New Wheels

So there are not a lot of 12 seater vans for sale in Montana! We are branching out to Suburbans. Maine is a ways off. . .Thank God for generous Catholic families who take in broken down strangers while they car-shop!

On a Wing and a. . .

PRAYER!

Those bits of metal in the oil pan were not a good sign. The new pump has not solved the problem. But we have to hit the road regardless. . .keep the van in your prayers!

The good news is we are all alive, healthy, and are not travelling in a covered wagon--not YET anyway.

I didn't really mean it when I said "Maine or BUST"---I take back the BUST part!

Quid est hoc ad aeternitatem?!

What is this in the light of Eternity? --That is our new travel motto! On Fridary it was "Billings by 5, bed in Glendive." . .but since we broke down aroung 4 just west of Billings that one had to go. We have been at the Super 8 in Columbus Montana since Friday evening. We hope to have a new oil pump, and running van by tomorrow mid-morning. We are at least one day behind schedule--hoping to pull into Newcastle by the 2 pm baby shower, and get the trailer unloaded before Louis Doe's closes. . . Friends and family in St. Paul and South Bend are being very understanding of our delays. . .

Well fussy baby doesn't like the lobby. Columbus is a wonderful little town. We have made friends, gone to the Church Picnic, and answered the question "Are you the folks who broke down?" several times. God Is Good!!

This Is IT!

The modem is being returned today. The Uhaul will be here tomorrow. Today is focused on bringing furniture to goodwill, and getting stuff ready to load in the morning. Last laundry. Last dinner with Paul and Shelly. Last Blog Post. I may have a chance to check in when we are at Mom's, but I'll be keeping a written journal, and after we unpack there will be lots of funny "trip in review" posts.

So Pray for US! Good bye Oregon friends.

Can't wait to see you Maine friends!

You know you've just begun when

the boxes are still neatly packed, labeled with a number, and the contents and number recorded in the "Packing notebook". Yes I am a bit more orginised now than I was then. But here I am again--10 days until we leave. The Uhaul is reserved, the packing tape awaits action. I have to get more small book boxes. Monday-Friday this week my goal is 5 boxes a day. Then over the weekend we can REALLY PANIC. So far I have double-booked myself 3 times this week! No I can't go to the zoo for the $2 day and the Ecce Veritas Highland Games on Tuesday. It's difficult to have a friend over for dinner, AND help with the Challenge Girls priests' dinner on Wednesday. And I will be hard pressed to attend both my last RC Team meeting AND the Ecce Veritas Graduation on Thursady evening. . .God must want me to be able to bi-locate right?

But the miracle is that my prayer life is alive and well--that must be how I am keeping my sense of hunour and maintaining patience. . .God is Good, all the time!

16 Days. . .

Till we drive outa here! I'm in a bit of denial--but I have downloaded Flylady's moving tips. I am thinking of buying supplies on Wednesday. But we have a few more days of lessons, and John has a week more of work. . .so denial is OK right!?

The most exciting moving news is that I very intelligently left my old passport in Maine. I have two resourceful friends who could use occasional childcare on the task of looking though the nightmare of boxes. . .if they succeed I will provide unlimited babysitting all summer. . .if they cannot find it we will not visit Nana in Manitoba--but maybe have a visit with her in North Dakota instead.

The Drama just adds to the adventure. . .
St. Anthony Help Us!!!