realizing she was indeed NOT pregnant, Challi fumbles out some type of apology and we promptly exit the store. Somehow in her mind, sister thought the girl had said something about not being too far along. We blamed it on pregnancy brain, but now I'm not so sure.

At least my sister has given me plenty to laugh about while I'm unpacking suitcases and doing laundry.

Goodbye Resort de Grandparents and hello Casa de Reality.