“Remember that time our van broke down in No-Where, Alabama when we were driving to the beach? That was awesome!” I can already hear my kids years from now happily reminiscing about a little unplanned detour we had to take on a recent drive to the beach. I can’t blame them…to them it was the highlight of the trip: Van breaks down. Kids get to go in gas station and pick out any candy treat they want and then sit in front of the iPad watching more TV then they get to in a normal week, and they get to ride in a real tow truck. All the while mom and dad sweatin’ out (literally. it was hot.) how in the world they are going to get the car (and children) back to civilization, pay for repairs, rent another van, get to the beach and redeem what was left of the weekend. Fun times. Fun times, I tell ya! Thankfully it’s all about the journey, not the destination. Right?! It all ended okay and could have been so much worse — for that I’m grateful. Don’t worry, we did finally make it to the beach (and back home again) and had an awesome time.

• Tow ride to Montgomery with driver Steve, his spit cup, and the 5 of us = $300
• Fixed transmission = $1500
• Convient store snacks and treats in Shorter, AL = $9
• Memories = priceless

Making the best of the situation w/ ring pops, laffy taffy, sweet tarts, and chocolate…in the grassy field next to the only gas station on the exit. Good times. 🙂

Loading up the car seats…

Thumbs up! we are ready to go!

It’s all about the journey…and making the moments fun — even when they are not. 🙂