Beautiful Snow and Cold Temperatures

I must add a December note. Shocker! Dad spoke in church on the 31st. The bishop asked every bishop who served in the 9th ward to speak. Dad was the second bishop to speak and did a marvelous job. They were given five minutes each and Dad did not go over and spoke about how much he loved the members. Powerful. In South Carolina, Kristin and Jalen spoke in church at the same time as Dad. It was Jalen's very first time and Kristin said he did a great job. I’m certain she did too. So proud of our families.

Monday, January 1, we watched football all day and rested. We needed it. It is good to have a new year and looking forward to good health, missionaries and fun times together with families. We love these families the Lord has given us and enjoy every minute we get together. They’re sometimes kinda crazy, but we love it.  This is just a few. 

Tuesday we did two sessions at the temple. Sometimes that’s a little hard for me, but the special feelings are so worth it. We can come home and rest. Dad went shopping with Cameron. He just loves to be with Grandad. Tiffani started her first chemo treatment. It took five hours. Ugh! We are so grateful for good doctors who know how to take care of her. Dave and the girls are constant help as well as her friends and people at church.

I had a rough day that Wednesday at our optometrist, Dr.Gardiner. I had the first work done by his assistant and just when he came in, I vomited several times. I was so embarrassed and just didn’t know what to do. Thank goodness for those little airplane bags people use now. He worked on Dad and I made another appointment. I went home and slept the rest of the day

Friday the 5th, Grandad was excited to train at the new Orem Temple. He loves serving. He asked for the same time and will go at 5:00 AM every Friday.

Saturday we watched the twins win a volleyball tournament in Arizona. We just turn on our big TV and watch like we are right there. We love it.

The way we can watch so much sitting at home is such a wonderful thing. The next Sunday our Baylie was asked to give a talk in their stake conference. We were able to tune in and hear her. Not only did she do a great job, but she was just beautiful.

On the 12th Dad took our car to Clint because it was making a horrible sound around the steering wheel. It really made me nervous. Clint had his men look it over and found nothing wrong. They checked again and found it was an air freshener on the visor that Scott put there so the car could be fragrant. How embarrassing.

Monday the 15th, Tyson and his kids (Susie, Hailey and Parker) came to bring thousands of pictures that he had spent a lot of time putting on a thumb drive. I don’t get how they did any of that, but it is a miracle. Parker is now 7’4" and handsome. The girls had made things for me. They are so sweet and talented with my sewing machine and fun little things they make. They are a joy. We just had a great time. I am going to have Tyson do my scrapbooks. He has done thousands. He even fixed the recording of my dad’s story so we can hear him better.

I found a replacement for my hairdresser. She was a missionary at the same time as Molly and was at her homecoming. Such a small world. She did a great job, but I miss Tiffy.

This next part is quite a story. We got up at 4:30 to leave for the airport to go visit Kristin. Dad drove the truck because the weather was so bad. It had snowed all night and was very hard to see. Crazy drivers were everywhere, but Dad did a great job. When we got to the parking place, he couldn’t make the security gate work, and finally the bar came down just missing the truck. We went forever before we found a parking place, not near a shuttle or in a handicapped space. We trudged through the snow that was melting and we were getting wet. Freezing! 

When we got to the airport, Kristin decided to change us to fly through Houston to Charlotte instead of through Chicago to Columbia because the weather in Chicago was so bad. As soon as we got to check in, a person with a wheelchair greeted us (thanks to Kristin). Dad checked one piece of luggage and we each had a carry on. Everything was great. We were wheeled right to the door and we were the first ones on. Everything started out smoothly, but then there was a technical problem and we sat on the runway for over an hour. Finally, we went to get deiced and then were finally able to take off. We were going to miss our connection to Columbia by about 20 minutes. 

Then it looked like we might get lucky because the flight to Columbia was also delayed. Unfortunately, when we landed in Houston, we sat on the runway for a long time before getting to our gate. When we got to the gate, the flight attendant asked the people who did not have a close connection to please stay seated so others could hurry to their next gates. Well some people listened, but it was still very difficult. An incredible woman met us at the door and hurried us right to our next gate. She was amazing with all the elevators and concourses we had to go through, but when she got us there, the plane had left just five minutes before. She was so upset because of the people who did not stay seated. She was so kind. She had been at the airport since 6 that morning. She would not leave us. 

