cheryl and julia's crazy adventure

Let me tell you a crazy story...

Wednesday morning (December 31, 2014) Julia and I set out bright and early to drive up to Utah.  Julia has been accepted to do a service abroad program starting in February where she will be teaching English to school kids in China.  As part of the program she needed to attend a two day training up in Orem, UT.  We figured it would be easy and cheaper to drive up there, and since Mom & Dad couldn't do it because of Grandpa, I offered to go up with her. 

We left our house at 6am, excited and ready to go, with plans of being up in Kaysville/Farmington in time to go to the Matsen family New Year's Eve party.  However, things quickly escalated and our plans were foiled.

Because of "Winter Storm Frona" I decided that driving through Vegas was going to be our safest bet.  I knew Flagstaff was already kind of a mess because of snow they'd already received and more in the forecast.  Plus, I didn't feel comfortable driving the pass between Panquitch and Beaver.  So we decided to drive through Las Vegas and up the I-15.

We made really good time to Wickenberg, but that's when the snow started.  It began snowing about 20 minutes west of Wickenberg and kept snowing and getting heavier and heavier the farther west we drove.  We didn't even make it to Wickieup (halfway between Wickenberg and Kingman) before we were stopped on the highway.  We sat for about and hour before we moved.  I had to pee so bad at this point!  Normally Kingman is about an hour from Wickenberg and my bladder doesn't have a problem going that distance.  However, after being stopped for an hour and a half, I really had to go.  Problem was, we were out in the middle of nowhere with no idea how long it was going to take us to reach Kingman because of the snow and road conditions.  I finally reached my breaking (or should I say peeing) point and had to pull over to the side of the road.  Luckily we had a plastic tub along with us for the ride that was holding our snacks and other various items.  I quickly dumped all of the contents out of the tub, made Julia stand in front of me so the other cars passing us on the snowy freeway wouldn't see my naked bum, and popped a squat on the backseat of my car using the bucket as a toilet!  The snow was still falling, it was windy, freezing cold, people were driving past us, and there I was peeing in a bucket on the side of highway 93!  But desperate times call for desperate measures!!  I was glad I'd done it because once we got back on the highway we finally made it to Wikieup, but as soon as we were through town we were stopped once again.  This time for TWO AND A HALF HOURS!

We were not amused. 

We had no idea what the problem was - if there was an accident somewhere, or if the roads were closed because of the snow.  Luckily we were able to call Mom and Dad and see if they were able to figure out what was wrong.  Dad said the only thing that had been reported was that the I-40 (which the 93 feeds into and which we were headed for) was closed because of snow and they were plowing the roads to get them reopened.  While we were sitting, not going anywhere, one giant tow truck drove by, but we never saw who, or what he picked up.  The roads weren't icy, just snowy and I guess a lot of the big semi's were having a hard time going up and down the hills.

It took us TEN HOURS to drive from Mesa to Kingman.  That's usually only a 3-3.5 hour drive.  It was so crazy!  I was hungy, thirsty, had a killer headache, and sick of being in the car.  After our two and a half hour stop, we drove for a while, but everyone was driving VERY SLOW because of the snowy roads.  We were stopped a third time for about an hour and a half in sight of, but unable to reach, the I-40.  Julia turned to me at that point and said, "If we get stranded out here over night...I've eaten all the food."

Hahaha!

Thanks for the confession!  It made me laugh.  We hadn't had that much food to begin with because we'd been planning on being to Kingman in a few hours and then to Vegas in time for lunch.  Luckily we finally made it to Kigman by about 4pm.  We stopped and got something to eat, used the bathroom, and made the decision to try and make to to Vegas.  Once we were past Kingman the road cleared up and we made pretty good time to Vegas.  The roads stayed clear and we decided to keep going to St. George.  We pulled into St. George at about 8:30pm - FOURTEEN AND A HALF HOURS on the road!!  I made the decision to stop and get a hotel room for the night because the temps had really dropped and the roads were starting to get icy.  I knew that the stretch of highway between Cedar City and Fillmore (through Beaver) was going to be bad and I didn't want to do it in the dark.

