It is Martin Luther King Day. The kids know who he was and what he did that was so special. I like that. During Church the day before, Trent saw Brenden drawing a person and asked who it was. B said it was Martin Luther. So even in a Mormon church you will find the peripheral influence of a black man who tried to make the world a better place for those he loved more than 40 years ago.
I had planned to wake up late and let all the kids sleep in, but plans changed. My Mom said she wanted to take us all out for breakfast and let the kids play at the Container Park downtown. (That was later voted down once we heard there was going to be a parade downtown...traffic and congestion with little grandkids running around wasn't going to be our ideal morning, so we opted for a breakfast joint closer to home).
I was going to pick Mom up at 8:30 and take her to meet up with Court and her 2 kids at Babystacks. But when I had everyone in the car at 8:15am and turned the key, nothing happened. In disbelief and a slow rising anger festering, I tried again. Did I think somehow the car would magically change from dead battery to life? No go.
So, I called Mom. Called Trent. Knocked on 3 neighbor doors with no luck and then called Trent again to come save us. He promptly arrived within 20 minutes and pushed my car out onto the driveway while I served as the brake master. Within 5 minutes my van was up and purring beautifully. I called the kids back into the car and we almost forgot Kent's jacket. Brenden thought he was being helpful by bringing it inside when we unloaded the car to wait for Trent...luckily we someone noticed it was not present and accounted for before we left the driveway.
Just down our community's street, I see that my gas gauge says I have 4 miles left in my tank. I tell the kids to pray that we'll make it to the gas station without having to push the car...and somehow am able to putt into the nearest gas station after having to make a turn in the opposite direction toward Mom's house.
Two small diversions that were unavoidable, but thankfully turned out much better than it could have.
After finding an hour wait at Babystacks, we try another restaurant. It was delicious. Kids tummies were happy. Mommies bellies were satisfied. Then it was off to Grandma's house again to let the kids roam free and play together. They went straight to the backyard and soon had swords, light sabers, balls and ride on cars going. Court, Mom and I got to sit around the kitchen table and talk. So nice.
After putting Kent to bed, I ran to a kids store and picked up a swing for baby Dean. Bless this invention....has allowed me to make dinner, fold laundry and otherwise get tasks done that I wouldn't be able to with a screaming baby who cannot yet self soothe.
I walk into my parents house after the store and see Poppy with Brenden and Kyleigh on either side of him watching Disney short films. One was called "Paperwork" or something to that effect and it was very cute. Another one was Goofy trying to install his surround sound speaker system and giant screen tv before the big football game.
Got home in time to make dinner for the family before Trent arrived home from work. After clean up, we sat down on the couch and had a 'Planning meeting' for FHE in which we scheduled all the assignments and activities and lesson ideas from January to June. Feels so good to have a plan.
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