Mother's Day Drama Part 2

See Part 1 here

So the drama had just begun.

I took off my white shirt as the patch would not wash off, and I was so thankful to have the camisole under. So we were out of wipes and I opened the diaper bag to get his diaper and found out that I HAD NONE. Yes, there were no diapers in the bag. I had changed one already and somehow in all the hurry, I had forgotten to put in an additional one. (I always carry 2). I could not believe myself. I looked again, and nothing appeared magically. R said that we might as well put some clothes and cover him with a blanket, and rush to the flight to get a diaper from our carry on. So I wrapped him up in a blanket and carried him to the gate. I prayed hard that he wouldn't pee while I had him that way. It is cold in the airport and he always pees in the two seconds I do a diaper change for him at home. God heard the prayers of a desperate mama and he didn't pee all that time he was diaperless.

So we went to the gate and guess what happened?

OUR PLANE HAD TAKEN OFF.

With our carry on bags containing clothes for me and him, diapers, formula, food, laptop, toys (on the seat), coats (we were coming from cold Portland). All we had with us were both our wallets (PTL), R's work laptop and a diaper bag (without any diapers).

We were stuck in Utah.

I think we will remember for the rest of our lives what happened after that. We laughed. At the situation. I am in my camisole and jeans (I am not used to being in public with just a cami for a top), my son is without a diaper and clothes, covered in a blanket, we have no food for him, and the whole situation was just ridiculous. We walked around the shops a little bit looking for a diaper, but had no luck. Finally, the Delta rep got us some diapers and so at least, we were past the danger of being peed on any minute.

And they said that there were no flights going out that day and we had to stay over at a hotel. We selected the Plaza downtown. Because when life give you lemons, you make lemonade. It was really nice and the shuttle guy upon hearing our story offered to take us free to Walmart and then dropped us off at a nice place for dinner and picked us back up. May it be accounted to him for righteousness :)

Delta had given us some necessities in a small kit and there was an over sized tee shirt in that. I wore that all evening and Neil had a pant that I found in his diaper bag and the rest I covered him in a blanket. We had to take a train part of the way to get to Walmart. We looked like illegal immigrants. We were joking about something and walking. I am sure parents must have told their kids "We may be driving an old car and eat beans and rice most days, but at least we are better off than that poor family who cannot even afford clothes for themselves. Yet, look how happy they are." ha.

I bought some clothes, formula and other necessities from Walmart. My dress was too small, R's shorts was too big, but at least Neil's clothes fit. I tried on my dress and I looked totally inappropriate. The tank top in comparison looked modest. I never wore it, but returned it here. We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant called J-Wong and it was the best Chinese food we ever had.

Early morning, we had our flight back, and this time we made it home without incident. And praise God, we got our laptop, check in in bag, carry on bags, and our coats. We only lost one of his toys and Neil's coat (which were on the seat). Better his coat than mine. Mine was $100, his was only $2.50. And it is not like he needs a coat in 120 degree weather. And by the time he needs one, he would have outgrown it anyway.

And that is how my first Mother's day went down. Very very humbling. Made as many mistakes a mom could possibly make.

Two things made it all still okay.

I am married to a wonderful man. All through the ordeal, not one accusation, no finger pointing. Just got through it together as best as we could.

Neil was such a trooper through the entire thing. In the airport, he went to sleep in my arms in the blanket. He made hardly any fuss. How precious is a child's trust! He knows that wherever he is or whatever the circumstances, as long as he is in the parents care, all is well with the world. If only I had the same trust in my heavenly father, how better would life be!

Because in this case a verbose description would be superfluous - Haleakala Sunrise

This is what we look like at 6 am.




We saw a sky full of stars, but I don't have a picture of that. I have just committed it to my memory. The series of pictures (which you can probably tell) is from predawn to sunrise. It does not do the actual thing justice, but it is the best we have. It was an experience of a lifetime.


It was worth getting up at 1:30 am.

Hawaii- Part 1

Okay, before it gets too old, here is a brief update and pictures on the Hawaii trip. I can write because I have been good this week and did all the laundry. It took me 20 minutes to just put the laundry away. I paid for not doing it before leaving. I digress. Where was I? Oh, the trip.