We got a room at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. George.  The hotel was very nice and clean.  I was very impressed.  It wasn't exactly the way were were planning, or wanting, to spend New Year's Eve, but at least we were safe and we'd made it through that crazy, ridiculous drive!!

We got up early Thursday morning and drove the rest of the way up to Kaysville.  Julia was a very good copilot.  Except for when she was taking a nap.  LOL!

The stretch of highway I had been nervous about the night before was the worst part of the drive and I was glad we hadn't done it at night.  It was scary enough during the day!   We made it up to Kaysville by noon.  We were both hungry and didn't want to show up at Jeri and Chad's house needing to be fed, so we stopped at TacoTime for lunch.  I miss and crave their crispy bean burritos all the time!  This restaurant is only up in Utah, so whenever we go we have to stop and get some.

We stayed Thursday and Friday night at Jeri and Chad's house.  Friday Julia had to go to her first day of training.  She drove my car down to Orem and I stayed at the house.  I hung out with Bear, Riken, and the kids (Molly, Rachel, and Ben).  I think I watched an entire season of "Worst Cooks in America" (I love that show).  Jeri had to go to work and Chad and the kids left about 3pm to pick her up and head out on their way to Disneyland for a family trip.

After we'd gotten into town on Thursday we went over and said hi to Grandma and Grandpa Matsen.  Sally was over there as well and we made plans to hang out with her on Friday evening.  She came and picked me up at Jeri's house and took me back to her new house (it's adorable!).  We hung out there until Julia was done with her training and met us there.  Then we went and got Crown Burger for dinner (another Utah only restaurant that is a must whenever we're in town).  So yummy! 

 After dinner we went back to Sally's house.  I got acquainted with her two doggies: Scout and Oliver .  They were so cute and loving up on me!

 Then we watched "The Young Victoria" while Sally made chocolate chip cookies.  Yum!!  We were spoiled!

Saturday Julia again took my car down to Orem for her second day of training.  I hung out at Jeri's house until about noon when Kristy came and picked me up.  She had just gotten back into town from being home in Oregon for Christmas.  We went shopping, to the grocery store, then back to her condo in Saratoga Springs.  Julia met us there after she was done.  We had dinner, watched a Hallmark channel movie, and then went to bed.  

We left Kristy's house about 7am Sunday morning and made it back to Mesa by 5:30pm.  Luckily the roads were clear and dry all the way home and we weren't stuck anywhere.  It was a crazy trip, but we were safe and my car did great.  We listened to a couple audiobooks, and now have an awesome story we can tell!

happy new year

I made a committment to be better this year at keeping my blog and my journal up to date.  I need to work on being a better personal historian.  So, here's an update.  The first update of 2015!

Christmas was great this year!  We did things a little differently.  In the past everyone has come over to Mom & Dad's for a Christmas Eve dinner and program, then everyone has come over again Christmas morning to all open presents up together.  However, we're starting to get too big as a family to all fit into Mom & Dad's family room comfortably.  We all end up sitting on top of each other (sometimes literally), and by the end of the day we're all irritated and annoyed with each other.  So to help preserve Mom's sanity and keep everyone in a happy Christmas mood we only did the Christmas Eve dinner and program together this year.  Everyone else did their own things with their own little families on Christmas day.

 I got another hedgehog for my pumpkin patch!  Since I named the other one I got this year Humphrey, it was only fitting that I name this one Bogart.  I love him! 

 It's not Christmas without the boys!

 We used my tree this year and I put up all of the cross-stitch Santa ornaments I've made over the years.  It's quite impressive, if I do say so myself!  

 Mom made a ton of her really awesome M&M cookies!  I ate way too many and gained about 10 pounds over the holiday season. Not good!

 I got really sick two weeks before Christmas (thanks Julia, for sharing your germs).  I tried to kill it quick with chicken soup and OJ, but it stubbornly hung on for a week.

