It’s time to stop my procrastinating and share our adventure!
It all began with purchasing plane tickets, ordering passports, and planning a schedule with loads of freetime to explore!
We decided on a “carry-on only” rule because there are just too many stories about luggage going missing for us to feel secure checking it. Plus, we did NOT want to be stuck rolling any large bags down bumpy roads… Especially with kids in tow.
This is us being dropped off at the airport with all of our luggage!
It took some planning and decision making on how much each of us could bring and how we would bring it. That’s obviously my job..😉
To prepare for the mass amounts of walking ahead of us, we needed comfortable shoes. As you can see above..🙄.. we went shopping and found some great deals.😊
We were definitely all due for some quality shoes after clearing out our closets recently.
I personally got rid of multiple pairs that I have owned since my foot stopped growing when I was 13 years old…. in 7th grade. I’m 32 now.. Go ahead.. judge me. 🤣
Anyway, having travel plans pushed us to accomplish that task.
I gave us all the option for only one other pair of shoes, sandals. Our bags needed to be carried easily, especially because mom and dad did not want to get stuck carrying unnecessary weight. For more info about what we packed in our bags, check out How we prepared! 👈
With all of our things packed neatly, we were finally ready for the journey ahead! 😃
With no checked bags, we quickly checked in, got our tickets, and got in line to go through security.
By the time we got to the front of the line and handed over all of our tickets.. one was miissssssing! 😳
Of course…It was Nikko’s.
He had to go back to the ticket counter. They had accidentally left it out and were waiting for him when he arrived.
In the meantime though.. I continued through security…
With all 4 kids, and our bags. 😬
It was a total blur! 😆
… thank God our bags were extremely organized, or I would have been one unhappy mama.
We made it though, and by the time I had everything repacked and ready.. Nikko made it through too. 🙌
So then we went and found food!
..and afterwards we discovered a new play area that all of the kids were able to enjoy while we waited to board our first flight.
There was a mishap while playing though. This was supposed to be the easy part, Right? Playing! Nope… wrong.
Theo was tripped and smacked his front teeth on the ground. Literally the only square of unpadded ground and he hits it with his little face. Hard! Yeah… really great start to our trip so far! 😂 Gahhh..
While trying to soothe him, I began to open our brand new container of formula and dumped about a third of it on the ground…😩 it was supposed to last until we returned from our trip and then we planned to switch him over to whole milk. (Spoiler: it didn’t last.. more on that later).
He was bleeding all over my shirt and luckily, while Nikko was searching for paper towels or napkins, a lady quickly came to my rescue with all the napkins she had on her. Thank the Lord for her.. it could have been so much messier than it already was.
The bleeding stopped, we cleaned up the mess of formula powder, and we decided that we’d had enough of that play area.
Waiting by the gate was much easier!
We even got the very popular “feet on pdx carpet” pic. 😉
Here is my crew boarding our first plane! ❤🛫
Our first stop, Vancouver B.C…. The “other” Vancouver to us Washington State residents. 😉
We were in awe of the beauty that they surround you with in their airport.
The huge aquarium in the food court made for a great first stop that the kids could especially enjoy!
At first, we didn’t think we had much time to wait, but…
you know how airlines work.. they delay flights. Woo, the joys of travel! 😆
So, there we were.. with 4 kids and a messed up schedule.
The delay gave us good reason to go eat near the aquarium, and to our surprise, we found a children’s play area nearby with two other little kids already enjoying it!
Their parents looked close to our age, and we all started talking easily. They had noticed us at the gate before the delay so we learned a little about eachother and our trip plans while our 3 year olds became “best friends” of course.
Do you know how amazing it is to feel like God has brought you to the exact place that you should be at exactly the right time?
To meet people that will influence your life? ..Well, I felt that way.
A delayed flight gave us a really simple and completely unforgettable experience. One that I know will impact my decisions in the future.
This couple inspired me to be better. Crazy right? The simplest interaction can be so powerful.
I keep thinking about being less selfish and more focused on my purpose in this life. Stepping into uncomfortable situations to do good and tell of my love for God.
I constantly think about it, but when you see someone really doing it, you tend to look deeper into yourself.
This couple was on their way to London, England.. just like us, but their trip was only one-way.
From there, they were on their way to their new home in Tunisia….
If you don’t know…That’s in Africa!!!
Their plan was to give up their comfortable life in Washington State to become missionaries to refugees. 🙌❤
I literally tear up just thinking about how difficult and yet rewarding their new life will be.
They are going into the world to spread the word of God, and I am so grateful for their sacrifice. I instantly felt inspired to do more. To be more.
I pray, and will continue to pray, that they stay safe and that God gives them the strength and wisdom to help lead others to salvation through Jesus.
So, through a delayed flight.. an unexpected change in our plans, I can see God’s plan.
It wasn’t a chance meeting because nothing is by chance. We are meant to connect with certain people, and I love that. He leads us to grow in our lives through connections with eachother.
God is amazing.
Traveling is amazing.
Being inspired by others is amazing.
Embrace life’s delays because everything happens for a reason. 😊❤
Once we were finally able to board our flight from Vancouver B.C. to London, it was enjoyable.
The Canada Air flight attendants provided the kids with goodie bags and the inflight entertainment made the time pass quickly.
Our seats being in the very back of the plane made it easier to get assistance, and to let the kids go to the bathroom without us.
International flights provide delicious meals and we were all pretty satisfied!
We didn’t see our friends again after the flight, but hopefully their stay in London was stress-free… unlike ours.. 😉
….stay tuned.. 😆
❤-Mama Katie
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“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
-Romans 8:28
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