U.S.A. or bust

Our journey to the U.S.A. this time was filled with adventure. I wrote a travel log because this trip is one for the books.5:00am- the alarm sounded in the hotel room in Brisbane and two parents started getting ready for a very long day.
5:45am- kids came in for a cuddle and started getting ready-- finished packing
6:45am- kids ate breakfast in hotel room
7:15am- wait in hotel lobby for our Maxi Taxi van
7:35am- Taxi arrives and we load our luggage to head to the airport
8:00am- Mary throws up in a disposable diaper sack in the backseat of the taxi. Luke gets queasy watching her-- we all shout for him to look away.
8:15am- we arrive at the Brisbane airport. Benjamin jumps out of taxi and pukes mostly in trash bin-- we open our luggage on the curb and change his shirt.

8:30am- we check our bags and fill out customs forms
9:30am- our dear Tongan friends bid us farewell with lolly lays at the departure gate

9:40am- security and customs lines are quick and all goes well except for when our car seat got stuck on the conveyor belt and it took two guards to pull it free
10:30am- we all boarded the plane according to previously discussed seating charts. I was teary on the runway thinking about what we've experienced and how we have been blessed during our time in Australia. Take off smooth despite mucky wet weather.

11:30am- seat belt sign went off. Todd got Sara's blanket for her and she went to sleep.
12:15pm- hungry and a little bored-- entertainment system not working and lunch is taking longer than expected. I'd like to be able to eat while Sara is sleeping.
12:30pm- chicken lunch and watch 'Mirror Mirror'-- the Mango ice cream bar for dessert was delightful
1:30pm- Sara woke up-- ate 1/2 jar of food-- pooped while getting diaper changed in loo
2:45pm- finished watching 'Mirror Mirror'-- Sara ate a box of raisins-- lights dimmed in cabin-- 8 hours and 37 minutes to destination
3:00pm- flight attendant made a toddler plate of food including a roll, crackers, cheese and fruit. Sara wrapped her chubby little fingers around a pear and loved it. She loved grabbing fork from me and putting food in her mouth herself.
4:00pm- take Sara on a walk around the cabin to visit daddy. Take Mary to the toilet.
5:00pm- Sara helped me eat another pear and we shared some pizza. Watch 'Come fly with me'.
5:30pm- Sara fell asleep
6:00pm- Sara woke up again
7:30pm- Michael threw up in loo
8:15pm- Sara is walking the aisles with her daddy-- the other kids are sleeping
8:30pm- Mary is awake now and playing checkers with me-- we're off to the toilet-- she needs to poop again
9:00pm- boys sleeping- Mary and Sara still wide awake
9:45pm- cabin lights turned on-- breakfast is served
10:15pm- poor Michael puked again-- Sara is STILL AWAKE!
11:00pm- Sara finally fell asleep on my shoulder with 39 minutes to destination after a complete meltdown. Otherwise it has been a smooth flight.
11:25pm- Michael puked for the third time during descent. Sara and Luke are asleep. Benjamin feels queasy.
11:35pm (Brisbane time)/ 6:35am (Los Angeles time)- plane landed. Luke and Sara woke up.
6 1/2 layover in Los Angeles followed by another 1 1/2 hour plane ride. This is how Sara looked and how we all felt when our plane landed in Salt Lake City.

Welcome to the U.S.A.

I'm sitting on the floor in my new office with Internet finally hooked up. Hooray! I've been reflecting on what has been happening in our lives during the 2 weeks since we arrived in the U.S.A.

* Convenience. I marvel often at how convenient my new life is.

*Our first Sunday at church we stood to sing the Star Spangled Banner. I couldn't see through my tears. The third verse of that song is especially touching.

*We registered our children in their new school. We all have butterflies due to the approaching first day.

*Selection. It is overwhelming to people like me who don't make decisions easily.

*I choked up recently when asked what Australia is like. "Fantastic" is all I was able to say.

*Extended family. It's good to be near them again.

*Adjustments. Occasionally I find a clock or watch that hasn't been changed over yet and I think about what we would be doing in Australia at that time.

*Big. The U.S. does things big.

*Practice the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner with our kids. Usually followed by Advance Australia Fair and our best effort at God Save the Queen.

*Sent our oldest boys off to Cub Scout Day Camp. An unforgettable experience for them.

*Received our storage items from 4 years ago. Strange and exciting all at the same time.

*Get used to running into people from the past or someone who knew someone else from the past. This rarely happened overseas.

*Enter the car on the passenger side...fiddle in the glove box to make it look intentional...walk around to the other side to drive away.

*Continue to take one day at a time. Whittle away at our to-do lists. Enjoy every minute we have together. Forever grateful for the experience.