Wish you could have come along for the ride!!
I bet you don't, though:
2 hours in a Suburban, crammed so tight it took twenty minutes just to try to pack us in and shut the door. Across one nations borders, making five stops at check points to get there.
2.5 hours in the airport, passports checked 118 times.
7 hours to London. Easy flight, lot's of sleeping, no crying. Only one puking.
5 hours at the airport, parked next to Herrod's luckily for us - not so lucky for anyone near by.
11 hours to Los Angeles. Hurt me. Please. Someone knock me out. At hour five, I was ready to cry. Especially because we had 6 more to go. Over all, the kids were fine, but anyone get's tired of being on a flight for that long.
2.5 hours through customs, only to have them LOOK at our passports. Twice. Um. Why did we wait in line? You didn't even touch our baggage. Nice.
2 hours to Salt Lake. Easy.
1 hour to...
HOME!
With wait times here and there, it was in total - 35 hours door to door.
People were very nice and patient for the most part. My favorite comment from a flight attendant was, "Your family is wonderful. Your kids were perfect. I've never seen anything like it. You guys are like....like...like the Von trap's!
Ever had a one year old on a plane. For a day and a half? Let's just say that anything goes.
You want to lick the seat in front of you? Have at it.
You want to lay on the floor and eat things you find? If it keeps you from screaming like a an eagle, help yourself.
Your sippy hasn't been in the fridge for more than 24 hours, but you want what's left? You got it. Whatever it takes.
All of my motherly duties of hygiene and cleanliness went by the wayside. Oh well. Keep them happy, that's what I say. AND, they only had ONE kids movie - the new Charlie and the Choc. Factory. Like Chach is going to like that, for ELEVEN hours!!! Come on. He did great, though.
We are SO happy to be home. I'm having trouble compartmentalizing my 'lives'. Here and there are very different. I think I know a little more how missionaries feel when they come home. Culture shock to your own culture is a strange thing. But I'm coming around. I haven't seen my kids this happy for a year. They are ALL so glad to be home!! And Peter is just enjoying staring at/being in the mountains.
****I have been asked to talk about my/our experience on June 14th here in Orem, at a fireside/Enrichment. If you want to come, please do! But the big thing I need to ask, my faithful readers and friends, is: What would you like to hear about if you were listening. Is there something you've read that you would want to hear? Or something you want to hear more about? A favorite experience you've read about that you think people would like to hear. Please, give me some feedback. And come if you'd like. I'm going to dress up and make some food. You won't want to miss it! Or. Maybe you would. :)
Signing off. From the UNITED. STATES. OF. AMERICA! (what.what!)
8 comments:
I'm so happy you are all home! We've missed you! It was fun to get to talk to you for a few minutes on the side of the road the other night :) but we should get together soon because I want to hear more ;)
I think my favorite stories are the ones about Fatima. I also find it sad but interesting about all the people there working from other countries. oh yeah and how there are partitions in restaurants so that women can eat without being hidden. I just can't imagine...
I tried to use my administrative privileges to log in and change your background to something patriotic, but I forgot the password... :)
I'm SO glad you're home and I realize I didn't give you good feedback on the phone about what to talk about at RS. I will give it some thought. I think the culture is the biggie.
Welcome home!! I am super excited to see you & plan on coming to hear you in rs. I am anxious to hear more about your experiences. I would like to hear more about Fatima and your adventures off base. Can't wait!
Welcome back to the United States. Having known you since you were our daughters' roommate in Ellensburg, it has been really great to read your blog from cover to cover. When will you publish a book about your adventures? With your sense of humor it would surely sell well!
I've converted my SIL to your blog, so you may see her for your fireside. I love the extra funny stories, about going to the gym, and how many people give you diet advice! Call me simple, I guess. But my SIL and I did shed a few tears over Azeem and his story.
I'm the "SIL" that Christine is talking about, and I'm wondering what church you will be talking in? Address?
I would love to come. You are super interesting. I can't imagine doing what you've done. I have 5 little ones that are about your kids ages and genders. So I can imagine, and relate to some of your stories. But I can't imagine taking them to the Middle East. I'm sure you didn't make that decision lightly.
I want to see you! Wake up already! J/K Glad you made it...and that you let the baby eat and lick to his heart's content. I hope I get to come too. Let me know the details...I need to know the end of the Fatima story...and any of your house boy stories...
I must agree with the ladies that Fatima was so interesting. I also was so touched by reading about Simon's special day in the water so early in the morning. that one Is a good one. can't wait to see you!
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