Today is an historic day. As Regina marked on the calender, it is the first Hot Chocolate of the season!
While true, the above wasn't really the event that will go down in history, just the reward for good behavior in less than ideal circumstances.
Today we ( the younger seven and I, no large, male helpers today!) bundled up and headed out to a Sarah Palin rally. We got out the winter coats and leggings. We thought it would be chilly. It wasn't, it was cold! Fortunately, we found a parking spot big enough for my big van, only a couple of blocks away. That became more important when we were making our exit. Somehow, the fact that it was going to rain didn't make the Accuweather site this morning!
When we approached the security entrance, we saw that the line extended WAY down the road opposite of the way we came. I was surveying the situation when a very kind police officer asked me "Are these (kids) all yours?" I said "yes" and he said "You get in line right here." One of those great moments I am so thankful for my little troop! So we got in quickly, water bottles and all. Even Jessica the baby doll was allowed in!
We wandered a little trying to catch a glimpse of where Sarah would be standing. One spot we picked would have given us a straight view of her, the kids standing on the stroller of course, until a grown man decided to stand on a bench a few rows ahead of us. Can you say "Down in front!"? Anyway, we wandered some more and picked out an even better spot for viewing the microphone. I would still need to help the kids up to see, but it was good enough. Behind us was a large screen that was showing the rally, so for the most part, we just watched the screen.
The kids had room to bounce around trying to keep warm. We danced to the music, although the selection was horrible. Katherine and I agreed that they really blew it by not playing patriotic music. Maybe a little Lee Greenwood, Alan Jackson, etc. Clare sat huddled under a blanket in the stroller. Timmy was freezing, even in my coat. The other girls dealt with the cold and seemed genuinely interested in what was being said. At one point, I had Augustine on my back in the Ergo, and Teresa was wearing her backpack/leash. She was cold and tired and kept dropping her PopTarts, after licking the frosting off at least! After a while, I had Teresa on my back and Augustine in my arms and thoughts in my head like "Aren't I a great mom for bringing these kids out here when I really just wanted to sit home and sip coffee?!"
Sarah finally arrived about an hour into the rally. All the kids got to see her. And for those of you who care (Court even asked me this on the phone!): No, I didn't get to see her boots! LOL! It was fun to see her in person. Her "First Dude" was there, too. But right after she started speaking, the wind started blowing, then the drizzle started. Soon, it was really raining. Teresa was crying, Augustine was crying. Supermom's back was starting to hurt and I declared "We're done." I thought maybe at least one child would object. No one did. After all, we got what we came for, to see Sarah, although I did want to buy some souveniers and campaign stuff. We know what Sarah stands for, we didn't need to stand in the rain to hear it. And with this weather, we were pretty sure little Trig wasn't going to be making an appearance.
So, we trekked back, uphill, through the now pouring rain to the music of my babies crying in the stroller under the blanket. Home we came, for some Hot Chocolate and a few episodes of Bewitched. It was a good day.
Tonight we begin our novena for the last days of this campaign. May God bless America and guide her as she chooses the next president. And God help us if Obama wins.