Sometimes all it takes is a little caffeine...

I hate early mornings.

So does Ellie.

She's been begging me to take her to school for a few days now.

Usually it's daddy's job.

Thank God for Daddy!

I usually get up and help them get out the door...

then go back to bed.

But this morning, I wavered. I gave in to her pleas, and let the daddy sleep in. I drove her to school, and then headed toward home.

Toward two more children, now wide awake.

Toward the dishes and the laundry.

Toward the meal-making and the chaos-managing.

And then, as if it had a mind of its own, my car steered its way into Starbucks.

Seriously!

And then, as I realized where my car was taking me, I saw a familiar and friendly face.

I parked next to Michelle, and we sat, in the comfort of our own cars, and talked.

Without interruption.

Without little voices in the background.

Without fights and screams to distract us.

For 30 minutes.

It was nice. Really nice.

Then I followed her through the drive-thru, and we went our respective ways.

She to teach pre-school, me to my own pre-schoolers.

I arrived home to the happy cries of MOMMY'S HOME!

I smiled.

I felt good.

I felt like I could handle my day.

All thanks to an unexpected visit with a friend/sister-in-law,

and a little caffeine!