Well, I finally have time to update you all on how everything is going. First, Paul's truck was looked at, and though it's not warming up as much as it should, it is doing better. We are blessed by that.
My sister made it out here safe and sound, early on Sunday. Earlier than planned because a snow storm started out by her. She lives where we use to live, which is essentially in the middle of no where. If a snow storm hits, there are only 4 roads into that area. And if the storm is strong enough, it can easily shut down all those roads. So she got here earlier than planned, driving through some really bad weather, but got here safely. On Sunday we just all hung out together for a while. Carrie (my sister) and I got to go to Wal-mart together, just us, that was fun. Then I made a pot roast dinner for us all, that turned out very yummy. The kids were sharing a room, because we gave Carrie Sarah's room. We all had to get up around 5:30am and out the door no later than 7:00am. So we sent the kids to bed somewhat early, and us adults didn't get to bed until 10:30. This is where the 'fun' began.
The wind was blowing so very hard, I thought tornado was coming. Seriously bad weather, which had us all wondering about the drive the next morning. But it was nearly 40 degrees out, very warm, and it was raining. Good, to melt snow, but very bad, because once the temperatures dropped, everything would freeze. So as I'm laying in bed, trying to fall asleep but my mind racing, Sarah comes in the bedroom saying, "Paulie is throwing up." Of course she was a little freaked out since she was laying on the floor next to his bed. So we go check, and yep, he had thrown up a bit. But it was warm in his room, because it was so warm outside. When he gets hot and tired, he tends to get sick. So Paul and I are cleaning everything up. We send Sarah to sleep on the couch, get Paulie and his room cleaned up and climb back into bed around midnight. By now I'm seriously wondering if our roof is going to blow off because of all of the wind. Next thing I know there is a flash of lighting and then a LOUD clap of thunder. Are you kidding me? It's midnight, in the middle of January in Idaho and we are having a thunderstorm?!?! So between the storm, and staying half awake to make sure Paulie didn't get sick anymore, I didn't fall asleep until 1:00am, which made waking up at 5:30am way to early.
I did get out of bed at 5:30, as did everyone else, including the kids. Paulie was fine, laughing and playing. So Carrie, the kids and I drag ourselves out of the house around 7:00am. We kept looking at the temperature, which was still in the high 30's and no new snow, everything looked clear. A little wet, but clear. So we take of for the 1/2 hour drive to her doctors, wanting to get there by 7:30 for her 8:00am appointment. I had barely pulled out onto the main road off of our street when I started to slide around. OK, so the roads aren't as clear as I thought they were. Figuring they would clear up the farther down I went, I was extremely bummed to find they just got worse. The highway, though it was better, was still slick. It was dark, windy and sometimes light snow. Though the speed limit was 75mph, I didn't go much above 40mph. So much for getting there early. We pull up to the hospital about 8:05, drop Carrie off at the entrance, and go park the car. It was light out now, but cold, windy and a rain snow mix. By the time she gets her paper work filled out, we get to the office, they take us to the MRI room, and then Carrie got in there, is was around 8:30am. Not too bad.
They set us up in a nice waiting room, and we started reading and watching a little tv. I was ready for a long time. Paul's MRI took over an hour. I took some pictures of Carrie going into the MRI and everything. After 15 minutes the MRI was done. I was so shocked, but pleased. We went back to the other office, and they took her to get her x-ray. That was pretty quick too. We were all pleased and blessed, packed back into the car and headed back home. The roads back to my house wasn't as bad, and we got back within 30 minutes, compared to the hour it took to get down there.
While Carrie was in the MRI her daughter called me and said that she was probably going to have to spend another night by us, because all the roads were closed and she probably couldn't get back home. We didn't mind though. We all thought it was great that she got to spend another night. Plus, the MRI results were going to be done today. So, since she had to spend another night, she made her appointment with her doctor today to find out the results. So yesterday, after we got back, we just sat around and enjoyed our time together. My sister and I have always been very close, we are only 2 years apart, she's older. And the kids just so love their aunt. We had fun, watching movies, munching on snacks, and just enjoying each other. Then we decided to do some shopping at Wal-mart since she was out here, and she bought dinner for us. The first night she was here we watched Ice Age, she had never seen it before. So of course, the moment Paul heard she was staying another night, he said, "Of course we have to watch Ice Age 2". She hadn't seen that one either. So we all munched on our chicken, enjoying ourselves, and got ready for the movie. While we were finishing up dinner, her son called (he lives closer to us, so he wasn't snowed in) and came up and joined us for the movie. It was a fun night, and we all had a great time. We got to bed at a better time, fell asleep right away and no one got sick.
