Arrived in West Virginia (again)

We finally made it.  The trip itself was good.  We could not have asked for better weather the whole trip.  We left on Sunday afternoon after church and some last minute packing.  We drove until about 7:00 or so that evening and stopped in Des Moines, IA.  We got a good night sleep and started out the next day.  The weather was cloudy most of the trip.  This was good because there was no sun beating down in my eyes, for which I am VERY thankful.  It was also just cool enough that we didn't have to drag out the heavy coats every time we went inside for a potty break.  We drove to the Indiana state line and Princess got car sick.  We pulled over at the last exit before actually getting into Indiana to clean up the mess.  She had taken her car sick medicine so I don't know what caused her to get sick.  We stopped at a gas station that thankfully had baby wipes and garbage bags.  We bagged and wiped down what we could.  Again, very thankful for the cloudy weather so the van didn't get too hot.  We will have to take it to get cleaned after everything is out.  We drove a little farther so we could find a "good" place to stop for the night and get something to eat.  I think it was like 8:00 Central time when we pulled over in Indianapolis, IN.  We went to a Steak and Shake to eat.  We had fancy milk shakes, the kids had macaroni and cheese, I had a patty melt, and they got to put together paper cars while they waited.  We now know that we love a Steak and Shake.  Prince likes to try different places.  He always wants to try a different hotel or place to eat.  He doesn't like to stay at the same place all the time.  I am a little surprised by that in him.  Our room was less expensive than I had thought it would be and the kids had been very good on the trip, so we rented a movie in the room.  We were all still a little wound up and couldn't sleep right away.  After the movie, lights out and we all fell asleep.  We got up the next day and finished the drive.  Princess rode in the front after the car sick incident, and seemed fine.  She had a little flem in the throat in the morning, but after a little nap she felt better.  She was very good about taking her car sick medicine every day, it does make her a little tired.  The internet at the hotel wasn't working so I couldn't update from there.  Sorry.  We arrived at about 4:30 here (that would be 3:30 Central time) and "surprised" Daddy at work.  The kids were excited to see him, and excited to know that the trip was over and they would be out of the van.  Daddy left a little early from work and took us to the new Red Lobster that just opened in town.  Then we came back to the trailer.  Daddy had a surprise for the kids and he was as excited as they were to see it.  They had been trying to guess it for about a week.  In this ity bity trailer there is a Rock Band 2.  We have drums and guitar and microphone for the Wii.  Of course, Daddy had to show off what he learned while he was playing and we weren't here.  Then the kids each had to have a turn.  They both did really well.  Then Daddy played drums, Mommy played guitar, and Prince was singing.  If they only had controls for dancing....that is what Princess was doing.  Mom is ready for bed as soon as I see it.  Daddy thought the kids wanted to watch a movie.  I think he just wanted to spend more time with them.  Mom went up to fold the clothes that Daddy had washed and then pushed on the floor.  LOL  After we got to bed I fell asleep.  I am not sure I even waited till I fell into the bed.  Just fell asleep, then fell in it.  We were up this morning at 4:00 and back to that routine again.  I can hear the rain on the trailer.  Hopefully it will stop and the kids can run outside later.  But don't get too hot until I get the van cleaned.  I am not picky, just specific.  lol  

We have arrived safe and sound at home in Nebraska.  We shipped some of our things home, and are waiting for them to arrive.  The flight was good.  It was a long day.  So went to bed when we got home.  Not much other news right now.

