When There’s No Water: A Family Night of Improvisation, Gratitude, and Faith

We woke up to frustrating news: there was a water interruption in our area. For families with children, water isn’t optional—it’s essential for hygiene, health, and daily routines. Living in a low-pressure water area, interruptions like this aren’t new to us. We even experienced one during the Christmas season, which felt like the worst timing possible.

Because we’ve gone through this before, we’ve learned to prepare. We store water whenever we can—just enough to last a day. Still, by evening, our supply would be gone. That’s when we decided to do something we wouldn’t normally do: spend the night at Lolo Rics and Lola Lu’s house.

Experiences like this constantly remind us of the importance of emergency preparedness for families, especially when raising young children.

Water Interruptions and Adjusting Quickly

Water disruptions force you to rethink everything—bathing, cooking, cleaning, and bedtime. While inconvenient, they also teach adaptability. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, we chose what made the most sense for our family that night.

Jesz had already gone back to his hometown, two hours away, with his relatives. That meant I would be alone with the kids. Initially, the plan was for my parents to stay overnight at our house. But with no water, it was far more practical for us to stay at theirs.

This is where the beauty of multi-generational Filipino households shines—when grandparents naturally become part of the solution, not out of obligation, but love.

A Simple Dinner Out

Lola Lu surprised us by taking us to Jollibee for dinner. It was a simple but generous gesture—especially since it’s not something she usually does.

We ordered classic favorites: burger steak with pineapple juice, a cheeseburger for Aia, and a Yum Burger for me. Most importantly, we ate peacefully. No rushing. No meltdowns.

As a parent, moments like these feel like small victories. Amid the usual chaos of raising kids, these quiet meals teach me the value of gratitude in everyday family life.

Bedtime Routine Away From Home

That night, my parents helped with the kids’ bedtime routine—a quick “half-bath,” brushing teeth, and washing faces. While waiting for the extra bed, the kids ran around, jumping and playing. It didn’t look calm, but it worked. They slowly tired themselves out.

Before sleep settled in, I opened my tablet and played the Holy Rosary using the Hallow Catholic prayer app. Almost immediately, the energy shifted. Josh and Nina found their places and drifted off within minutes.

Aia stayed awake a bit longer, helping me watch over Josh while I prepared milk for Nina. Eventually, she slept too. We ended the night praying beside Our Lady—thankful for rest, family, and a day that felt unexpectedly full.

Ending the day this way reflects how faith-centered parenting anchors our home, even when plans fall apart.

Quiet Lessons From an Interrupted Day

The water interruption was inconvenient—but it brought us closer to family, slowed our pace, and reminded us what truly sustains us. Sometimes, the most disrupted days offer the quietest blessings.

Moments like these are the heart of simple family living—unplanned, imperfect, but deeply meaningful.