I knew it would be an tense day when I got up and looked out the window. The heavy white clouds were a foreboding sign. I got the older three kids up to go to ski lessons. They dressed as warm as they could. Nothing could prepare them for the coming day. As we hit the point of the mountain, it started to snow. By the time we got to the canyon, we were starting to slide. Once at the ski resort I got out to put on ski boots. My back was quickly covered in snow. One child said, "Is it safe to ski on a day like today?" I replied something like this is the best kind of day to ski. I hoped they didn't hear the tongue in cheek. I stood in the lodge and watched them until they got on the ski lift for the first time. I then went back and forth from the lodge and the van where I could put the heater on high and be warm. The snow dumped on me. I could only imagine the *fun* the kids were having skiing down the mountain.
Two and half hours later, my children found me. They had gone into the store downstairs thinking that's where I would be. I was upstairs. They had time to warm up and process their experience before I got there. That meant they weren't miserable by the time I found them. Make no mistake, though, they had a miserable time. M-i-s-e-r-a-b-l-e. With the snow flying in their eyes, they couldn't see. They were frozen solid on the mountain. Tears had been shed and frozen on their cheeks.
We got into the van and got on the road to get home. There was a big sign with lights flashing, "Four wheel drive or chains required." How would the requirement be enforced? Is there a snow tire police checking each car? Dead giveaway would be a mother driving a Dodge Grand Caravan, I suppose. Always feeling too confident for my own good, I started driving down the mountain. It is 8 miles from the ski resort to the mouth of the canyon. I had to stop twice to de-ice my windshield wipers - no small feat when there is no place to pull over. There was slipping and sliding, white knuckles, a child saying, "Mom! Don't swear!" (in my defense, I didn't know I had), and lots of praying (to offset the swearing). An hour and a half later, we left the canyon. Two and half hours after leaving the ski resort, we got home. It is a 30 mile drive.
Just to boast on my kids, it was my oldest who suggested we say a prayer when we started driving. It was my second oldest who suggested blessing our drive-thru Subway, and my third child who confessed to praying in his mind on our drive down. My children are turning out pretty well in spite of their mother who swears.
Two and half hours later, my children found me. They had gone into the store downstairs thinking that's where I would be. I was upstairs. They had time to warm up and process their experience before I got there. That meant they weren't miserable by the time I found them. Make no mistake, though, they had a miserable time. M-i-s-e-r-a-b-l-e. With the snow flying in their eyes, they couldn't see. They were frozen solid on the mountain. Tears had been shed and frozen on their cheeks.
We got into the van and got on the road to get home. There was a big sign with lights flashing, "Four wheel drive or chains required." How would the requirement be enforced? Is there a snow tire police checking each car? Dead giveaway would be a mother driving a Dodge Grand Caravan, I suppose. Always feeling too confident for my own good, I started driving down the mountain. It is 8 miles from the ski resort to the mouth of the canyon. I had to stop twice to de-ice my windshield wipers - no small feat when there is no place to pull over. There was slipping and sliding, white knuckles, a child saying, "Mom! Don't swear!" (in my defense, I didn't know I had), and lots of praying (to offset the swearing). An hour and a half later, we left the canyon. Two and half hours after leaving the ski resort, we got home. It is a 30 mile drive.
Just to boast on my kids, it was my oldest who suggested we say a prayer when we started driving. It was my second oldest who suggested blessing our drive-thru Subway, and my third child who confessed to praying in his mind on our drive down. My children are turning out pretty well in spite of their mother who swears.
You were that close to my house and didn't stop by?? I cannot believe that wasn't the first thing on your mind during your white knuckle drive!!
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