A Day in the Life, These Days

(This account of a day in my life is now a week or so old, but as all our days seem to be simultaneously the same and different, the lapse in posting time has little bearing on the message of this post. 😉)

• was awakened by Jacob at 6:38 a.m.
• This was a few minutes later than usual, because he happened to catch Bryant on the way out the door.
• I have been trying to get up before him (Jacob) to do my Bible study, and have mostly been successful in this new-ish habit, but I took this morning off (mostly because I worked extra on the study the night before).
• read a chapter of Because of Winn Dixie, as well as a picture book requested by Lydia 
• She's not usually up this early - I typically just read a chapter or two to Jacob, and she's sometimes in on some of it, too  - but since she was and made the request, we obliged.
• made breakfast 
• It was Waffle Wednesday, so this meal was frozen waffles, scrambled eggs for J, yogurt and PB for L, and bananas.  They also had some of the smoothie I made for myself.
• (Wednesday is the only specifically designated breakfast day except for the occasional Waffle Thursday, as well.) 
• Lydia was supervising me while munching on a frozen frozen waffle, and Jacob was rebuilding his fort from the day before then working on his independent school work and piano practice.
• did Lydia's hair while she ate
• L requested a princess exercise video, so turned it on for her while J and I finished breakfast 
• They typically do one together and later in the day, but this is how it went down today.
• did my hair and make-up while I drank my smoothie
• J requested an army exercise video next, and Lydia did it with him, so I took the ten minutes to start getting myself ready.
• went through our "morning basket" routine - Bible reading, prayer, Awana verse practice, and picture book
• Today, we did this in the kitchen while they drank their smoothies, because the living room where we typically do it was fortified - literally.
• went downstairs to do our daily calendar and J's math lesson
• Lydia took it upon herself to write all the letters in the alphabet on the dry-erase board. So far, we'd worked on A-H, so she required some assistance while Jacob and I were discussing how to write fractions.

• kids had ten minutes to play in the reconstructed fort while I got dressed and filled water bottles
• went to Mimi's Pantry for Kids for homeschool board game playtime
• I played a couple rounds of Wheel of Fortune with Jacob (This is the reason we went, in the first place - he'd seen the game on the shelf (when we were there for story time the week prior) after he'd just seen the show for the first time.  Knowing I loved the show, he wanted to play the game together.).  
• Lydia played Candy Land with others. 
•  I worked on my Bible study a bit while they both played with others, then had the provided snack and library time.
• kids played in the fort for a bit, then quietly read library books (without being asked) for fifteen or so minutes while I made lunch and caught up on some correspondence
• I was only interrupted once (to referee a fight about which fort entrance was to be used by whom).
• The unsolicited quiet reading happens probably once a week, on average, and it never ceases to feel like a small miracle and true gift from the Lord.
• Lunch was requested mac and cheese (with non-requested but still-enjoyed sides of cucs and strawberries). My lunch was random roasted veggies and bacon and turkey lunchmeat that was on its way out that I threw together with some feta, pecans, and dressing and called it a salad. 
•  We ate outside because it was beautiful and the dining room was also still fortified.
• kids requested an outside rest time, so I assisted in taking out perler bead projects and playdoh with tools to separate work surfaces (along with iPads so they could listen to their audiobooks like they typically do during rest time)
• went inside to spend about fifteen minutes cleaning up lunch things, sending a couple Marco Polos, cleaning the bathroom, and gathering work gloves and tools to go work in the yard
• After about five minutes of working on my own, Lydia joined me in picking up sticks, pulling weeds, and cleaning out flower beds (after I helped her clean up the playdoh things). She was the best helper - doing things without being asked (i.e. bringing over empty buckets when others filled up, finding sticks beyond the one I may have pointed out, and asking what needed done next). 
• Jacob finished his perler bead projects, then he swung while still listening to his beloved audio book while Lydia and I kept working. He asked to go inside after about 15 minutes of this, and then, Lydia did, too. I said, "Sure - just be sure to be kind to one another." 
• I didn't see or hear from them for about 45 minutes while I continued to work outside then iron the perler beads (which took longer than normal, because he used two different kinds or something and they weren't "fusing" as they should have without some special attention...).
• kids heard me coming up the stairs, so my presence was requested in the living/dining room to get a tour of the new and improved fort
• was gleefully informed that Mango the (stuffed) cat had been found two months after her missing person report had been filed
• Phew!
• prepared requested (right on schedule, at 3:15) snack
• I sent them to the front step with it (cashews and Bugles).
• handed the parenting baton off to Bryant (he got home shortly after snack) after kissing him hello
• retreated to the basement (as he and I had previously planned) to practice my "audition" music for worship team at our new church
• I was also able to deal with a few items of business and correspondences from earlier in the day as well as write Jacob's independent work list for the next day. 
• This all took about an hour, and afterward, I went outside to see their progress on various projects.
• squeezed in a quick shower while Bryant warmed up the soup I'd thawed from the freezer for supper and got the kids started on it
• Not an ideal day for soup, but we're trying to clear out the freezer.
• watched some of the eagle footage while we finished up 
• This is not something we typically do at the dinner table, by any means, but it's been a regular part of our days for weeks, now, and they wanted to show Bryant the babies.

