Wives left behind

Every year during the opening season of the Elk Hunt, Kerry goes on his big hunting trip with his Dad, Uncle and brothers. This year it just so happened to fall on a weekend that was doomed to be busy from the beginning. With work, a soccer game and taking pictures of my two running buddies running the St. George Marathon, I wondered how I was ever going to pull it off.

Then I found out a sister in-law of mine came into town...Kris and her girls Isabel and Louisa. She and I were wives left behind for the hunt.

This is Kris with Louisa...look at those adorable, blue eyes!When Kris came to visit, I explained to her how things were going to be crazy for me that weekend. And I was concerned with how things were going to go with only one parental figure around. She told me that she could stay that night for a few hours after I left to go to work and help watch my kids. I was so grateful!

During our conversation, I also had the idea of her possibly coming back to my house the next morning and helping me be in two places at the same time. She again, said she would. But the next morning we woke up to a steady rainstorm and it was a bit cold. Jaynee had her soccer game at the exact same time I was to be down at the marathon, plus it was her turn for team treats that day. So I had called her coach to see if there was still going to be a game. And he said, YES! So with the assumption that there was NOTt going to be a game, we were still sitting around in our pajamas. Needless to say, we were now in a hurry to get us all ready in 25 mins. to head to her 10 o'clock game. Kris took Jaynee and Kaylee in her car and I was going to meet them there with Kason and get them settled at the game before I left for the marathon. We parked, unloaded the kids, grabbed the treats, our blankets and chairs and headed towards the field. Much to our surprise we showed up at her assigned field only to find NOT ONE PERSON there. I just about died! I couldn't believe it! I was so disappointed that we made all this effort to get there to find no one around. So, we loaded everything back up and headed back to the cars. Kris agreed one more time that she would take my kids home so that I could still make it down to the marathon.

I headed down to the finish line only to discover hundreds of people standing in the pouring rain waiting for their loved ones to come in. It was so crowded that I couldn't see over the people to see who was coming in. In my waiting to get closer, my friend Kris came through without me knowing. Again, I was so disappointed. I still had one more friend who had to finish so I waited patiently for her to finish. During my wait, I took some pictures of other people that seemed to represent the marathon. (Check back to see them in another post.) After waiting for about two hours, Brooke was still no where in sight. I was starting to get cold from the rain and decided to leave. I later found out from her that had I stayed another 20 minutes, I would have been there for her arrival. I couldn't believe how horrible this day was turning out. I felt so bad that I couldn't be there for them. But......no one can say that I didn't make the effort.

I know if I would have had to deal with this weekend all by myself it probably would have been worse. I'm so grateful for my sister in-law's efforts. I arrived home after the marathon to discover that she had taken the time to feed all of the kids too. From one "left behind wife" to the another "left behind wife"....I say...Awesome! What a relief to come home to happy kids!!!

This is Isabel..... she and Jaynee loved playing together.Look at these "big-eyed" girls! What cuties!Even though our visit with Kris, Isabel and baby Lou-Lou was a short one, we definately seemed to have had an eventful time. Thanks again, Kris for all you did that weekend! We look forward to seeing you again.