Arches

Wow, what a crazy trip to Arches this year! Some may have said that I "wimped out," but there was a lot going on this year. We left Thursday morning and ended up driving back home Thursday night. The odds were against us this year, and here's why:

1. Camping with a three-year-old and a one-year-old.

2. Crazy cold weather!

3. Ava getting sick and throwing up in the car. Yuck!

4. Driving Jill's Explorer without any heat. Yikes, that was a cold ride home!

5. Forgetting the "essentials bag" with toothbrushes, toothpaste, contacts, etc.

6. And the most crazy of all, Gramps crashing his truck in the park! Luckily he's ok.

What I've realized this year is how grateful I am for some simple things:

1. A warm house, and not having to be a pioneer. I never would've made it.

2. Health care and a good doctor.

3. All my in-laws and family who didn't wimp out and are true pioneers!

4. Answered prayers. We prayed for safety and protection on our trip and we were blessed with it. Everything worked out. Even our ride home. Today, we learned that the engine on the Explorer died. Imagine if that had happened while we were on the road Thursday night in the middle of nowhere? We were truly blessed to make it home safe and sound.