A Day of Delays~

December 23, 2009 will be remembered. It was the day that Casey was to fly from Minneapolis to Fayetteville Ark. To spend the next couple of weeks with us. It was also the day that the Gordon/Thompson families were to get together and share a Perfect Christmas Meal and gift exchange. I was to get part of that meal ready and for the most part that went well. Ham in the crockpot, Sweet potatoes in their crock pot, pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, dump cake, rolls and 3 different kinds of fudge. Pretty well all done and ready for what was to be Don talking the food and I would get Casey in Ark. and then meet them.... RIGHT~

We knew that the storm was coming and so we had already changed the plans to get Derek in Salina KS. at training and head to MO. to spend time with my parents, my brother and his family. We would just stay here and see how the storm ended up. Knowing that we had the New Years weekend to go there and for them to spend time with Derek before he leaves for Afg. in January.

So all was well until about 10. When Casey called to say that he was delayed in Mn. even getting on the plane. So that would push back the connecting flight in Charolette S. C. which would more than likely make it late when I was to get him. OK. I can deal with that, missing the meal isn't that big a deal...30 minutes later he calls and the plane he is to leave on, has just arrived and so they have get all the people off and then clean the plane, refuel, load the bags, and then the people and then leave.. so add an hour to that delay... OK..(I'm really working on flexibility with this)... Derek calls to say they haven't left Salina yet and that he's not sure when they will. As other guys aren't back yet and they have to help them when they get back and then have a briefing, load the bus and then leave. OK.... So I tell him of his brothers delays and that we will work it out.... (all the time thinking this isn't looking too good)....

Finally Casey calls that he's boarding and leaving MN. that is good they are to get 24 to 28 inches of snow in the next 24 hours.. So I feel better knowing that THAT possible issue will be avoided.. Now to wait till he gets to SC. so I can see if the next leg of his trip will be delayed. The only problem is that I have a 2 hour drive south to get him and need to leave before I really know if the next flight is on time or not. But I figure it's pretty sure that he will be delayed and so I hang out until 1;30 when he is to land. Finally he calls, "he's landed, and they gave him the wrong ticket to the next flight, it's all messed up and they have him going to Fayetteville NORTH CAROLINA.... YIKES~ (my first thought is that is a really long drive and I'm not going to make it back for dinner now)...LOL....He will call back.... I go to the computer knowing that I have his shedule of flights and info there. He calls back, "Bring up my itenerary, they say I've got it booked wrong and that I'm going to NC." Well it says Fayetteville, but I'm not up on all the names of these airports and frankly, I don't really look at his reservations. He's 21 and been around the world to Iraq, home for leave, back to Iraq and home again. He traveled alone to NC. with his truck when he got his assignement to move there with the ARMY. He's flown back 3-4 times since then, to Fl. to Mn. and back. Who am I to question the plans and check it over... I have less experience with it than he.... But I know from making the flight arrangements for us a couple years ago, that clicking in all those boxes when you have multiple connections is scary and easy to mess up. So it does not surprise me that this is yet again a delay for this day. It's now almost 2 and I'm not heading out the door. Our two other teenage kids that were to tag along with me are wondering if we will ever leave. Back on the phone with Derek they haven't even had the briefing yet and so he's just wanting to tell me that he's going to be much later than planned. Can we just leave his car at the armory and he can get it when he gets in. And what is going on with his brother? (he knows that he's traveling and that there were delays, but I can't get them both on the phone or off the phone long enough to tell the other about it).... OK... I'm laughing now.. Here on Christmas day with the wind blowing and snow falling,, my ankles are cold.. the fire is getting cold... just replaying it all in my mind is so funny... and to the fact that I have two grown children that are traveling and doing all that they are is mind boggling at times..Not to even count for the fact that they have both served in Iraq and one is going to AFG. now....

Back to the story... So the new flight is scheduled and he will be in ARKANSAS today.. he only gives me the flight number and time he's leaving and hangs up.. he's upset at the mistake and the extra expense... $500.00+ that it has cost him... He's a saver, likes his money, likes to see everyone but likes his money.... Now to plan for how to get it all done...OH yes, and all this time I have called Don in the middle of talking with the boys and updated him to the multiple changes. Now I call to ask.. "can you just go with me to ARK. and I will drop all the food off for the meal tonight and let the kids hang with family there, then you can meet me at the Armory and we can leave Derek's car and he can get to the meal when he gets back"... He's such a great man, he knows to just say, "YES"!!! So with that I try to update the teenage children at home as to what to load in the car. Ann is totally lost, she thinks we are packing for what was to be a trip to MO. tomorrow..."which gifts go in the car, where are we going,,, what has changed now" ("welcome to my life," I tell her....) I call my sister in law, explain the delays and the changes, ask if she can watch Brian and Ann while Don and I go to ARK. and if we can drop all the stuff at her Dad's place so that they will have the food for the dinner since probably won't make it back in time. "SURE," (I"m sure she can tell it's not the time to say, "NO".....LOL) So with all the food loaded in the car and the gifts for the correct family loaded now too.. We head out in the pouring rain.. (part of the storm that is coming to KS with ice, sleet and snow they say, "OH JOY") Food, gifts and kid delivered to the appointed new spots and I'm off to drop the car for Derek to have it later when he arrives. Don is waiting at the ARMORY for me in his car and we can take it to ARK. I'm tired now again thinking of it all....
I tried texting Casey, called a couple of times.. nothing,,, I hope that means he's in the plane flying... Derek calls and he's tried getting his brother... we both conclude that it means he's flying... Don's driving so I text with Derek and chat with Brian, make jokes with Debbie about eating at Mc Donald's, chat with my dad to give him the update.... And finally we get to Bentonville Ark. where WalMart is located and the airport that Casey is to be landing at...I call him just as we are turning onto the airport road.. WOW, he's just landed... He will wait outside on the curb and we can just drive up and get him.... (can it be that easy??)
It was!~ Headed back to Kansas.. We visit and tease him about the delays and the mix up.. He's not really laughing...
(well some has to keep laughing as this is my life~)
We get to the dinner at 8, plenty is left to eat and it's all good.... open gifts and continue the contact with Derek as to his werabouts.. He's on the ARMY bus making it's way south and dropping soliders at the appointed Armories along the way... so who knows what time... Finally at 9 he walks in... TIRED! Dressed in his army uniform..(it always makes my heart skip a beat, when he walks into the house wearing that uniform) He's ready to change, "been wearing this thing since 5:30" He says...
SO that day of delays is finally ended.. OUR two older sons are home..

NOW the holidays can begin~!
THE DAY OF DELAYS IS OVER~!