The Aftermath

Taking a shower in our own warm, clean house was such a beam of happiness after two days of grungy travel. The snow was piled high outside and our bags were nowhere to be found, but we were home and our very own laundry machines were ready for action, lol :)

Buck headed to his doctor's appointment the next morning, after we dropped off the big, white beast. He received his work release paperwork, and then drove for his unofficial first day back. He had a good conversation with his boss and two same-level co-workers, and worked out his modified schedule for his first week back. Work four hours, have two days off, work four hours until switching to six hours during week two. He set a follow-up with the release doctor for a month later, but continues his weekly meetings with his other doctor. He is feeling pretty good about being back at work! Other than the gnarly head cold Brennen picked up from the softball team, which transferred to Buck, and Gabby (she missed church on Sunday).

While Buck was at work, I was in nervous-busy frenzy. Our fridge was mostly empty, so I decided to clean it. I was DELIGHTED to discover two tiny tabs that made it possible to release the entire bottom shelf/drawer system in the fridge. For YEARS I've wanted to clean the spilled liquids and Jell-O smudges that seeped between the glass and the plastic shelving, but I couldn't figure out how to separate the two. I felt so accomplished to polish this back up to *practically new* proportions :)

When Buck returned from work that first day, we started the process of tracking down our bags. The website showed they were out for delivery for HOURS. Buck called (and was put on hold for 30 minutes) then was told to call back. I went online and left a message with the delivery company, who seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Just as we were about to go through round two of these investigations--the doorbell rang and our bags arrived, a little dirty, but intact! Hooray! I felt the need to rewash everything in the bags after their extended travels without us. This took approximately two full days.

We hopped back into our schedule of Caelan working, guitar, youth group, small group (it was ladies' group night, so somehow I ended up coordinating plans for that, selecting the restaurant, setting up reservations--ha, I'd barely landed!) Earlier that same day, Buck and I got to spend some time alone together. We left early for his afternoon doctor's appointment over the river, and grabbed lunch together (hooray, gift cards!). After this, we went to a bow range where the owner spent more than an hour helping Buck fine tune his shot and setting the bow up for his body (this is the bow his dad sent in the mail after giving up hunting). We learned they have a youth bow shooting training/competition/club that seems like it would be right up our kids' alley! We're excited to look in to that more :)

On another afternoon, we watched the city workers attack the mountain of snow in our cul-de-sac. They'd piled it up during the big storm, and probably the storm before that at its base. They worked on it all afternoon. Eventually NINE brimming dump trucks full of snow were carted away from the space in front of our house. Nine!

We found out that the man who was leading our kids' youth worship band faced a similar situation as our former youth pastor. Not putting in enough hours, not fulfilling the responsibilities he'd signed up for as an intern for the church. So, no leader. No band. Sad kids!!!! Caelan decided to talk to our pastor about the situation, and convinced him to let them continue practicing together until another leader can be found (the current main worship pastor committed to doing "something" with the students given the departure of the other guy). Band practice happened per usual, with mamas watching over the proceedings. Next came choir, then the loss of the kids' cell phone and a 45 minute search. I was frustrated by our three hour stint at church that afternoon, given all the things (including school work, which we pushed from M-Th to T-F ((with a full homework day, now on Sat.)) due to our late arrival home from our trip). Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but we had ANOTHER commitment just an hour later, whew!

Our church hosted its first family fun night--carnival style. While we were in CA, the youth coordinator messaged me to see if the girls would make a face-painting poster. Then her co-lead messaged me to see if the girls would DO the face painting. They never have before, but sure, why not? Since the event was mostly geared toward families with little kiddos, and our girls were already volunteering, we decided the rest of us could help too. Buck and I became hot dog slingers (while managing refreshments and the dessert table) and the boys were put in charge of carnival games such as ring toss and bowling.

I don't think they expected the amazing turnout that happened that night! Buck and I ran out of hot dogs, prayed for God to "loaves and fishes" it. Looked in the fridge and found eight more packages of hot dogs! I was microwaving them in the back kitchen as fast as Buck could serve them in the hospitality area. We finally had to shut it down, and say, "We're out!" But the juggling (our church's co-pastor and his twin are juggling entertainers :) and message was about to begin.

It was a pretty amazing event--a bounce house, photo booth, four square in the air, bubble tunnel, balloon animals, a book-covered prize table in exchange for tickets . . . plus the other things I've already mentioned. It was a whirlwind two hours and we were EXHAUSTED by the end of it. But it was fun, to God be the glory!

Just got these pics from my super talented photographer friend . . .

You'd never know this kid served the whole time with a big hole in his pants! That's pair two of the cotton wonders we've had to trash, but he wears them almost non-stop, so maybe that's why :) Still, what a trooper! No complaints. I didn't even find out until we were on our way home!