When Our Expectations Aren't Met....God hands us a SNO-CONE

After our Saturday chores were done and errands were run, it was time to head to the neighborhood pool! Vivian & Elizabeth were doing their normal cheerleading routine on the way to the car while Mommy and Daddy were loading up and locking the house. Finally, we were OFF, and it was going to be another fun "UFO" (United Family Outing)...or so we thought.

Driving into the pool parking lot just moments later, we were met by a friendly young lifeguard and very distant proclamations of thunder. ROAR! The pool was closing and so were the skies. It was time to go elsewhere. But where? What could top the pool for two precious little Fish in the backseat? The same little fish who had tried to wear their "star" float in their car seats on the way to the pool? As a parent does almost 100 times a day, I had to think fast on my flip-flops! What would we do now? Going home and watching "Barney" would just NOT cut it.

SNO CONES!!! As soon as the thought came to me, however, so did the dark, mysterious rain clouds. We'd have to move quick if we were even going to make it to the shaved ice stand before they closed for the rain delay. We did just that.

Paul and the Girls stayed in the car while I went up and got our icey treats. Mmmm! Bahama Mama's Shaved Ice in Katy. If you've never been, make a date---bring your family or just the kids. It's worth the drive out west for this fun, COOL refreshing treat. Who says you shouldn't travel more than 20 miles just for a cup of ice? You'll disagree once you've make the adventure your own.

Although our travel time was less than 2 miles, it quickly became an adventure. The skies closed even more and the rain started to pour as the last cup of Pink Lemonde ice was being put in between my fingers. I quickly rushed to the car, passed off the 4 cups to Paul and jumped into my seat. Mommy was wet and the pool wasn't an option, but it was still a United. Family. Outing.

To keep our UFO from quickly becoming a UFI once we arrived back home, we decided to try something new. A Garage Picnic. Why enjoy the beautiful downpour of rain from inside, when a hot & humid garage makes the perfect covered patio. So....we laid down the towels, pulled out some comfy stools and enjoyed the last part of our sno cones, all while watching heavy raindrops bounce off our cars and into the rushing river forming against the curb. It made our day getting to watch V&E step gingerly out into the rain to get their hair wet...laugh hysterically... and then quickly step back under cover. The unexpected UFO was beautiful. Fun. Relaxing. Wet. Peaceful. Family. United.

And even though we didn't get to experience another fun trip to the Cinco Ranch pool, God handed us a sno cone & another memory that will last a lifetime. Just another timely reminder that God can turn our UNMET expectations into something Beautiful...Delicious...Memorable...Fun....Peaceful....Perfect.