Our First Roadtrip

Job loss again hit our home and my day dreams of having a vacation was not happening. My hearts prayer went something like this.....Lord, the desire of my heart is to have a way to go to the beach with my children.... Months passed with no site of any relief coming.

So out of desperation I decided to reach out to a friend for a job and ask I could pick up some hours at their newly opened bakery as their barista. The work was early and partly painful. Getting up at what felt like ungodly hours, a 4:45 wake up call, was non to pleasant for a mom thats only job was "the Children". Routines sprung up and the house was only half in upheaval with mom now working over the summer and dad at home. This had never been before. Everyone was in uncharted territory. The emotions that have never been all that stable at our home because of several reasons, but the one i will mention is SENSORY PROCESSING.

“The Beach, I just simply had to go find my Mom Brain afterwards because I did not have it while preparing to go. I forgot: 1. Sunblock 2. towels 3. beach things to do.... YEP COMPLETE MOM FAIL! .”

Side bar for just a second: Sensory processing is the one common link i have to being under the Spectrum. My daughter doesn't have as severe case as others but we still deal with all the sensory drama with family, emotions, school, friends, that you can handle. So for so long we have never even dreamed of going anywhere expensive or long journeyed because of this! annddd the 3 other littler children aren't in the most self sufficient stage too.

But i wished for the family connection and the memories that we hadn't been able to make. And low and behold an opportunity came our way and we decided to take it. My husband and I got in contact with his very good friend about coming down to youston/ Galveston for a visit! I couldn't believe it! it was actually going to happen! The provision had surprisingly been given to us unexpectedly. After we had decided to go for it my thoughts turned to children who've never been away fro their beds, invading a strangers home and knowing our budget was moderate at best.

The daunting thought of packing:

It pays to marrying a tech savvy man. Packing included a small tv monitor that fit between the front seats some cords and a couple adaptors for our iPads and cell phones. (Were all Apple at our house so it was easy to buy 1 adaptor and cord). This much movie binging would normally wreck anyones day BUT a 10 hour buckled down car ride was an exception. Being the first solo family car trip we learned lots and at some points missed the sensory breaks needed, so we would do things differently maybe next time a bit. Over all the movie marathon went well. We would take screen breaks and our poor ears a break too!

We had our melt down at the different restaurants that typically back home we never ever go to. We would maybe practice a little more next time sitting down to eat a nice meal and try to avoid high peak eating times as we did mostly. The Beach I just simply had to go find my mom brain afterwards because I did not having it preparing to go. I forgot: 1. Sunblock 2. towels 3. beach things to do.... YEP COMPLETE MOM FAIL! no lawn chairs to sit on and i'm pretty sure we didn't even have water.

We were sun sick that night but the next day was going to be our last full day so we had to suck it up spray on the aloe gel and avoided the sun as much as possible. We decided on the indoor Aquarium which cost us a pretty penny to get into and do the extra indoor activities! BUT it was worth it. MY children sparkle in their eyes at the beach and this incredible aquarium was just simply amazing! I was so happy that I was able to see their faces and the moments i captured in my mind i will always cherish.

See this is how the Father works in us. He wants us to be fulfilled and happy and He will "March our hinny to that restaurant bathroom and discipline in a way only Father God can" He wants us to be obedient as i am trying to teach these things to my children He is still working in me. through me and always for me.

We survived the drive home and honestly we booked it. The rain was coming behind us and eventually caught up with us just after passing through Dallas. It was dangerous rains till we got in our drive way. Unfortunately a week after our trip Hurricane Harvey went through and watching the news was devastating because just a week before we had driven on the high ways that were under water.