A Valentine's Day trip!

Hello Friends! I had a little Valentine's Day trip - to Kearney, Nebraska to visit Maddie! The weather was forecast to be good -- a must for me and driving - and so I hit the road! It's about a two-hour drive each way and, guess what, I am getting better about driving on the Big Bad Scary Interstate! The last couple of visits, I've driven all the way on I-80 there and back! That's huge for me as I had been taking a Nebraska Highway -- which was a lovely drive - but added at least another 30 minutes to the drive. As you go west on I-80, it gets flatter and the wind picks up - which makes me a tad bit nervous, especially with the big trucks on the roads. But it's working out and definitely worth it to visit M! It always freaks me out a little to read the signs that say "Watch for wind and ice on the overpass!" There are wind socks to show you if it's really windy -- Yikes!

We had a nice visit and ran some errands together -- that's what we always do at home too! Kearney is easy to find your way around and we definitely know the way to Target and the mall!

But, she had some studies and things to do in the evening, so I wasn't there too long and although I'm doing better with driving, I'm not ready for night driving! It's always special to visit her in her home away from home! These photos show a bit of her room and dorm. Funny the calendar in the hallway was been at October since she moved in! :)

They had a fun event for the students last week -- they brought in a Build-A-Bear workshop and every student who signed up could make a stuffed animal! :) Maddie said it was packed with students all wanting new stuffies. Awwww - isn't that sweet! What a great idea UNK It's just too bad they didn't have any of the Kearney Mascot - Louie the Loper, but Maddie made a very cute Panda Bear!

Hope you had a fun Valentine's Day too!

Another Milestone - Driving!!

We hit another milestone recently!

Maddie got her driver's license and is driving back

and forth to school . . .

all by herself!!

Her first car - handed down from her brothers.

Oh my word - that first day she left home to 

drive to school, I wanted to jump in the car

and follow her to make sure she got there ok.

Actually, I wanted Mr. Tennis to drive in front of her 

and me behind her to provide a somewhat

protective bubble of safety!
Every day, I say a prayer to keep her safe as she drives away.

After school on that first day (well, every day to tell the truth),

I wait outside in front of the house to see her driving 

up our street. 

 The first day it seemed that her

drive home was taking longer than I thought it would.

I was checking my watch and iPhone for any messages and

then I saw the Big Red Jeep headed down our street.

She had stopped at Scooter's to buy a celebratory Frap!  :)

2015 Jeep Patriot

Yes, she is driving the Big Red Jeep (we love that car)

and I'm driving a new/used Jeep Patriot.

Love the Jeep brand.  I tried a few others,

but felt most comfortable in a jeep!

She's doing great!

Happy Driving!

Driving Time!

How can she possibly be old enough 

to get a learner's permit???

Besides getting her impacted wisdom teeth out in June (ouchie!!!)

Maddy studied for and received her learner's permit for driving!

Oh my word!

It just does not seem possible that this little sweetie 

is ready to start driving real cars!

Driving in 2009!

She took driver's ed in July and she's been practicing driving with me!
Fun Fact:  In a former life, I became accredited to teach driver's ed.

She's doing great. 

I bought these handy-dandy magnets for the car from Amazon* and

I'm sure they have helped calm down those drivers

who are in such a hurry to get places!

Let's all try to be patient with other drivers, shall we!

Once she gets more practice in, she'll take the final driving test.

Since her 16th birthday isn't until December 20, we have 

a bit of time!

Happy Motoring!!