Tomorrow morning I plan to get on a plane and fly from Florida to Michigan with a three year old, a one year old, a 31-weeks-pregnant belly, and a big bag of “please let my kids be calm and entertained through the flight” junk. Because Adam has to work until just before Christmas, he’ll be joining us in a week and a half.
Part of me is wondering if I’ve lost my mind to be flying by myself with the kids when I’m this pregnant. But when I remember where I’m going, I’m mostly just excited. That’s because at the end of the day tomorrow if all goes well, I’ll be sitting by the fire inside my mom’s house.
Maybe it’s not a big deal for you to hang out with your mom. Maybe she lives in your town or just a few hours away. But for me, time with my mom is a Very Big Deal. (I feel like underlining that too, but you probably already got the point.) Because we live 1200 miles apart, we don’t see each other very often. And I’m probably going to sound like a homesick nine year old at camp when I say this, but I miss my mom. I miss her a lot. I miss my whole family, actually. They’re some of my favorite people on the planet, and ever since my dad passed away two years ago, I can’t forget that life is fragile.
So I’ve decided to look at tomorrow as an adventure. And even if the traveling is a total disaster, the day will be a success if my kids and I are in my mom’s house that evening. Cold weather (please God, let it snow!), wood fires, icy Lake Michigan, coats and hats and gloves, our massive extended family squished into my aunt and uncle’s house on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning with my husband and kids and my brothers and sisters, and best of all, day-long conversations with my mom—all for the price of a few plane tickets and a day of traveling with the kids? Totally worth it.
But feel free to say a prayer for me on Tuesday. =)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
I’m sure that your mama is just as excited tonight as you are! Will pray for your safety and patience on trip.
Thanks! It all went great and we’re here safe and sound now.
Linni, I know your Mom will be doing the happy dance when you get here. Will be praying for a safe and “calm” trip.
I’m so glad you get this time with your family! I’ll be praying the kiddos are calm for you and that the day of travel is completed before you even know it. Sorry I didn’t get to see you one more time before your trip, but I hope you have a fantastic holiday. Merry Christmas! Love you!
I’m sorry we didn’t get to see each other either! But hopefully we’ll be together for New Years. Have a great Christmas!
You’re up for it. Can’t wait to see you!
Can’t wait to see you!
I think the flight will be just fine with the kids… they are in a perfect age, maybe not for flying that amount of hours but you are just flying inside your country not over seas like I normally do.. It will be fine, but I’m sending a prayer to our God as well!! Hope you get a wounderful time in North with family… say HI to them all!! I can’t wait til I can fly over again… but now it’s to much going on with school, graduation and new job!
GOD JUL!
If it makes you feel better, I will be driving 11 hours with 5 kids (including an infant) to be with my family!! It is so worth it! Feeling blessed this season for having awesome families to travel to! I can’t wait to see you there.
When I was trying to decide if I wanted to fly with them by myself I thought, “Julia would do it.” And that helped me decide.
See you soon!