Last weekend was fun yet really hard. Opposition in all things has become my new norm. I realized some harsh realities of being a single mom.

I love to plan and I usually plan my children’s birthdays 2-3 months in advance.  My son is turning 3 the end of March, so my mind is in birthday mode. He LOVES trains and I decided to get him a train table for his birthday.

I googled top-rated train tables, compared pricing, looked into IKEA hacks and even found several plans to make one. I struggled finding a high quality sturdy table within my price range. Making one seemed overwhelming, and didn’t seem possible in the short time-frame, so I checked KSL classifieds.

I found one for a great price, still available and the owners said it was extremely sturdy. I scheduled a time to go look at it. Then it hit me, I had the kids and it was just ME.

Anxiety set in and the stories of crazy classifieds started to fill my head. I convinced myself, the seller was a child predator or a serial killer and I was walking with my children right into their house of horror.

My family lives too far away for a quick trip and my close friends were busy with their families and I didn’t even dare ask for help. I concocted a plan to Face-time my parents so if something happened they could send reinforcements. Ha ha- seriously this is where my anxiety ridden brain took me. I then remembered my fabulous neighbor down the street and had the thought to ask if she’d like to ride with me. She quickly responded YES and everything was good again.

The next day was exciting the kids slept in (lucky mom), we hurried and got ready for ballet class and made it just around the block when we had to turn around and go back home for the dance shoes. Making us late to ballet where I made the mistake of unbuckling my 2 year old without his permission.

Once the class ended I herded 2 children away from every rock, puddle and stick and to the car. My neighbor was ready and went to look at the table. The previous owners were sweet contrary to my predictions.

The night before I had measured my car 3 times to ensure the table would fit and the tape measured assured me it would. However 20 minutes of playing train table Tetris proved otherwise.

We dropped my neighbor off, and set out for a birthday present when we had to make an immediate detour to find a potty and eat lunch.

I was so exhausted by the end of the day. When I realized I had forgotten to buy 2 things I needed the next day. Looking at my two tires and whiney kids- I just knew if we left one of us wouldn’t make it back (odds were not in my favor). Once again a dear friend came to my rescue and ran to the store for me.

The next day was my little niece’s baby blessing. My parents offered to come to my house early to help me get my kids ready. My independent self wanted to say no and I’d be fine, but I wanted them to feel like they were helping so I said yes. They ended up saving me, for getting 2 children and myself ready is always more difficult than I think it’ll be. Then as we were heading out the door my mom reminded me to get the salad I had been asked to bring. I realized I had forgotten to put it all together. My mom immediately stepped in and pulled the salad together in minutes.

I officially have so much compassion for all the women and men who are doing this alone. I also understand why two parents are so vital. However situations are not always ideal in fact they rarely are! What could have been a disaster and ended in utter defeat and lots of tears, instead turned into a weekend where all I did was count my blessings. I was not left alone, once again my Heavenly Father sent rainbows my way.