I don't know that this picture was from the exact day we watched, but I just have to share here. 
She had three wiggly babies under there for literal hours! 
After the winter we've had, I could sooo relate to her (though it made me even more thankful for our warm, spacious home).  Bring on the memes!

• cleaned up from supper, got the kids' things ready for Awana, then saw them out the door before I left to attend Bible study (6:30-8:30)
• got home and debriefed with Bryant
• checked on some potential event tickets, reviewed my daily to-do, and checked on tomorrow's list
• found out there were no new episodes of our show (The Rookie) available
• Bryant decided to catch up on some reading, and I decided to document this day, because it's these details that are so difficult to distill when someone asks, "What have you been up to?" or "How was your day?" So, I thought I'd just get it all down on "paper" while it was somewhat fresh.
• set tomorrow's alarm and turned out the light around 10:30 p.m.

If you made it this far, kudos and thanks to you!  This - these seemingly insignificant days and the rollercoaster of emotions, both in and outside of myself - is all part of my job, my calling, right now.  Raising up our children to know and love the Lord and to love others is seemingly the simplest job description, but man - the job sure entails a lot, to say the least.  It is, however, the most important thing I can be doing and the most important thing I will ever do, and viewing life through this lens makes it much easier to find joy, meaning, and purpose in these often-mundane details.  Of course, I am not always successful in viewing it all this way, but through ceaseless prayer and with an affirming, supportive husband by my side, I remain grateful and fulfilled in this particular season of motherhood.

SAHM-ly,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

making new friends (This week is full of play dates!)

Lydia saying, "This is unbearable!"

(The fit during which she declared it wasn't my favorite, but the fact that she used it in context sure was.)

GF Golden Oreos

Momcation + Sibling Love

I'm writing this from a favorite local coffee shop after enjoying some of its most delicious fare (that I forgot to photograph - what kind of millennial am I?!).  For the past two nights, I have stayed in a hotel room by myself.  I went to bed and woke when I wanted, watched what I chose, swam in the pool (which I had to myself, so I also got a pseudo-sensory-deprivation-moment in addition to an uninterrupted workout), ate what sounded best (and didn't prepare it myself), and completed a few pressing and non-pressing tasks (i.e. school-planning and nail-painting).  Plus, I kicked it all off by Christmas-clearance shopping for an entire day!  My only plan that involved someone else was to go see Wicked with one of my piano students.  The time has been refreshing, wonderful, and the gift it was intended to be.

Of course, there was ample photo documentation of most of it.

Bryant's job has required of him an unprecedented (and unexpected) amount of travel in the last several months.  While this has meant I have solo-parented for days, sometimes weeks, at a time, it has also allowed him to strategically accrue hotel reward points.  We can talk more in person about all the pros and cons of his job, if you'd like, but another relevant "pro" to note here is the fact that his office closes for an extended holiday break.  So, between the free hotel nights he has accumulated and the time he had off between holidays, he was able to gift me a "Momcation." 

