Sometimes I'm lazy and I re-post old stuff because, like a good book... the story gets better every time you read it.

"HELLO? IS THERE AN ADULT IN THE HOUSE?"

THAT is what I heard this morning. This morning, when I hadn't yet showered, or combed my hair, or even used the bathroom.

Well, I was working on using the bathroom.

Taylor was down for her morning nap, the other three were engrossed with the television (or so I thought) and I, in my naivety, had the gall to use the bathroom.

I went in, and shut the door.

At which point, three sets of little toes made their escape.

I heard them.

I heard them throw open the front door.

I heard shouts of "Rope Swing!" and "Yay!"

I tried to empty my bladder as fast as I could.

Not two minutes later, I hear an adult voice, calling to me.

I thought maybe it was my neighbor, calling to tell me he's backing out.

But no. That would be too perfect.

It was a police officer.

Because my children, bless their darling souls, saw a police car pull into our cul-de-sac.

And my children, bless their darling souls, ran out to the police car.

And then my children, bless their darling souls, began asking questions.

"What are you doing at my house?"

"Is there a bad guy back there?"

"Can I go on a ride?"

"Can you turn on the lights?"

"Do you have a gun?"

And the police officer, bless her darling soul, saw three unsupervised children, with the front door flung open, and came to investigate.

"HELLO? IS THERE AN ADULT IN THE HOUSE?"

I called back. "Just a minute." And I flushed the toilet, washed my hands, and made my way towards the voice in my shouldhavebeentossed pajama pants and my washed3daysago hair do.

Our eyes met, the officer's and mine, and she burst out laughing.

"Went to the bathroom, huh?"

I sighed and said, "Yep."

"I just wanted to make sure someone was home. I saw them and the open door and just thought I should check it out," she explained. "Well, you have a good day." and she turned to leave, chuckling all the while.

"Is my mom in trouble?"

"Do you like to swing?"

"Can I have a ride?"

"Do you live at the jail?"

Three inquisitive children continued to pepper her with questions. I called them back, and had them wave good bye to the nice officer.

She got back into her cruiser, rolled down the window to wave good bye, and flashed her lights, just for us.

It was the highlight of our day.