 I couldn't sing in the stake Christmas choir I'd been practicing with for the annual Christmas choir fireside.  I was really bummed!

Steven and Kristen were in charge of the Christmas Eve dinner and program this year.  We had a really yummy ham dinner with funeral potatoes, veggies, and rolls.  The program was a talent show that everyone participated in.  Then we had Christmas punch and cookies, and the kids opened up some of their presents. 

Christmas day at our house was me, Julia, Mom, Dad, and Grandpa McLaws (because he is living with us now.  Stay tuned for a blog update about that).  Grandma McLaws came over for a little while then she and Grandpa left for the rest of the day.  It was a really nice, relaxing day.

 I got so many great things!  Lots of new books, a new journal, and awesome pineapple totebag from my mom, a $50 gift card to Half-price Books from my boss, and a ticket to go to Rootstech up in Salt Lake next month!  

The week after Christmas was really cold!  And I know I say that and people across the country laugh at me because AZ doesn't get as cold as some other places, but people!  Seriously.  When I have to scrape my windows, it's COLD!  I had to scour the valley to find a coat so I wouldn't freeze to death when Julia and I went up to Utah over New Year's. 

The Sunday after Christmas we played Apples to Apples with Grandpa.  Do you love how everything is red and green and apple coordinated??  We're dorks, I know.  But I love it!  

I am...

I did a little rearranging in my room and bought a new little bookcase so I can have some of my favorites close to me.  They've been packed away in the shed for more than a year.  I love how I've changed everything around.  It was time.  :)

20 days till christmas?!?

I wish I had some super awesome excuse as to why I haven't blogged since September.  But I don't.  Truth is, I kind of forgot about my blog.  And I'm a lazy slacker.  But I'm sitting here.  Alone.  On a Friday night, watching cheesy Christmas movies on Hallmark and Lifetime and decided I should finally take a few minutes to catch up on my blog.  Thank goodness for Instagram which allows me to remember everything I've done! (*Beware: long post below!)

The primary presidency was reorganized a couple weeks ago, but I'm still in as a counselor.  I put together some activity packets for the kids to do during general conference.  I actually really like being in primary.  The kids are so cute and eager to learn, and they continually crack me up with their answers and perspective on life and the gospel.

We decided to do two garage sales in October.  We have so much stuff!  They both went really well and I ended up making over $100 on things I was getting rid of.  

Love this little chunker!  She's getting so big.  We've had several family get-togethers the last couple months with birthdays (Barbara and Megan), Halloween, and Thanksgiving.  We also got three baby announcements!  Esther, Kristen, and Faith are all having a baby!!  They're all due within about 6 weeks of each other this summer.  It's going to be so fun to have three new little ones all together.  

I love this quote.  I wish my two best friends lived closer.  I miss both Katy and Kristy :(  I am counting down until February, because I'm going up to Utah for a weekend to see Kristy and go to Rootstech (a big family history conference).  I'm really excited.  I need some Megan & Rachel time.  Plus there's a French bakery in SLC that I really want to try out.  I've heard they have amazing pastries!

I named the two little geckos that hang out by the front door.  Francois and Columbus are really cute.  I love them.  They're next door neighbors (as Barbara pointed out).  Francois lives behind the siding around the front door, and Columbus lives in one of the corners by the front window.  They are often out having dinner together - enjoying all the tasty bugs attracted to the porch light. 

The Phoenix temple is finally done!  It's been a long road, but so worth it.  We were able to drive out and go through the open house and participate in the dedication the beginning of November.  It's such a blessing to have so many temples now in Arizona.  And there's another one on the way!  Once the Tuscon temple is built there will be 6 here in AZ!

Julia was in charge of Halloween this year.  We had a fun themed family dinner.  I made mummy dogs.  This picture still makes me laugh.  The dog on the left looks like he just got out of the shower and is wearing a towel turban on his head!  LOL!!

