Flexibility

And…. We’re off!  Amazingly for January in Michigan, our planned leave date was snow free and so was the rest of our planned route. With clear roads, some good music, a good auidobook (“The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom”- so much fun  and if you listen to the audio the reader makes it amazing!!), and a show or two (we make them all watch together!), we made good time. As far as chasing summer, though, Kentucky disappointed us- good thing we didn’t expect much!

Our first night was a stopover in Corbin, Kentucky.  There are a savvy few of you who know that Corbin isn’t simply a convenient overnight on the way to one's destination, but rather an important place in our country’s history. That’s right, it’s the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken! Did we go to the original restaurant and museum, you ask? No. No we did not. You see, we tend to miss some local flavor when we drive in at dusk and are planning to leave at dawn, not to mention that making a "quick stop" with a 35 foot fifth wheel without knowing if there is parking or a place to turn around frightens you half to death. Even the thought of unhitching so you can tool into town doesn’t sound as good as staying hooked up and heating up some rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes and going for a walk (while the kids complain about being cold- of course one of them actually was cold —no names mind you — as no winter coat was brought along because, duh… we’re going to Florida).

Our second night in Hahira, Georgia was a bit better as far as temperature goes- we almost broke 60°! But again, we didn't get to experience their honeybee themed downtown or the annual honeybee festival they are "famous" for (though we are a few months early for that one!). Instead we had hot dogs and canned green beans for diner (don't judge!!) and went on a night walk.

As delightful as I’m making our trip sound so far, what we’ve struggled with is being flexible when things don’t exactly go our way. I’m so glad our kids get the opportunity to travel, and this is never more true than when things don’t go our way. This can be anything from (and these have all happened in the last two days, mind you!) forgetting to pack a favorite tube of toothpaste, realizing one’s winter boots are a bit too small, not packing facial cleanser, having our site in a different location than we expected, being upset when your siblings eat candy slower than you (which means they have still have some to eat when yours is gone), not getting to stop at the truck stop that has the best fast food, or even more difficult things like missing our friends or someone not being nice to you.

It has given us plenty of opportunities to practice our new family motto, much to the chagrin of our kids. “When things don’t go my way, I can take a deep breath and….” Fill in the blank.

We usually go with “respond in love and not react”, or "I can be flexible." But whatever words we use that day, it’s really just finding a way to fully experience this adventure God has given us and to hold lightly to what we thought we wanted- having gratitude for our blessings, and an open heart and eyes.