Trip to Chicago

Don't worry about cleaning the house, I'll do that. Yep, that's what Mike said to me as I was packing to get ready for my trip to Chicago with NO kids! I did a little dance for joy (because I hate cleaning!) and tried to politely argue. Thankfully he turned my offer to help down! Let's be honest here, I would have been extremely disappointed if my politeness backfired and he accepted my offer to help clean. So I packed my bags and it felt pretty amazing that I was not worried about diapers, pacifiers, leapsters, pillow pets, blankies...etc you get the point! And off we went to the airport, Mike and the kids dropped me off and I waved goodbye, excited at the thought of just getting to sit and read a book!

Though to be honest I have never loved the flight out of Flagstaff. I struggle a little with motion sickness and since I was a kid little airplanes always make me sick if there is turbulence. So I was a little bit worried. It's only 30 minutes surely I can survive that! Well, let's cut to the chase...the flight was AWFUL! It was so bumpy, I was sure I was gonna lose my lunch.  I had the fan blowing on my face full force and I slyly checked to make sure that I had a barf bag available to me because I didn't want the poor guy next to me to know I was on the verge of losing it! Seriously, sweat was dripping down my back (I was worried I would get up to get off the plane and people might think I wet my pants) and it felt like the longest 30 minutes EVER! Thankfully, I survived which of course meant I should reward myself with some TCBY.

So I get on my next flight and I'm on the aisle but this big African American guy is in my seat. I look at him and say I have the aisle seat and he says to me, "I might throw up if I sit there, you want to trade seats?" I'm thinking he did not just say that, so I responded " You want to talk about throwing up, I seriously just almost threw up on the last flight and I need that aisle seat." That big guy moved over pretty quick and his friend by the window was pretty glad he wasn't next to me. :) Oh this story just gets better so the flight attendant comes and asks if we're all together and the guy next to me says yeah she's my cousin. And I'm like no I'm not! And again he's like yeah she's my cousin and I reiterate that we are not related! So this really nice lady moves me to a row all to myself and I spent the whole flight reading and relaxing. I get off the plane and head to the bathroom and as I'm coming out, way back I hear someone yelling COUSIN, COUSIN! I slowly turn around and sure enough the guy who was next me on the plane was yelling that to me and waving. I waved and quickly kept walking! He was just being funny but I was not about to wait around to make a new best friend.

I was staying with my sister but it worked out that I would spend my whole first day with Katie, one of my best friends! Katie got a babysitter and we spent the day eating, laughing, eating some more and just having fun catching up!

I'm so thankful that, despite not getting to see each other very often, God has sustained this friendship and allowed us to stay close even from a distance!!!

So I got to spend the rest of my time with my sis and her fam. Let me tell you my niece Lucy has the most amazing dance moves! I don't know where she comes up with these things but they're awesome!

Here we are hanging out in the back seat of the car. Lucy and I are kindred spirits because we both love making up songs and singing our hearts out even if it's driving everybody nuts!

I had a blast seeing my amazing, beautiful sis and hanging with her! I don't get to see her as much as I would like so I'm SO thankful for any time we get together. As always there were lots of laughs, also yummy food (do you get the idea that I love food?? cause I DO!!) and naps of course! She's pregnant so of course she needs a nap and I was happy to join in on that fun!

We went to a Vietnamese buffet for lunch that was super yummy! I'm pretty sure Jess is going to be craving this for the rest of her pregnancy!

Jess, Chip and I taking a pic at the Arboretum, where we took a picnic dinner. I wish we had something like this near us!

Jess and Chip have a tradition that every Saturday morning, that the French Market is open, they walk down there with the kids and get Starbucks, scones and the most amazing, melt in your mouth donuts ever! I was pretty pumped about this! I love the thought of getting up and walking somewhere for breakfast. It was super fun!!!

I love these guys! Josh is in the stroller but what a great pic of this sweet lil, well growing bigger (I mean number wise of course!) fam. I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with them! Chip was such a great sport putting up with me and then taking Jess and I to a nice dinner my last night! It was great to get to see them and hang with the kiddos. I'm sure they miss Aunt Becky!!

Just to once again let you all know how amazing my husband is...not only did he send me on this trip and keep the four kiddos but while I was gone he cleaned the house, took down this horrible wall paper I've been wanting down, cleaned the garage, planted a garden, did all the laundry, cleaned out junk drawers and our pantries! He is the most amazing husband but I'll tell you more about that in my next blog...