We went to get the suitcase we had checked, but it was not there. Dad went to the baggage office and the man said it would be in Charlotte in the morning. We called Kristin and found no other flights were open. We thought we had reservations at the Marriott at the airport. No room. Kristin got on her phone but the closest motel was 20 minutes away. It was a Hyatt Residency. (Note from Kristin - she actually booked the wrong hotel or we could have been closer.) We had to wait at the place outside for the shuttles. It was 20 minutes in freezing weather. Finally we got to our hotel at around 10:00 p.m. to find there were no restaurants open. There were some salads in a little place in the lobby. The desk said if we wanted a shuttle back to the airport we would have to be at the desk no later than 4:50 a.m. (We would have also been stuck in Chicago, so going through Houston was still a good choice.) 

The next morning, we made our flight to Charlotte and Jalen met us at the luggage place. NO LUGGAGE.!!! Dad never puts my pills in the checked bag, but this time he did. We called Dr. Luni and his nurse called the Columbia Costco and asked for five of each of my heart pills (three different ones). It would be two days without my pills. Dr. Luni's nurse said I would be in trouble if I went any longer without them so we were a little nervous. We decided to wait in Charlotte in case the suitcase was sent on the next flight. We went to IKEA and bummed around a bit and then went to Jason's Deli for some lunch. I had a baked potato. It was the best, loaded with butter, and Kristin even got me more. Yeah!

According to the United app, the bag was on the next flight! So we waited for it and headed back to the airport. Kristin decided that instead of parking, she'd run in and Dad could just drive the loop around the airport and pick her up with the bag. Well, Dad missed the turn and we got lost for a little while. The roads were crazy. What fun! And for some reason, United had marked the bag to go back to Houston! Kristin went to the baggage office to have them pull the bag. What a zoo! We finally ended up all together - with the bag - and I got my pills! We cancelled the Costco order, and they were so concerned and polite. Off we went to Columbia! A day later than planned, but at least we were all together and had all of our bags.

I guess we were very tired!

Needless to say, we were so tired. It was so good to be at the Batchelor home with the dog - Tashi, a bearded dragon - Spike, and the chickens - Georgia, Savannah, Millie, and Chloe. 

Kristin sews while letting the dragon cuddle.

Not me

The reason we went to Columbia was to take part in Jalen's ordination to the office of a Teacher and to see Baylie sing for the South Carolina American Choral Directors Association. (It was an audition choir that only certain students were able to participate in.) We were so proud of both of them.

Kristin and David got up the next morning, the 19th, and picked up our rental car. (We can't all fit in her car.) Kristin had ordered a large van, but it was a glorified station wagon - a Toyota Highlander. There was no leg room in the back two rows. It was hard for me and Dad to get in and out of. We didn't have time to change cars, so we adjusted and had a great drive to Florence, about an hour and a half away.

When we go to Florence, we went to a very fun place called Buc-ee's. Dad called it a Maverick on steroids. It was a huge convenience store that was larger than Costco. (We forgot to bring our disabled parking sign, which would have been nice.) It's based out of Texas (everything's bigger...) Don’t know how many helpers there were. Someone was helping everywhere. You name it they had it. 

Granddad's sandwich

Where's the beef (jerky)?

Whew, no waiting here.  

Fun shopping

We dropped Baylie off at her practice at (9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.) and then headed for adventures in Myrtle Beach. Our first stop was to the Ripley's Aquarium. We were there for several hours. Kristin certainly knows how to plan a trip. It had everything.

They even had many places where you could crawl in a tube and be right close to penguins, sharks, many different fish, and sea creatures. They got right close to you, but the tube stopped them from touching. 

They even had ponds where you could put your hands in and touch anemones, starfish, manta rays, and jellyfish.      

There was a moving sidewalk through a shark tank.

So amazing

Next we went to walk on the beach. It was cold, but so beautiful. We picked up shells and watched the seagulls running around. Of course we shopped.