Curve Ball

Life is always throwing curve balls when you least expect them.  The day before yesterday it snowed all day here.  Very nasty.  When I got up at 5:00 a.m. to start the truck there was about 2 or 3 inches on the ground already.  We woke up late so Hubby was late leaving for work.  It kept snowing, and eventually  I decided to take the truck to the store to get a few things in the hopes that I would not have to go back out later when it iced over.  I get to the store fine, get what I can because they didn't have what I wanted at the little store, and head back to the trailer.  To get to the trailer you have to drive up a very large hill.  I did not put the truck in 4 wheel drive like I should have.  Three fourths of the way up the hill there is a 90 degree turn.  In that turn there is a lot of ice.  The truck slid a little down the hill and into the grass.  I would say there was a ditch, but the trench was not even as wide as the tires on the truck.  Remember the truck is a standard 2500 Dodge Ram, big truck that I don't like to drive.  I have very little experience, lets say none, with driving this large of a vehicle or a standard vehicle of any kind in less than sunny weather.  I am a small automatic car type girl.  The mini van feels huge to me. Back to the story....I put the truck in reverse, then first and am getting nowhere.  I put it in 4WD and try again.  It slides a little back.  Fast forward now and after about 10 very frustrating minutes I finally am able to drive the truck up the hill and park in front of the trailer.  I get out to check and make sure I didn't mess the truck up, and it looks fine.  I haven't left the trailer since.  The weather only got worse from there.  After the snow, it iced.  The rest of the day was ice.  James didn't get home until late.  I was secretly a little worried because of the deer and the road conditions and that he was late leaving, so was very relieved when he got home at about 11:00 p.m..  That would be Tuesday I think, so Wednesday was rainy all day until about 3 in the afternoon, when it started to snow.  There was a lot of slush on the roads and now it was getting cold enough to freeze.  Some time in the last couple of days, Hubby tells me that the rear brakes are going out on "Little Red" and he needs to get them in.  I am calling places Wednesday to find a place to get that done.  Since the weather is bad, I found a place that said they could get it done whenever he came in because they were not busy.  Hubby is a very good driver, even though he makes me a little nervous sometimes.  He is not as cautious as I am, but he is very competent.  I am still a little worried about the road conditions and the brakes.  About, 4:00 I hear foot steps crunching up to the trailer.  The snow has started to get that little crust of ice on it now.  In comes Hubby with one of the guys from work.  He had to get a ride because "Little Red" broke down.  Thankfully, this man was leading Hubby to the brake shop, so he didn't have to sit on the side of the road and wait.  Hubby called to have the truck towed to the shop.  This morning he took "Blacky" to work.  I don't know why he names them, but he does.  We are at the trailer with no way to leave except for by foot.  We have food, drink, heat, and each other, with plenty of things to do.  Hubby is back on 16 hour days, so if I would have taken him to work I would have had to go get him at like 11 or 12 at night.  Also, since there is no cell service, I would have had to stay with the computer so he could call when he was done.  I wish sometimes I had a better sense of time.  My stories seem crooked sometimes because I remember things later that I forgot to put it.  Bear with me.  The most important thing is that we will not be flying back on Feb 1st.  I am a little bumbed because I was all ready to come home.  I even had some of out stuff packed.  We were planning on sending a lot of stuff back UPS so we didn't have to pay extra at the airport.  I had school books packed away (they weigh the most) and was getting clothes in a suitcase when Hubby called.  I forgot about the people who have to come fix the fridge and heater. We have heat and fridge works, they just need some work so they will work better.  Hubby can't take off work for the people to come out, so.......As I was packing, Hubby called and we discussed the brake stuff and he was gonna call the fridge and heater guy.  Then he says, "I know you are probably gonna be upset, but can you change your ticket to the following Sunday?"  I am glad I can be here to help him, but he worked last Sunday and might have to work this one too, and we don't get to see him much.  I guess that is when he needs me most.  I will have to change my doctor appointment, again.  It is now about a month later than I was supposed to see them.  So, I called to see about changing our tickets.  This usually costs at least $100 a ticket (100+the difference in cost x 3).  The cost of the tickets were the same, and since the kids were flying free, it didn't cost anything to change their tickets.  I changed all three tickets for $100.  That was a good deal.  Flight times are the same, just a week later.  

Prayer Request:

1. Safety for Hubby while at work and driving

2. That I will use my time here wisely and that it will be fruitful and good.  Also, that God uses it for his purpose.
3. That all things can be taken care of in the time that we are here

4. That God will work in my heart (I am a little upset about not being able to leave.  I miss home and everyone there.  Mostly selfishness)

5. When I get back all is well with the doctor appointment.  (I am concerned because I am putting it off so long)

6. There are no more unexpected curve balls, or that God gives me the clarity to handle them

7. My attitude, especially with the kids, I seem to be more frustrated because MY plans are not working out

Praise Request:

1. Praise my driving skill, or God's help in that situation

2. safety thus far in travel

3. that I am able to be a light to my husband and that our time has been good overall 

4. that I am able to communicate through the computer with all of you

5. For James 1:2-5