Random Acts of Kindness

I had to go to Michael's today.
And Target.
And I had a S-p-L-i-T-t-I-n-G headache, from the moment I woke up.

As everyone who's ever had a headache knows, in the midst of the pounding, all sounds, lights, etc. seem AMPLIFIED, which is not helpful when you have three 3 year olds.

The kids were okay in Michael's....not great, but not their worst. Mary and Brinley were there, so it was fun for them, regardless. Through squinting eyes, I tried my best to find what we needed and get out of there.

Mary made pretty much the best suggestion EVER as we headed out, "Go through the Starbucks Drive-thru and get yourself a Chai Tea." Say no more, that's music to my ears."

So I did.

A Venti. AND it was FREE because I had a reward on my phone. (Free chai tastes even better). I took a sip and saved the rest for my impending stroll through Target.

As luck would have it {insert sarcasm here} the boys were already screaming at each other for SOMETHING as we got into our cart. I clipped my plastic cup holder to the cart and placed my Chai Tea in it and we headed inside to get the kids lunch in the snack area. As we pulled around the railing to go through the snack line, Colton, while screaming at Ethan, (from inside the cart) grabbed on to the counter and PULLED the cart forward, which in turn SNAPPED the cup holder completely off the cart, landing on the floor in a full, Venti-sized puddle.

Now, I hate to sound so shallow, like I was as upset about a spilled chai as I was, but I was seriously at my wit's end. (Which doesn't happen often.) And really, the puddle of chai more represented my mood, my headache, my short patience. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as I asked a kind Target employee for something to clean up the mess.

I apologized profusely to the two girls who came to clean it up, and both of them assured me "It's no problem, it happens all the time." "I know," I said, "But still, I'm so sorry."

Then one of them, noting the color of the puddle, asked me, "Was that a Starbucks?"

"Yes," I said, "It was. But it's okay."

"Can we get you another one?" they asked.

"No, I didn't buy it here, it's okay."

"Are you sure?" they asked again.

"Yes, I'm sure. Thank you for offering, but it's fine."

And then I proceeded to order lunch for the kids and during that ordeal, Colton smashed Ethan's head between the counter and the cart which led to insane amounts of screaming. To say that I was frustrated would be a severe understatement.

I contemplated just taking them straight back out to the car, but I really needed stuff from Target for Thanksgiving at my mom's house later that afternoon, and I was hoping against hope that food in their bellies would help calm and quiet them.

So we sat at the corner table in the food area and I honestly just sat and tried to ignore their fighting and fought back tears.

No more than 5 minutes into their eating, one of the regular baristas walks over and sets a Chai Tea, perfectly made, on my table. I looked up at her and with full tears, smiled and said, "You did not have to do that." And she just said, "We know."

Random Acts of Kindness really can make someone's day.

I took out a napkin and a sharpie from my purse and wrote them a little thank you note, letting them know how with one random act of kindness, they had made my day. I gave it to Hunter to bring to the girls..

And then we were on our way. I will absolutely pay it forward...

(Wondering how they knew my drink?....Maybe I go to Target a bit much....)
But I'll tell you what...customer service at MY Target was pretty great today.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving. May a small gesture of kindness brighten your day.

Oh Christmas Trees, Oh Christmas Trees...

Yes, I said it-TREES. Plural, cuz that's what we saw. Lots and lots of Christmas Trees. Okay, so for several years now, we have had a "fake" tree. For several reasons really, this is quite beneficial...The kids can't really destroy it, it's much cleaner than a real tree, you don't have to water it or worry about the dog drinking all the tree water, etc. Furthermore, it makes even more sense this year because of the 3 little people who I venture to guess would be very interested in "tasting" pine needles if they existed in our house.

But luckily, Mary and my mom still get real trees. It's the experience of going and finding the "perfect tree" that I just love! For the past I don't know how many years, we've gotten our trees at Camino Seco and Broadway at the Dutchman Tree Lot. It is owned and run by family members of a guy on Brian's Squad. Everyone working there is super friendly and helpful! Go support their family business and get your trees from them! (Furthermore, if you do, ask for the Donation Box. We're collecting donations for a very special little girl (and friend) who happens to be the same age as the Bunchkins. Her family recently learned that she has cancer and as you might imagine, any donation, in any amount, will help her down this road.

So here we are...looking for 'THE PERFECT TREE.' I frankly didn't find the perfect tree. I found the perfect TREES. 3 of them, in fact! Are they not the cutest things ever? But for the fact that I had NO idea where we'd put three trees, they were SO gonna be comin home with me...*sigh*. Another year.