Wanting/accepting this kind of time to myself has been a mixed bag for me over the past several years.  There was a season during which I longed for it...and then felt guilty for that longing.  There was a time when I felt selfish even thinking about taking that kind of time for myself, especially when so many are not able to do so.  There have been instances when I have thought that sort of extended time would be self-indulgent, frivolous, and unnecessary...even a form of escapism. 

I still occasionally teeter toward some of those feelings, and even did so momentarily during these last couple of days.  By the grace of God, however, and thanks to my encouraging and supportive husband, I have been able to allow myself to relax, enjoy, and truly lean into this time for myself.  I have rested assured that I am not escaping my day-to-day, but rather, relishing in the treat that is a change of pace, the break from all that comes with stay-at-home-motherhood, and the love and support of a husband who works hard to provide for our family in so many ways.

In other news:

This "footloose and fancy free" time also allowed me to freely (and lavishly) enjoy some favorite gluten-laden entrees and treats before beginning a six-month gluten-free regimen.  Long story short, I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease (I'll let the experts explain more here.).  Because it is not (yet) a severe case, I will be (under the guidance of a functional medicine doctor) adding some natural supplements and removing some potential triggers in order to help support my thyroid into (hopeful) remission.  While the kids could survive solely on cheese quesadillas (and sometimes do, esp. when Daddy is traveling), gluten is not necessarily a huge staple the adults of the family's diet (Bryant will be joining me in this lifestyle adjustment), so I am not overly concerned about making this change.  I did, however, fully enjoy taking advantage of the excuse to enjoy "all the things!" as a last-hurrah before committing to the new diet...especially in case it ends up lasting longer than six months.

I had started compiling the rest of this post during Bryant's most recent work trip.  Despite some long days and trying moments, I was (and still am) in awe of the privilege it is to watch these kiddos learn and grow and love others (especially each other).  Any one of the following pictures could have been its own post, but since I don't always get around to sharing them in real time, I thought I would do so here:    

We began the ritual of leaving each other notes in suitcases even before kids, and now, the kids do it unprompted. According to Jacob, 5 days gone = 5 notes. ♥

Sunday best + feeling sweet = "Mom, take our picture!"

No words. ♥

My piano (and trumpet!) students and I recently hosted our annual Christmas piano recital at a local senior living apartment complex.  We had a great audience, and all the performers did so well!  

This was Lydia's second recital, though she still isn't actually taking lessons (don't tell her, though...).  She decided what she would perform (and how she would perform it) about 24 hours before we did so.  ;)

The excitement to perform was so real!

the annual wearing of the "music dress"

Of course, we celebrated with cookies afterward!

Taking advantage of a mild December day by visiting two parks was not new news or necessarily photo-worthy.  Her going down this slide on her own (closely followed by her encouraging brother), however, was monumental.  She went a few times with Jacob holding onto her, and though she would not try on her own with my encouragement, he worked and worked with her until she felt comfortable doing so with him right behind her, though not touching.  As you can see, they were both so thrilled afterward.  It was just so very precious.

This is on the way to the car afterward. 
They were talking about how brave she was and how proud he was of her.
♥

Pretty sure this girl is entering her crafting era.  She asked me to make a "Christmas hat" for her beloved Mango, and then, she proudly made tiny bracelets for her.

The kids and I joined a few ladies from church on a visit to an assisted living facility to carol and pass out cards the kids had helped make at church.
Jacob happily performed his recital songs...

...and sang carols like a seasoned choir member (though he hasn't done this before in his life).
Lydia was more reserved, but perked up for "Go Tell is on the 'Mountains.'"

Couldn't help but do this "then and now" after he recently got new specs.  Hard to believe we've been on this glasses journey for six years!

Of course, little sis wanted her picture taken, too.  She got an updated pair of the pink glasses she picked out a year ago!

There was more photo shoot where that came from! 
I had waited a couple years to put those Christmas-clearance hair bows to use.  ☺

Thanks, as always, for reading and caring and being interested in the big and small moments of our lives.  Your love and support are so evident in the ways you follow up, whether virtually or in person!  It is all much-appreciated.  Wishing you and yours all the best as the Christmas season comes to an end (on Epiphany, of course!) and the "dead of winter" sets in. 

