Leaving on a Jet Plane

Our trip started out so smoothly. I had everything packed into one suitcase for easy toting except for Ella's car seat and our carry on luggage. I had everything we could possibly need packed- until...

We arrived at the airport and I am attempting to check in our luggage curbside while Tena is getting Ella out of the car and into the stroller. I'm thinking to myself, "This is going to be so easy. I won't even have to try and carry our luggage and the stroller at the same time." (Which I was worried about). When I got up to the counter, the lady asked me to put the suitcase on the scale to weigh it. I already knew it was going to be over the 50 pound weight limit and had already come to grips with the $50 surcharge. Boy was I wrong! Now, they charge according to the weight of the item. According to the scales at both the airport and at home, this suitcase was a whopping 79 pounds which was going to run me $150! WOW! This was more than the cost of the ticket and there was no way...

So, I promptly walked over to the car where Tena was getting Ella situated, opened the suitcase, and started pulling things out! I still don't know what all I left with Tena to take back home (I guess I'll figure it out when I get home- apparently it wasn't too important). Some other things that I knew I would need, I shoved in the plastic cover that was around the car seat to add some weight to that. I didn't think I'd be able to take out the nearly 30 pounds necessary to avoid the charge, but at least I could get it down to a reasonable price. We regrouped, said our goodbyes, and the sweet lady helped us inside to check in (the curbside was an additional charge as well).

Once inside, I put the suitcase back on the scales to see it was only 55 pounds now! If I could shed another 5 pounds out of the suitcase I would avoid a charge altogether! The wonderful lady assisting me was my cheerleader: "You can get 5 more pounds out of there!" And there I was, once again, opening the suitcase, trying to get a couple of pairs of jeans (did you know they're 2 pounds each?) into the car seat bag. I wish I would've taken a picture of that car seat bag with all that stuff crammed in there- better yet I wish I had a picture of Earl's face when he saw it! :) But, I got the extra pounds out of the suitcase and didn't have to pay the surcharge. I gave that sweet, sweet lady a tip (probably the cost of the curbside charge, but whatever). She had no idea how much she helped encourage me in a time of frantic frenzy!!

Whew...cleared that hurdle (barely)-now on to security! It was a breeze compared to check in. We got to go through the "special assistance" line because of the stroller so we weren't rushed and were able to go through without any problems.

Ok, so we encountered quite a few delays and gate changes, which cut seriously into Ella's nap time, but she maintained pretty well. It was nothing a little ice cream and children around to entertain her couldn't fix. :) She did a good job at patiently waiting...



And more patient waiting...



Until we finally made it on the plane. Ella is a natural people-watcher so she was entertained while boarding was taking place. There was no one in the seat next to us, so we had a little "wiggle" room throughout the flight. She had to be in my arms during take off and landing (and whenever this stickler flight attendant came by) but even during those times I was grateful for the empty seat next to us!

Yes, we even had to wait on the plane before take-off. Between it being a Friday afternoon and misty rain, I think everyone leaving Hartsfield had to do the same. And,yes, you are seeing the picture below correctly, she does have a pacifier in her mouth. I had a weak moment at home before leaving and threw it in my at bag the very last minute. And boy, am I glad I did! It was an absolute lifesaver in all the waiting game and during the flight. Don't worry, she hasn't used it since we got off the plane!

Ella was a great flyer! Three men commented as we were getting off the plane how good she did. They were probably so worried about the peacefulness of the upcoming two hours when they saw us on board, but they seemed pleasantly surprised. I took the compliment coming from three separate males for what it was: a compliment!

We met a smiling face at the bottom of the escalator that made all the drama of the day worth it:

"Da-Da!!"

Together at last...

After all the craziness of the day- the luggage, the delays, the waiting- I can honestly say it was all worth it. It's been so nice to spend some time with Earl, even if it is only at night. Thanks to everyone who said a prayer for us...I can certainly tell God heard us!