Trey's Wedding

Trey + Cheslea + wedding shenanigans = awesomeness
September 13, 2014

The accident

It's been a long time since I've posted. We've been busy but I also was so frustrated with our circumstances relating to the story I'm about to tell you, that I've avoided posting.

September 9th was a crazy busy day. We were preparing to leave town for my brother, Trey's, wedding in Texas. I had been running kids to school, doing laundry, packing and running all the last minute errands all day. Rea, Loyal and I had been to Fresno to pick up Reagan's flower girl dress (which was a royal pain) and after finally getting the dress we headed back to Hanford for Rea's ballet class.

I was going slow, had my left turn signal on...but as I began my turn into the driveway of Bethel Ballet Academy, a guy in a white pick up truck decided he would try to pass the car behind me...he slammed his truck, at about 50mph, into Reagan's door. Our car spun around and came to a stop sideways across the driveway. It took me a minute to realize what had happened. My two babies screaming in the back is what snapped me out of utter shock. I turned around, asked Rea if she was okay and then tried to get out of the car. My door was stuck, so I had to kick it to get it open. I couldn't get Rea's open so I ran around the car to Loyal's side. I started unbuckling him and told Rea to climb out. Thankfully we all walked away with nothing more than whiplash and a bump on the head. A witness to the accident called the police, and an ambulance took the kids and I to the hospital, since we were complaining of neck pain. 

Josh met us at the hospital and the next several hours was us just playing musical kids and figuring a way to get Wyatt picked up from school. The following weeks were full of car shopping (my car was totaled) and dealing with insurance companies. Here we are two months later and we're still not done with all of it.

The worst part was that the next morning we had to rent a car to drive to LA to fly out for Trey's wedding. Rea and I were in quite a bit of pain, so it was not an easy weekend for us...but we made it through and I'm happy to report that the wedding was beautiful.

We have since purchased a new car...just a newer version of what we had (Chevy Traverse). I love the new one but I miss my old one...and the fact that we didn't have a payment on it. But above all I'm thankful that The Lord protected all of us. That day could have ended a lot differently, and now every time I get into my car I thank Him that it didn't.

The Reno Hot Air Balloon Race (and Tailhook)

Every year, the Tailhook Association meets in Reno, Nevada at The Nugget Hotel and Casino for their big conference. Josh is a member and tries to get there each year. I have never been able to go with him before, but have always wanted to. I would love to see the convention, but really I've been drooling over the Hot Air Balloon Race that always happens on the same weekend. This year we finally got to go! We drove up there on Friday with the kids and the dog and checked into The Nugget. I got the kids in bed while Josh headed downstairs for some Tailhook fun with all of his fellow aviators.

The next morning was brutal. I was up at 3:30 and we had everyone out the door by 4 to get over to where the balloons would be. Why so early, you wonder...well, the festivities start in the dark. They have several balloons that participate in what is called the "glow show", where they light up for everyone to see--sometimes in sync with music.  Immediately following, these balloons ascend in the dark for the "dawn patrol". This year's dawn patrol consisted of six balloons. It was so cool to see them all lit up against a dark morning sky.

I should mention, that it was so unbelievably chilly. We were dressed for it to be cool, but not quite as cool as it was. Lesson learned!

After the dawn patrol, the pilots began setting up their balloons. We watched a couple of them get things started right in front of us before deciding to hike up a hillside for a better view...

We hiked up a small hill and settled in for the real show--the mass ascension. This by far was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I loved every freezing cold moment of it. I think everyone else did too! If we are still living here in the years to come, I forsee the Keevers making this a yearly event!

First day of Pre-K

Reagan started her first day of Pre-K last week. She was so excited to finally get to school! It was like torture for her having to watch Wyatt go to school every day for two weeks while she just had to hang out at home with mommy. She had so much fun and is rearing to go for this year. I can't wait to see what all she learns and how she changes and grows during her last year of preschool.