Grandparents, Car-Schooling, and Useless Automobile Club Memberships...

(Matthew eagerly heading to Grandma & Grandpa's house!)

So today’s rhetorical question is, “What would I do without my parents living closeby?” Today is a prime example of how much they do to simplify my life! This morning, Harold left for an overnight business trip to Lexington. Soon after he left, I pulled out of the driveway with the four oldest boys. William had an appointment to have his wrist looked at (we thought he had re-broken it on Friday—luckily, no,) and John Wesley and Cody had music lessons later today. Jonas came along for the ride. They all brought their schoolwork to do along the way. (Today we’ll call it car-schooling.)


That still leaves four kids unaccounted for, though, right? Never! Mom and Dad kept Lena, MaKenzie, Matthew, and Jared overnight last night so I could get out the door this morning without having to rush around getting the little ones up and ready before I had to leave. And that’s a pretty regular occurrence. We have so many appointments for our kids. Before Mom & Dad moved here, we somehow managed to get everything done, but it sure has been loads easier with them close by. The kids also appreciate not having to be drug along to appointments that don’t involve them—plus they get to enjoy the special treatment they get at Grandma & Grandpa’s house!

Some assert that it takes a village to raise a child. While I definitely don’t want the village involved in the raising of my children, let me be the first to tell you that it takes more than just Harold and me to make this family run smoothly! God has definitely put people and circumstances in place to allow us to “cover the bases” during the busy times.  I prefer to say that it takes a *family*--extended though it may be--to raise a child.

That fact was made all the more clear today when, driving down busy Route 23 in Pikeville, we started hearing a scraping sound in my Suburban’s engine. We were on our way to eat lunch between appointments, so we pulled into KFC. As I began to turn right, I realized I had no power steering! Thank the Lord that He kept us safe and I wasn’t on a really curvy road when I lost the steering!

I pulled out my “trusty” Triple A card and called the number, feeling very self-sufficient (HA!), and called the number on the card. She asked me where I wanted it to be towed, and I picked the closest location. That’s when it hit me: I still had four kids with me and she said only 2 of us could go. So much for not being stuck! Now I was back at square one. I thought for awhile then I pulled my cell phone back out and called Harold, leaving a message for him to “call me back IMMEDIATELY.” (Can you tell I was starting to panic? ) As I was waiting to hear back from him, I looked out the windows from where we sat in KFC and saw a service station just across the street from us. I decided I would take the truck over there to see if they could help me. Again feeling somewhat confident that things would work out okay, I was able to finish eating in peace.

I did eventually get a hold of Harold and he agreed that we should try the garage across the street, so here we are sitting in the café area of the little service station, the five of us spread out amongst three tables while the mechanics are working on our truck. The boys are finishing up their school assignments while I update this sad, neglected blog.

Meanwhile, Mom and Dad, faithful as ever, are back at their house taking wonderful care of my four youngest ones. I’m so thankful for the peace of mind that gives me, but more thankful for the relationships all of my children are blessed to share with their grandparents. I keep thinking that at some point, I should be the one giving in this relationship. Mom and Dad have given, given, given—all their lives—to me and my brothers, and to the work at Oneida, and before that to the children they cared for as foster parents. They continue to give now, even though, by all rights, they should be relaxing in their comfy chairs enjoying the quiet of retirement. Instead they are wrangling my kids on a fairly regular basis—and believe me when I say that’s not relaxing OR quiet! So, Mom & Dad, if you’re reading, THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! I don’t know what our family would do without you!