Country roads, take me home...

Well, the roads didn't have much to do with the journey but a KC135, a military refueling jet, did! As I write this I am sitting in my childhood home in West Virginia, wrapped in warm blanket with my slippers on (REAL slippers, not flip flops), my beautiful german shepherd at my feet (who has not left my side since we arrived), and a roaring fireplace (alas it is fake). Of course it is midnight and I am bright eyed and bushy tailed, but HAPPY! I have often watched the space available flights out of Hickam AFB since Joel's deployment and there were 3 flights this weekend that could work for us. One on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. I made the decision on Friday (after making the descovery late Thursday night), frantically got paperwork together, winter clothes purchased, bags packed, and began the journey. We were unable to get on the first 2 flights (middle of the nights setbacks, ah, the joys of SpaceA), but made the 3rd. So began the 2 day journey. We had a "lay over" in Pt Mugu, CA where I didn't know a soul and there were no facilities to help Space A travelers at a small Guard base. I was terrified and we were exhausted from the flight and 2 previous nights of no sleep. But the Lord provided! 3 National guard folks adopted us as soon as we got of the plane (aka ANGELS), who fed us dinner, got us a hotel when all said they were booked, brought us breakfast in the morning, gave us a ride back to the base, and helped me load the kids and luggage back on to the place. I don't know how we would have survived without them-it brings me to tears just thinking of those folks I may never see again and their generousity. Then another 4 hour flight and 3 hour drive and here we are, home for Thanksgiving!! I won't lie, it was tough. I was terrified at the thought of it but the Lord enabled me to conquer that fear and reap the benefits. The kids did get to move around on the plane, lay out on sleepings bags, and Asher and Anna both got to sit in the cockpit for take off. But there were still many tears and arguements and frustrations. The kids did NOT want to play with a single thing I packed for them, the DVD player was not working, plus I packed the wrong baby for Anna (MAJOR DRAMA-Mommy this is not Gracie! Who is babysitting Gracie!!!) This was a journey that I NEVER imagined I would even attempt on my own, EVER. God is good. Now I am not sure how we are going to get back to Hawaii, but I will trust in Him and enjoy my time here. The first thing Asher and Anna said when they opened the doors of the plane..."It is COLD!" (YES, I get to wear a sweater I mentioned in an earlier post that resulted in the loss of a cell phone!). I still can't get Jesse to keep shoes or socks on! But guess what, I get to sleep in tomorrow!!!