ORD to SLC

When Annie extended the invitation to us to attend the sealing of their darling girl in Bountiful, Utah, I knew it just wasn't going to be possible. Would Brent be able to take time off of work? Who would watch the girls? How would we afford flights? Too many moving parts. 

Then Annie gave me the date... just in case. Turns out Brent's parents were going to be in town. It also happened to be the same weekend as the General Women's Session of General Conference. Now that Liesel is 8, she's old enough to attend with me and since we live out here in the mission field, tickets are pretty easy to come by. I checked on flights and found one that would work perfectly for just over $200. 

I put the case to Brent that I go and take Liesel along. Keep in mind I really, really, really do not like pulling my kids out of school for any reason. We are continually teaching the girls that their education is of utmost importance. However, I felt impressed that this kind of a trip could be a defining time in our mother-daughter relationship. We decided to go for it.

I know I've mentioned this before, but they say a coincidence is what happens when God chooses to remain anonymous. After I purchased the airline tickets, Annie and I started talking travel plans. She asked what day I was flying out... hmmm, same day. Then she asked what time and I gave her a ballpark... hmmm same as theirs. Then she asked what airline and finally we figured out we were on the exact same flight with seats just kitty corner to each other. What a coincidence!

I know a lot of travelers dread O'Hare but it will always have a soft spot in my heart. The terminal filled with flags and the suspended globe make me incredibly happy. I think the last time Liesel and I flew was the epic trip to London and then South Africa where we were managing all the kids and foreign countries. It was so lovely to just have this one along on this adventure.

As we boarded the plane, Liesel peeked around the corner at the cockpit and one of the pilots took notice. To my utter shock, he invited her in and talked to her a bit. Then he jumped up and let her sit in his seat and even hold the yoke (plane steering wheel). I crammed myself into the galley with an airline attendant. Seeing all those switches and Liesel lumbering around with her backpack, I asked him if she could accidentally knock a switch that might cause problems. He shrugged and dryly said, "Not my problem!" 

 The pilot even gave Liesel a set of honorary wings! For some reason I thought they stopped doing that after 9/11. I'm crazy excited she got to have that experience!!!

Luckily we didn't have anyone else in our row because all that excitement came crashing down as the late hour and exhaustion of traveling caught up with Liesel. This was actually taken after landing while everyone was deplaning. The girl was just dead tired so I waited for everyone else to get off before waking her up, throwing her backpack on her and leading her groggy self through the airport. 

We said goodbye to Annie, Jeremy and Sabrina. After picking up the rental car (free upgrade! woot!!!), we drove up to our dear friends in Brigham City. Walking into their home feels like walking into our own home. It's somehow familiar and comfortable all at once. We crashed... and I mean crashed. I think it was 2 or 3 AM Chicago time by then. The important thing is that we made it in one piece.