Craig and I made a FLYING trip to Florida this weekend so we could attend Whitney's blessing. It was a whirlwind, and we spent more time driving than we did with family, but it was worth it.
There were challenges - I had a bout of diverticulitis Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The worst part was the sweats and chills, but the good news was that I wasn't contagious and did not have to worry about exposing anyone to my germs.
We arrived around 8:00 Saturday evening. I was too ill to visit so I said a quick "hi" to Kyle and then went to the hotel and to bed.
Sunday I was still ill, but the fever had broken and I had no more sweats or chills. The blessing went well, even though it was a meeting of two wards that were being split into three. The building was packed!
Whitney and me. Isn't she sweet? And she looks so much like Braden!
Craig's turn!
My former baby and me.
This is Corinne's idea of a smile - when you pull out a camera, she does this! Love her beautiful curls.
The men who stood in the circle with Kyle and participated in the blessing.
Braden, Addie, Corinne, and Bennie and Ezra Queen sat at the kids' table (which Kyle made!) and play hand games before lunch.
Craig and I left Kyle and Ashley's home around 3:30. Our car was parked by a vacant lot, and unfortunately, as I stepped off the street and into the grass, I stepped onto a fire ants' nest. I was very, very lucky - only six or seven bites on my foot and one between my fingers from brushing them off, but they burned and itched.
Kyle quickly made a paste of baking soda and water which I spread over the bites. It helped a lot, and I have been lucky to not have had the blistering and the pain bites from fire ants usually engender.
One more challenge was in front of us, though. A snowstorm hit Indiana late Sunday, and brought ice to Kentucky and Tennessee. Driving 65 was difficult - our speed was between 30-45 mph, and much of the freeway was down to one lane.
Ice covered trees and highway in Tennessee.
Pine trees bent over from the weight of the ice.
The weather impeded our trip enough that it added a couple of hours to the drive, but we pulled in around 6:30 Monday evening. (Lisa had cooked a nice, hot dinner for us, too!)
Two more trips to be taken this month - March 23 to Nashville for Julie's blessing, and March 30 to Virginia for Cambria's.
And the Grammy Tour chugs on!
