Dirty Looks

Okay.

Last month we had a showing of Come What May in Gresham, at Dave's aunt's church. While driving there in almost 100 degree heat, I began to smell something really stinky.

Suddenly the cold, refreshing air that was blasting out of the air conditioner turned to foul, warm air! Ummmm, I don't know anything about cars, but I'm fairly certain that a) if there's a foul smell, and b) if cold air was blowing out and it turns hot, then c) there's something wrong.

So we proceeded to drive down the freeway with all of the windows open! At least, all the windows were open that COULD open, for alas, the passenger side window is broken.

Anyway, we got home and made arrangements the next day to have our van looked at by the repair shop.

We knew it was bad when we called to ask about what was wrong, when they said:

"The mechanic will talk to you when you get here."

Yep. The A/C went out on the van, to the tune of almost $1100.

But that's not what this post is about.

Last week we took the van into the shop and we had it fixed. I decided that the kids and I, when it was ready to pick up, would walk there to get it. It isn't a far walk to our repair shop, it was a beautiful day, and we were up for the journey.

I popped the baby in the verymuchloved Ergo, put Sofia and Kellie in the wagon, and off we went, into the wild blue yonder.

We had a splendid walk. The kids remained in great spirits and it was quite the good exercise for me. Incidentally, did you know that if you walk briskly while pushing a stroller, you burn between 15-20% more calories than regular walking? Hmm, I wonder how many calories baby wearing burns? Lucie fell asleep halfway there and like I said, it was a sunny, beautiful day.

However, the most memorable thing about our walk was not a new thing. It certainly wasn't an unfamiliar thing, at least for our family.......

The Dirty Looks.

We got so many nasty looks, so many shaking heads, and so many shocked faces from passing motorists. One lady actually stared at me with such a look of disgust on her face, she actually made me laugh.....

Actually, they all make me laugh. Laughter used to not be my response of choice to those types of people. I like to think that I've grown up.

And oh, how I wish I had had a camera that day!

I could just read all of those people's minds:

"WHO is that crazy woman with all of those snot nosed, dirty brats? She must be on welfare, or maybe it's a daycare. What a total freak she is! She's a total lunatic! Doesn't she KNOW how THAT happens? Ugh, I just hate people like that"

And you know what?

I actually felt sorry for those people that day. When my kids asked me why they were staring at us, I told them it was because they were jealous because we were having so much fun, and they were just dying to have as much fun as we were.

I meant that.

I used to get a lot more dirty looks and rude comments, but I decided a long time ago to minimize stress in my life, so I eliminated from our travels the places in which all of those things took place.

And you know what? I couldn't care less if they think I'm crazy. I don't give a rat's patooty if they hate me. I don't care what they think of me. I'm doing God's will for my life. By His grace, He has allowed me to have this wonderful brood of lots of kids. And we are going to walk around this town and any other town with our heads held high and a smile on our face.

And for the record, yes, I DO know how "that" happens.......

And it sure is fun!!!!!