FIRST FLIGHT

We knew it was going to be bad, but we did not appreciate added curve balls. Our flight to AZ was scheduled to depart at 7:00pm. So we knew that with 2 lap babies and one 2 year old, we needed to be there early. We also had three carseats, 2 suitcases, 3 bags to carry to the desk. Yes, this was packing light.

We got to the airport at 4:30pm, got through security and sat down about 5:45pm. It was a sight to watch us travel to the front desk. We needed 2 extra pairs of hands...at least. We got a bite to eat, then we found a cute little play area for the kids. Shortly after Shane decided to recheck on our flight status. The horrible news was that our flight was DELAYED until 10:00PM!!!

5 hours in the airport feels like 10 with 3 kids. Thank goodness for the play area with lots of toys and NICK jr to keep us company. We gave the boys a dose of benadryl (shhh), while eating dinner, before we found out that our flight was delayed. Turns out that it did not touch them. I used a small dose out of fear of how it would react. Before that flight we gave them another dose. Neither doses worked. The babies were wide awake the whole plane ride.

We knew that people would not appreciate sitting next to us on the plane, so we strategically picked a row near the back. It wasnt until right before take off that the stewartess told us that there could not be 5 people in one row, because there were only 4 o2 masks per row. That meant that 2 rows of people would be effected but our children. I was not happy.

We spent most of the trip in the back of the plane standing with the stewartess'. They were AMAZING. We arrived in AZ at 2:00am. Landon fell asleep as we touched down. But we still had to carry EVERYTHING to get our rental car. It was a shuttle away. It was not until 3:45am, that we were all settled in our beds.

On the way back, our flight was ontime and we had my mom to help carry children through the airport. But on the flight, Brenna was a tornado full of energy. We druged the boys pretty heavilly. But they cried whenever we sat down. The stewartess' were not happy to share their space with us. Landon was eating a granola bar and was SERIOUSLY choking as we were taking off. He threw up all over himself, me and Brenna. The guy in the row with Brenna, Landon and I, was not friendly and did not like that he was sitting next to us. But the couple next to Shane played and colored with Brenna while Shane and I stood in the back of the plane.

Thank you to the man that carried a carseat to the security desk when my hands were full. Thank you to the woman who played and colored with Brenna while we were waiting to board in AZ to OR. Thank you for the girl on the plane to AZ sitting next to me, who I overheard had anxiety problems when flying, who took out her phone and made it into a fish tank for Landon to look at when he was upset. Thank you to "uncle Chuck" as he came to call himself, who smelled like beer, but helped on our plane ride to OR. Thank you to the nice couple that played and colored with Brenna on the way back to AZ. Thank you to Benadryl. THANK HEAVENLY FATHER for the instant answers to prayers when petitioned.

FOOD STORAGE

For about a year I have been terrified that I need a food storage. I guess it all began when Shane was going to flight school, I was the breadwinner, and I was put on bedrest suddenly. We were instantly POOR. Somehow I was previously inspired to pay out our mortgage 6 months in advance, so we did survive with minimal help. But I realized that in just a few weeks our cupboards were BARE. It was shocking how fast it happened. Since then we have a 3-6month supply of the foods that we eat all the time, taking up the majority of my closet. I feel semi-content that we will survive if something else surprises us unexpectedly...but what if it is worse then just a lost job.

I know that anxiety and fear is not of the spirit but I am working on my faith in this area. In the meantime we are bulking up on longterm food storage. I spent 1600.00 on what I felt was edible essentials, but I have so far to go. The majority was Freeze dried meats, beacause I am not a canner and am not sure whow else to store meat.

Then Wendy Dewitt, a professional food storager, came to our stake and got my extended family gung ho. She is on Youtube and a genius. My mother-in-law got a can vaccum sealer, wheat grinder, and other essentials and we are doing it!

NAPS

In order to SURVIVE, naps have been strict and and fixed. My children have cooperated for the most part...until now.

Brenna: We try to take a nap when the brothers go down and then I wake up a half an hour later realizing that Brenna is still playing. Then she gets grumpy in the evening. So I try later naps where sometimes she still just lays there and plays. She is not quite to the no nap stage but the transition is a learning experience.

The brothers: They used to go down for naps easy and quick. Now they still take 2 naps a day...but they play together over the side rails for at least an hour. I cant complain. They do not cry...they just play.

Me: Sometimes I am able to nap when the boys nap and Brenna plays. But most of the time she brings me a book or a game every 5 minutes. I count my blessings when I do get a little shut eye...but it is rare.