This trip was the best of trips and it was the worst of trips. Seriously.
We headed out on Wednesday after renting the world's sweetest minivan for the trip. Both of our cars are over 10 years old now, and we decided that it was best that we not put anymore big trips on ours if they are going to last us as long as we'd like them to. We actually rented an SUV, but they upgraded us to a minivan because they didn't have the SUV when we came to get it. We are the only people ever who were totally pumped about this mishap! Matt and I have a mutual love affair going for the minivan. I think we've been dreaming about our love for them at night.
Case in point. Need to stop and nurse...no prob because your family is enjoying The Sword in the Stone happily in their seats while you kick back in the third row and enjoy the silence.
I'm afraid if I let myself this entire post could be about my love of the minivan so I will move on.
We were a little cautious about going on Wednesday because of the rumored icy roads, but we assumed that by the time we reached the panhandle everything would have melted and we'd be in good shape.
And we were dead wrong.
The interstate closed around Tallahassee and we took off on hwy 90 after I called the sheriff's office and they said it was totally drivable. We were still making decent time until we crossed over a couple counties and 90 turned into one giant sheet of ice. It started out patchy, and then just got scary. We were trying to push through to Pensacola, but were about 50 miles shy of it when we decided that it was too risky to keep driving. So we stopped in Crestview Fl and got a hotel room and settled in. Matt and John went outside and ice skated in the puddles, and Sam and I stretched out in the room for a bit.
These two were perfect angels the entire trip! We are so blessed (and the minivan helped I think).
We decided to set out for dinner and landed at the Waffle House...because it was the only place open in the entire town of Crestview. Even the fast food restaurants had all closed down because of the weather. Our waitress was angry and I was terrified to ask her what they had that didn't have dairy so I think I'm the first person who has ever ordered a salad at waffle house.
Our Waffle House selfie. We were weary by this point to say the least.
Thursday evening was Sam's baptism so we decided that Thursday morning we would get up, take it easy, eat an early lunch, and hit the road because surely the interstate would be open. And then it wasn't. So at 12:30 pm we took off on hwy 90 again thinking we could just hop back on the interstate as soon as it opened. Four hours later after only making it about 60 miles on 90, we got on the interstate! It was the most liberating experience of my life to be moving at a normal speed on the open road again. We pulled into the church 30 minutes before the baptism and had to change our clothes in the bathrooms and baptize our sweet Sam! To say we were disheveled is an understatement, but he was baptized and that was the goal!
It turned out to be a totally sweet experience. So many of our great family and friends showed up to celebrate our sweet boy and we loved spending that time with each of you! Here are some pictures by my lovely photographer, Adria.
Sam's sweet God Parents, Armand and Holly! They made the trip all the way from Little Rock only to turn around and go right back on Friday! We are so blessed to call them our friends and now Sam's god parents!
Gorgeous new church!
Father Louie had everyone there come cross Sam's head and pray for him. Such a sweet moment...and especially sweet to see brother pray for brother.
John did my hair for me. :/
And sweet Sam had had enough by this point. 36 hours for the trip and lots of new people was just more than he could take by this point.
Love these people!
Sweet boy looks might comfortable in the priest chair.
Not sure what this picture was about, but I love it. These three people are da bomb. A big thanks to Lisa for being more than accommodating and helpful! Coming early, setting up, staying late, cleaning up. She's servant hearted to say the least. Much love Starita!
Super sweet day! Thanks to everyone who was a part of it.
The rest of our visit entailed the retreat which is always an immensely blessed experience and squeezing as much time in with family and friends as we could. We lost two days because of the ice so we didn't get nearly as long as we had hoped for, but we're thankful for what we got.
We made our way back home Tuesday, and Wednesday it was right back into the swing of things! We did pick up Nina along the journey though so we do have her here which is always a lovely time.
And now John is calling! Until next time!