SOMETIMES YOU MAY ASK - Is it worth it?

Susan had to wait in the car for an hour longer than we had planned (Bryan's mtg. went long). Before starting our trip to Sheridan, Wyo (can you guess why?).

We picked up some quick lunch (Bryan's favorite hot dog place - Winersnitzel (phonetic spelling) because of some cheap coupons for chili dogs) - just wait til later, only had to roll down the window 3 - 4 times.

Susan drove once we got past Echo Canyon (time enough to finish lunch on the fly), so Bryan could try making phone calls and type on the laptop (try it some time - going over bumps and Susan fighting the good ole Wyo. wind).

Just past what are known as the 2 SISTERS (east of Evanston on I-80, for those of you not familiar with the area) we hear some terrible noises from the car (engine area) that you shouldn't hear, especially after spending 3K on a new transmission. After a few lurches and a puzzled look at each other Susan turned off the cruise control and since we weren't coming to a stop, we decided to venture on with a prayer in our heart that we could just make it.

After stopping in Rawlins to fill up, bathroom check & a few snacks (and unfortunately still realizing the tranny wasn't normal) we pressed on, talking several times (when cell service was avail.) to the hospital.

Casper was our next spot to make an updated phone call to the hospital and check to see if Amy was improving (you can ask for the details of the scary events later). The car seemed to travel fine at the speed limit (OK maybe a little/hair over), but we felt more problems as we slowed or came to a stop light getting through Casper (more prayers Heavenward).

Only 2 hours to go. We're almost there, but off in the distance we (I should say Susan-we all know how she likes fireworks) begin to see a lightning show that the closer we got and the darker it became was truly amazing. I've seen dark skies before, but this one reminded me of reading about the early members of the church who were saved from the MOBS because of a hugh storm, the blackness was almost erie. It seemed that by the time we would reach the storm it would have passed and I said to Susan that it was a good thing that we were only going to barely catch the back edge as it passed over the freeway heading northeast. Well to our surprise we moved ahead and before we knew it the rain was increasing, the wipers had already gone from intermediate to highest speed possible. Our speed had slowed to about 5 mph and the headlights on high beam. Just about then the HAIL began hitting our car with the sound of breaking glass (I told Susan that I'd been in some downpours before but this one took ALL CAKES) You would have thought that we would have stopped but we didn't really know were the side of the road was & I could barely make out the occasional yellow center lines, so we again prayed in our hearts to please Heavenly Father watch over us. We passed a over pass with lights probably lighting the exit (we must have passed without seeing) but rather than the lights helping they practically blinded you and I almost ran into the back of a SEMI TRUCK that had come to a complete stop. Providence watching over we continued on. The hail on the freeway made it feel like you were traveling on a bumpy dirt road. Finally we began to make it through to the other end of the storm and I even could turn my wipers back down to just normal, I also could pick up the speed but not more than 30-40, when we hit several areas on the road that had water completely over the road causing us to hydroplane and fish tale several times ( yes I had even slowed back down but when the water came up over the front of the car and windshield it was still amazing we were still on the road).

Just when you think your safe, a deer or antelope (WYO you know) appears out of no where. It was dead right in the middle of the road. Rather than swerve to miss (still wet roads) I put it in the center of my tires and waited for the bump (I told Susan it was a good thing that flesh and bones are going to give under the force of a 3000 lb car).

I think we had made it, I was even singing to my wife(one of my favorite songs about how beautiful she is) I even played the repeat and sang it again. As I wiped tears from my cheeks and looked at her several times I noticed something approaching the right lane from the side of the road. I had since picked the speed back up to 75-80 (speed limit is 75) yes the roads were still a little wet but not bad at all, when walking right to left straight in front of us was a deer, with no time to react (I thought) and hearing Susan let out a high pitched scream, I was bracing for impact ( the problem was - this one was standing up right). Somehow I swerved to the right and God only knows how we missed. After controlling the car and easing my heart back to a acceptable rate I mentioned to the LOVE OF MY LIFE that I didn't have time to say (JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL). We thought to ourselves, that this had been quite the trip.

Sheridan's lights were in our view and I even was able to time the stop lights getting to the Hospital. When the door of room 165 was opened to our wonderful daughter lying in bed and our equally wonderful son-in-law holding a precious precious new baby granddaughter, giving my ALIVE daughter a kiss on the cheek, my son a GREAT BIG HUG and then holding OLIVIA LYNEA 7 pounds 41/2 ounces 19 1/2 inches long. I finally had the answer to my question - YOU BET!!!!!!

THANKS Olivia for the memories. Coming into this world at 12:22 pm. I'll never forget June 5th 2009.