The kids had a great time running up and down the rows of trees peeking through, looking for faces they know...Gramma, Aunt Mary, Uncle Emilio, Me, Brian or their siblings. Good game.

After we found the perfect trees for my mom and Mary and Emilio, we went to Starbucks for Coffee, Chai Tea and 3 adorable little hot chocolates! What a fun new tradition!

"We want coffee. We want coffee."

Like mother, like daughter

Clearly we stayed too late. Ethan had to lock up the Starbucks for them.

Wishing you all a happy-so-far holiday season!

Our First Trip to TARGET!

Ok, so today my mom and I decided to be adventurous and briefly take the babies to TARGET to get a few things we needed! I tried to explain to the babies in the car that TARGET is one of the happiest places on earth. Judging by the fact that they only barely opened their eyes, I'm not sure they'll remember just how wonderful it was...

In the parking lot, making sure we can fit three carseats into shopping carts!

We fit! We fit! Here we go babies!

Getting ready for the happiest place on earth...(after Disneyland)

Here's Gramma!

It only made sense that we would run into the Corbelli's! Jen, Emma and Noah! It wouldn't be a trip to TARGET if they weren't there!

In one cart is Hunter and Ethan...

In the other cart...Colton!

Bringing the babies to the baby aisles!

Bringing the babies to the adult aisles! As all good mothers do, I'm sure, I picked out a wine for Hunter! It's called the Middle Sister! How appropriate!

Colton was trying on sunglasses for the summer!

Proof that he was awake for a second on his big trip!

Going to Starbucks IN Target!

THE END!

My first Mother's Day!

Wow! What a strange feeling to celebrate Mother's Day...as a Mother! Definitely a day I do NOT take for granted! It was one of those days where I periodically stop myself and look at Brian and say, "Wow. We have 3 babies. We have a daughter. And two sons. I'm a mom. You're a dad!" As real as our lives are, we definitely have those moments of disbelief! But above all, such appreciation for the little people who now depend on us. What a gift they are...so to celebrate our first Mother's Day, we decided to really go out on a limb...

Call us crazy, but we decided to try taking the babies to Starbucks and church for the first time! And WE DID IT! That is our routine. Brian and I always go to Starbucks, get our coffee and chai tea and then head to church! So, for the entire pregnancy the same servers at Starbucks have been following our progress. Well, today, Brian went in to get our drinks while the babies and I waited in the car. Before I knew it, I see one of the servers come running up to the car with my drink. "Can I see them? Can I see them?" They were all so funny! They took turns coming out to meet the babies! Gotta love the neighborhood Starbucks!



Our first trip to Starbucks...OUT of mom's belly! This is the one by TARGET on Harrison and 22nd street
From there, we made it to church...Never mind that we practically take up our own row now, but there we were! From left to right it went, Car Seat with Hunter, Brian, Car Seat with Colton, Me, Car Seat with Ethan, Aunt Mary, Uncle Emilio! What a group! We got there so early (we left ourselves plenty of time in case we needed to abrubtly rethink our decision...) that we had time to talk to Pastor Glenn, another woman who is an amazing singer/worship leader Lisa, and plenty of other passer-bys! Well, as the service began, Lisa stood up at the microphone to welcome everyone and says, "Welcome and happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Especially the mother of the 7 week old triplets in the back there! I don't know how you're doin' it!" So already, we've become quite the obnoxious spectacle! But that's ok! It was fun to see lots of our friends at church!

And here we are at church. Notice we are in the back row. Close to the door. Easy to make a getaway if need be. :)

Some of our friends who came over to visit after church....The Chumblers (Heather you look so cute, you make me want to be pregnant again.) BUT I DON'T NEED MORE BABIES! Dan and Renae Davis, Matt and Karen Kershner and the Riehls!

Hunter and "Auntie Renae"

Then we headed to MY mom and dad's house for a barbecue! It was a wonderful day!

Gramma Russo holding Ethan. She was very distraught over the fact that he had hiccups and she could not help him get over them! It's so neat that she is still alive (99 years and counting...) so she could get to know these great grandchildren!

My dad grilling chicken...Piper helping :)

Me and Dad

This is my Dad and Colton...when Mary and I were babies, he would hold us in this same position, a place we affectionately refer to as "Heavenly Haven." I love it that my kids now get to cuddle there!