Begin with the end in mind.

We just got back from Texas. We had a great time. Seriously great but I have to save blogging to tell you what happened to us on the way home. You'll find it hard to believe just like me.

So I was travelling alone with the four kiddos when I started having van trouble. I think it started in Arkansas but it really is a blur. The car just started shaking but it was just a little and as long as I was going fast it was in control. And going fast was not a bad thing. I was really making good time. I wanted to be home for American Idol at 8 and so I just kept on moving. The kids were doing OK. Katie asked me, "Were having fun right, Mommy?" I assured that yup, this is fun. I had to stop for gas is Mississippi. I pulled in and the whole bottom of the car sounded like it had just hit the pavement. I filled up and kept on driving right into Alabama. Oh how we cheered for the sign and like I said as long as we were moving the van was in better shape. Then I missed a turn, stopped to turn around and that is when the van stopped moving and made a horrible grinding sound. Right there in the middle of the road, four kids in tow, and 60 miles from home. So I threw the van into neutral and had Thomas hop out to help push the car out of the road. And this is where I am thankful beyond measure for good ol' southern men. Two men jumped out of their car and helped me get my family out of harms way. Then I called the tow truck and they bent over backwards for me. They were there fast and with an extra truck that could fit all the kids and me. They drove to a repair shop,(that opened for me) and they took me and the kids to Chuck E. Cheese to wait for Dane. I was well taken care of. I just kept thinking to myself how thankful I was that this had happened in Alabama. I was so thankful for good people to help me.

So after Dane arrived and we were trying to head home, his car got a flat tire. Yup, no joke. So we (or more like Dane) changed the tire to the spare only to find out that was flat too. Seriously, no joke. The manager of the store came out and offered helped. Oh how nice it was. After we got the spare on we drove to the gas station, filled the tire with air and with 6 people in the car we made it home safe and sound. It was way passed 8 but home looked so good.

It was a long day. But we were more then taken care of. This was seriously just one thing after another and the kids were such troopers. Kaylyn even laughed and I am thankful for that quality. We are glad to be able to say Sweet Home Alabama and know what that means.