Off to the Races!

RING!! RING!! RIIINNGG!! Uugghhh...stretching across a mile wide bed to get over my husband's chest and to the phone...the 3am wake up call I didn't know about, but figured it was coming. "Oh it's time to get going" attempting to inspire myself. Legs...legs...walk me to the bathroom. Uuugghhh...the steam engine in my head started without me in the wee hours of this morning. 6am flight huh? Alright. Up and at 'em mamma.

The hot water beating on my back is bliss. Asleep standing. Reminded of the upcoming events. Flush...oh cold water cold...I'm getting out! Living with four other people can bring mommy's quiet moments to a screeching halt just like the shock of icy water in your face. Wrapping my dripping body in a towel, starting to repack suit cases, preparing bottles, making a bite-size pot of Hilton Garden Inn supreme coffee...not turning toward the beds of fluffy down comforters and 5oo thread count heaven for fear that they may suck me in like the night before. Shuffling and choosing clothes for everyone...maybe I should get dressed? They probably won't let me through the security gate like this!

Personal affects for 5 people. 3 superhuman-size suit cases @ $75 each for excess weight. 3 suitable carry-on bags. 1 diaper/mommy bag. 4:45am in the pouring rain, shuttle service to pdx. Leading the pack to the airline desk. They were having so much fun searching the signs for our airline, gazing in disbelief at the various makes and models of fellow travelers. (Thank goodness for being a military family...asking nicely, the attendant for our airline waived the fees for all of our bags! One of the few benefits of being in the military...) Treasure hunting past TSA checkpoints. Declaration of various products in my armament of nourishment and entertainment. I have never met a nicer TSA bag inspector. Lucky for me, she laughed when I asked her if I could borrow her "sniffer machine" for diapers!

My longing for coffee generally sends my husband on his own little treasure hunt. Almost missing our flight was sweeter thanks to my Venti Cup of rejuvenation. Caffeine induction was sure to get me through this day of airborn excitement. Dreading take-off, inserting a bottle into this baby's mouth was sure to help his ears. Shimmying, rolling along the tarmac, preparing for our journey into a mommy's unknown, he fell asleep! Oh my goodness! All of this agonizing worry about the noise, and elevation effects...went off without a hitch...really...this was me with my kids? Off to the races!!!

Loading...Unloading...Layover. Flight 209 from Portland to Denver arrived 10 minutes early. Gate 25A will be boarding about 15 minutes late. Bringing our grand total to 135 minutes of free time. Walking past an unoccupied gate, noticing the open space for the baby to roam, I unleashed him into the great unknown. Like a wild stallion, he raced across the floor heading for the floor-to-ceiling windows which overlook the aircraft service areas. Pressing his belly against the frigid glass, the look in his eyes was asking me to just let him takeoff. Plopping to his backside once again he takes-off toward the foot path of the drones of people rushing to catch connections. He lives for the challenge. Unaware there is a baby actually trying to keep up with them, ladies and gentlemen, kids and pilots alike just smile at him and comment about how cute he is...little do they know, he's on his way! The determination in Van's eyes is astounding. He is my child. World: brace yourselves. Here comes change.

Family and anyone needing extra assistance, please board now! Ticket stubs to kids? Check. Seats 4a through 4d? Check. Overhead stowed? Check. Mobile TV purchased? Check. Gazing out the window, the kids on the plane all yell "We are moving!!!" with excitement. Van is asleep again. Seriously? Could this be any easier?

Arriving in San Antonio, we were all flooded with a variety of emotions. Anxiety and nerves. Wonder and jubilence. The big boys are great at following signs, spotting our luggage from a mile away, and were so nervous to meet the family we did not yet know. Making our way to the front entrance, and the huge, round rotating doors, we were met with open arms.

...once again, we are off to the races!!!