Faith, Prayers, and Wings

Phew!  What a surprise-filled weekend.  We were planning on going to Salt Lake to spend the afternoon with family celebrating an early Christmas together and as we started getting things into the van found a screw in the tire, which was fixed by pulling it out of the threads (or so we thought).  Then found a pretty bad leak from the transmission, finally fixed by tightening the bolts.  We FINALLY get down to Salt Lake in order to arrive in a full blizzard only to find that we had left the address of our destination at home and had to work from memory (NOT a good thing when you know me and Salt Lake destinations, lol).  We finally pulled over to borrow and phone and get directions, get to go and see our family....and find out that as soon as the van was still, the tire sprung a bad leak and had to be replaced entirely (apparently that screw did more damage than we'd thought).  Needless to say, we were snowed in for the night (quite a delightful thing, but unexpected...thank heavens for my packing night clothes "just in case" we'd be getting home late, lol).  Then we began prepping to leave this morning after breakfast, albeit much more slowly than probably wise because we were theorizing that if we waited the roads would be drier, only to have a major snowstorm once again settle over the area.  Going on wing and a prayer, we packed up kids, van, said our farewells to our loved ones, and set out for home.  Got lost once again as we left (wouldn't you just believe it?! lol), putting us a: on clearer, drier roads and b: stumbling on John's old childhood neighborhood and elementary school (sooo awesome, btw!), then swinging up through my old college tromping grounds for more memories, and finally back on the road home....with nearly clear skies (very blue, even), frequently very dry roads, and decently clear traffic until we got to Mantua.  Then our windows very suddenly and quickly fogged over (from the inside, mind you) and the defrost was barely touching it which made for some white knuckle driving on my part and frantic swiping and wiping on John's part until we got to the gas station at the mouth of the canyon so we could get out, dry everything off, and clear the now-frozen windshield wiper fluid spouts.  Fortunately, the rest of the drive home was uneventful plus an added bit of fun news that apparently I won a giveaway prize from a craft boutique I'd helped a friend out with.  Ohhhh, so grateful for the blessings that come from faith, prayers, and the "fun" stories that come from them! lol

I'll try and get pictures and descriptions of the incredible people we got to spend our surprise "mini-vacation" with later, but I just thought I would share my goofy story (just for all of you who didn't think you were bored enough, lol). :D