Refreshedly,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

so many things (and people!) already mentioned above ;)

 

Pink Pony Party (and Chuck E. Cheese: Sibling Edition)

I am truly blown away by how rapidly time seems to be passing.  Lydia turned four last month, and she is constantly surprising and delighting us with insight and questions and things she initiates.  As with so many things in life, this is a "both/and" situation, because at the same time, it is so sad to see her baby and toddler moments riding off into the sunset (a preemptive horse pun for ya 😏).  Even so, we all had such an enjoyable time celebrating her - both on her actual birthday and at her party the following weekend.  

She opened gifts first thing...

...and they promptly put them to use.
Jacob was thrilled to gift her a pony Lego set - two of her most favorite things in one!

As promised (and rehearsed), Jacob fixed her hair at "Jacob's Salon" on her birthday morning.

The hair was (surprisingly) maintained all day and through her requested birthday supper at Nick and Jake's.
They were showing horse races (her first time watching) - so perfect!

This sweet girl shared her free dessert with everyone else right away.

The next morning brought horse races for all the new (and old) ponies!

She chose a strawberry cake for her party, and we made one from scratch.

She wanted to help set up everything and was so excited for her guests to arrive!

She helped with decorating the cakes, too!
(This nostalgic mama was glad for an excuse to get her some miniature My Little Ponies.)

♥

Unfortunately, I didn't snag many pictures of the birthday girl participating in the party games without others in the shot.  We started with a (stick horse) Pony Express relay (our kids and the cousins had recently visited a Pony Express museum, so half the participants were familiar with the concept, at least).  Stick horse riding at my parents' house is almost always accompanied by the William Tell Overture on their player piano, so I brought out my trumpet to play this during the race.  As a former trumpet major, I was embarrassed by my practiced-it-once-and-tried-to-play-memorized-while-giving-instructions-and-encouragement performance, but thankfully, the participants were fairly focused on the task at hand and got the gist, regardless. 😉 Ha.

This race was followed by a "horse show" during which participants introduced their tiny horses (thanks to a cousin's surplus from a different party) and took them through a series of moves and tricks the "owners" conceived of on the spot.  I was not sure how this would go over with the range of ages in attendance, but everyone seemed really engaged!  This was followed by (requested) bubbles, lunch, and cake.   

This is a screenshot from a video of the "horse show" - just to give you an idea.  The plastic horses were a couple inches tall, and here, Lydia is running hers over the "jump." (Our homemade balance beam came in handy!)

Lydia is very selfless, so it was really fun to get to make sure she got exactly what she wanted for all the festivities in her honor.  She is beginning to make core memories and connections, and it was really special to see (and hear) her anticipate and appreciate the various celebrations.  We just love her so!

Pinkily,

Kensy

P.S. You may remember last year's party theme was "Pink."  This year: Pink Pony.  Any bets on whether or not next year will add another P to the alliteration?  Pink Pony Princess, perhaps...?  😉

Favorites of the day:

alllll the bday freebies!

an hour of free child care courtesy of the IKEA play place
(this was on day 11/14 of Daddy's work trip)

these sweet siblings

They are both on reward systems for separate things (Jacob's is in place to encourage autonomy and minimize complaints, and Lydia's is helping encourage her to play independently during rest time) and have had their eyes on the top tier prize (a trip to Chuck E. Cheese) since the program was implemented a couple months ago.  Initially, they could not fathom being able to save up enough gold coins (the reward system currency) to cash in for this prize, so to help further incentivize them and foster a sense of teamwork, we told them they could pool their coins and earn the trip together (which also meant splitting the game credits while there).  They were very much on board with this idea (mostly Jacob, who had been there once on his own a year or so ago and was really gunning to get Lydia there, somehow) and worked hard to achieve their goal.  I was glad they earned it when they did, because it was during Bryant's long work trip and provided some great excitement and extra activity!  They shared the game credits willingly and well, and Jacob was so excited to show Lydia the ropes and play the games with her.