After that, it was time to head back to Florence and the Radisson Hotel. That was quite an experience. Kristin had called them several times, including twice that same day to make sure we'd have adjoining rooms. Everything was just fine…so they told us. When we got there, the receptionist gave us our keys to both rooms on the 3rd floor. Kristin had ordered two adjoining rooms, one of which was accessible for disabilities. Well, when we opened our door, a lady greeted Dad! What a mess! Our room was already occupied! When Kristin and Dad went down to check on everything, someone else had signed our bill (with our credit card number on it). Long story short, the front desk messed up and gave our room away. The other people signed a bill without their name on it. And even though they saw we were traveling together, they didn't offer to give up their room so we could have the adjoining rooms. Dad and I ended up on the first floor with the window almost to the ground. It was cold, and a dog had chewed the phone cord. Thank goodness for our phones. We were planning on having fun with the kids and just being together. I couldn’t shower the next morning because the room we ended up with wasn't accessible. Kristin and Dad wrote letters to the company, but we haven’t heard a thing. We survived. We felt like we were treated as lower class people. 

After we got settled, David and Jalen went to get us pizza and then David went to pick up Baylie from a local Baptist church where she had been practicing all day.

Baylie ended up staying in our room with us. The next morning, the 20th, we all got up for breakfast. Thank goodness the hotel had a great breakfast! Afterwards, Baylie went back for more practice and we continued our adventures.

We found an antique shop. SHOCKER!! It was called Palmetto Peddlers and there was a little bit of everything.

Next we went to the site of the Mars Bluff atomic bomb impact crater. It is a place that is hard to get to and we took a road no one is supposed to go down, but Kristin had David drive around a barrier, past a broken blockade, and then she walked down a deserted road to find it. It's the spot where the Air Force accidently dropped an atomic bomb. Fortunately it didn’t detonate, but it fell on a home and demolished it leaving a forty foot deep crater. There were some people living in the house who were injured, but miraculously no one was killed. You can see a pond that covers the crater site in the background.

We also went to a nature place called Lynches River County Park where we walked over a swamp from tree to tree on wooden boards held down with ropes. It was amazing and we loved what we could see. They had cages inside the building where you could study about different live animals.. We didn't see much on the high up trails, but it was very fun.

We then grabbed a quick bite at Walmart and headed to Baylie's performance. It was at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. It was amazing; we loved Baylie’s choir. They did a great job. There were two different choirs - one for soprano/alto and one for tenor/base. 

We didn't take a picture of the entire choir because it was so large we couldn't fit it. Baylie was perfect and beautiful.

After the concert, we made one final stop at the Florence Stockade, which is the site of a Union Prisoner of War Camp where they were kept in horrible conditions and many died. 

We made one final stop at Buc-ee's for dinner and then headed back to Columbia. We made it back, very tired and so filled with joy. What a trip!

This day was also Dianne Goats Bayles' birthday. She is such a special lady who can do just about anything to perfection. We love her and what she adds to our family. She is a great mother and wonderful Mimi (grandmother). She is a beautiful coat maker for the family and a yummy cook. She loves the scriptures and studies daily. She also loves our Clark. They have made a very close and happy family. The boys and Ashley are missing in this picture, but not forgotten.

Sunday was a special day because Jalen was ordained a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. It was done in the morning at his home and everything was just perfect. He is a fine young man who loves the Lord and his family. He had grown in size and personality. We love him so much.

That same day was my very young 80th birthday. Everyone was so nice and it was just a perfect day. I love our entire family with no exceptions. (Well, maybe that bearded dragon.) My kids gave me a beautiful book filled with their favorite memories or things about me. Every child, in-law, grandchild and great grandchild participated. It was also full of colored pictures of our family through the years. My sister, Karen, also participated. Of course I bawled. It’s a 20-page treasure. Some friends and relations found out about it and wrote notes of love. 

Aunt Karen sent flowers and Del sent me a sign that says, "I SMILE BECAUSE YOU'RE MY SISTER...I LAUGH BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT."

The next day was William Johns birthday and he is 8. He will be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, February 10th. We are so proud of him. He is a great boy.

We decided we should fly home before some storms hit, so Kristin took us to Charlotte on the 24th and we flew home through Houston with no problems.  

Saturday the 27th we watched the girls play volleyball and they won the entire tournament. They are good and we love watching them on our TV.

The 28th was Aunt Mickey’s birthday. She is Dad’s sister and a wonderful lady. She does so much for the families. We love her.

Mark and Mikki, George's older siblings

The next day was appointments with our new doctor Austin Healey. I taught him in third grade, so it was quite a fun reunion. We are very satisfied with him and will stay with him. He took seven of my pills away and I am so grateful.

What a fun and special time January has been. We are so grateful for the family our Father in Heaven has blessed us with and pray every day for each one of you. We especially pray for our missionary, Elder Camden Bayles in Poland.