We went to Maui and the Big Island. I definitely like Maui better. We stayed in a condo in Maui and the landscaping around it was so beautiful. We could see the ocean from our room and also there was the view of this beautiful garden and pond. The whole landscaping was like a Japanese garden. There were waterfalls, manicured lawns, lots and lots of flowers and shrubs, ponds and I will try and share some of the beautiful pictures from the 2317 we took.

View from outside our room



The middle one was our apartment I believe.



You can see the ocean in this


The pathway. You can see the steps to the dining room.



The dining room


I think there has already been an overload of pictures, I will post more later.

Did you really think I would finish it in one shot? I take two posts to post updates!

Bahamas - Cocoa Cay

See Day 1 here

Next day we went to Coco Cay which is a private island owned by Royal Carribbean. There was not a whole lot to do in the island. I have to admit that I am pretty scared of all water activities. We stay away from beaches as a general rule. I have tried learning swimming (twice) and has not really succeeded. I can float like a lily on 3-ft water, but anything more than that, I totally panic. My husband can be underwater, but at the moment he comes above, he sinks to the bottom. So basically, between us, we are sure to drown.

We managed to do two activities while we were there. One was jet skiing and the other was kayaking. Jet skiing ended up being very very scary. We were supposed to follow this group and somehow or the other ended up off the track. We got an earful from the people who were guiding us. They thought we were doing it on purpose and mentioned we were endangering others and ourselves with our antics. Ahem. The antic being that we tried to follow orders and follow a straight line. We started out second and ended up being last. That did not sit well with both of us. *grin* Becasue we inadvertantly veered off, it was a very jerky trip for us and I thought I would fly off many times. I was scared to death. We made it back without getting killed, but my behind was sore for the whole day.

My smile is a mere insincere front, R on the other hand is showing his true feelings.

We came back, had lunch and then went kayaking. After the trauma of jet skiing, it was a piece of cake. We got out into less than knee deep water, picked up sea cucumbers (slimy!) and starfish. Our tour guide said kissing a star fish brings 7 years of good luck.

I figured it was a good ROI.

The slimy sea cucumber

After coming back from kissing starfish and handling sea cucumbers, this is what we did. (Actually I went to sleep, not lie down and pose for pictures)

And it was lovely.

In the evening was our formal dinner.

It was my birthday that Saturday and they brought me a cheesecake with a candle on it and sang Happy Birthday. Hubby had forgotten to let them know, but the couple who sat next to us was very insistent and they told the wait staff. The couple were celebrating their anniversary as well. Later, there was a juggling show and a married people quiz. I was hoping they would pick us to be participants. After the show was over, I was extremely thankful that we weren't picked. It was way too embarassing. We now know way too much about the three couples who participated. The private person in me about died at the information revealed and later broadcasted on their cable channel.

Relaxed day, fun activities, nice dinner. And to share it all with my best friend? I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

Bahamas - Evening on the ship

Day 1

For my 28th birthday (which was a while ago), hubby booked a cruise for us to the Bahamas. It may be silly, but we don't celebrate any day including wedding anniversary as much as we celebrate our respective birthdays. I have no idea why. The cruise was great and it was a very different pace from our regular hyper-paced vacations. Since we had to do everything on a schedule, there was hardly any room for planning our own things. And for us, sometimes that is a good thing.

The cruise was a 2-day 3-night trip for Bahamas and we went with Royal Carribbean. It was my first real cruise. I had packed a suitcase the size of an airline carry-on bag and a hiking backpack. I was thinking that it was way too much for a 2 day trip. And then I saw other couples with two huge suitcases and then some more bags. And I immediately felt totally inadequate.

Our room was one with a balcony and it was really beautiful. Here I am at the balcony of our room.

The food was great. There were three course dinners every night and while I enjoyed it very much, I could not repress an inward shudder at the amount of food that was possibly being wasted every day. We were assigned to the same table every night for dinner, and had the same head waiter and staff. There was Indian food the second and third night and I enjoyed it one day.

R and I at dinner the first night.

After dinner on Friday, there was a comedy show and we were planning to attend that. So after dinner, we loitered around the place and wasted time until 8 pm when the show was. Close to 8 pm, we started walking towards the auditorium for the show, and the people were coming out. Apparently, our cell phones did not adjust to the time and we were one hour late. So we missed the show.

I think hubby was actually happy since he could come back to the room and watch the Presidential debate. (Huh?) I took a book, got in the tub and almost went to sleep. It was so relaxing! I came out and went to sleep soon after.