So the Turkey holiday this year was quite different for me and my family. We aren't real worried about this holiday, not like Christmas, but though we still enjoy it, we have yet to spend the holiday traditionally.
Chris has been deployed or TDY twice in the last three years at this time, though he did return home once as a surprise for the day of. This year I had the special opportunity of traveling home to Spokane Valley, WA for the whole week!
My mom was having something extremely special occurring and she wanted as much as her family around to help participate. In our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we fully believe in the concept of forever families. We know that if we are faithful and provide the proper ordinances with the proper authority in the temple of God, that our families are literally sealed to each other for eternity. Well, it was around this holiday that we were going to be able to finally seal my mother to her parents who had passed a little over a year ago for her father and two for her mother. It was going to be very exciting and something she had been praying for for a very long time.
So to help her with this momentous occasion, she helped me to fly home. That meant that for the first time since I became a mom almost 6 yrs ago, I would be traveling alone! For most people it's not that big a deal. Chris does it so often we have an acct set up for his expenses. But, I'm mom. It's a big deal for me!
I was so worried, I began planning things out to the letter. I planned meals, I planned schooling (just in case Chris got ambitious), I planned laundry and chores. I even wrote Chris out a schedule for the week so he wouldn't be surprised by doctor appts or playdates. I was a nervous wreck. I just really wanted it to be a positive experience for everyone.
I was also super EXCITED! I've never traveled alone! Seriously, not once! I've always been with family or friends on plane trips, car trips, boat trips, whatever. I couldn't wait. And the suitcase I got to take was thankfully small! I got to take my purse and my laptop as my carry on! That's it! What a thrill. I also got to relax and get hot chocolate, or snacks, or dinner or anything. I even got to hang out in the adult section of one of the USO's. I had a blast and a good conversation. It was quite interesting to be on my own.
The most funny part of the whole trip occurred the moment I stepped off the plane - IT SNOWED! I'm serious too. It snowed the moment I got off the plane and was so cold that the second I grabbed my luggage I grabbed my goose down jacket. (I only store it when I'm not at home in WA) Anyway, one of the best parts was that my big brother was the one who came in to get me. I LOVE to see him! He's so busy and he's got a big family and he travels a lot. I was so excited to get to spend some time with him. (Honestly, I probably still have a bit of hero worship going on in that area just from when I was a kid. He's my big brother, that's just the way it will most likely always be.) He picked me up in a great big bear hug and I revelled in it! We then met mom and the rest of Matt's family outside. That's when I gave mom the good news about our 5th and final Fosburg addition! It took her a moment, but she was super excited. I was super relieved because I'd been wanting to say something for 6 weeks! I'm not a great one for secrets (especially wonderful ones), but it was going to be the first time (and the last) that I'd ever get to tell her in person. It was great!
We got home and the next day is when all the fun started. Seriously, in case you forgot I have two very large and happy to see me families in Spokane! It was a crazy ride, but so much fun.
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