"What I Learned Over Summer Break"

     I am not the one in control.  Unfortunately, that is a lesson that doesn't seem to sink in for the long-term and I get to revisit it frequently, even daily sometimes.  Now this doesn't mean that I lack self-control (although it is hard-pressed when faced with cheesecake, sleeping in, or a good book).  What I mean is that I don't have control over everything that happens in my life.  Thankfully, I have a heavenly Father who is and He is good in all things.

 
 Our first big "not in control of everything" episode occurred during our bathroom remodel in June 2013.  The bathtub that was installed in the bathroom was not easiest tub to use with three, little kiddos.  I also prefer darker colors over pastels so we decided to change everything.

We pulled out all the tiles and paneling.  (Actually, after our first house, I'm very sick of paneling.}  We decided to stick with blue and so we test painted a few swatches.

                                                                

      The demolition and paint choosing went fairly smoothly and according to plan.  The next big hurdle was removal of the walk-in, jetted tub.  That too went fairly smoothly. (As did the selling of it, thankfully.)

  Then we hit a bump in the road (or rather the reminder that we weren't in control).  We were waiting on the delivery of our new tub and surround.  Also, we were actually having rain fall from the heavens during this time so the outside options as outings for the children were limited.  My mother-in-law, Julene, and I were going to disappear with the kiddos so as no distractions would get in the way of the new tub install.   We decided to go check out the antique shops and consignment store downtown.  We stayed away for a good long time, but the tub did not arrive on schedule.  Nor did it really arrive in a timely manner that day.  Then when it did arrive and everything was unpacked, we discovered a crack.

Everybody was thrilled.
We called the store, which was in Lubbock, and finally had them agree to deliver a non-cracked tub to our house the next day and to remove this one.  Again, Julene and I distracted children.  And again everyone waited and waited....and waited some more.  Finally, we find out that our tub was never put on the truck for delivery.  "Thrilled" was not the word choice for the day.
      Now, realize that plans for actual fun had been delayed quite a bit for Chris and his dad, Steve.  Also, realize that they had been stuck in mid-job having to wait for the next piece to install. Julene and I had also been stretched a bit trying to find places to go outside of our house so as to not be in the way.  There aren't that many options in Plainview, especially when we were having rainy weather.  Finally, two days after the original arrival and install date, we got a non-cracked tub.

     Chris and Steve went to work getting it installed and ready for use.  They had some minor bumps along the way. By the time Steve and Julene left though, we had a fully functional tub and shower.  It was wonderful.  (Chris and Steve also got to play golf together during a hail storm.  Yeah, they had fun that weekend.) 

 

      Then after our brief loopty-loo around the Midwest, Chris finished the floor and painting (and texturizing) the walls.  It's now a bathroom that works much better for our family.

It only looks this clean on Saturday mornings.

        This "not in control of everything experience" wasn't really that outrageous and actually everyone stayed pretty chill throughout.  However, it was a reminder that despite our plans, life doesn't always go by our plans. Fortunately, this experience provided more hilarity than anything else.
       Our second "not in control of everything" experience involves our first camping trip in Texas. Wait for it...