I was just a biker.

I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But you didn't see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by. But you didn't see me, driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children. But you didn't see me when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair. But you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves. But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But you didn't see me cry as my children were born and have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But you didn't see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. But you didn't see me pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the map as you drove down the road in the rain. But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But, you didn't see me trying to turn right.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But you didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But you didn't see me.

I saw you go home to your family. But you didn't see me.

Because I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker.

I have recently seen this floating around Facebook.  I do not know who the author is, or I would love to credit them. 

Bikers are some of the best people I have ever met, who would give you the shirt off their backs.

Please keep your eyes open on the road.  That person you don't see has a family, too.

I Flip'd out!

Riley woke me (and Eli) up at 7:15 this morning by yelling, not really sure what was so important.  So by 9:00 am we were dressed and ready to run some errands.  I realized when we got to the second stop that I left the diaper bag at home.

Uh oh.

The fully stocked diaper bag... sitting at home alone.

But I saw I had the trusty back up Flip cover and 2 stay dry inserts in the car, so I knew we were fine.  The disposable wipes I keep in the car as backup were dried up, but I knew I could just use wet paper towels if/when I needed to change his diaper. 

After a couple errands, we had lunch at In N Out Burger.  Yum!  The boys ate well, and drank lots of lemonade.  Then off to the mall to play for the boys to run off some of their boundless energy.

I changed Eli into the Flip cover and 1 stay dry insert, and put the extra insert in my purse.  Just in case.  I didn't think we'd need it.  After all, they were just going to play for a bit before going home.

Fast forward 20 minutes when I smell something stinky when E came to get a drink.  But I knew we had the extra Flip insert, so we were okay.  A quick change in the family restroom and a "borrowed" bag from Gymboree, and the boys were playing again in no time!  Crisis averted.

It was almost time to leave when I smelled it again.  I checked, hoping it was another kid, but I knew it was Eli.

Okay, now what?  I don't have any blankets or shirts in the car, but we are at a mall....

We went over to Sear's, bought some receving blankets, and I changed Eli again.  I just pad folded a blanket like a flat cloth diaper and reused the same Flip cover (which was still clean enough to use -- no poop got on it!).  And now we have some uber cute "flats"!

Three of the four adorable new "flats" we have.
Bonus:  they were on sale!

I called Ryan on the way home and told him how glad I am we cloth diaper!  Our day would not have been so productve otherwise.

If we still used disposables, I'm not sure we would have finished running our errands today.  Once I realized I left the diaper bag at home, I probably would have just gone home.  If we had made it as far as the mall, I know I could have asked someone at the play area for a diaper.  But we would have gone straight home after the first offense.  Instead, they got to stay to play! 

Making the switch to cloth diapers has made me realize that there are so many things that can work in a pinch!  Blankets, towels, t-shirts, pretty much any cloth item!  So if you're ever in a bind, be resourceful!

From now on, I know that the one cover and 2 inserts are not enough.  In addition to those, I will also keep several flats (either blankets or actual flats), cloth wipes, and a gallon ziploc bag in the car.  Enough for a full day out in case I forget the diaper bag again.


What have you used as a diaper in an emergency situation (of the real kind, or like my situation today)?