Carrie left today after lunch. We started missing her right away. She made it down to her appointment safely, even though the roads were more slick today than yesterday. The doctor said she has some bulging disks, and that her nerve endings are starting to shrink, and that is why it's hurting so bad. They are not saying surgery yet, but they want to give her a steroid shot in her back. She has an appointment in a few weeks in February where they will go over the pros and cons of the shot and consult her on everything. So, the results were o.k. The main road that comes out here was closed again, and a drive that should have only taken her about 40 minutes on an alternate road, took her over an hour. The last half of her drive it was a white out. Plus, I don't know that she even got to go to her house. Her driveway was so snowed in that my dads snowplow truck got stuck in there. There is no way she can get her truck in there, and it won't be dug out until tomorrow sometime. So she will probably have to spend a night at her daughters place, but at least she's back in her town. We were blessed to have her here, and we all had such fun. I'm glad she got home safely, and we miss her already.
I have pictures to share, and I know this is long, but I wanted to say too, my brother will be having surgery on his shoulder on February 6th. I don't know the name of the surgery. I'll find out more, and update you when I can. Thanks for lasting for this long story. Sorry I was away from blogland for so long, but know, I was having a great time, and truly didn't want it to end. Here are a couple of pictures Carrie said I could share. Sorry about them being so dark, but I think you can see here being slid in the machine. Thanks for all your prayers and concerns.
Here she is laying down and getting ready to go into the machine.
They have slid her about half way in.
Now she's in the machine all the way.
And here are the kids enjoying the nice waiting room they had for us.
I am so relieved you did not have any big troubles with all that bad weather. Can you imagine if you still lived in the other town? Wow. I think Idaho winters are pretty tough. We got a thunderstorm tonight with tornadoes not too far from my grandparents. It's weird for being January! Glad you enjoyed your sister.
Jenn
We had the thunderstorms and high winds today. 2 people were killed by the winds here and about 70,000 are without power. It went from nearly 80 degrees at noon to about 30 degrees and dropping still right now.
Glad you had a good visit with your sister and that everyone made it around safely. I don't drive on ice....it scares me to death.
You have all the makings of a novelist. I had to come over here and get 'caught up' you know? And I was actually thrilled to hear about your thunder storm in Idaho in the middle of winter, as I threw in a thunder storm in california in November in book 3 and I thought, "Sure. Thunder and lightning in the middle of winter." But I needed it so I took literary license. So thanks for confirming that it CAN happen!
Hope you are recovering from all your activities...
Wow, you had quit a time these last couple of days. All of the snow and roads closing, I can remember when we lived in Colorado and this happened.
I hope she won't have to have the surgery and the medication they are giving her will help.
Love you,
Katia
Yeah! You all made it through a trying time together. I am glad that your sis is okay (sort of..) but hope that she can get help for her back.
Mama karen
Well on a positive, Idaho isn't boring! I hope your sister will be OK, and I'm glad you all got sometime to visit. Crazy weather! I can't even imagine being snowed out of my drive. (flood and mud or tree yes, but not snow and ice)
Well, for some fun, I am tagging you! Stop by for the rules and let me know when you post!
Take care up there in the frozen North, I'm sending warm thoughts your way.
Vicki
I am a wife and mother of two. I started this blog to share the things the Lord shows me in my journey as a wife, mother, homeschool mom and His daughter. And in it all to "grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
II Peter 3:18
and out the door no later than 7:00am. So we sent the kids to bed somewhat early, and us adults didn't get to bed until 10:30. This is where the 'fun' began. 
Of course she was a little freaked out since she was laying on the floor next to his bed. So we go check, and yep, he had thrown up a bit. But it was warm in his room, because it was so warm outside. When he gets hot and tired, he tends to get sick. So Paul and I are cleaning everything up. We send Sarah to sleep on the couch, get Paulie and his room cleaned up and climb back into bed around midnight. By now I'm seriously wondering if our roof is going to blow off because of all of the wind. Next thing I know there is a flash of lighting and then a LOUD clap of thunder. 
We pull up to the hospital about 8:05, drop Carrie off at the entrance, and go park the car. It was light out now, but cold, windy and a rain snow mix. By the time she gets her paper work filled out, we get to the office, they take us to the MRI room, and then Carrie got in there, is was around 8:30am. Not too bad.
She hadn't seen that one either. So we all munched on our chicken, enjoying ourselves, and got ready for the movie. While we were finishing up dinner, her son called (he lives closer to us, so he wasn't snowed in) and came up and joined us for the movie. It was a fun night, and we all had a great time. We got to bed at a better time, fell asleep right away and no one got sick. 
We started missing her right away. She made it down to her appointment safely, even though the roads were more slick today than yesterday. The doctor said she has some bulging disks, and that her nerve endings are starting to shrink, and that is why it's hurting so bad. They are not saying surgery yet, but they want to give her a steroid shot in her back. She has an appointment in a few weeks in February where they will go over the pros and cons of the shot and consult her on everything. So, the results were o.k. The main road that comes out here was closed again, and a drive that should have only taken her about 40 minutes on an alternate road, took her over an hour. The last half of her drive it was a white out. Plus, I don't know that she even got to go to her house. Her driveway was so snowed in that my dads snowplow truck got stuck in there. There is no way she can get her truck in there, and it won't be dug out until tomorrow sometime. So she will probably have to spend a night at her daughters place, but at least she's back in her town. We were blessed to have her here, and we all had such fun. I'm glad she got home safely, and we miss her already.