This moment left me speechless.  They got on, the ride started, and as they came around after the first rotation, I saw this.  They did not let go for the duration of the ride.  No one was scared or worried - they were just happy to be together, I guess. 💗

This was a motorcycle game Jacob remembered most from his previous visit.

Probably not built for two...or for seven-yr.-olds, but they made it work.

I was actually surprised by how into it all she was.

They were on a "helicopter ride over the city."  
Jacob was looking for Ingredion, a downtown client of Bryant's, thinking they were "flying" over KC. ♥

She didn't want to drive the second truck, but was happy to watch and cheer him on.

This all probably could have been a separate post, but it really was a favorite thing, recently, so I will just leave it here.  Please know that there are countless moments between these two and with them that are less-than-favorites.  They sure tend to run hot and cold.  It is the sweet moments (like these, brought to you by Chuck E. Cheese), however, that I cling to and choose to dwell on ("whatever is good, whatever is lovely...").  These are the moments I pray will live on in their memories; the interactions I hope to foster and encourage; the days I cherish.

 

Remember That One Time: Rest Stop Edition (and the super-fun trip that followed)

Bryant has taken a handful of trips to work for a client in Houston over the past couple of years and had a few on the calendar this summer, so we decided to join him on one.  It was the longest of this summer's road trips - both in road time and stay time - and was honestly fairly daunting, but only until it was the next thing on the list and we had a chance to sit down and think it through.  After doing a bit of research, finding several options things to do that would please several individuals, making a list of restaurants to try, and getting the low-down on Houston traffic, we felt ready for the adventure. 

Narrator: Little did they know what an adventure it would be...

This leg of the trip brought to you by The Boxcar Children audiobooks and lotsss of stickers from Grandma.

Our first pit stop was in Wichita.  The boys went to the Kansas Aviation Museum (It has been on Jacob's list to take Bryant there since about a year and a half ago when the kids and I went during the day on another one of Bryant's work trips.).  They happened to catch not only free admission, but also several planes rehearsing for the air show the following weekend!

He saw a pair of the plane pictured on his shirt!
(Can you see them to the right of the light pole?)

Lydia and I went to the Exploration Place - another attraction we had visited last time we were in Wichita.  We invested in an ASTC membership this year - mostly for the free admission to Science City - and were able to fully take advantage of free admission to other museums on the list over the course of this trip.  Exploration Place was the first!

This is where we spent most of our time - in the pretend garden area, picking and washing pretend produce.  Glad we weren't paying to be there...hahaha. 😉

We also stopped here to bulk up our snackle boxes and pick up some "thank you" treats for our next stop.

the first of several successful strategic snoozes
(Can you tell we're studying alliterations?)

We broke up the trip down with a visit/stay at Bryant's extended family's farm. 
It was such a wonderful visit, all around - we were treated to a delicious homemade meal, enjoyed playing with cousins, got to see and pet some animals, and slept well in these perfect accommodations!

We planned our lunch stop around our proximity to Buc-ee's (the kids and I's first time).
It didn't disappoint in food or entertainment value!

How lucky to run into the Buc-ee himself!

About two hours from our destination, we simultaneously lost almost all acceleration, saw the check-engine light flash on, and passed a "rest area two miles" sign.  Bryant put the hazards on, pulled us into the rest area, and set about assessing the situation.  The kids and I used the facilities, had a snack, played several rounds of "Mother May I?" and "Simon Says," and bought Bryant a Coke from the vending machine (a fun, new experience).  We found a quarter-mile trail around the little pond behind the rest area, ate more snacks, played my tiny-purse-Uno, and finally, set up camp on some benches in the rest area and broke out the iPads (something we hadn't done, yet, on this trip, so they were fully charged and loaded with some fresh entertainment).  While this all certainly wasn't ideal in the TX mid-day heat, we considered it a small miracle (the first of many) we weren't on the side of the road.

