A Tanner Morning

It is a windy, cool day outside today. Bundling the kids took a few extra minutes to get them all ready. By the time you had the last one dressed and ready to go, the first one is complaining that he's hot. The new puppy is crying in the bathroom and the radio, that I have playing in the background, seems to get louder with a song that I've heard already this morning. "Do you have your lunch?" I ask them. "Yes," they reply in monotoned voices. "Home reading?" "Yes." "Riley don't push your sister," I say, telling him for the third time. "It's my turn to go first today," Bella cries. "You went first yesterday!" "No I didn't!" The puppy cries louder. They tried to make me go to rehab and I said NO, NO, NO. "I'm going first!" my voice reaches the level that I hate to reach. "Out of my way!" I push past them and start to open the door. "Mommy," calls Bailey's small voice. I turn around with fury in my eyes. Looking at her, daring her to test my patience. "Yes," I say trying to keep my anger in check. "Aren't you forgetting something?" I look around. Three kids, my keys in my hand...Everything is in order. "No Bailey, I'm not forgetting anything." "Your shoes." I looked down to see just socks. Breaking into laughter and tears at the same time. I opened my arms and hugged them all. Ahh... A morning at the Tanner household.