Finally In Texas

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? You would think that question would get old after the first few times, so I finally told myself to stop asking it. UGH!! I was the one constantly running that question through my head while we were flying across the southeast states to Texas. I thought the morning would never end.

My day started at 2:15am on Wednesday morning. I woke up, after hitting the snooze a couple of times, and went to get showered, dressed and ready. While putting the suitcases in the Yukon, I started to get a little nervous about being outside at 3am in my front drive, as it was eerily quiet in the neighborhood. I woke Taylor up first, getting her dressed and combing her hair. Riley was next and then Hayden. Surprisingly, Riley was pretty awake for that time of morning. Hayden, on the other hand, wasn't very happy about getting up. I got the kids in the Yukon all strapped in and ready to go and then Rachel, my neighbor, walked over to go with us so she could drive my vehicle back to the house. I felt so bad for her having to get up at 4am since her entire household was sick, including her.

Once at the airport, I think my "get it done" instincts took over. Newport News airport made some asinine decision that they didn't need to have curbside check-in. Ok, I understand it's a very small airport, but seriously, I really would have tipped well!

I ended up putting Hayden in the Beco baby carrier that I strap to myself, Riley rode in the stroller, and Taylor walked. The three car seats and the one large suitcase went on one of those travel dollies that they rent for a couple of dollars at the baggage claim area. I will say it was nice that they were free at this airport. I guess it was their way of making up for not having curbside check-in.

Somehow I managed to get us all inside and up to the ticket counter. Once I was free of the seats and luggage, WHEW!!!! We went to the gate and sat to eat our muffins that I bought at the mini food stand in the terminal. After the muffin mess (note to self: no more muffins for Riley), we were called to get on the plane.

It was a small plane and wasn't very packed. Taylor sat across from us and actually had the entire row to herself. The flight went well and the kids slept. I just kept thinking about reaching Texas and calling the massage therapist that I love so much over there.

Once we reached Atlanta, we headed straight for the Crown Room. Again, we had muffins and milk, although the free liquor drinks seemed pretty tantalizing to me. But since I already looked frazzled, I didn't want to look worse. So I declined those. The Crown Room is really nice and I always try to get to one when we travel. Plus the kids can't run off and I can actually relax. Well, sort of. Riley did a couple of "let me see how far away I can get from my mom" moves. After a slight wrestle to the ground, I got her back with us. While they played, I dialed 411 to get the number to the massage therapist programmed into my phone.

The next flight was ok, although the flight attendant had to switch our seats. Taylor didn't want to sit by the "stranger" so after a bit of maneuvering, a lot of crying, and a tiny bit of yelling, we got a row all together. Again, the kids slept and I put in an emergency call to the massage therapist requesting her first available slot.

Once we got to Austin, and off the plane, I was relieved!! I saw my mom and grandma and immediately sent Taylor to one and Riley to the other. Hayden was still attached to me...8 hours later! One of the passengers offered to help me with my bags, but after hearing my name called over the loudspeaker, that sinking feeling of my bags being lost overcame me.

"Let me start off saying we do know where your bag is, but I just don't know which one is missing." Huh?? Oh great! Considering I only have one bag, it's either that one or a car seat. It happened to be my bag. Fortunately, they delivered it to my grandparent's house that afternoon.

So that was our flight experience from Virginia to Texas. Luckily there were plenty of people who helped me with getting the kids on the plane or the tram in Atlanta. And for the most part, the children were well behaved. I'm so glad we didn't end up a FOX news special showing us being carted off the plane for uncontrollable behavior. I actually had several flight attendants tell me that I made it look so easy when some parents can't even handle one child on a flight.

Luckily I have a month to recuperate from the ordeal until I have to do it again. However, that will probably be the last time I do it until these kids are a wee bit older. So dear family, you will now be visiting me for a while.

Love y'all!