My Guardian Angel Daddy saved our lives yesterday

Around 10am yesterday morning, I got a call from one of the hockey moms reminding me about the game in Stettler that day at 1:45, and confirming that we were going to be there. Whaaaatt?! Apparently an email had been sent out notifying everyone of that game being added to the schedule. Of course, MY email must have chosen to reject that particular email 'cause I certainly didn't receive it!

So it was a mad rush to get everyone ready. Tyler was at Ardan's hockey game, which ended at 11:30, the exact time we had to be leaving. I went out to start the Durango, get it all warmed up -- the key wouldn't even turn in the ignition! It was completely frozen! Panic time. Rounded up the hair dryer, spent ten minutes out there blasting the ignition with hot air, finally it un-froze and I got the vehicle going. Phew!

Went online to Mapquest so I could print off a map and directions on how to get to Stettler. I've been there before but I didn't want to have another "Highway 2 North to Innisfail" fiasco. Well, this map gave me a route I'd never taken before -- go on Hwy 11 straight through Red Deer until you hit Hwy 12 up by Erskine, then continue through to Stettler. Said it was faster than taking Hwy 2 North to Lacombe and going that way. Awesome!

So we get on the road, one small error where I missed the Hwy 11 East turnoff by Clearview, had to turn around and get back on it. The streets in Red Deer were absolutely terrifying, thick layers of ice covered with snow and ruts. Thank God for 4x4! Almost hit a truck's rear-end when I slowed for a red light, my tires kind of skidded even though I was going extremely slow, we stopped like two inches from the truck. Gunnar and I kind of glanced at each other and gave a full-body shudder.

After about an hour or so of driving, we finally come to the turn-off for Hwy 12. Looked both ways, absolutely no traffic coming (THANK GOD, as you'll soon read why). I slowly pulled out and as I was turning my front wheels hit a huge patch of glare ice. The vehicle started fishtailing and swerving towards the other lane. I deliberately kept the wheel straight and when it seemed like we were coming out of the skid, I (stupidly!) chose to turn the wheel a tiny fraction to the right, thinking I should try to get more on my side of the road. HOLY SHIT! The vehicle started turning, picked up speed, spun in a complete circle through both lanes, when we finally shuddered to a stop we were back in our own lane but facing the wrong way!! There was still no traffic coming towards us, ohthankgod, but now there was three vehicles coming from the other lane up behind us. They had all slowed upon seeing what had happened and I got quite a few concerned stares from the drivers as they inched passed us. I just sat there, clutching the steering wheel and hyperventilating. As soon as the trucks passed us and I could see no more were coming, I got in that lane and pulled over onto a side road. Sat there for a full minute, shaking and crying.

Once I was composed again, I got back on the road and we carried on. But all I could think about was the prayer I'd sent up before we'd started driving, back in Sylvan. I usually do that, much to the amusement of the kids ("Mom's praying for her guardian angels to protect us while driving again!"). I'm a true believer in guardian angels and I do believe they have kept watch over me. And on this particular road-trip, I just KNOW that one very special guardian angel was watching over me and my kids and it was his loving, protective hand that guided my vehicle back into the empty lane.

Thank you Daddy!