Our flight home

Yesterday we came back home from Washington State. WE had a good time. Normally we have an uneventful trip and the kids are AMAZING and I ALWAYS get compliments from others on their behavior. Well this trip was a bit too eventful but I KNOW once this is blogged it will be one of those funny memories you talk about for a long time.

I spent part of the last flight writing this down so I could remember it while it was still very fresh in my mind. So I am just copying what I wrote yesterday on the airplane.

We got to the airport with plenty of time. But after waiting in line at security and having to take a train to our gate we ended up getting there while everyone was boarding. It was noon and we didn't have time to grab some lunch like we wanted. I was excited though because I had reserved our seats online and it was in the back of the airplane. That is my favorite place to be with the kids because the noise is more contained back there.

But when we got to the gate they didn't have us sitting together so we had to wait to board. They called for all last minute people and yet we still hadn't gotten on the plane. They were rushing around everywhere to find us seats together. We were holding up the plane and I hate to inconvenience people so I was getting stressed. So finally they took us to the entrance of the plane where we ended up waiting another 20-30 minutes. They ended up seating Zach and Caleb near the front of the plane and the other kids and I were in the center. They had to ask a few people to move in order for us to sit together. I didn't understand why there was so much fussing because my seats were already reserved. After we landed and I went to figure out where the next gate was I found out what happened. A lady that was next to me said she was watching me as we were waiting to be seated. She said I was so patient and the kids were so good. I told her I didn't feel very patient but she said I looked it. So atleast I am a pretty good faker. She told me that everyone's seats had gotten changed.

The kids were pretty hyper. I am sure it was because of all the extra waiting and then not having time to get lunch. So I fed them their snacks for lunch. Fruit snacks, skittles, and sour patch kids make a pretty good lunch in a kids' mind. But for a parent on a 5 hr. flight NOT SO GOOD. I had a few string cheese but not enough to balance all that sugar. :)

Finally we landed. We found out where our gate was and we were relieved to know there was a pizza place close by. We ordered a pizza and some drinks and enjoyed a quick dinner. The kids could not sit still at all though and I could understand why. But I was left with no patience. Actually I don't really think I came to the airport with any. So my poor kids suffered with a grumpy and mean momma this trip.

Kids had to go to the bathroom but Caleb and Zach needed to charge their game systems so I left them to do that while I took the kids to the restroom. It was within seeing distance. The airport wasn't busy at all so I knew they would be ok. Rachel and Ethan ran ahead a bit and went into the MENS bathroom. I had to yell at them to come back. Rachel came quickly but Ethan kept telling me he wanted to use that bathroom. I don't ever let the kids go into the bathrooms there alone so I was trying to get him to hurry out of there without going in there myself to get him. FINALLY he came out.

So the younger three kids and I went into the Womens restroom because the family restroom was full. I was confused when I saw a man come around the corner. I thought maybe he was a custodian. But then I saw another and then another. Then I KNEW we had gone in the exit of the mens restroom. I was so embarrassed. We quickly turned around and found the womens.

I was helping Mayah go to the bathroom and realized she had pooped in her pullup. I then thought they had called our name to board and that stressed me out. I tried using toilet paper to clean her up because I didn't have my bag with me. I had to pull her poopy pull up back on and grab our stuff and go to the gate. I carried Mayah so we could move faster.

The kids were still very hyper and out of control. They were running around and riding on the side of the walk way thing. I felt like we were an act in a circus. I don't think it was our name that they had called because I had to wait in line to get on the plane. I finally put Mayah down because she was getting too heavy. She went ahead a little and that is when I saw poop all the way down her leg. I didn't even want to look at my clothes. I had poop on my shirt and pants. I am so glad I stole some of your wipes Lori. PHEW. When I was packing my items I had a feeling to take some wipes so I put some in a baggy. I wonder if that was a tender mercy from above. I used the wipes to get as much poop off of me as possible.

We got on the plane and I had just enough time to clean Mayah up and get a new pull up on. We are all sitting together now on our last flight to Baltimore. I did lose my patience more than once. But now that I am on the light and writing this down it seems kind of funny. It sure wasn't funny at the time but what a great story this will be in a few years. Kids are much calmer now and I am hoping the drive home is peaceful. Maybe they will fall asleep. My bed is calling my name. I am really glad the flight is just about over.

OK so I have a p.s. to this story. I called Don to let him know we had landed. We had just gotten our vehicle repaired but Don was on the side of the road with car trouble and unable to pick us up. It was almost 11 p.m. at night and we are so blessed to have a sister close by. We called her and she came to the rescue AGAIN. Don was able to get back home but it was slow and rough. We got home late and I didn't get to bed until 4 a.m. but we are home safe and that is what is important. Maybe I should take a look at the blessings we have rather than all that went bad. Don suggested I go read the story of JOB in the bible. I already know the story and DON'T want to read it.