ups and downs

This past week has been filled with ups and downs for the Swager family. We drove to Winnipeg last Wednesday, where we stayed for a night. Then Dale and I flew to Edmonton from there. It was so great to be away just the two of us, knowing that Bennett was having a great time with Grandpa and Grandma vanLeeuwen. We were able to reconnect with a lot of old college friends and we were just really having a great time....until Dad calls Dale and asks for our license plate number....Yes, our car was stolen right out of their driveway. So, there we were in Edmonton, while mom and dad were trying to make police reports, etc. There was nothing we could do while we were gone, so we just tried to enjoy the rest of our little vacation. Trevor and Margriet's wedding was absolutely beautiful. Margriet was gorgeous as usual, and we had such a great time. We flew back Sunday afternoon. Turns out they found our car, however, it was totalled. The kids that stole it took it for quite the ride apparantly. The front end was completely smashed, the air bags all depleted, the back windshield shattered, and the list goes on. There really aren't words to describe the feeling of being violated and having your "things" stolen. Bennett won't remember the books he once loved were covered in beer and cigarettes, he will forget his favorite CD's and might forget his favorite little dump truck, but Dale and I won't forget too soon.
So mom and dad drove us back to Iowa, as we had no way of getting home....we are now car shopping, which is kind of fun and kind of depressing all at the same time.
So, amidst all the police reports, insurance claims and phone calls, we remain thankful for all that we have. Things could be worse, right?????