Worst stand-by experience ever . . . (but good times with family)

It was bound to happen.  With all the times we've traveled and rolled the dice in flying standby, we were bound to have a terrible experience.  Sure enough, it came.  Unfortunately, it happened on my in-laws FIRST stand-by experience :(.

Our parents and our family made the trip to DC without incident on separate flights (even though a lay-over in Charlotte was rough, it was short and endurable.)  We were able to spend Saturday with Dave's brother's family in Virginia.  We went to Harper's Ferry.  There was an awesome bridge.  One side was Maryland, the other Virginia and then yet another side that was West Virginia.  This was a beautiful quaint little town with lots of history and a connection to our name.  We enjoyed walking the town and seeing a bit of the reenactment of the history.   This is where our stroller breaks which leads to future chaos.

We head home and watch the ultimately disappointing BYU game with great food and company.  I really enjoyed the time we had with family this weekend.  The kids were a bit stir-crazy (good thing they had a dog and baby toys to entertain them a bit).

 

On Sunday we had the opportunity to see Breckin be blessed.  His birth mom and her family came which made it a special occasion.  Once again, we enjoyed amazing food and family.  What a fantastic day!

Monday morning, although my better instincts told me to just stay home and wait until a better flight on Tuesday, we decided to head to the airport and hope for the best in getting home.  When we reached the closest airport the flight had ALREADY filled up.  We called Rich to come back and take us to a different airport.  With lots of hassle and an hour to wait, we got tickets to Charlotte.  I have never been held up in security, but this time I had a pear that just HAD to be inspected and the lady refused to let me show her which pocket it was in, so it took so long!)  We were delayed on the runway due to weather in Charlotte. We sat for an hour and finally took off.  Luckily, the flights in Charlotte were also delayed so we had 2 hours to wait for a flight to Houston (getting to PHX was impossible, so we thought we'd spend the night with Lori in Houston and go home the next day).  The layover was long and the kids were restless.  Dave was working from 'home' this day so he went to the club and worked.  My in-laws were great helps with my restless and bored kids.  I didn't pack enough to do and we were all hungry. Plus, we didn't have a stroller to lock the kids in.   Finally, we got on a flight to Houston.   Jackson threw a tantrum in first class in the aisle and I was behind him carrying things, so I couldn't pick him up or move him.  It was totally embarrassing and I wasn't the best, patient mom I should be.  Finally, we were on our way to Houston.

It was great to be in Houston and have a home cooked meal and a comfortable house.  My kids loved the toys and the room to spread out.   We loved spending time with the Cole's especially since we missed being there last weekend.

We  were planning on going home  on the early morning flight.  At 5:30 it had 15 seats available . . . at 6:00 there were only 2 seats (I guess an earlier plane was delayed . . .) So just Dave and his dad headed to the airport.  My mother in law and I were hoping to catch a later plane, but the flights kept filling up and filling up . . . for 2 straight days.  Normally, this might not have been such an inconvenience, but my MIL was planning on being with me at my house to pack and clean before our move this weekend.  Unfortunately, we were spending all her time at Lori's house . . . enjoying ourselves, but feeling anxious over all we had to do!!  I checked flights often and was disappointed time and time again.  Part of the problem was that we fly lower priority without Dave (the employee) with us and there were quite a few stand-by's in front of us.  After 2 days of waiting, we were ready to take the REALLY early flight out of Houston on Thursday.  I couldn't sleep all night with the stress of making the flight and also of closing on our home the next day.  I was an anxious mess.  I woke up at 1:30 am PHX time and got everything in the car.  Poor Lori had to drive us to the airport SO early.  We waited in Security (usually I go right to the front and now I always will!! the kids were insane waiting in line!).  When we finally got to the gate they said there were no seats . . . when I inquired further there WERE seats, only they were in first class or exit rows and I had children so she wouldn't let us board or change other people's seats.  I asked 5 people to switch seats to exit rows so we could get on, then a group of 5 (who also had children) found that they were seated in exit rows and had to be moved to the seats I had just opened up.  There were still 10 seats open on the plane but the gate attendants wouldn't upgrade or move other passengers so we could get on.  They were so rude and terrible.  I was LIVID at 6 am when the plane took off with 10 empty seats!  After waiting 2 days to get on a flight, this was a slap in the face.  I was still super anxious about making the next flight (luckily, only 2 hours away)  Especially with how unhelpful the attendants were.  The kids were a bit stir crazy (and SO tired) in the airport, but we survived 2 hours and FINALLY got on the plane.  Even then, the thoughts of a delay or a mechanical problem haunted me, but finally we took off and were on our way.  This was the second time I gave benadryl to my kids and they both zonked out for the entire flight - I am beginning to like this!  I, unfortunately, was too hyped up on adrenaline to sleep, but I did start to relax and felt the baby move for the first time as the seat belt pushed against my belly.  That was a happy feeling, to be on the plane, 2 kids asleep, feeling #3 for the first time :)
My MIL went straight back to Utah.  After the early morning and long travels, she was exhausted.

 I thought we weren't going to be able to sign on our house because the paper work was taking too long.  So I took the kids to the park we I got home.  At 12, we found out the paper work had gone through and we were ready to close . . . and thus the new madness begins.  We had to get into the office to sign within minutes, so we rushed to find a babysitter and get a check ready and run into the office.  We signed like crazy and hoped all the paperwork was right since we were first-time home buyers we weren't sure what questions we needed to ask.

Packing, cleaning, signing, moving, and taking care of kids (on VERY little sleep) was exhausting.  I had LOTS of help.  My friend watched my kids for several hours (2 days in a row), my visiting teacher helped me pack my entire kitchen, my parents drove down and helped for hours and hours.  I got a babysitter while I cleaned the new house for a couple of hours (I could have used 12 hours to clean it though - - lots of dog hair everywhere!).  We had several people from the ward help us load and unload the truck.  We filled it to the brim.   We were able to pack and unpack in only 2 1/2 hours.  Then the real fun began.  Unloading the boxes!  We took a break to watch the BYU game and relax.  Later, I was able to get the kitchen put together and the kids rooms were ready for the kids to go to bed by 8 that night.  (Did I mention the kids were waking up at 4 am every morning since our stint in Houston . . . not fun!)

We are mostly moved in and are happy with our new place.  Cleaning our old place and moving into our new place which was not clean, was not the ideal we had planned, but eventually it will all get cleaned and organized and I will be able to sleep again.  We are exhausted.