Our Surprise Visit to Minnesota

The last several weeks have been pretty crazy with Jordan spending much of his time hunting when he is not working. While I don't mind Jordan's hunting (it only lasts for a few months, anyway), it does get pretty boring around here when he leaves us before the crack of dawn and doesn't return home until late! Jordan had been planning a weekend trip to South Dakota to go pheasant hunting with some friends last weekend. So, I made plans to go to Minnesota and visit my Mom and sister, Jessica. I told Jess about it, and we decided to keep it a surprise from Mom. My home church was having a Ladies' Retreat, so Jess had to tell Mrs. Schofield, our pastor's wife, about my coming so she could add me to her list. Well, the Sunday before I was going to go, Mrs. Schofield was talking to Mom and accidentally slipped and told her that I was coming!! Jess called me to tell me and we were both so disappointed about not being able to surprise Mom. Then that evening Jordan's trip got postponed, so I figured I would just stay home after all. I told Jess that I wasn't coming, and she broke the news to Mom. At first, Mom wouldn't believe her, but Jess finally convinced her by calling Mrs. Schofield to cancel my name off the list of ladies going to the Retreat. I was discouraged that evening because I had been so excited about going home, and Jordan encouraged me to go after all since he would be out hunting most of the weekend anyway. I said no, but after sleeping on it, I started to change my mind! Monday morning before Jordan left for work, I asked, "Are you really going to be out hunting all weekend?" Jordan, as perceptive as ever, replied with "Are you changing your mind about going to Minnesota?" And I was all, "Yeah, I'm kinda reconsidering...." This time, I decided not to even tell Jess that I was going. I called Mrs. Schofield myself to get my name back on her list that very morning and told her that the whole thing rested in her hands! And she did a great job keeping it a secret!!! :D

Friday morning, Serena and I were on the road by 8:45. It took us 4 hours, since we had to stop a few times, and Serena needed to eat once. I was so glad the trip went smoothly, since that was the longest I'd ever driven by myself with her! As I approached home, I was hoping that they had left the garage door open. I knew Jess had something to go to that morning and that she should be home by then, so I thought I had a pretty good chance of it's being left open. And it was! I drove the car down the gravel driveway slowly, hoping the crunching gravel wouldn't make too much noise. I got Serena out of her carseat, gently shut the car door, and walked into the house. No one was on the main level, but I could hear voices upstairs. I was excited that I would be able to get them both at once! I walked up the stairs, and just as I was starting to go down the hall towards Mom's room (from whence the voices were coming), Jess walked around the corner! Upon seeing me, she let out a little scream. (I SO wish I had this all on video!) When Mom heard that, she came to see what Jess screamed about, and when she saw me she screamed too! Later, she admitted that her throat was a little raw from that scream, heehee! It was so fun to be reunited!! We spent the afternoon chatting and getting Mom & Jess packed up for the Retreat, which we barely managed to leave in time for!

Jess had gotten this adorable pumpkin costume off the clearance rack at Shopko. The size is 0-24 months, so Serena should be able to wear it next year, but we just had to try it on her!! She looked so cute!!!

The Retreat was really good! It was so fun for me to be able to spend time with ladies from my home church that I have known almost since I can remember and to get to know some of the ladies who have become a part of the church more recently. Of course, being with Mom & Jess was the best! We stayed in a hotel and even got to go swimming!!

Mom & Jess at the Retreat

Serena did wonderfully for the 3 hours of scheduled activities. She finally fell asleep all nestled into me, and it was so adorable!

Jess and I stayed up until 3am that night just talking! It was so fun!!! More to come....