Blessing in Disguise

I was scheduled to fly to Houston to watch my sister-in-laws kids for the week.  As the date drew near, the flights were looking sketchy and to make matters worse, both kids came down with a cold.  I was stressed about
 a. making a flight to Houston (very few seats and rapid changes make for lots of stress)
b. flying for 2 1/2 hours with sick kids and  
c. watching 4-5 kids for a week while the kids and/or I am sick. 

It is amazing how it all works out.  When I told my sister-in-law the stresses, she said she would take her family and say a prayer for us to have it all work out.  And God does answer prayers. 

The first flight filled up last minute, so we didn't even head to the airport, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise because Hallie got a great first nap and was SO much happier when she woke up (and I got to clean my house while Jackson rested as well).  I felt calm all the way through the airport and security.  The peace and calm alone was a huge blessing.  We got 3 seats together (this is rare) and had no problems getting on the flight.  Jackson and Hallie were sick, but for my kids, it tends to just make them lethargic and not so active.  Jackson was quiet, calm and happy the entire flight.  Despite a 35 minute delay (during which another baby was SCREAMING and I was thinking "so glad that is not me!") we had the entire flight (3 1/2 hours) with only one cry and peace and quiet from Jackson (besides some coughing).  Hallie cried as we descended but as soon as I mentioned she was getting milk, she calmed down enough to let me pour it and give it to her. 

Once at my SIL's home, the Tylenol wore off and both kids went to sleep without a peep with slight fevers.  After a crazy morning ( Jackson was too lethargic to get in trouble or be overly active and crazy), I took my in-laws to the airport.  My first moments alone with the 5 kids, I put them all down for quiet time and they ALL went to sleep and I even took a short snooze.  Tonight, Jackson was begging to go to sleep by 8 (6 our time) even though he woke up from his nap only 3 hours earlier.  Bedtime was a breeze!  Even though I hate to see my kids sick, I enjoy it a little because they are calm and quiet and easier to manage.  Hallie gets whiny, but Jackson just gets super mellow, easy to put to bed and lets me cuddle him. 

I know it is a little early to celebrate, especially since I still have a huge potential of getting sick myself, and still have 5 days to go, but I thought I would write the blessings of the past few days so I don't forget them.  God does hear and answer prayers, in small ways that mean the world to me!

Oh, yeah, and BYU had a huge comeback!!  So fun to watch!