Trip to Idaho

***WARNING… IT’S A LONG ONE!!!***

On Saturday, June 29, I receive a call from GW Avery, my mom’s fiancé. He asks me if he should take my mother to the hospital and they had been in an ATV accident while herding cattle. I ask two questions: Is she hurting? and Did she hit her head? To which both were answered with “YES”. Concerned that she may have a concussion, I instructed them to get to the emergency room. Not even 10 minutes later my mother calls me and asks what could happen if she didn’t go. Shaking my head I said “Mother, if you have a concussion and it’s bad enough, you can die. Get your butt to the hospital!” With that, she submitted!

My grandmother and I discussed the possibility of going up to Idaho, at this point we didn’t know what was going on. Later that night we get another call from GW saying that mom was being admitted to the hospital with 8 broken ribs, not cracked, BROKEN. Thankfully there was no concussion. So grandma and I determined, at the insistence of Jonathon, that we would go up to Idaho and help mother out. There was no way she would be able to do a lot of the things that she normally did! So July 2, we headed out on the long drive to Idaho!

Ethen loved helping to feed and take care of the horses. He wanted to ride one so bad. Of course we were going to let him, but he would have to wait. Well, wait he did NOT want to do! One afternoon he comes SCREAMING into the house, covered in dirt, grass and his face bloody! After calming and cleaning him up he told me he fell out of a tree. No worries, he’s a boy and boys climb trees. Later that night he confides in me about what REALLY happened. Our conversation went as such:

E: Mommy, I’m sorry but… I lied.

Me: Oh, what did you lie about?

E: (takes a breath) I didn’t fall out of a tree

Me: Well, what did you fall off of then?

E: I tried to ride the horse. I didn’t know he was going to start running and I feel.

Me: Oh wow, Ethen. That must have been pretty scary. I’m so glad you’re ok. You could have been REALLY hurt!

At this point I realize the enormity of what COULD have happened. He was so lucky. That horse could have trampled him! I’m thankful that it wasn’t worse! I scooped him up in my arms and all though I was a little upset that he lied to me, my concern for his safety won out. I explained to him that he didn’t have to lie to me and that he could tell me the truth.

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The next day – July 4th, Ethen went to work with GW and got to ride on a swather! He loved it!

We even got to see some fireworks! It wasn’t a bad show – just bad pictures! We probably weren’t suppose to, but we snapped a quick picture on the train that was parked where we were!

I think this is the best shot that I got of the fireworks. Wish I could take those stunning images that you see in magazines! BUT – I don’t have the camera for that!!!

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Ethen was a HUGE help to grandma – he even helped water the flowers!

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We even made our own pizzas! Sauce… cheese… LOTS of black olives!!!

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After church one Sunday we headed up to GW’s land for a campfire picnic! Roasted hotdogs, potato salad, chips and marshmallows – yum!

Me and my g-ma! I love that woman!!!

Panoramic view!!! So beautiful!

Ethen got to ride in the back of the truck on the way back. He loved it!

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The mosquitoes were horrendous in Idaho – Ethen was practically eaten alive… and this is just his legs!!!

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There was a massive storm system that went through Idaho while we were there. Thunderstorms for several days and even a TORNADO warning (WHAT – In Idaho!) During one storm I actually watched a bolt of lightning strike a transformer and it subsequently exploding! WOW! After the storm passed we went outside and saw this amazing double rainbow! Sweet!!!

Well that’s pretty much our trip. We had one more even, mom and GW’s wedding, but I’ll save THAT for another posting!