We are on our way back from our big trip out west (which I will have to blog about another time to share all the fun that we had!) and planned before we left to stop and spend the night somewhere on our way back. Normally we push through and drive through the night, but Owen is NOT a good car rider and needs a break. So, we decided to drive to Nashville, TN which would put us over halfway home. I had this idea in my head that we would have a fun evening together, stay at a hotel with restaurants nearby so we could walk around, and just relax and have fun as a family! Well.....let me just tell you how the evening actually played out.
About an hour before getting to Nashville Owen started screaming and crying. It wasn't time to eat, he was just ready to be out of the car! We knew we were getting really close so we just kept going (mistake number one). My wonderful mom got online for us and started looking up hotels that were in the Nashville area. After calling a few we decided we would hit up a Holiday Inn Express that was outside of town a bit. Blake then said that we should have my mom check on Expedia to see if there were any deals on hotels in downtown Nashville (mistake number two). We thought it would be fun to stay right in the heart of things (mistake number three). Mom found a deal for Best Western in downtown, so we decide we will go for it instead of the Holiday Inn Express (mistake number four). With Owen still screaming we just wanted to get out of the car and into a hotel! We didn't clearly listen to my Mom while she gave us directions and couldn't find the hotel. We turned around and finally got on the right road. We found the hotel, and we were not too happy with what we found!
The hotel is not in the best looking area of town and we did not want to stay there. So, I started asking how we could cancel the reservation. The lady at the front desk said that we would have to go through Expedia (who we just booked the hotel with about 10 minutes earlier). So, I call expedia. They have to contact the manager of the hotel to see if we can cancel. We start driving away to head to the Holiday Inn Express when the expedia lady comes back on the phone to tell me that unfortunately the Best Western will not issue us a refund. So, we turn around and grin and bear the hotel. I'm trying to stay positive and think that we can still have a nice night even if we are in a not so good hotel. But, things don't get any better.
We get to the hotel, check in and find out that we are on the fourth floor. Not the easiest thing with two kids, but ok, we will deal with it. We get the kids inside with a few luggage items and wait for the elevator. After standing at the elevator for close to five minutes a hotel employee (who had been standing there the whole time) comes over to inform us that the elevator is being worked on and won't be ready for 30 minutes or so! AND WE ARE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR!!!!! I was shocked! I just couldn't believe it! We carried our little ones up to our room and Blake went and got more luggage. While he was gone, both my kids were screaming and crying, and I just wanted to join in with them!
Still trying to stay positive, we get dressed and walk a little ways to go get dinner (the one thing I really wanted to do that we actually did!) We ate at a place called Otter's. Ordered our food, and I misspoke and ordered the wrong thing only realizing it after we had paid. Dinner was pretty pleasant, then we got back to the hotel. Owen was over this whole being out and being up thing, so he started screaming and crying again. I put Karis in the bath and let her play a bit while I passed Owen over to Blake. When I got back to Karis saw that she had pooped in the tub. Yep, that was awesome. Who doesn't want to clean poop from a hotel bathroom after a frustrating evening! : ) Owen finally calmed down and went to sleep, Karis finally wound down and went to sleep, and Blake and I are now getting some much needed rest.
I've been trying to think positively and be thankful all night in midst of one frustration after another, and let me tell you it has been a challenge! Karis has a veggie tale video and the words to one of the songs has rung in my ears all evening "A thankful heart is a happy heart..." I have not had a happy heart but I am fighting for it! I am thankful for God's grace and that He is in control, even over nights where nothing goes your way! He is good even when my circumstances are not.
Ahh...that was therapeutic. What a night, what a night! I sure hope the rest of our drive home is uneventful and smooth! Here is to having a happy, thankful heart!
1 comment:
Oh that's the Karis I know and love!
I'm glad you guys are back home and that horrible little night is behind you!
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