A Bad End!

 ETA: I forgot a big shout out and thank you to my mom for house and Jax sitting. Thank you Sandy Janway Jones

Seems the end of our vacation fell in line with the bad of the beginning. Roughly 3 hours away from home our car decided to break down in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma between Smithville and Broken Bow. We made it to what was an old gas station. Only one of our phones had service. And no tow service anywhere near us. The one tow place I called was out over 2 hours away on another tow. It was beginning to look like how many horror movies start.

We made some calls to friends and family we thought might be closest. All were willing in some capacity to help. Logistically, we got a plan in place for Steven's parents, brother, and sister-in-law to bring us a vehicle. They also had a tow guy follow them and give us a good break to get it back to McAlester. We made it home around 3 a.m. Steven's mother was able to make some calls and get the local community church to allow us to stay in a cool environment. They gave us some pizza and drinks and we couldn't be more appreciative.

Ridlee melted down only once about an hour into waiting in the heat and it was from being too hot. I had to get her clothes off, her hair up, give her lots of water to drink and put on her, and rub her down with lotion. When she cooled off she handled the situation like a champ. So did Gage Kitchens, Ryker, and Heston. Kieran Kitchens and Carson had gone their own way awhile before to go visit his aunt so they weren't with us any longer.

I tried to see the positive as much as possible to not lose it, but I had some minor meltdowns due to the stress of this and still not being past the first of the week's horrors. We were able to make it to a place off the road. It had a porch shelter/shade with chairs. It was late in the evening and not in the 100+ degree temps that were a couple hours prior. The church was a blessing and we were close by and the fact we were in a state located within a couple of hours of some friends and family. And no horror movie happenings ensued.

A few BIG thank you's to family and friends who were willing or did help.

Rodney and Jennifer Rowland

Tracy Kitchens

Steve and Cathy Kitchens

Kim and Erik Kitchens

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Bethel, Oklahoma

George Little (Towing)

Doug Pitcock for the towing recommendation

Galveston

 This is by far my favorite beach I have been to. I dislike crowds in general and this has been the most spread out one I've ever been to. We've spent a lot of time just relaxing. I even got a walk in with myself to the beach and back at my favorite time of day (dusk). We will head back home tomorrow. I do wish we stayed a bit longer this time but alas...