Holiday SPIRIT

Today was a crazy day...get up... change 3 diapers...Dane pooped 5 minutes after I changed his morning diaper then Jackson decided to "go" at the same time. Anyway, where was I...oh yeah, fix breakfast, dress everyone including.... myself as today is the 1 day I don't have to "teach" a class, and I'm not attending because of the CRAZY "to do" list. ( I deserve one day off?)
Drop Jackson off at preschool...run to starbucks... had to have a ZEBRA Mocha....non-fat milk of course and no whip...but I watched the gal put it on anyway! Didn't want to fuss...and figured it was a good "thursday treat"! Ran to get the preschool teachers and classmates a little something...and back to school by 10 for the party. Did I mention that I forgot the camera???? Had to drive back home BEFORE the party- what kind of mom and blogger would I be??? Naughty for sure!

The rest is a blur...mini nap for kiddos, lunch, and then headed out for my errands. Babes at home with sitter and I headed out...lets just say the HOLIDAY SPIRIT lives!!!
What do you mean? Well... there were lots of things still on my "to do" list and it was going to be a long afternoon. Hubby and I decided that he'd come home after work, pick up the kids, and meet me for dinner since my plans wouldn't end until after 6. So that meant me leaving my car for him... leaving me with the #3 car.
( the exterra that sits for weeks on end without being driven)
ANYWAY... gotta focus.... I should have listened to my gut when it took a few attempts to start, but I thought it was normal for a car that has been "resting" to be rather hard to start. NO not the case.

Headed to my first stop... got in and out...without the desired prize...tried to start the car... NOTHING!! But literally 30 seconds later a truck pulls in beside me... I hop out thinking surely this "manly man" would have jumper cables. I asked just that and he said, "Yes, do you need a jump?" I smiled, and said Please!
Well... he was a "Mr. Fix-it" and had to help me figure out how to even "pop" the hood. Now remember this is NOT my normal driving vechile...otherwise I might have known how?
It turns out that the battery had "stuff" all over it... Mr. Fix-it got out his tool box from the truck and proceeded to clean the "stuff" off. Then he gave me a "Jump"...I mean gave my car a jump. What's funny is that we kept up a conversation the entire time he was "fixing the battery". I know that he's happily married, has 2 grown kids- daughter 27, son-23 who is a state trooper and friends with my husband's friend...small world, that Mr. Fix-it works at Alcoa and is a volunteer fireman.
Once the Exterra was running like a champ I grab some money from my purse and tried to get Mr. Fix it to take it. He refused...wishing me a Merry Christmas. I asked for his name, and he simply said "Jake". I gave Jake a hug and thanked him profusely... it's so nice to know that there are GOOD people in this world, and I know "Mr. Fix-it- Jake" was there just at the time I needed him. Thank you for that one Lord. He has a master plan for every day, and today my Holiday spirit was renewed to the Brim!

In case you're wondering, I did make it though the rest of the day without problems...and hubby brought the kiddos for dinner. Loving our new Chinese find...Jimmy Jeng's!
I'm thinking the local firestation might be getting a BIG gift of CHOCOLATE...hopefully Mr. Fix-it Jake will enjoy it. Any other ideas of how I could get a Thank you to him? Pay it Forward? Open for suggetions!

Here are a few pics from the party!

Back to the GYM I go in the morning! Hope to see you there! The count down is on only a week til Christmas! ENJOY the HOLIDAY SPIRIT...pass it along!