The Vacation That Almost Didn't Happen...

Saturday, a week ago, we packed the car to the gills, crammed in the kiddos, and headed east. We'd been waiting 2 years for this day. And 45 minutes later our car started bucking.

Last I checked, that is NOT a good sign.

Now, my husband is pretty handy when it comes to automobiles. He immediately went into diagnostic mode. But until we could find a shop open, we were in a tricky spot. (Don't forget the youngun's in the back seat who had been up since the crack of dawn , psyched and ready to be there already!)

We were 5 minutes from our rendevous point where we'd planned to meet up with my parents and caravan the remaining 2 1/2 hours together. Immediately, I began to pray; the lyrics of one of the kids worship songs that had been stuck in my head all morning suddenly seemed less random. :-)

Good and gracious

You're our Creator

Good and gracious

To all You've made You're

Good and gracious

You never change, there's goodness

in everything You do

~Good and Gracious, TO BE LIKE JESUS, (c) Sovereign Grace Kids

It was exactly what I needed to keep front and center in my mind! It positioned my heart to remain calm, to trust God, to be looking for His provision and goodness in the midst of circumstances where my natural inclination was to worry, complain, or throw a pity party.

Long story short, we were on the road again within 2 hours, thanks to Steven at the Shell station and a new spark plug. We were $40 poorer, but had food in our bellies, and immediately were able to see the many ways in which God had been kind to us.

We could have had to ditch the car and go home.

We could have been in the middle of nowhere when the car pooped out on us.

Instead, we were within a mile of numerous car mechanic shops (on the third try we found Steven), an auto parts store across the street, a sub shop where we could grab something to eat, it was a pleasantly warm (dry!) morning, there was a shaded area to eat and keep the kids occupied, and my parents were there to help us juggle the decisions and kids!

3 hours later...we arrived, everything was unloaded, and it was time to let the relaxation begin!

Here are a few shots from the first few days.

Avery, reinacting his initial reaction to seeing the beach, "Hey, there is no water at this beach!"

Early mornings = blank canvas.

The construction toys were in high demand in our little umbrella city.

The girls were much braver this year.

Natalia is our little water bug.

My brother Joe and sis-in-law Kim...and baby bump!

Grandma's still life w/bananas watercolor class.

Check in tomorrow for PART TWO...