Snow in a 15 passenger van..the struggle is real!

   

    Snow! I love snow! Ive been waiting all winter for a good, heavy snow.  This I was not expecting. The morning started like other. 7:45 head to Hopedale. The morning was gray, but clear. Doug had taken a cow to Eureka early this morning and had heard reports of snow by Peoria. Quite a bit of snow. But still nothing on our route. But when we reached Hopedale it began to snow. ALOT. I dropped off the kids and the ride from Hopedale to Tremont was hard to see with roads somewhat snow covered.  A quick stop at the chiropractor and a surprise visit with Emily who was also in Tremont this morning, and we were on our way to Pekin. 
     Now, I have driven this 15 passenger van long enough to know that it is completely unreliable in the bad weather. No traction whatsoever. So, I drove with much caution, not driving much over 50 on route 9 to Pekin. Once in Pekin I made my way to Walmart and Hobby  Lobby. Ending at McDonalds for some French fries for Katie Hope.  After ordering said fries, we preceded to pay. BUT, the tires spun in place. We were stuck in the drive up. Flat pavement, ice. No traction at all. Ugh! *sigh* Pictures of asking for anyone to push us out of the drive up for our much needed fries went through my mind. I calmly placed it in reverse. Praise the Lord it crept backwards! I put it in drive...Hooray it slowly went forward. we were mobile! And free from the drive up!  We then headed home. I called Doug to tell him I was coming.
     On the way home the windshield wiper froze.  Meaning they no longer cleaned the water, which began to freeze, on the window.  With a thick mass of ice growing right in front of me, the roads were snow covered and the only thing I could see were 2 small tracks from the car that had gone before me.  Realizing I would need to pull over I decided to try and make it Ag Reliant just off Townline Rd. I slid past their first drive and decided to aim for the second. I caught it and pulled into a very large lot where there were no other cars.  I jumped out, cleared the wipers of ice and the windshield of snow, and turned up the defrosters as warm as they would go! Next, I called Doug. My Rock. : ) I was in need of some reassurance. :) that I would indeed make it home in this giant red van that was failing me at every turn. : ) After a quick talk and some encouragement, that I would indeed live, I was on my way. Gotta love that man, he always knows exactly what to say!  It was slow going for everyone on the road. But we made it. 20 minutes later I pulled into the drive.
     I love snow. I love my van and the fact that it holds all of my dear family and gets us where we need to go. BUT, I do not love the 2 together! lol!  I hope everyone is home watching the beautiful snow from inside in their warm homes. I am thankful to being just that! Have a blessed evening!