Oklahoma...

I'm staring at piles of laundry that need to be washed and folded,

suitcases that need to be packed,

bedding that needs to be washed and mattresses that need to be aired,

carry-ons that need to be thoughtfully packed in order to entertain three small children for an entire day or airports, flights and layovers

and the list of things to get in order for the week while I'm away.

Phew... who knew?

And guess what?

The boys are getting sick.

Chyah.

Wish I were joking.

And my mom would lose her marbles if we bailed. 

And the tickets are all non-refundable or transferable.

And I may not see my sister again for a very long time. We're already at once a year as it is.

Ugh...so Hubby is out getting benadryl. That's okay right? Something to help dry up those runny noses during the flight? And if they happen to doze off, that's okay too. ;)

I'm pumping them with vitamin C like crazy.

I'm hoping they can shake it before Monday with a couple calm days and good nights' sleep.

Okay, so here's my current dilemma.

I cannot make a decision, so I need some advice.

And if you don't usually comment (ahem), please comment on this one, I need as many opinions and reasoning as I can get.

So Hubby can go with me all the way to the boarding gate (awesome huh, it's called an escort pass). So I'm less worried about the hassle of juggling three kids, eight shoes, three backpacks and a purse, a car seat and a stroller while going through security and handing them our boarding passes and driver's license. With Hubby there, that part will be a breeze (compared to doing it without him). The plane flight....ugh, I'm just hoping to slip all the kids a sleeping pill and be done with it. I kid I kid.

Then I have a stop mid flight and a layover. And not just where we refuel or exchange a few passengers. No, I have to change planes! UGH. And the layover is two hours. Still no big deal.

But here's my dilemma. 

I am taking one car seat for Baby on the plane so that he will be strapped in and hopefully sleep part of the trip as if we were in the car. However, the car seat is a Britax and is quite large and awkward to lug around.

What I can't figure out is what stroller to bring?

Options:

Umbrella: Super light weight, small, easy to store, fold, lift, shove at the TSA agents, ram into people who won't move...all that. Perfect.

No storage, No holders for anything, only one kid is locked down in airport. I can have son wear one of those little backpack-leash things too though. And Daughter wouldn't dare leave my side and if anyone ever took her, they'd quickly return her with a reward to me for putting up with her sass for so long. ;)

Second option:

Regular size single stroller: Still easy to fold, pretty light (I can lift it with one hand) some storage and holders for cups (or phones, etc). Will have a more comfortable (reclining for naps) stroller in Oklahoma, might be able to balance the car seat on the top of the stroller (shade area)

Not as easy to store anywhere, but they'll be throwing it under the plane after we board anyway, still only one kid is locked down in airport, and I will have to take all the crap I store in it out at every security checkpoint.

Third option:

Double jogger stroller: Easy to fold, lots of storage and holders for crap, probably be able to balance the car seat on the top (shade area), two kids locked down in airport, will have a great stroller in Oklahoma

Not as easy to store, but again, they'll be throwing it under the plane, will be a royal pain going through security, have to not only take out all the crap, but unfasten TWO kids' buckles.

So what do you think??

Arg...

I'm excited to see my family but just dreading this trip. And I'm praying that the boys get well quickly and that Daughter doesn't get sick also or get sick on the trip and then miss more school once we return. 

Blogger business: I didn't even think about my blog while I'm gone, until last night. Lol...so I am planning to bring my laptop and if I have time, I'll definitely post an update here and there.

However, I also went through old blog posts from my old blog and pulled them over here for your reading pleasure. Obviously they are outdated, so one or two of my kids may be missing in a post and they may sound like they are a lot younger than they are. That's cuz they are younger in those posts. ;)

But I chose posts that really still speak to me, that stood out as a very important time or something that I am still feeling or experiencing now or something that I needed to be reminded of today. So anywho, if you've read them before, sorry...just scoot on by! If not, hope you enjoy them.

And again, thanks for all your help with the dumb stroller thing. And any other tips for traveling alone with too many little kids. I can use all the advice I can get. ;)

Talk soon, have a fabulous week!!!

Thank You

So here's the thing.
This whole blogging business, it's a big part of my life. It's a part of who I am. It weaves something I love to do (write) with the threads that make up who I am...the stories, the joys, the trials of my life, my family, of me. So when I put those things out there, even the dumb little pictures that mean nothing and especially the times when I pour out my heart through rambles, stories, gift lists.... it really means a lot when someone reading takes that extra few SECONDS to stop and leave an encouraging word or a thought to ponder. It really touches me and at least for me, makes me feel more connected to you. So if you are one of the two few people that don't mind giving me an extra few seconds after you read my posts, one of those people that go ahead and log in (such a HUGE hassle, I know) to let me know what you think or how you feel, thank you. You are awesome and really mean a lot to me.

To the rest of you that don't have time or energy to log in and comment after you read, that's okay. I love you and appreciate you reading. I hope that my posts can encourage, inspire, or at least entertain you. I hope that my blog is a light that shines on God and that you see me, who I TRULY am through it all.

That's all folks!

Debating

What is the point of blogging?

Great question! What makes me think that there are people out there who really care or want to read about me and what I have to say or think about things? Do I really think I'm that interesting? Not really, but apparently I am to a couple people. ; )

For me, blogging started mostly as a place for me to dump my thoughts and things that I have learned, share what God shows me and tells me, work through my personal issues and battles. It was about sharing my life, my experiences, whatever I can share that could be of some use to other people. I've always said if just one person could find something useful, inspiring, thought-provoking or just plain entertaining, then my blog has served its purpose. It started to gradually turn into more of a family journal, but I felt burdened by it. It felt cumbersome and less meaningful. I started to get freaked out about safety issues with readers, hearing stories and having a lot of friends make their blogs private, I decided to make mine private too. Then I made Triple Scoop, so that I could still blog publicly and keep my family private. Happy medium?

I love to write and I believe that this is a resource that God has given me to reach people, to share Him. To share what He's given me and hopefully be a little glimpse into His light.

Recently a reader emailed me and said that they were not only entertained and inspired by my stories, but also felt ministered to. They said that they felt like they knew me, but only parts of me. It really got me thinking and wondering. I am a strong believer in authenticity, living your life honestly and in my blog, I try to be as open and true to myself as possible. Well lately I've been struggling with that and feeling like I am not, like something is missing. 

I keep having this weight on my heart and feel like God keeps telling me that my blog is my mission field right now, perhaps a calling for right now, besides of course my family and community. He can use me, my blog and my family for His purpose. And I feel like I just keep hearing Him telling me that He will keep us safe. 

I just don't know which way to go. I feel annoyed with tip toeing around my own blog, not knowing how much is too much to share, worrying, being fearful. But then I don't want to be irresponsible with my family's safety. I wonder, do I just go out and blindly trust in Him, or if I do that am I ignoring the tools He has given me to keep my family safe?

So my question is this: What are all YOUR thoughts on private vs open permission blogs?

Do tell...

I need some input...