After our late night on Saturday October 2, it was nice to sleep in just a bit on Sunday. But because of our sleeping in, it made for a crazy morning. We made another yummy breakfast (compliments of my brother and his yummy cooking skills). Then we attempted to get all the kids together and listen to conference. After much technical difficulty, we were able to listen to almost an hour of conference before we had to get everyone dressed and ready for baby blessing #2.
[Doing some conference activities to keep them busy and listening.]
On Saturday, when we were trying to figure out where Allyson’s sister’s house was (that is where the blessing was going to be held), it just happened to be a house that Joy knew well. Apparently, Allyson’s sister and Joy had boys on the same basketball team and Joy had even had a few play dates at the house. So Joy knew exactly where it was and it was only about a 3 minute drive from her house.
So we left a little before noon on Sunday October 3 to be at the blessing by noon. It was a very nice event and once again it was so special to see all the brother’s standing together officiating in an ordinance of the priesthood. It was fun to meet Allyson’s family. Her mom and sister were so kind. It was great to get to know them better. It was also fun to spend more time with family before we all had to depart for our various homes.
We got back to Steve and Joy’s house a little before 3. So we caught the last hour of conference too. It was nice!
As soon as conference was over we decided to take a walk over to the Salcido’s one last time. We wanted to see them again, but we also had a book that needed to be returned. So we took advantage of the pleasant day and walked. We were only at the Salcido’s for about 10 minutes when it started to get windy. Then we realized it was getting VERY windy. We gathered the kids up VERY fast and told them to run home! We took the little kids and carried them. The wind was so bad we could barely see or breath. Steve and Joy still live in a mostly undeveloped neighborhood and the houses that are there, many don’t have yards yet. So not only was it windy but it was dusty and dirty from all that the wind picked up.
By the time we got back to Steve and Joy’s you couldn’t see the lake it was so windy and dusty. Steve came out to meet us down the street and helped carry a little child. I had gotten so tired from carrying Keri that Scott had both Keri and Afton in his arms. Thanks Steve for coming to the rescue!
We were so glad to be back in the house and out of the wind! However, about 10 minutes later, the wind completely stopped, the dust settled and the beautiful day returned!! Crazy weather I tell ya!
We made a yummy dinner of left overs for the littles and then put the littlest of the littles to bed. Then the adults had a WONDERFUL fish dinner that Steve made. We did share a bite or two with the kids still awake, but for the most part the 4 of us sat down to a nice, quite, adult centered dinner. Haven’t had one of those in YEARS!!
After much hesitation, we finally retired to bed. It was going to be a long day of travel and we needed our sleep. We did sleep in a bit but we finally got up and got going. After many hugs and lots of goodbyes, we pulled out of Steve and Joy’s about 8:30am.
It WAS a long drive. But it was fun and very memorable. I remember as a kid going on car trips and I have very fond memories of those times with my mom or grandpa. I hope my kids remember these trips as fondly as I remember mine.
I do have to relate this wonderful story. As we were driving home we were caught in some pretty good rain storms throughout Nevada. At one point we were traveling through a pretty bad storm, lots of wind and rain, and I started to approach two semi trucks. The semi in front was a semi towing a semi and the second was just a semi. The semi pulled out to pass the tow truck and was successful. As I approached I pulled into the other lane to pass and had this distinct impression I should slow down. For me, this is a HUGE request (for those who know how I drive, asking me to slow down would be like asking me to sell my first born), but I complied to the prompting. Just as I finished slowing (about 40mph) the semi being towed lost his right fender. It was just inches from hitting our car. Had I kept my speed that fender would have hit the windshield and we would have gone head first into the deep ditch on the side of the highway. It was a scary yet humbling experience at the same time. We right away recognized the hand of the Lord and were very grateful for his tender mercy. We are still grateful for that experience and I hope to always be that in tune with the spirit that I can follow it’s promptings right away.
That is a scary, yet humbling! Thanks for sharing and being such a good example of the believers.