12:34 July 6

This morning we left Toledo Bend. I can see a sadness in my kids' eyes. They've had an awesome week swimming and playing with their second cousins. It is hard to say good-bye and go our separate ways: some staying in Louisiana, most going to Texas and my cousin Stephanie and her family, all the way home to Chicago!

We Smiths were planning to start our two-day drive home to NC today but our van broke down on our trip between Lake Charles and Toledo Bend. It won't be ready for a few days, so we're headed back to Lake Charles with my parents to stay with my aunts again. I've struggled with feeling disappointed and stressed out this week because of the car. But I am indeed grateful to be stranded with our family. I'm especially grateful to my parents, sister and aunts, who've pitched in to help us with transportation, child care and expenses this week.