3 flights, 4 countries, 14 boxes and a partridge in a pear tree

Well, we're here and alive. Phew. All summer people kept saying, "How do travel with so many kids?" The real key is to put your mind in a coma for 35 hours, but I thought I'd share some highlights. (photos are a bit poor, bad lighting and an iphone, sorry)

After the BEST going away dinner given to us by our dear Minky, we finished packing at midnight, Sunday evening. Minky served up an entire meal of PORK. Yep. It was delightful! Ever had candied bacon? Two of my favorite words, all mixed together. Can you go wrong??!! I think not! She is the greatest cook. She doesn't read my blog, but THANK YOU!, anyway. She also showered my kids with gifts and a treat or two for Fatimah. She loves us. Wait til you see what she did with my hair. She's a magician!

At 1:30 Ruby woke up throwing up with the flu. That lasted until three, we had to be up to leave for the airport at 4:45. Needless to say, a tired start to a very long trip. Chach had had the flu a few days before and I was hoping it would pass the rest of us by. No luck. Our very nice neighbors loaned us their trailer to haul our 14 boxes and five carry on's, we were LOADED down. Again! (I might add here, that I think I may have over bought. I mean, I lived this long without a years supply of scrubbing bubbles and 14 pkgs of beef jerky...just sayin') Anyway, my parents drove us, we said a much too hasty goodbye, and began the 1.5 hour check in process. The fact that is was Sept 12 didn't help much, Peter's birthday - but also the day after the 9/11 anniv. Security went through at least nine of our boxes - poor things. You should have seen how I packed those babies. Yikes. But everything made it back into the boxes safe and sound.

While trying to entertain Giddie when we packed our boxes in my parents garage, I realized that he really likes to eat suckers. So, for take off and landing , I packed a couple. They worked like a charm. (Hmmm. Charm Pops! I think I know why they're called that) I especially enjoyed Gid figuring out that if you take your wet lollipop and stick it on your leg, your skin gets pulled up, sticks, and a giant mess begins. And he LOVED it! Me? Not so much, but it made him happy. Nothing a few hundred wet wipes couldn't fix. Another highlight was watching Sol, too many seats away to do anything, full tongue out, lick circles around the tray table in front of him. Shortly followed by stuffing the entire seat belt in and out of his mouth. (I know you're gagging while I'm writing this. I can hardly say it myself.) Hmm? I wonder where he got this nasty cold and cough he's fighting? No idea.

Our first lay over. They spread out all over the floor in no time. Last time on U.S. soil. Sam was thrilled to be in Texas for two hours. He hasn't been back since he was three weeks old.

Again, as I have told you before. Throw all caution to the wind. Let them do what they want. BTW, out this window I watched a piece of luggage, not mine, fall right out of the carrier truck, onto the road. It was heading for our airplane, all the way to Germany. It sat there for nearly an hour. People drove around it, passed it, stopped and looked at it. But NO ONE picked it up and got it loaded! Jerks. Ever "lost your luggage?" Argggghh! Now I know. More like someone really lazy lost your luggage!

Frankfurt! We loved these loungers. Poor Roo was sick the entire trip. Luckily, the pukes had stopped, just the Big-D. Every where we went, and on the plane several times, she had to run to the bathroom. On that note, poor people traveling across the world for their trip of a life time. Hope you didn't get the flu!!! She was such a trooper, poor little thing.

What was that about doing what they want? The kids were PERFECT the entire trip! I mean I had no idea they could be so great for so long. Every time we get to our gate and load the plane you can hear the people, sigh, gasp, roll their eyes, count heads, "oh my..." and "I hope we don't have to sit by them." And after, every time, several people walk by and tell me how great my kids were. How impressed they are, etc. Not to brag. Okay, to brag.

The last hour before our last stop, Gid got a little restless. For dessert they had served the kids cream puffs and chocolate pudding. Really? I know. But I let Gid go to town. It kept him quiet for a LONG time. He was in heaven.

Almost there. We flew right over the Tigris River. Remember that? We followed it for a LONG time. So crazy to think about beginnings of civilizations. We live in a very far away place.

Driving across the border into our country, I ended up escorting the 14 boxes. I didn't like that at all. I don't do well with questions when I'm under pressure. I only had a few contra banned things. Vanilla and 3 B of M's. But I get a little nervous. The guards can unpack anything they want. And I had A LOT of stuff! They stopped us and made me get out of the car. I tried to remember to be submissive and not look them in the eye - not real good at that either. Anyway, after I explained 7 people, two bags (boxes) each, and that I had every piece of clothing, presents, (don't say Christmas, don't say Christmas, don't say Christmas; see pressure and me don't mix) and cleaning supply for a year. They let me go without opening a thing. Thank goodness!!

Two hours in the car, and we were home. Away from home, that is. Things are familiar, but not home home. The kids are back in school and getting settled. More on that later. Thanks to all, again, for the wonderful summer. Really. I had no idea what a fantastic time we could have. We are all still talking about it. I, we, are so truly blessed to have such wonderful family and dear friends. It's lonely here without all of you. I miss you all already. Remember, you can always call. I could use the chatting. I am a chatter - as you know.