Our Inspired Journey

and a close-up for Rylee :)

This was Uncle D's favorite :)

Did I mention how much fun we had with our family this Christmas?

We could not be more thankful for a family who we love and who loves us SO much.

The cost to get us all to CA is great but the reward is so much greater. The joy of being together far outweighs the cost of plane tickets, the hassle of traveling with 4 young kids, and the work to borrow car seats, pack n plays, etc. for the different houses we sleep in. Everyone works hard to make it all come together, but in the end...we wouldn't of traded any of it for the world.

I can honestly say that's true, even after waiting in line at the Southwest counter at LAX for 2 hours, only to be told we were checking in too late to have our bags make the same flight. While waiting in line (which stretched out the doors all the way to the next terminal), with 4 kids, 5 bags and 2 car seats, our ultimate goal was to keep the kids from going into the street or getting run over by the motorized carts who were driving on the sidewalk in attempts to also avoid the oncoming traffic from the street. The word - stressed - doesn't even begin to explain how I felt during those 2 hours. If my brother hadn't been with us (he was also waiting to catch his flight to Nashville the same day), I don't know if we would've made it. God was GOOD to have given my parents the idea of getting him a flight near ours! In the time we waited, we wondered...were we going to make it? If not, what would we do? Many people were missing their flights because of the lines. I didn't get to worry too much since I was distracted with he responsibility of caring for my kids (including feeding and changing Rylee, all while the line crept forward...and not just change her diaper, but her entire outfit since she had a blowout once we were 5 minutes from actually making it through the line.)

Was it smooth? No. Did we make it? Yes...and it was a MIRACLE! After checking our bags, we made it through security in less time than we ever had before (which is quite involved with us all having to take our shoes and jackets off, Rylee has to be out of the carrier, Cole can't go through the metal detector so John goes with him to the side to be wanded below his head, and then we all have to get our shoes and jackets back on...whew!) By this time, John and I had just thought we were going to miss our flight and started to pray about other options. After our shoes were on and we were moving again, we looked at our watches, and realized that our flight was due to leave in 5 minutes. "We may actually make it!" So then, we ran, with as much energy as we had left after waiting in line for 2 hours with bags, car seats and kids on our backs. :) When we arrived at the gate, they were about to close the doors, and though the plane was packed (except for our 5 seats), we ran down the ramp to the doors of the plane with our 4 kids and car seat on our back. The stewardess looked at us and John said to her, "We're your worst nightmare...we need 5 seats next to each other." Technically, we could've split up and I mentioned that, but all it took was one announcement with a free drink offer to anyone who would move, and we had a row all to ourselves...seriously...MIRACLE!

We made it safely to Chicago, but unfortunately our bags did not. They came in on the next flight. Three days later, after we had time to catch our breath (and a bad cold for me), we made the 2 hour drive back up to Chicago to retrieve our bags once and for all. Whew! Retelling that story brings back so many anxious thoughts and feelings I had that day...I had serious doubts that we were going to make our plane. I couldn't imagine a solution that didn't include flying stand-by with all our kids and not getting home that night or the next one making for very cranky babies. I do much better when I see an acceptable Plan B in sight. I resign my fears to the Lord much more easily when all I have to do is talk myself into realizing that either option would be fine in the long run. This time, it wasn't so easy. The only factor that helped me stay focused on the moment rather than dwell in the uncertain future, was the fact that my kids needed me to tell them...

"Everything is going to be okay. We just have to be patient, and soon, we will be able to rest."

The Lord gave me the words for my children that in that moment, I needed to hear myself. I didn't have time to get lost in my own worry, because I wanted to be a support to them. I felt in myself, a place of deepening in my character that day. I guess this is what God talks about in His Word when He tells us that though we will face trials of many kinds it is through perseverance and endurance that our character is strengthened. I can certainly say that is true of me...through this crazy day we endured, I learned to take more deep breaths and speak truth (He will take care of us) in the moment of trial rather than act out of fear while trying to make things work by our own efforts. Growing is often accompanied by pain. Only once we've gone through seasons of growing pains or watched others endure trials do we begin to see that God had great purpose for us in these seasons. Nothing that happens is without a purpose. If you are one who is wondering "why" because you or someone you know is going through a season of pain, I encourage you to ask God. Only He knows, and I can tell you from experience, His answer is the best one you'll get. :)

The last load of laundry has been folded and put away, and everyone under our roof is well...we look forward with excitement about the future that God has for us as John applies to jobs around the country all the while, thanking Him for the GIFT that this trip to see our family was. Even with all the crazy stories of travel, we wouldn't of traded one minute of it for anything. We love you family!!! Thank you for everything you did to make our time with you so special...just being together was the best present of all!