40 by 40 #s 23, 24, 25 - Family Travels

As many of you know (because we saw you!!!) we did a lot of traveling over the holidays. A lot. It was fun, crazy, exciting, exhausting, beautiful and insane. On the front end, I had no idea how we would get it all done. While it seemed like a wonderful idea during the early planning stages, as we got closer to departure, the practicality became a bit overwhelming. Picture our return flight (I've got to get better at photo-journaling, but I trust you'll get the word picture). We returned with and checked 2 large suitcases, 1 large box, 1 expanded roller carry-on, 3 car seats,  a stroller frame and a pack and play (thank goodness for Southwest's 2 free bag policy!). We carried on a duffle, a small roller bag, an adult backpack, a kid backpack, a diaper bag, 2 infants and a toddler. Yeah. Craziness.

Over 2 1/2 weeks, we took 3 children - 7 month old twins and a 3 year old -  on 4 flights (that's a first for me - #23) covering almost 5000 miles. We rented a minivan (that's also a first, so I'll call that #24) and took our first family of 5 road trip, driving almost 1000 miles (and that is #25). On the back end, I am amazed and grateful that we did it all and would not trade the experience.  Even with all of the activity it was a refreshing and encouraging time with friends and family after such a challenging year. I am so glad we pushed through and even more grateful for those who prayed for us every little step of the way. Several of the next few posts will be a few things I'd never done that occurred during the trip. Almost there...

Although this was Enoch's 7th flight, it was the 1st in which he was able to articulate his emotions. He was so excited.  As we took off he exclaimed "I LOOOOVE THIS!!"

Issa (above) and Bella's first flight!

Yes, that is a look of relief that we made it.
One thing we learned is each row has 4 oxygen masks. We are a family of 5, so we were not able to sit together.  So two fortunate individuals got a chance to sit with our family. Seriously, the kids did great. Ask the flight attendants who played with them and gave Enoch a bag of goodies to thank him as we left.

Enoch in the back of the minivan with Granna and his Tennessee cousins.