Flying with toddlers

So about 11 years ago I use to get panic attacks, where I would hyperventilate and puke. That's how I was feeling this morning before leaving to go to the airport with the boys. Very anxious about the travel, especially going through security. I was carrying 3 Carry ons, 2 car seats on go go babyZ wheels, and two kids. Not to mention my checked baggage 1 suitcase! My dad and Derek's dad took us to airport, after asking a million people calling airline and being told there was no assistance for a mom traveling alone the check in lady said she could print up a dummy ticket for one of my dads to go through! So I was saved, mini panic attacks stopped and it was smooth sailing! The pilot and crew helped me onto plane, installed car seat and helped me get organized and seated on plane with bags in compartment. Amazing service from American Airlines! Besides who wouldn't help a mom with two kids and shit load of crap!

I was over prepared, I had one carry on strictly for activites!
1. 2 watercolor Melissa and Doug pads
2. Triangle ring crayons found in target $1 aisle
3. 2 Mini notepads to doodle
4. Sticker pad from Melissa and Doug
5. Magnet pad of race card
6. Airplane stickers
7. Books from half price (Diego/Dora)
8. Buster buckle toy(best $20 spent)
9. DVD player w/Diego
10. Two headsets
11. iPad
12. Mommy iPhone

Al that was used was 7-10, and 12! It was 1.5 hr flight when I thought it was 2, so we lucked out! I also purposely scheduled trip around Bronson nap time, and he fell asleep last 30 min of flight and during landing until we got off plane! The buckle toy saved B from screaming entire trip, he loves buckles is kind of obsessed with his high chair buckles right now so when I found this online I had to get it! I ordered it directly from the buckle toy company! And they sent it priority so I got it Monday afternoon before our Tuesday flight! Bronson also played with 3 apps on my phone,
1. Beari happy
2. ABC alphabet
3. Tozzle
For a very short time also watched Diego with Dreycin(which is what Dreycin did most of flght) but b really isn't into tv.

Dreycin and Bronson sucked on lollipops on the way up, on the way down Dreycin did say his ears felt funny but this time we were chewing gum? He also mentioned tonight again his ear hurt so I'm gonna be a little more observant the next day or so!i put him in a night time pull up just in case, he hasn't had an accident in forever but on occasion (1-2x a month) will wake up wet in mornings in pull up. Thankfully Dreycin did not have to go to bathroom on flight! He did mention he wanted to go see it but, I said next time(with daddy)! I also put bronson in huggies night time diaper and it held him the entire flight until we got to hotel!

Prior to boarding plane we had a picnic like lunch at airport. Pappa K fed them almond butter and crackers and I went and bought bottled water and mandarin oranges and that was lunch. I didn't have to pull out snacks for them during flight, I did share my cashew butter macro bar with them though. And yes I packed way to many snacks too. Security let me pass with 4 apple juice boxes whole foods 365 brand. I had two snack bags of roasted chickpeas, sun butter bars, plaintain chips, and gummy bears(last resort!).

I had a change of clothes for each boy, 1 blanket, we all dressed in layers so had sweaters but did not wear them bc we were hot! I also bought hylands calms forte to give boys for nervousness, which I probably needed more!!!

I could not have asked for this day to turn out better, 1 day closer to seeing the love of my life!

I can see the light....

Well we are super close to Derek's arrival and I have been spring cleaning getting things done, marked off my list. I want to make sure that when Derek is home we have lots of fun, free time vs taking care of business. My dad has been here almost a week helping me with house stuff, the boys, and that means extra workouts for me! My dad put some blinds up for me, fixed the kids table, tightened Bronson's crib, and even broke into my lockbox which i seemed to have misplaced the keys too in the last 6 months! im convinced one of the kids threw them away? or something, who knows im just glad it took him less than a minute to break it open! and sad you spend money on a lockbox and it only takes seconds to break into! I also took an exam to obtain my social work license here in Texas....took me two hours so no way I could have done it without my Dad helping with the boys! Dreycin and I got to spend some quality time yesterday went and walked around the mall bought daddy some stuff, got a snack, and it was nice just the two of us! We have been spending alot of time outside in this beautiful spring Texas weather! Has been nice to get boys worn out and in bed by 8!
Everyday we wake up Dreycin asks me Mommy is today the day we are getting on the plane? Soon baby, soon! Bags are mostly packed, and we are almost there! i can finally see the light at the end of this deployment! Can not wait until we see Derek!

Anticipation.....

It's getting closer, the end of the deployment is near! I couldn't be happier yet more confused on where the future is leading us. Many options have been visited and revisited, and for now the boys and I will stay in Texas until Derek receives orders, or decides in less than 1 year when contract is up to get out. For me it feels a relief that Derek will no longer be in a combat zone, but also feels like this deployment will be lasting a little longer until our family is permanently reunited. I am actively working on transferring my social work license from Kentucky to Texas and would like to find some type of part time/PRN work. I'm anxious to get back into the field just in case Derek does decide to end career with Marine Corps. The crazy thing is I found a lot of job opportunities, guess being a social worker in the medical field is a good thing! I'm starting to pack, get activities for kids on plane ride (say a prayer for me!) and have made all our arrangements so almost ready to head to Georgia!