To say the last few days have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. I'm so grateful that in living the life as an expat, I've adapted to the idea that our lives have to consist of flexibility, willingness to go with the flow, accepting things may be tough, but ultimately in this season in our lives.... you just have to do what you have to do. So, that's what we've bee doing.
Wednesday, November 16th 10:30pm: Brooks and I zip up the last of 7 suitcases, 2 carryons, a diaper bag, and Gavin's backpack and set it all at our front door.
Thursday, November 17th 1:35am: wake up, NOT TO AN ALARM, realize we were suppose to leave for the airport 35 minutes ago and frantically jump out of bed, load the boys, their car seats, and all our luggage in the car waiting outside our house and take off to the airport (around 1:42am).
We arrived at the Damman airport around 3:15am, get checked in, go to the restrooms, and wait in the customs line for what seemed FOREVER. Made it through customs after I jumped into a line I wasn't suppose to and hoped and prayed the man would have mercy on us traveling with little kids. He did, even though he didn't want to. We made it to the business lounge (just a small perk of flying internationally so many times) took a break, got situated, then boarded our plane to Doha around 5:25am.
We landed in Doha, Qatar at 6:30am. Both the boys did great on that one hour flight and were easy to entertain. We weren't really worried about that flight- considering we had a 16 hour flight a head of us. We found a stroller in the Doha airport, loaded Miles and some of our bags and took off for the Silver Lounge to grab some breakfast, use clean restrooms, regroup, then off we went to the playground to let the boys run around and play! We love the playground at Doha. It's perfect for the boys and just what they need. Plus, it gave Brooks and I the chance to not entertain the boys for a little while. We were going to have plenty of that on board our next flight!
About 8:20am we headed to board our flight from Doha to Houston. Since Miles is under one years old and considered an infant, we get bulk head seats which allow for more leg room and an area to attach a baby bassinet to the wall so he can sleep, not in our arms. We boarded our flight and were on our way to the USA at 9:00am. Keep in mind at this point, we had all been awake the entire night-- so sleeping is allowed for anyone until we board the long flight. It's just a rule we have hoping it will help everyone sleep longer and better on the flight.
Our 16 hour flight went GREAT. The boys did amazing. We let them move around in the emergency exit area when flight attendants weren't around. Gavin watched movies and took a nap on the floor below mine and Brooks' feet. Miles napped, ate, played, crawled around and was entertained. There were only 2 rounds of restlessness where both boys were awake and Brooks and I were doing everything we could to keep them calm, entertained, and just happy. Since I'm pregnant and have a little more freedom to walk around and be up more often that helped a ton with the boys. It gave us more reasons and excuses to be up and about. I loved getting to travel with Brooks. He just makes things easier and keeps me calm-- not that my friend Steph who I've been traveling with the last few trips doesn't make things easier, but the boys just love having their daddy around and he always knows just what to do!!
Thursday, November 17th 3:35pm we landed in Houston! WOO HOO!! We made it through customs and got all of our baggage by 4:30pm. We were welcomed by my mom who was patiently awaiting our arrival and was greeted by two very excited little boys ready to see her. My brother Bryan, sister in law Anna, and their two kids David and Audrey also came to see us! It was a sweet moment and we were so thankful to have made it home.
6:00pm (after being awake nearly 24 hours) we made it to Lupe Tortiallas and had a delcious mexican meal filled with queso, chips and salsa, and fajitas. YUMMY. You just have no idea how much you can miss Mexican food.
9:15pm we arrived at the Holiday Inn Hotel near Hobby airport where we repacked some of our luggage, got the boys ready for bed and took a short 5 hour "nap" before leaving the hotel at 4:30am to head to Hobby Airport.
Friday, November 18th, 4:45am- arrive at Hobby Airport, check in to our flight and head to Denver, Colorado.
8:15am- arrive in Denver, Colorado to spend 5 days with Brooks' dad Geary and his wife Juli.
Whew. Long trip, but totally worth it! See you all soon!
Wednesday, November 16th 10:30pm: Brooks and I zip up the last of 7 suitcases, 2 carryons, a diaper bag, and Gavin's backpack and set it all at our front door.
Thursday, November 17th 1:35am: wake up, NOT TO AN ALARM, realize we were suppose to leave for the airport 35 minutes ago and frantically jump out of bed, load the boys, their car seats, and all our luggage in the car waiting outside our house and take off to the airport (around 1:42am).
We arrived at the Damman airport around 3:15am, get checked in, go to the restrooms, and wait in the customs line for what seemed FOREVER. Made it through customs after I jumped into a line I wasn't suppose to and hoped and prayed the man would have mercy on us traveling with little kids. He did, even though he didn't want to. We made it to the business lounge (just a small perk of flying internationally so many times) took a break, got situated, then boarded our plane to Doha around 5:25am.
We landed in Doha, Qatar at 6:30am. Both the boys did great on that one hour flight and were easy to entertain. We weren't really worried about that flight- considering we had a 16 hour flight a head of us. We found a stroller in the Doha airport, loaded Miles and some of our bags and took off for the Silver Lounge to grab some breakfast, use clean restrooms, regroup, then off we went to the playground to let the boys run around and play! We love the playground at Doha. It's perfect for the boys and just what they need. Plus, it gave Brooks and I the chance to not entertain the boys for a little while. We were going to have plenty of that on board our next flight!
About 8:20am we headed to board our flight from Doha to Houston. Since Miles is under one years old and considered an infant, we get bulk head seats which allow for more leg room and an area to attach a baby bassinet to the wall so he can sleep, not in our arms. We boarded our flight and were on our way to the USA at 9:00am. Keep in mind at this point, we had all been awake the entire night-- so sleeping is allowed for anyone until we board the long flight. It's just a rule we have hoping it will help everyone sleep longer and better on the flight.
Our 16 hour flight went GREAT. The boys did amazing. We let them move around in the emergency exit area when flight attendants weren't around. Gavin watched movies and took a nap on the floor below mine and Brooks' feet. Miles napped, ate, played, crawled around and was entertained. There were only 2 rounds of restlessness where both boys were awake and Brooks and I were doing everything we could to keep them calm, entertained, and just happy. Since I'm pregnant and have a little more freedom to walk around and be up more often that helped a ton with the boys. It gave us more reasons and excuses to be up and about. I loved getting to travel with Brooks. He just makes things easier and keeps me calm-- not that my friend Steph who I've been traveling with the last few trips doesn't make things easier, but the boys just love having their daddy around and he always knows just what to do!!
Thursday, November 17th 3:35pm we landed in Houston! WOO HOO!! We made it through customs and got all of our baggage by 4:30pm. We were welcomed by my mom who was patiently awaiting our arrival and was greeted by two very excited little boys ready to see her. My brother Bryan, sister in law Anna, and their two kids David and Audrey also came to see us! It was a sweet moment and we were so thankful to have made it home.
6:00pm (after being awake nearly 24 hours) we made it to Lupe Tortiallas and had a delcious mexican meal filled with queso, chips and salsa, and fajitas. YUMMY. You just have no idea how much you can miss Mexican food.
9:15pm we arrived at the Holiday Inn Hotel near Hobby airport where we repacked some of our luggage, got the boys ready for bed and took a short 5 hour "nap" before leaving the hotel at 4:30am to head to Hobby Airport.
Friday, November 18th, 4:45am- arrive at Hobby Airport, check in to our flight and head to Denver, Colorado.
8:15am- arrive in Denver, Colorado to spend 5 days with Brooks' dad Geary and his wife Juli.
Whew. Long trip, but totally worth it! See you all soon!
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