What’s in a name???

“Well, you sure have your hands full!”

This seems to be the unofficial catch phrase of my life right now.  I hear it from anyone and everyone when I am out with my four children.  It has become so predictable, that I can bank on hearing it at least once if not more while we are out and about.  

Actually, they usually first ask if they are all mine.  At this point I am thinking “Do you think I am crazy enough to be out in public with a five year old, a three year old, an almost two year old and an eight month old that are not mine???” But, I just smile and nod.  That is when it comes… some form of “you sure do have your hands full!”. 

Most people just smile when they say it, with a look of “better you than me” about them, but it doesn’t really bother me.  In fact, I think it is a bit of an understatement!  Four kids age five and under… there are a lot of things that are full around here and my hands are just the beginning!  What about the dishwasher that is always full no matter how many times I run it?  Or the laundry baskets full of dirty clothes that are trying to take over the house? Or my mini van?  That thing is at max capacity for car seats!  There are plenty of good things that are full as well.  My refrigerator door is full of beautiful artwork.  My scrapbooks are full of happy memories.  My kitchen if full of laughter during meals as the five and three year old try to invent their own new jokes (I won’t even try to explain the one about the cow and the microwave!)  And of course my heart is full.  So full of love, appreciation and absolute wonder that these four little blessing are in my life. 

So yes my hands are full and yes there is  rarely a dull or quiet moment around here.  But what is the alternative?  Empty hands?  No thank you; I’ll keep my hands full and I will be happy. OK, so the washing machine and dishwasher could be empty; that would make me happy too.  But, let’s face it that is never going to happen with a five year old in finger painting phase and a two year old obsessed with anything covered in spaghetti sauce!