I have many reasons to count my blessings tonight! I am grateful:
*That Gary only tore his Achilles 20% two days before leaving Ireland, and that my brother Josh is an orthopedic surgeon and I had someone to call who could tell me that he could get away without surgery for a few months if he wore a boot full-time! Phew! Dodged a bullet - sort of - on that one! He now hobbles around in his boot, but at least he can walk!
*That my kids are good ages for traveling. They were so great on all the flights, except for some superfluous Spencer hyper-ness on our last, London-to-Shannon leg when Little Man got a case of the giggles. And his giggles aren't quiet. But at least he wasn't screaming after 22 hours of travel! Maggie mostly read (Peter and the Starcatchers), and there was plenty of movies, stickers, sculpy clay, and Angry Birds to go around. I dozed when possible and read one of Maggie's other books (the 13th Princess - charming) when she wasn't looking. Gary mostly slept because his foot hurt so bad. But nobody threw up, had a meltdown, or got lost. Not a bad travel experience at all! And I only used a leeetle dramamine on everyone for the night flight!
*That we flew British Airways on the transcontinental flight. The attendants were so friendly, the food (chicken curry!) was totally delicious, and each of our seats had individual movie players - a first for me. We loved it!!! The kids watched Kung Fu Panda 2 then fell asleep, but I couldn't resist staying up to watch some movies I had never seen before: Just Go With It, and Red Riding Hood - both only so so, but still, free new releases! I even caught most of a favorite, Adjustment Bureau, before I finally was able to crash. The two hours of sleep I did get was dodgy at best and highly uncomfortable since I had Spencer's head taking up half my seat, so I guess I didn't miss much by staying up!
* That we met the nicest people on our travels, including the airline people who helped us get seats together, the cabbies in London, and even the very nice man at Heathrow who had to confiscate my passport as it had been reported stolen years ago (before I found it again behind my dresser and forgot to report it as, well, found). Seriously, he was so nice, a true English gentleman. Obviously I was who I said I was, having the kids and Gary around me, so maybe I got some pity points as well that a suspicious person may not have garnered, but still he was so helpful. He got us all downstairs and into a cab and sent nicely to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square. Who promptly told us to go back to the Airport, use our drivers' licenses to get us on the Air Lingus flight, and just go to the embassy in Dublin to take care of it later. Somehow, SOMEHOW, this worked, and it even worked to get us through Limerick customs. That lady was nice too, although we still had to do a little song and dance to make everything work. Prayers were answered, people were kind and helpful, and we got into the country missing some major documentation! Ah, the power of prayer!
*That our landlady, Deirdre, and her son came and got us at the airport to drive us home, and that none of our luggage got lost! Miracle!
*That at the last minute I grabbed our umbrella stroller and brought it along on this trip. It has been invaluable so far! I'm seriously thinking of awarding it MVP status. Evidently the kids aren't used to walking as much as we've needed to here, so it's been handy that way. And it's been my best friend as far as getting groceries home from the store a half mile away since we don't have a car!
*That we have our little house here on Compostella in Castletroy. It is so great - a big kitchen (for Europe), all the modern conveniences (a washer and dryer! fridge AND freezer! new pots and pans!), kind and concerned landlords (who've lent us sheets and towels and invited us over to their house next Saturday night for a party). The closest house but two to both Maggie's and Gary's school, and a major bus stop. Blessed blessed blessed!
*that my mom lent me her Columbia rain-impervious jacket. Thanks Mom - I will be wearing it every day!!!
*That Sophie may be going to school with Maggie! All summer I thought I'd be homeschooling her, which to be truthful would have been a good learning experience for me. It did stress me out though. But when we got here, I got an email from her school saying there may be a place open for her (which there wasn't before due to overcrowding). We go on Monday to see if it's the right grade for her. She's very excited. I'm relieved but also a little sad. I could do either.
*That Nanny fixed Maggie's little gold rain jacket for her. She looks so cute in it! And again, it is rain-proof. So useful.
*That there is plenty of aged white Irish cheddar here, and good bread to eat it on! Ah, my breakfasts every day for the next four months are set!
More later, I'm sure, but for now I'd better turn in. Goodnight, friends and family all over the world! Pictures coming soon.
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