Since we were on the front end of our week-long trip, our snack (and water) reserves were high!  We fairly quickly burned through a couple garden cucumbers and tomatoes and the last of the previous week's grapes we had thrown in.  Small Miracle #2: I had brought along some "easy mac" as a treat for a hotel meal, since they only required water and a microwave.  Thankfully, there was a security guard/custodian on duty at the rest area who gave me permission to go "in the back" and use the microwave, because, "It seems like sort of an emergency, I guess."  The kids were so thrilled to "get to" have mac and cheese!  We also enjoyed some caramel-apple cookies our oh-so-thoughtful hostess from the night before had sent along.  They were very delicious and certainly a moral booster!

I actually found this unplugged and far from an outlet, so scooted it over to make use of it.  I chose not to photograph the inside, because I'd rather not remember it on purpose...yikes.  But it cooked our noodles, and that's all that mattered, at that point!

We had our picnic blanket along not knowing how handy it would end up being!

Yay!  Everything is wonderful!  Can't you tell?!  😏

Bryant spent literal hours on the phone with a buddy who used to work for Hyundai, roadside assistance, the local dealership, tow truck drivers, our hotel for the night, and who knows who else.  I had complete confidence in him to figure out the best possible outcome, so (surprisingly), I wasn't terribly stressed (this was also the Lord's provision of peace, for sure).  I just stayed in my lane and kept the kids as happy as possible.  I knew we wouldn't be there all night, and if we were, we had a couple sleeping bags packed, so...  We were just very glad to not be on the side of the road.

In the end, here's how it all shook out:

The car was not drivable - there was a terrible knocking in the engine.  The first tow truck (that would supposedly accommodate all of us) was called off the job after we had waited an hour for its arrival.  The second was en route not too long after that, but was two hours out and wouldn't hold all of us.  Neither Uber nor Lyft would come out to where we were.  The highway patrol line was busy.  So, our last option was to call a buddy Bryant met on a previous work trip who lives in south Houston.  

Small Miracles #3-7 or so: The friend was available; he so graciously drove the two-hours-one-way to pick us up, dropped us off at the airport Enterprise (the only location open at 11 p.m., but also the one where we'd planned to pick up Bryant's rental for work, anyway, the next day...so we just got both necessary rentals at once), and waited in the car with the sleeping kiddos while we got the rentals squared away.  His truck accommodated all our things, his kiddos are the same ages as ours, so we just used his car seats and didn't have to install/uninstall ours, and he was a great conversationalist after our unexpected five-hour layover at the rest stop.  He also was able to recommend a hotel that was closer to our next day's planned activities, ended up being cheaper, and came with a view!  (We had cancelled our original reservation thinking we'd stay closer to where the car was, but that didn't pan out, after all.)  Not all heroes wear capes!

11:30 p.m. - taking in the moon-on-the-water view while waiting for the boys to bring the luggage up

After a good night's rest, a hotel breakfast buffet with a view, and no ability to make any tracks with the car situation since it was Sunday, we were ready to move forward with our trip as planned.  We purposefully traveled down a day early so we could all go to the Space Center together (That annual pass I mentioned previously admitted us all for free here, as well!  It more than paid for itself with this admission, alone. 😮), and we were so very grateful to still be able to do so, despite the car trouble.  

It really was so cool!

I'm especially glad we went with Bryant, because he could answer all the questions I couldn't...haha.

We also took advantage of our proximity to the beach and headed down to Galveston for a couple hours.  Small Miracle #8: the forecasted rain dissipated and left sunny skies!  All Jacob wanted to do was be in the waves, and all Lydia wanted to do was build a sand castle.  Both requests were granted.

Tried a fun local seafood place for supper that evening!

We stayed in an Airbnb outside of Houston for the rest of our time there (pro move by my husband - it was so much easier than a hotel set-up, all around, but esp. for him to come and go from his 12-hour work shifts while the kids were sleeping).  After consulting the aforementioned museum list, I had found that we could get into both the Health Museum and the Houston Children's Museum, and upon further research, found that they were right across the street from each other!  So, we drove back into the city to go to both. 

He was very much fascinated by this.

I've known this guy since he was oh-so-tiny and spent many a summer babysitting him and his two siblings.  Small Miracle # 9: He was off work and available to meet us at the Health Museum and for lunch!  What a true pleasure and delight to spend some quality together as adults and with my own kiddos!

