Well, I had planned on using today to post about my vacation, but I will have to leave that for tomorrow or Monday, because I have to tell you about the adventure I had coming home . . .

Let's just say that it should have been a sign when I got to the airport and saw that we were on security level orange, and that we were unable to have any type of liquids, gels, or creams in our carry-ons.   I even had to empty the water out of Lily's sippy cup – crazy – but like I said, not a good sign of what lay ahead.

In truth, everything went so smoothly until my Salt Lake to Atlanta flight.  The kids had been absolute angels – Derek slept, Lily slept and entertained herself without me even breaking out the backpack-o-fun.  I even met this great girl, Heather, who helped me the whole flight, playing with Derek and helping to entertain Lily.  However, there was a storm camped out over the Atlanta airport that had closed it.  Nothing in, nothing out.  So, instead of ending our flight, it started a whole new run of adventures. 

First, we flew to Augusta, Georgia to get more fuel.  The flight attendants were great though, and showed us another movie as we sat on the plane waiting.  After over an hour, we flew back to Atlanta – landing at 10:30pm, instead of 7:30pm.  It all still looked okay though, because my flight to Savannah had been held up by the same storm and was set to leave at 11:30pm.  That left me with an hour to find some food and get to my gate.  I thought we were home free, but I was wrong . .

Upon arriving to my gate, I found that it had a Miami flight listed (bad sign), and learned that our Savannah flight was delayed until 1:20am.  Now remember, I was traveling alone with a 3 yr old and an 8 month old.  This was not a happy thing, but at least I was going to get home, or so I thought.

About 1:30am they canceled our flight, which sent me to the 2 hour line to rebook, and this was also when my angelic children finally gave out.  Unfortunately, their crying was the straw that broke the flood gates, and I lost it.  I sat down next to their stroller and just cried for a few minutes.  Then, I got to work getting us out of there.

To end a very long story, I was very blessed to have total strangers watching out for me all along the way.  Some nice people said they would hold my place in line so I could sit down.  Some other nice people made me get in the front of the line – and when that line stopped moving at all, a nice man took me to a side gate, where another man broke policy to rebook me at his counter.  And then some other nice people asked if I wanted to stay with them so they could help watch out for my children if I fell asleep.

Friday morning, after about ten minutes of very uncomfortable sleep, I went and was the first one in line to fly standby on the 8am to Savannah.  Miracle of miracles – and thanks to some more very nice people, I got on that flight. 

I have to say that I have never been more happy to see my husband than I was as I was pushing my stroller those last few feet to the security line.  It is so very good to be home!!!!!!!!  It was tough, but I was blessed every step of the way.

 PS.  I will write about our great vacation sometime soon when I have energy again.  Oh, this is Lily tacking an "air shower" when we were stopped in Augusta.

PPS.  Just a funny note:  Kevin flew home over a week before us, and traded seats with a woman so she could sit with her husband.  Well, the woman's seat was in first class.  So, we had to laugh because he flew home first class, and I had my nightmare experience.  Pretty funny.