Awkward Applause

I was at the mall with my kids and a lady literally applauded me.  For real clapping.  At my face.  It went like this:  Random lady approaches me as I'm changing Rocco's diaper (my mom, aunt, and the other kids are waiting outside the Macy's restroom door that she just came through) and says "It's you.  I applaud you.  (clapping) 4 kids??  You're amazing."  I heard what she said but the words did not match her tone.  It was more like a "You're crazy" than a "You're amazing." I thought to myself... certainly I can't be the first and only person she has seen with 4 kids.  Right?  Am I the only mom who has braved the mall with all the children in tow?  Certainly not.  My kids are kind of close together, all approximately 2 years apart, but I've seen closer.  I've got two, almost three, out of diapers and in school (preschool counts!)  No one was hanging out of the stroller or destroying the racks in the store or screaming or fighting or running away.  It was just a normal moment.  Lots of talking, lots of noise in general.  Sometimes more noise than my introverted self can handle.  But that's why God gave me kids who go to sleep early.  I have to brave the crazies during the day, but He gave me sanity in the evening (though I'd like to discuss with Him why He gave me early risers).

Anyway.  It was super awkward and I wasn't sure how to respond.  I said thank you, but I'm pretty sure it came out sounding more like a question.  Don't all of you fellow moms just pick yourself up and carry on through your days with your kids whether you have one or two or four or more?  It doesn't earn you a badge to leave the house with multiple children, does it?  Doesn't everyone need playdates and trips to the grocery store and bathroom breaks in the department store?  I'm just wondering.  Four doesn't feel much different than three right now, just one more head to count and feed and bathe and tickle and clothe.

I suppose her comment was better than the usual "Don't you know how that happens?" or "You know how to prevent that, right?"  Or even the "You've got your hands full."  Because I do have my hands full.  But it's such a short time.  And then they get bigger and I'll have my hands to myself and I'll be wishing back some of these hand-holding, hands-full years.  And when I'm older and in my hands-free years, and I notice a young-ish mom with full hands, I'll smile at her and tell her it gets easier.  I'll hold the elevator for her to wheel her double-wide stroller inside.  I'll hold the doors if I see her coming or going, knowing her hands are full enough.  I'll applaud her, but not in an awkward way, more of a "Been there, sister" kind of way.  Because I know her kids are as precious to her as mine are to me, and even though we may have one or two or three more than the average family, I would not trade them for anything.