Ireland 2011: Thursday March 24th

Mom, Stacey and Shayna left Grants Pass Oregon, connected in San Francisco and flew to Newark - got into Newark at 5:30 pm

Dave and Kimber left Arizona and flew to Newark - got into Newark at 6:30 pm

Michelle flew from Salt Lake City, connected in Houston and flew to Newark - got into Newark at 5:30 pm

Deirdre drove 4 hours to Indiana dropped off her kids, stayed the night, and the next morning drove 2 hours to Chicago O'Hare, her flight was delayed, made it to Newark at 7:00pm. The terminal was clear on the other side of the airport, grabbed a shuttle bus and than grabbed a white speed cart that took me to my gate. I arrived at the gate at 7:24. My flight left at 7:25pm. They would not let me board the flight. I missed it!!!! I caught the next flight to Dublin. I flew alone.

***My trip overseas started early Wednesday Morning! March 23rd. I drove about 4 hours to Indiana to drop the kids off with their cousins. They are such good travelers! They slept most of the way. We stopped for lunch at Wendy's. My new favorite is the Asagio Ranch Club with the Homestyle Chicken! YUM. I love seeing Ashton and Jaida with their cousins. They were having so much fun. I stayed the night, got them settled and had a good nights rest. Ashton and I had a sleep over. It was our first. He and I loved cuddling with each other in bed. He just talked to me, gave me kisses with his nose and lips, so tender and cute. He rubbed my arm and hair and put his head on my shoulder, we laughed and I tickeled him and asked him questions

Who is mommy's favorite person and who does she love more than anyone else? DADDY

What is your favorite animal? ANYTHING HE IS LOVING AT THAT TIME (MOOSE, DOLPHIN)

How old are you? TWO

Than he fell asleep! I put him in bed and in the middle of the night he crawled back into bed with me.

I woke at 7 am and fed and changed the kids. I played with them. Ashton knew I was leaving. He would randomly just come up from behind and infront and give me the biggest kisses and hugs. Jaida would crawl over to me and laugh and cuddle into me. I started already missing them. My first time away from them!!! Ashton gave me a few last hugs without me even asking him to. He laughed and played and smiled.

I left the kids. I cried in the car. I drove 2 hour to Chicago O'Hare. Traffic was bad. Made it to the Marriott hotel parked the car and got on the shuttle. I arrived at the airport at 11:00. Plenty of time just in case I had any issues with my passport. I did . . . it took about 45 minutes to get everything worked out. My last name on the ticket was different than the last name on my passport. I than stood in the LONG line for security. They only have two security ck points in Chicago. NIGHTMARE. So glad I went early. I picked up some snacks and a couple of books and waited at the gate. It came time for my flight 3:30 and GUESS WHAT? A delay!!! I wouldn't be leaving until almost 4:30pm which wouldn't put me into Newark until 7:00 pm. I was a little stressed. I texted everyone in the family. Letting them know the status.

I finally got on my flight and crossed my fingers and prayed I would make my flight. When I arrived in Newark the plane was in terminal A and I needed to be in C!!!! I had to take a shuttle. Everyone was late. I made it to the shuttle, because I ran but had to wait for about 60 more people. My brothers and I kept texting, they were trying to stall the plane. They called and told them to hold my flight. They said they would.

Kimber wrote this on her blog . . . "Deirdre missed her connecting flight at New Jersey cause her other flight was delayed. We almost missed our flight cause Dave did NOT want to get on the plane without his sister. She had to fly into Dublin and take a train to us. We were glad to have her join us."

I arrived in terminal A and needed to be in C (clear across the airport)! I took a small white airport bus (indoor) and zoomed through the airport. I never would have made it walking. They took me right to my gate. The lady seemed pretty stressed out. They rushed me down the gate and shook their heads. They just pulled away from the gate. I was to late. I got there at 7:24 and the plane leaves at 7:25pm . . . so ridiculous. Dave texted and said they tried everything! He felt awful. I was going to throw up. I was crying because I was so close! Dave told me just to get to Ireland. I went to Continental Desk. The guy was so nice made me smile and laugh, gave me a free dinner for $8.00 and booked me on the next flight to Dublin leaving at 9:00 pm. I went to eat a gourmet hamburger, fries and shakes at a diner in the airport. I than went to my gate and waited.

Drew's comments kept coming to my mind . . . "life is a journey, it's what you make of it" there is always unexpected things that happen that is why you shouldn't have expectations! The customer service guy reminded me that I get to take a train through the country side and that is more than anyone else gets to do!

I got on the flight. Long six hour flight. I slept. Sat next to two ladies from California also going to Ireland! We had a good time.