Does anyone know how to get to Butte?

Looking and thinking for some large pearl of wisdom to start this blog with has only lead to a waste of valuable time on a Saturday morning. I am sitting here listening to "Car Talk" and laughing internally at the questions and situations being posed. Many times it is just like being at a service department listening to the guest that come in. I can understand that the show is not entertaining to all, but when time presents itself I like to tune in.

Yesterday was Reed's 5th birthday. For well over two months Reed has been waiting for his special day. We had a lovely pizza dinner - which was Reed's choice. In fact he has no idea how easy he made it for Lise and I as all he wanted was a pizza from Safeway...why Safeway I do not know as I don't recall ever purchasing a Safeway pizza. I am thinking that the Safeway pizza's are at his eye level when he goes shopping with mom. So $6.99 later, they are a dollar off on Friday's (way to go again Reed), we had a good pizza complimented with green grapes and A&W root beer. I did tell Reed that next year he needs to ask for steak, he replied with a wrinkled nose and gave me a look to say that that was not a good recommendation.

Reed almost spent his birthday somewhere on I-90 as Wednesday I opened an email that lead to a chain of events. At work an email came in from the Hyer's (I served with them in Mississippi) that notified me of the passing of Nathan Neiwert (31 yrs old). Nathan and I served together in Mississippi, both in Greenville, Mississippi and in the mission office in Jackson, Mississippi. Without going into great detail Nathan had unique challenges, mostly health, that made his service remarkable.

When I read the email and the shock faded I realized that his funeral was the next day. At this time it was near 6pm and the funeral was the next day at 11 am in Idaho Falls, Idaho. My mind quickly tried to find a way to be there. I was online, on the phone and had Lise hunting for ways as well. After exhausting any type of flying schedule it was decided that driving was the only way to get there. My desire to be at the funeral was only fuel when I called Nathan's wife and she took the time to speak with me and made me feel like the most important person at that moment. She shared with me some further details on his passing and she kindly answered some of my questions too; it was touching and meant much to me. Nathan provided me with many wonderful experiences both in and out of the mission field.

So, crazy as it sounds (not to mention how crazy it actually was), Lise, the boys, and I headed off to Idaho in hopes to make the funeral. We left our driveway at 9pm and headed East! Between driving from work to home I had contacted Janyse (who recently moved to Spokane) and explained what we were doing. She called me as we were driving and decided it would save us a 1/2 hour if we stayed in I-90 until we reached Butte, Montana and then head south on I-15 right into Idaho Falls. Factoring in the hour time difference and the time to travel, we knew it would be close - not to mention the needed stops for gas, restrooms and such.

Getting to Idaho Falls was difficult, but as I will later share, not as challenging as getting home. On I-90 I ran over some large object that I would late find damaged the front bumper and disconnected the rear bumper on the driver side. I did not know about the damaged until we stopped for gas; I was able to fix the rear bumper as the clips simply released from the pressure of the impact. I am thinking I ran over a large piece or retread.

We arrived at the church building 1/2 hour before the funeral was to start. We used the church restroom to change our clothes and freshen up. I met more folks in the restroom then I did in the lobby. It must draw attention when to boys and a father have an entire suitcase unloaded in a church bathroom.

The funeral was touching and Lise cried even more then I did. She said she was so touched as she placed herself in Jillea's shoes (Nathan's wife). Nathan left behind his wife and seven year-old daughter. Justin Harwood, Nathan's business partner and missionary from Mississippi, and I were able to speak and I had a short moment with Jillea. I was told by Lise to never die, or at least wait till after she passes away (I will see what I can do). I have not attended many funerals in my life, but this one had a different importance to me then others. I really have been thinking about my relationship with others and how much distance and time can separate individuals. I am bothered that I was not better reachable by the Neiwert family because so many months had traveled from our last contact. I think I will move away from this thought for now as it is plain depressing at this point.

By 2pm we had had lunch, walked the Idaho Falls temple grounds and was back on the road to home. Not having much sleep, I think under two hours, I knew getting home would be an extra challenge. Lise was also not feeling well and declared that she would not be much help in driving back home. So I let her start the drive back home. Forty minutes later I woke up to find cold air blowing directly into Lise's face. She was not doing well - I asked her to pull over and switch...I knew the rest of the way home would be up to me. Not being one who takes caffeine pills or drinks caffeinated drinks I knew I had to do something.

At this point you may wonder why the rush to get home? A few factors: Reed's birthday, work for me, Lise had a Dr. appointment and responsibilities on Friday. I gave in and purchased some NoDoze! I must admit that it was helpful and I could tell when it was working as I was warm in the face and felt feverish (or maybe that was from the lack of sleep?).

We stopped off in Spokane to visit with Janyse and her family - not to mention to see the new castle they now own. We were welcomed warmly at 9pm (I think) to there home. It was great change for the boys to run around as they had been couped up in the van all this time. It gave me a chance to sit down on a comfortable couch and wonder if I should just go to sleep. A bed was offered and if home was not just a little over four hours away would've stayed.

The last hour was the most challenging as the caffeine pill had no change to my bodies desire to sleep and I was too was feeling dizzy and unsettled. Lise woke up and kept talking to me as I was having difficulties. We should not have been on the road as Lise was extremely sensitive to lights at this point and I was just plain loopy! We pulled into the driveway at 2:50 am (nearly 30 hours since we left the same driveway) and I think we were all asleep by 3:20am. Four hours later Lise was up with the excited boys for Reed's birthday and an hour later I followed. I know I missed Lise's mom who came over to see Reed and I was able to see my mom as she was leaving for Vancouver, Washington to attend another funeral of a family friend.

I am not sure if this was all that exciting to read, but every time I reflect on the trip it will be a memory...I just wonder how much the boys will recall about the trip? Three weeks we are due to drive to Utah for a Hilton Family reunion...at this point Lise is not ready to even think about that drive. As I told her, it will not be the best, but at least when we get to Utah we will not be turning around to get back home right away.

You may notice a link on this page to our Woodinville home that is for sale. It has been on the market for one week and we are prayerful for a buyer in this "soft" market "they" say we are in. I feel we are priced to sell and not making friends with others in the area that have homes on the market.

Congrats to David Weiss and family as #4 was born Thursday...baby boy!