A Long Day

After Caroline's doctor appointment, we headed back home to Sarasota. Somewhere around downtown Orlando, I heard a sound and my car started to drive funny. My first thought was wait--I got BRAND new tires put on YESTERDAY so there is no way you have a flat tire. Well, I realized it was indeed a flat tire (and when I got out after I stopped-it was like shredded). Now I had to figure out where to pull over. I happened to be around an exit that was a toll road (that wasn't going to work because it was just longer roads) and then another exit that was closed. Are you kidding me?!?! And stopping in the middle of I4 was not an option since it wasn't safe. By this time something was smoking. Eek!! I finally saw an exit where I could get off. I couldn't make it to the gas station, so I settled for the side of the off ramp super close to the guard rail. I called Allstate and waited for a tow truck.

Luckily, the kids were sleeping through all of this and I thought no way would they sleep through the whole thing. E woke up about 5 minutes after we stopped and Caroline woke when the tow truck arrived. I think we waited maybe 45 minutes, which wasn't too awful. E was so happy to see the tow truck and even more excited when I told him we get to ride in it (I didn't take his carseat out because it's hard to get out and I wasn't about to start messing with it on the side of road on a busy exit AND because our travel time was only 4 miles to the place). It was a fun ride for the kids. The man who took us laughed and played with them. Super nice!

When we got the to place where my tire was going to be fixed, a woman saw me get out of the tow truck with Caroline in her car seat and E. As we walked in, she said "They have finished my car, would you like me to get lunch for you and your kids?" The tears started to fall. I politely said no, but thanked her graciously. We sat there for about 45 minutes. Everyone in there was really kind and was okay with my kiddos running around (normally they don't, but they have been couped up in the car all day and at this point I didn't care). They ate snacks and watched Curious George. They finished my car pretty quick and got us on the road.

The last bit home was okay! The kiddos were such good troopers given our day. So we got home and then ran to the store because we had no food (no eggs and no milk for my babies means no good lol). I was thinking this is a bad idea-their naps were short and they have been in the car all day. And normally I avoid taking them to the store because it's chaos. They were beyond good. It's like they knew we had a rough day and were like let's give mom a break. On the way home we saw a rainbow and E was like "I've never seen one before!" Made me smile.

We came home, ate dinner, and played. Kiddos went to bed early so this mama could have some me time. All in all, things turned out okay today. There were some people who were super nice and helpful to me and my babies today. Made it much better :)