Westward

I did it. By myself.

I flew to Utah with my three kids in tow to stay with my sister. She's pregnant (with number seven) and her husband had to leave the country on business for a week. I'm not sure how exactly we deduced that my coming there with three extra children would be any help to her, but there you have it. That was the conclusion we reached. And now we're back and we had a great time.

I remember the first time I traveled alone with my two girls. I didn't sleep for a week before-hand. Maybe I'm a little more seasoned now, but I slept just fine. I guess with enough experience you learn that you will in fact get from point A to point B and whatever happens in the middle is just "stuff." The only major glitch was our layover in Atlanta. Our first flight got in late and so we ran through the airport. I was carrying Luke, a shoulder bag, and dragging a carryon up and down escalators and whizzing on trams. I'm sure we were a sight. Somehow, the girls enjoyed it.

Long story short, we missed our flight and ended up in Atlanta for another six hours. My precautions as a germophobic mother went out the window. Kids playing on airport floors isn't my first choice, but when it's the only choice, you just close your eyes halfway and smile when someone asks for the thousandth time if you are traveling alone with three children. The plane rides are bearable as long as the dum-dums don't run out. I think we had 27. Each.

My brother and his wife hosted a gathering at their amazing home. My parents came down from Idaho and all the Utah siblings were able to come. And then I took advantage of all of them. My brother-in-law found four cavities (think it was the dum-dums?) and went to work. My sister cut my hair. I'm sure we ate through several siblings' pantries, drove their cars, interrupted schedules for lunch dates, met up with three of my Virginia friends (who never should have left) and made one of them watch my kids while I was being drilled on.

When we landed back in Virginia Kate said, "It seems like we were only there for a minute." I guess time flies when you're having fun. Thanks everyone!!

I was lousy about taking pictures, but here are a few:

Luke watching "hairplanes."

After paying $20 bucks to check each bag, they give your kids wings. Sticker wings.

Enjoying cousins in the hot tub. You can see with so many kids around the same age why they love making the trip so much.

Five.

I'm certain it was just yesterday we had the big yellow moving truck parked in the driveway, loaded with all our belongings, ready to trek across the United States to start a new chapter. Barrett dropped me off at the hospital to be induced only to head back and continue packing the truck until I had progressed a bit. There were no rooms available when I arrived so I had them start the pitocin in the triage room. To spare the details of that somewhat hilarious birth experience I'll cut to the chase and say I was grateful to be wheeled into an actual room before giving birth in the hallway with the OB and my husband only just barely present.

I'll never forget the day this sweet little girl joined our family. To have done it amidst so much chaos, it's a wonder she's such a calm child.

So, in honor of her fifth birthday, five things I love about her:

1. If she gets a treat she always asks for an extra for her sister.
2. Even if she's quiet, she's bold. If someone crosses her older sister or younger brother, Kate won't hesitate to march over and defend her loved ones.
3. She has a contageous little giggle.
4. She is giving. (The other day, after watching a car show with her dad, she said to me, "I'm going to save up all my pennies so I can buy dad a white BMW for his birthday." And she'd do it.)
5. She sleeps with her slippers on. While this may not sound monumental, it's so her...and I love it.

Happy Birthday Sweet Kate.