Pioneer Children

February 3, 2016

Yesterday my hubby decided that we should take a little walk. It had been raining off and on throughout the day, but was currently partly sunny. We had been talking for days, maybe even weeks, about going on a walk, but still had not even made it out the door! So finally, I was game for the walk. We gathered the double stroller and the single stroller. Yes, when you have 3 kids 3 and under you either need to own a triple stroller or you have to take two! We pondered over purchasing a triple stroller at one time, but opted for the double BOB. I absolutely adore my BOB and since they don't make a triple, I decided I could make it work somehow. Most of the time it is fine, but on occasion we still have to take 2 strollers.

Anyhow, it wasn't too cold when we embarked on our grand journey-a walk to see the house not far from us-at least when you are in a car-that was being built. We made it out of the neighborhood and everyone was happy and chatting away, just enjoying being outside. Then we made it almost to the highway we had to cross and we had 1 disgruntled passenger. Let me back up a bit. When we were getting everyone situated in strollers the temperature felt ok. Not warm, but not cold either. As such, only little Ms Cambree had a coat on. Trey had a sweatshirt and James just a long sleeve shirt. The further we walked I began to wonder if maybe we should have been insistent upon coats, gloves, and hats. James was beginning to complain a bit, but we knew we were going to let him walk as soon as we crossed the highway.

Crossing the highway was easy. We were almost to the house, spirits were still high with all our sidekicks. Trey and James were walking away. Trey kept saying, "I walk, I walk!" They were loving it. James was an airplane all the way to the house we were headed to look at. Finally we arrived at our destination, peaked through the windows, made some comments about what we saw, etc. By this point, the brothers were still happy and enjoying life. Little sister not so much. She was tired, hands were cold, and was not going to ride in the stroller, period!

We began the journey back home. I carried little miss for a while, but she still fussed. Do you know how hard it is to push a stroller and carry an infant? Well, lets just say it isn't the easiest task in the world!

I began to think about the pioneers who crossed the plains. They walked and walked. Walked in the wind, the rain, the cold, the heat, you name it. They had all kinds of weather conditions to endure. They didn't have any strollers. Wagons yes, but how much did they really get to ride in them? Was it even better to ride vs walk. They had kids of all ages. As we walked home the clouds started to roll in thicker. The brothers were getting restless and a bit colder, hungry, and tired.

The closer we got to home, the more everyone started to vocalize their opinions of this whole walking experience! I think we even had all 3 crying for a period of time. Little miss cried the most, nearly all the way home! To top things off, when we were about 4 minutes from home it started to rain...of course, why not?!

Even though the walk was not as quick as we had anticipated it was going to be, it was a learning experience. I learned mesh top tennis shoes are not water resistant in any fashion. I learned to bring a snack for little kids when embarking upon a walk that you have no idea how long it really is going to take. I learned to ALWAYS bring coats-not sweatshirts-gloves, and hats. Even when the littles are refusing them...eventually they will get cold enough and be glad you have them!

I am very grateful for my ancestors who walked across the plains. I can only imagine how trying the whole experience was. It is really hard to even fathom walking that far. Most of us can barely walk 3-5 miles. When I was a kid I used to sing a song that had the words, "Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked..." There was no singing on my walk yesterday. Half way back, I can tell you I wasn't feeling like singing at all! I was frustrated with my kiddos...crying just bothers me. I don't know if I will ever get used to constant crying, but that's a whole other post! Even though it wasn't the most fun walk I have ever been on, it was a good, eye opening experience!