Fixing Flats

Last Tuesday was a really awesome day for me.  I changed my own flat tire with my two girls in the car while on a major highway.  

When I started to drive, my Dad gave me a basic lesson on tire changing, but given the fact that I was a young girl, his encouragement was to always call someone for help.  Being alone on a highway as a young 16 year old probably wasn't the best place to be.  But, I never had to change my tire.  Of all the flat tires I have had on my car, I have either been with my parents or my husband who have just changed it for me.

A couple of years ago while traveling to the doctor I got a flat .25 miles from the office.  I was so sick I just couldn't imagine changing the tire so I called Bob to come and rescue me while I walked to my appointment.  I will admit, besides being sick, I honestly was scared to do it.  Its overwhelming when you have never done it, ya know?

After that experience though, my husband was adamant that I know, and confidently know how to do it on my own.  So a couple of times we went into the garage and I did the thing on a perfectly good tire.  Practice removes fear.  Now the only fear was around the uncertainty of "what happens when its summer, on the highway, and you are alone with your girls?"  No way that perfect storm will happen.

HA!  That is exactly what happened, and I stinking handled the whole thing like a boss.  

While driving to swim team we heard a loud noise on the 202.  I looked back at Lily who was very worried and slowly pulled over to the side (which was at one of the widest points on the highway!).  I told her that I was pretty sure we had a flat tire and she was ready to help.

I got out and confirmed my suspicion and then Lily and I got to work.  From start to finish I was fully confident and fully competent (I didn't eve call Bob until we were done and on our way again).  Lily was so engaged in the whole process and was so excited to be a part of the process.  "Mom how do you know how to do this stuff?  I wanna learn and I wanna practice!"  It was such a good moment and such a phenomenal experience.  We had all the things, summer, heat, kids, highway, and we put on our can do pants and got the thing done.

I am almost 39 and just now have changed my car tire.  It feels so good to solve your own problems and do so with confidence.  We were only 15 minutes late to swim and my girls both got one of the best life lessons out there.  

We Longmire women are capable, competent, and possible.  We will always take help if offered, but at the end of the day, we can stinking change our own tires!

The Matthews Move to Texas

If you have ever moved, you can deeply resonate with this sentiment.  Goodbyes are hard.  There is honestly just no way around it.  Rebekah and Steve Matthews have been a constant in our lives since moving to Arizona so in December when Rebekah called me to say that they might be moving to Texas I had that moment of, sadness mixed in with this overwhelming sense of excitement for them.  Moving and going on adventures is a language I speak and honestly it can be the most life changing and wonderful thing mixed in with this great sense of.....bummer.

This year has seen a lot of change in this group of friends. Life is moving forward and on.

3 months ago when the move became even more inevitable, I quickly volunteered to help them with the driving come moving day.  Two reasons I did this......1. to be helpful, but 2. because I wanted to wait as long as humanly possible to say goodbye.

We have had a wonderful few months enjoying the luxury of living close to each other.  Rebekah and I even powered through the Fast and the Furious Movies over the past month (how fitting that the last one we watched together is the 7th......if you know you know).  I am deeply grateful for the time we have had before moving day.

When moving day came, Bob dropped me off at their AZ home and in short order the Uhaul, towed Nissan, and the mini van were well on our way.

We OF COURSE had to stop at Dutch Bros for some coffee.  Its our thing.......that thing I will miss the most, coffee and talking.  Thank the Lord for Marco Polo!

Moment of truth, I HATE road trips, but I LOVED driving their van.  My eyes have been opened to understand now how people like road trips.  I mean it was pure luxury!  We took our time and stopped anytime anyone needed it.  It was laid back and we just talked.

Our first day saw us to Lordsburg New Mexico.  It was a perfect little stopping spot and we had a fantastic meal at Kranberry's Chatterbox.  So much fun and I think I solidified myself with the kids as fun Aunt B.  Hope it sticks.

Since I was driving, our first stop  on day 2 was Starbucks!  Kids got Cakepops and Rebekah and I enjoyed our usuals! 

More shenanigans.....

And then TEXAS!!!!

Midland was our stopping spot and we all got settled and then had a pizza party on the floor.  After that I got to have Amelia in my room and she and I watched Harry Potter!  So good!

DAy three we awoke to rain. and it rained ALL DAY.  As in we did not see the sun once.  It made driving a bit more challenging, but I did'nt mind, I was in my luxury mobile playing my cruise control game behind the UHAUL (basically how long can I go without touching the pedals and only working the cruise buttons).  The game became really fun when Steve taught me about the coast function!

After a long morning in the car we pulled up to their ADORABLE new home in DAllas Texas (lucky state). 

By the time we started to really unload the truck, the rain was pouring down hard.  Steve and I decided to just go for it and we were able to get the whole truck unloaded and in their new garage.

We were both soaked through, but I was so glad that I was there to help.  I had to get back home the following morning and was so excited to see my girls.  Life is so beautiful and I am deeply grateful for the home I have. 

I am deeply going to miss having this family close, but know that God has wonderful things ahead of them.  I am so excited for them to take flight in their new home and pray fervently that REbekah will meet her next best friend who will drink coffee and talk about all the things.

So much love to these guys!

Welcome home Matthews!