To start from the beginning go here.
Prior to Blake’s birth and my cancer diagnosis, Jeremy had become fixated on creating the best bread recipe. As part of his bread-making journey, he had signed up to be a distributor of Bosch and Nutrimill products. We had experimented with all of the Bosch attachments and Jeremy refined his freshly ground whole wheat bread recipe to be practically perfect. He also created a recipe for whole wheat pizza dough that was amazing.
After Blake was born and our world turned upside down, bread-making took a little hiatus in our home. My diet continued to evolve over the summer and I began incorporating only freshly ground whole wheat into my diet. Jeremy and I researched more whole wheat recipes and we began making bread again. Soon Jeremy began to search out opportunities to sell Bosch mixer units.
Shortly after my birthday, Jeremy came into contact with a man in Bisbee that wanted to purchase a Bosch mixer and also requested to have a demonstration on how to make bread. Jeremy and I discussed the idea of taking the entire family and making a trip out of it. I was hesitant to leave my safe haven at home where I had access to food that I knew was safe. But I also welcomed the idea of going on a trip together as a family, to go on an adventure and explore someplace I had never been. It would be hard with 5 kids in tow, 8 years of age and younger, one of which was a baby. And they would all be sleeping in beds that were unfamiliar. But that was part of the excitement, right?
We talked through the logistics and planned through each meal while we were gone. We figured out what we needed to pack to make it possible. Jeremy confirmed the plans with the potential buyer and he even offered us a room at his hotel that he owned to sweeten the deal. The arrangements were made and we were ready to go.
We packed the car full of Bosch equipment, food, cooking supplies, bags with changes of clothing, pillows, a couple of blankets, and a pack ‘n play. It was definitely more full than it normally should be for just an overnight visit. But we wanted to be extra prepared and not have to buy any food or supplies–I wouldn’t even know where to get organic food in Bisbee.
The drive was close to 4 hours and we had a few complainings and arguments and tears during the drive–that’s normal for five kids. But all these little things added to my growing anxiety of being away from the comforts and securities of home for an extended period of time. I probably snapped at the kids more than I should have because I was on edge.
We arrived after dark and had a difficult time finding the hotel and a place to park nearby. After a phone call to the owner, we were guided to a spot close to the entrance where we could unload our stuff and take it up to our room. The hotel was not what we were expecting. It was more of a large old building that had been partitioned into separate living quarters. It was quaint, and cute. Our room/apartment had two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs and a master suite, living room and kitchen on the main level. It was more of an apartment than a hotel room. We were pleasantly surprised.
It took awhile to get the kids ready for bed and calmed down enough to go to sleep. They were so excited to be out of the car after a long drive and to be somewhere new–on a vacation. After a few threats and multiple tuck-ins, they finally went to sleep, definitely way past their bedtime. Jeremy and I put Blake to sleep in the pack ‘n play in our room before we went to sleep as well.
The next morning we put some breakfast together for the kids made up of toast and some fruit we brought, and I had a pre-prepared carrot juice. Nothing spectacular, but comforting and familiar. I couldn’t leave home without my juices since they were part of my treatment to keep the cancer away. Jeremy gathered all of his supplies to teach the bread class and headed out the door, leaving me alone to entertain 5 kids in an unfamiliar apartment and city.
I panicked a bit at first. I put on some kid shows on the television to try to hold their attention and keep them from demolishing this apartment. We were guests after all, and trying to make a good impression on a potential buyer of our product. But the kids were so excited to explore somewhere new that a television with shows that they had already seen wasn’t going to keep them occupied. So I decided to be brave and adventurous and take them outside on a walk and see if we could find a park for the kids to play at and get some energy out.
I didn’t have to walk very far before I came upon the “City Park.” It wasn’t too impressive at first glance, but it had a small playground and that’s all we needed. The kids explored that for a little while, and checked out the small amphitheater that was nearby. We also found a small house across the street that looked like it was set up to be a shrine to some crazy art-muse. We were gone maybe an hour or so before the kids were bored and it was time to feed Blake again. I tried to text Jeremy to see if he was done. I was getting anxious walking around in an unfamiliar city with five little kids by myself. He didn’t reply and my anxiety rose. I didn’t want to go back to the apartment and have the kids terrorize it, and I wanted Jeremy’s help to get lunch ready for the kids. I slowly made my way back, just hoping Jeremy would be done by the time we got back. As we opened the door to the apartment there was still no sign of Jeremy. I started getting everything out for lunch. Deep down I knew I didn’t really need Jeremy to help, but it is always comforting to have his confident presence there to ease my anxiety. It was probably another hour or so before Jeremy was finished teaching his class and came back to the apartment with the owner. They continued to talk for awhile longer. I started getting a little frustrated because I was ready to pack up and go home, but while I listened to them talking, I realized something about Jeremy that made me love him even more in that moment. I noticed that Jeremy is the kind of person that people love to talk to because he genuinely cares about them. He spends time with people, no matter their circumstances, and treats them like a long-lost friend. It’s a talent that he possesses that I admire in him. Sometimes it can be frustrating when I want him to be doing something else, but at this moment I was better able to see the value of it.
When they finished talking, Jeremy helped me pack everything up and get the kids into the car. We said our good-byes to the kind owner, who did end up buying a Bosch, and we drove home. It was my first adventure since the surgery–not especially fun or exciting, but it was an accomplishment and an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone.
To continue the story go here.
