We spent all day yesterday at soccer games.   The first game was in a drizzle after some major rain.  it was sloshy and messy.  We tied that game.  The next game was a tough one – boys played well but we lost 3 – 0.  The last game was the best game – most evenly matched – fun to watch….but we lost it 3-2.  It was a fun day at the field anyway – we were able to come home between games so that was nice.

Today we went to First Baptist for baptism for our son’s best friend.  It was very special.  We joined his family and friends for a wonderful lunch at his grandparents house.  During lunch, I was reminded yet again – it is indeed a small world.  I noticed one of the ladies was very familiar, but just could not place her.  Then introductions all around…it started coming back.  As we were eating, I was able to confirm that it was a former teacher of mine from NWR.  Very neat. The incredible part is that she is great friends with my son’s friend’s mom.  It IS a small, small world after all………………………….

glad to be home ….safe and sound………………………blessings and hug those babies…you just never know.

I got the airport early only to find out that we’d been delayed an hour. Ok, things could be worse…. one hour is fine.  It is due to bad weather in Atlanta.  To make a long story short, every time I checked the departure time it was later than the one before.  We even got to a point where we were boarded on the plane, door is closed, turn off cell phones….only to be delayed yet ANOTHER hour – they closed Atlanta…they would not let any more planes in…great.  Just great.  I cried at this point.  Really I did.  I was so tired, exasperated and frustrated – not to mention feeling guilty for missing kids activities at home and now another delay?  So we get an update and another delay of 45 minutes…sigh…then before that is up we get the update that we have been cleared to take off at 10:57………..the pilot says we will back away from the gate at 10:30 to go out to the runway so we will be ready for takeoff and go to Atlanta………….  little did I know that my fun was just beginning.

I am updating everyone…and preparing to shut things down to back away …and I get a phone call from Delta…they’ve rebooked my flight for Friday.  WHAT?  This was literally 2 or 3 minutes before the plane was pulling away from gate.  What do I do?  Stay on the plane.  I will take my chances in Atlanta.  I had already learned that the plane I needed in Atlanta was also delayed getting there and was in a similar situation that my plane was in.

Got to Atlanta airport…………oh my………people everywhere…. never seen that many people.  By this time it is 12:40.  On a lark I text my dh to see if my flight happens to still be there even though it is supposed to be gone.  Miracle.  It is still in Atlanta.  Next question, do I still have a seat?……..hmmmm…..so I go to the gate…can’t get to the desk.  (That many people just standing around.  Not in line..just standing/waiting/etc.) Finally get ther… BIGGEST miracle of all….I do still have my seat and we are boarding in minutes…literally in less the 3 minutes boarding begins.  There was a stand by list.  I am convinced that if I had not gotten there when I did, that I was close to losing my seat.

So we land in Jackson………..finally…………around 2:00 AM.  My watch still says 3 AM due to eastern time zone.  Will my luggage be in Jackson?  WHAT do YOU think?  Yeah right……………at this point I am so fine with that it is just not an issue.  Give my claim ticket and bring it to me tomorrow.  Thank you and good night……………………

The fatigue, stress and exhaustion were unreal.  I slept and slept and slept.  Just now beginning to feel human.  My bag did arrive this afternoon and now all is well with the world.

I don’t mind traveling for work, but this experience reminds me how glad I am that I don’t have a lot of travel in my job.  I am truly blessed and grateful for that.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Overall  he is doing well.  She was especially pleased to hear that he is learning to play Tennis.  She really emphasized that tennis is a sport that can be played for a lifetime.   So if he remains interested we will likely pursue tennis after we complete the program at the Y.

She did notice a lump on his lymph node.  A little scary, but we are taking a round of antibiotics and will check back in 10 days.  So far, it has been two days and it appears to be getting smaller.  We are praying that this trend will continue.

For now we are gearing up for school to begin in  a few weeks.

I have been cleaning and working on my scraproom.  One day I will get it to where I want it to be.  I am pretty stoked tonight, though.  Found some cube storage at M’s today – on clearance then got an additional 20% because that is what the coupon did.  Woo HOO!  I was there to get the supplies to make stepping stones this weekend with the three boys.  We did this back in July 2005, so it seems appropriate to do some new ones to update their growth.  We will be doing that on Sunday.

Tomorrow the kids will be playing their first Tennis matches.  This should be very interesting.  The best part is that they have been practicing all week.  Real practice at the Y on Monday and in the back yard every night since.  My elder ds definitely seems to be getting the hang of it.

It is my understanding  that my nephew is an early riser – even if he stays up late so I best be heading to bed!

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend.

Our reward for surviving Wacky Bear is sending the nephew home with Oma for his nap – at 3 – naps are a must – must have and must stay on schedule.  The rest of us – dh and I and four kids venture over to Chick Fil A and received the BESTcustomer service I have EVER recieved in a fast food restuarant.  The kids and dh got a table for 6 while I ordered food – 4 kids meals, blah, blah.  After we eat, my friend’s sons says – with authority – my mom says if you turn in the kids meal toys – Chick Fil A will give kids a free ice cream cone.   Yeah, yeah, sure… I kind of blew it off.  He says it again – so I say – you can go ask if you want….he gets shy and won’t.  Then one of the workers came by our table (for about the 3rd time – already has refilled drinks and taken some trash).  So we put it to the test – “I heard that if we turn in these toys we can get ice cream cones.”  Her response – an immediate, “yes, i will get them for you” as she is taking the toys from me.  Incredible…………….to which – the little boy starts “showboating” I was right…nah, nah, nah….so I looked at him and kissed him right on the cheek.  He got real quiet after that!

A few minutes later – sure enough – 4 ice cream cones – delivered to our table.  Amazing SERVICE, we were very impressed.

So there you have it that is what Chick Fil A will do with kids meals – I never knew that.

We have also picked berries – blackberries and blueberries.  We are so blessed to be able to drive over to “Pop’s Place” in AL to pick blueberries – we have a plenty!!  Good thing we all enjoy them.

I enjoy reading other’s blogs and hearing what is going in their lives, so I am going to try to keep up with mine better, too.   Look for separate posts detailing more about the summer activities.