The "Kidtropolis" exhibit at the Children's Museum was truly wonderful.  Jacob spent the better part of nearly two hours going from ATM to ATM (there were probably ten or so) depositing, withdrawing, and being generally enamored by putting in a PIN and accessing his very own account.  We can tell you more in person, if you want - it was just really, really cool.

Lydia was a little more diversified in how she spent her nearly-two-hours, but was equally engaged and delighted by it all. 

We don't miss the chance to explore a new-to-us grocery store. ☺

Tuesday was spent closer to "home," so we could take advantage of the chance to meet Bryant for lunch.  When looking at the map for parks when we were planning out our days, I happened upon an equestrian center, so reached out to see if we could visit.  We spent over an hour watching training rides and petting horses!

It was pretty cool (and mind-blowing) to see the vast infrastructure of this and other companies in person.
(We were dressed to head to a really cool splash pad after this.  It sprinkled on us, a bit, but we were getting wet, anyway, so just stuck it out.)

Due to the afternoon's rainstorm, Bryant got off work early and was able to join us for supper!  The only plans that changed when the car broke down Saturday was a ferry ride to a restaurant on the shipping channel Bryant had been to on one of his trips here.  I had re-planned to take the kids our last evening there, and we were so glad Bryant got to come with us (Small Miracle #10!).  We got a window seat, shared a great meal, and were even gifted an extra dessert after the decision/indecision between two different ones ended in a 3-1 vote.

It really was cool to see all the tugboats, ships, and other watercraft.

There was a fun park across the street, and since the weather ended up being so wonderful (thanks, God!), we spent some more time watching the ships go by.

Watch timer selfie for the win!

The kids and I headed back home mid-week and were able to break our trip up again with a stay (with extended family on my side, this time) in Dallas.  My mom flew in there at the beginning of the week to spend some time with family and rode the rest of the way home with us.  It all worked out so well!

This was also the day we (finally) heard back from the Hyundai dealership about the car.  The tl:dr version and Small Miracle #11: the failed engine will be replaced under warranty.  Here's Bryant's expert explanation of the issue:

When the dealership called, they said that the engine had failed the bearing clearance test (which caused the engine knock we heard at the rest area).  This was due to the batch of bad "theta" engines they had made.  Apparently, the resulting class action lawsuit gave us a lifetime warranty on the engine.  It is a huge blessing that we are not going to have to pay for it out of pocket.  We were also grateful that the dealership had worked our vehicle into their schedule to get that ball rolling since we had been told it could be even the following week before they were able to diagnose it.  

So, we drove our rental back to KC.  Thankfully, Hyundai also agreed to cover the cost of that (equivalent sized - phew) vehicle.  The only downside: there was no CD player in the new-fangled rental, rendering our volumes of Boxcar Children CDs - our inflight entertainment - unusable.  😬

This is the sign for the same rest area, just going the other way.  The kids really wanted to stop, again, because they had such a fun time (?! - patting myself on the back for that one).  We didn't stop, but I snagged a picture, at least.

I have great memories of swimming in this pool at my mom's cousin's house!

Notice any resemblance to that other guy we got to hang out with?  😉
We were so grateful it worked out to see this young man (Small Miracle #12) and get a tour of (some of) his day-to-day.  It was just really rewarding to get to spend time with these guys that I babysat as infants/toddlers/little boys and see what amazing men they've grown to be.  It was also beyond special to watch my kids be so immediately drawn to them...and vice versa. 💗

♥

The rest of our drive home was without incident, and Bryant flew home safely a few days later.  To be clear, his job doesn't take him away from home as often as this post might make it sound.  We were glad for the opportunity to see some things we'd never seen and spend some extra time together, and all (mostly) on the company's dime.  ☺  God's provision and protection was so evident in all of this, and we certainly thanked (and thank) Him for it on the regular.

Gladly (for it all, but also, to be home),

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

recessing at the splash pad

coming home to freshly-arranged flowers from our very talented neighbor

stamping weekend (that also allowed for time with besties and an "11 years later" photo shoot)