Arthritis Mom

As you may have read, we just returned from vacation. It was a fun vacation but the purpose was also to see my husband's family as they vacationed with us. Now it's my turn.

Home is in Colorado and I have not been there in 2 years. It's my longest absence. I used to go at least once, sometimes several times each year. I miss my family a lot and I love going home. The last visit was August 2006 just before I married my husband. We quickly figured out that trips home would be more difficult all 6 of us, and a lot more expensive, and agreed we'd plan a trip once a year from here on out. The 2007 trip never happened because the entire year was spent with me either pregnant, on bedrest, waiting to get the twins home from the NICU or adjusting to life with newborn twins at home. We are now taking our 2008 trip.

I'm so excited to go, but daunted by the process of getting all 8 of us out there. Thankfully we got a direct flight. We are mostly packed, very organized, and endlessly optimistic. We have a few activities planned for the older kids, they are ready. But this whole event is a rheumatoid arthritis flare waiting to happen. It will be an hour driving to the airport, 2 hours getting through the airport and keeping the babies happy while we wait to board, 4+ hours juggling the babies in flight, getting off the plane, through the airport, retrieving the luggage, and the icing on the cake, getting 8 people and an estimated 13 suitcases, duffel bags and backpacks, two car seats and one stroller on the shuttle to get the rental car and then getting all of us to my sisters house. That would be a challenge for a healthy body, much less my body.

So here we go - wish us luck. I'll post again from the other side.