I decided I want to go to Disneyland for my birthday next year.  I also want to lose the last 50 pound to get to my goal weight.  However, that is turning out to be easier said than done.  I joined Weight Watchers, hoping it will help to keep me on track and more committed, knowing that I have to go in once a week to weigh-in.  So are, I've only lost 4 pounds in the last 3 weeks. 

 I went to a one-day family history conference put on by the family history library here in Mesa.  It was held at the Tempe institute building and was really interesting.  I learned lots and it got me really excited for Rootstech in February.  I've been working hard on the McLaws line of my genealogy.  I really want to find the missing link that no one has been able to find to further that line.  I'm hoping to get some inspiration (a visitation would be helpful) on this one soon...

Thank goodness for Hallmark channels and they're cheeserific Christmas movies every year!  There have been a couple of really cute ones this year (A Royal Christmas, The Nine Lives of Christmas) and one HORRIBLE one (A Cookie Cutter Christmas).  There was also a really ridiculous one of Lifetime that we watched: "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Movie Ever."  Don't waste your time on that one...

MATT MEESE!  Dad's cousin, Jef Rawls, owns an awesome improve theatre and they had a special event with guest actor Matt Meese (from the BYUTV sketch comedy show Studio C).  It just so happened that the show was the weekend that Aunt Jeri and Rachel were in town for a quick weekend girls trip.  It was really fun to spend the weekend with them and go to the show together.  Matt is hilarious and I love him. 

  

We introduced Jeri and Rachel to the wonder that is Bahama Bucks.  It's the best shaved ice ever!  

While Jeri and Rachel were here they slept in Julia's room, which meant that Julia slept in my room.  We were up late one night and trying to take funny pictures in bed.  This was the result...

 Veteran's day also happened to be the weekend Jeri and Rachel were in town.  We decided to go to a special memorial service that the city of Mesa does every year at the City of Mesa cemetery.  During WWII there were some members of the Royal Air Force training at Falcon Field, here in Mesa, when a training accident happened and some were killed.  They are buried in the Mesa city cemetery and every year there is a memorial service to remember them and all the veterans who have served over the years.  This was the first year we'd ever gone to the memorial service.  We decided to go this year because J.R. is a drummer in the Mesa Caledonia Bagpipe Band and they were playing as part of the service.  It was a very special event and one I'd like to attend every year.  While we were there we stopped by to visit Grandpa Benjamin F. Johnson's grave.  

I can't believe another semester is almost done!  Two more weeks, three lab reports, and two finals left and I can check another semester's worth of classes off my pre-requisite list.  One more semester closer to being able to apply to the ND program!  This semester has been fun.  I've learned a lot of interesting things.  In biology we did a semester-long experiment on plant genetics.  I'm taking a genetics class next semester, which I'm looking forward to.  

One of the other classes I took this semester was a three week course on aromatherapy.  It was very interesting.  I learned a lot.  I love the fact that there is so much healing potential all around us in nature, if we just learn how to use it!  As part of the class assignments I had to make a room spray and a massage oil blend.  I decided to make a room spray to use at night to help me relax and sleep using peppermint, orange, and lavender essential oils.  I love it!  And it really works!  The massage oil I made is one for pain/inflammation relief using tea tree, cedar wood, and orange essential oils.  This one works too and I use it when my lower back pain starts to flair up.  It seems to stop it in it's tracks, which I love. 

 Thanksgiving this year was very nice.  We had our traditional formal night on Wednesday with the traditional turkey dinner and all the fixings.  Yum!  Thursday some of us went to the park for lunch and to play for a few hours, then went out for the annual BUTT (Blowing Up of The Turkey).  I love our family traditions!

Really awesome book I started and finished Thanksgiving weekend.  Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors.  I love his writing style and choice of words and phrases.  

 Finally time to pull out the Christmas music.  It's not Christmas without the boys!  

I am resolving to try and be better about keeping this blog updated.  Since I'm using it as my journal I know it's important, for family history purposes, and I haven't been doing so well lately.  But, I'm going to be better.  Sometimes I think my life is really boring and no one would really be interested in my mundane life and goings-on, but I'm repenting now and going to do better!  So, until next time...  :)