Coming Home!

I just couldn't sleep any longer.  I don't know if it was L coming to bed with us, first time in Costa Rica, in the middle of the night or the fact I needed to use the restroom at 4 a.m., first time for me as well.  But I just couldn't sleep.

 

I lay in bed, realizing how tired I was going to feel if I just didn't get a few more minutes of sleep before our alarm went off.  But sure enough, 30 minutes past in a flash and 4:30 a.m. was here.

It was the first time, in Costa Rica, I had woken in the morning to see it still dark.  We had grown accustom to sun rays coming through our curtains at 5:00 a.m. and us fighting to sleep through it.  This was strange for us all.

Paul woke the children, helped them get dressed and I did the girl's hair, as well as my own.  We were all so excited!  The kids couldn't help it.  It honestly felt better than anticipating a day at Disneyland (having fun Heather and Dave?)  The kids wanted this to happen more than anything.

 

We grabbed everything we could think of, piled into the car and then reverently said a family prayer.  We breathed a sigh of "we'll miss you Costa Rica house" and backed out of our two car garage.

It only took a few minutes to arrive at the car rental agency.  Of course, I forgot to fill the tank to full.  They charged us $30 for 1/4th a tank.  A full tank cost us $50 at the gas station.  ALWAYS FILL YOUR TANK WITH GAS THE NIGHT BEFORE!!  Ooops!

 Paul loaded our luggage onto the shuttle and then hopped in.  I was surprised.  I thought we were saying our goodbyes here.  But he decided to help us as far as he was allowed.  I was SO GRATEFUL!  

 

The airport was a ZOO!  I would have been stressed out in an instant.  But with Paul there, I just stood patiently with the kids, feeding them my homemade banana bread, while waiting in line to check in our luggage.  It seemed to take forever, but that wasn't forever compared to the rest of our day. 

After our luggage was checked in, Paul weaved us through the crowded airport to security.  This is where he had to say goodbye.  The kids were still pumped to leave, so they quickly hugged their dad in excitement to get to the plane.  Paul and I embraced for as long as the kids allowed us.  It was hard to leave him there and I could see in his eyes that it was hard for him to see us go, leaving him here, ALL ALONE!

But we had to go!  We showed our passports to the 1st security agent and joined the 100's of people in line for security.  The line was SO LONG!  It just weaved around and around and around.  We saw a university soccer team from Mexico in line with us. We had enough time in line to look them up and see if we knew any of the players in line.  That was fun for E but the little kids had fun teasing and bugging eachother - not so fun for mom.  

 

As we made it to the scanner, I noticed a line that went straight to the front, by-passing all this "weaving".  The people were elderly or had babies in strollers.  I wondered why I hadn't been sent to that line.  Paul told me later that if the security agents had known I was a "GOLD MEDALLION" with Delta, that I could have gone in that line as well.  Oh Paul, don't tell me that now.  AHHHH!

I should have known that this was going to be a foreshadowing of our day.  But I chose to brush it off and just move forward.  We got to the gate and the seats were filled, every other one, with people.  Where was my family of 5 to sit together?  Well . . . on the floor!  No one offered to move or make room.  What happened to civil behavior, manners and kindness to women and children?  Nope, survival of the fittest baby!

 

 

 By the way, this is an image that came up on Google, when I typed in "gentlemanly kindness to women and children."  Pretty cool huh!  That is quite the reputation if Google puts your picture with that search!  Way to go President Thomas S. Monson!  (Love that man!)

After we "got comfortable," I called Paul to tell him we made it to the gate and we're getting ready to board the plane.  He was so sad.  I could hear the home sickness settling into his chest.  I could feel the pain this was causing him.  I figured that anything I was going to go through today was going to be better than what he had to face for a week and a half, ALL ALONE in Costa Rica.  Poor Guy!

I heard, in mumbled Spanish, that they were boarding our plane and Zone 1 was being called to board.  I grabbed the kids in a hurry and pushed/weaved our way through the line that had already formed.  (I hate to do this.  I always feel that I am assuming no one else is Zone 1 in this huge line.  Yes, I am usually right but what if someone yells out, "HEY LADY, GET TO THE BACK OF THE LINE?"  Then what?  How embarrassing!)

So we made it to the check-in agent, scanned our tickets but then each and every one of us was "wanded" for security.  SERIOUSLY!  Yes, the kids too!  Then they had to check our bags - all 5! CRAZY HUH!  I would have let it bother me but they were doing it to EVERYONE!  Got to love Costa Rican security!

After that, a long plane ride to Atlanta looked like a welcomed rest.  We got situated.  Me and the boys shared three seats on one side of the plane.  The girls shared their seats with a woman who had been in line with us since the luggage check in.  At first I didn't know how she would handle being with children.  But she did just fine.  Actually more than fine!  She took care of and looked after the girls.  She shared the food she ordered and also helped K, the millions of times she needed to put her tray up to reach under the chair and get something.  SUPER PATIENT and a SUPER BLESSING!

The first plane trip went fairly well.  E was in heaven because he had been asking Paul and I if we thought he was old enough to watch "The Avengers" with one of us by his side.  I didn't think he could handle it, being rated PG13.  But guess what was being shown as the in-flight movie? 

 

 "The Avengers!'  SERIOUSLY!  So E, K, and sometimes G, had fun watching this movie.  I kept my eye on E, asking him periodically to fill me in on the details.  E turned his eyes away or pulled out the ear plugs from time to time, when he wasn't sure if he could handle what "might" happen.  I was proud of him for that.  But overall, he did well and handled the "edited" version of the movie.  What a blessing!  E was able to satisfy a desire and was blessed to do it in a safer way than I could have ever provided him!  Are we counting the blessings yet?  I should be!

During the flight, the only real issue was food.  Delta didn't serve a menu.  Don't know why?  But they didn't.  All they provided were snack boxes, luckily I had free vouchers to buy some.  We got 2 and a fruit plate (that was $7.50) and shared it between the 5 of us.  At first the kids didn't like the food but after an hour or so, it was eaten before we landed.

The landing of a plane at sea level is MY WORST NIGHTMARE!  I DISLIKE IT SO MUCH that I wonder if I should just puke and get it over with?  But with 4 children to care for, puking isn't a good choice!  So, I "deal with it" and pray we land any minute.  After the landing, I have to get my "sea legs" back.  No fun with 4 children tearing out of a plane.  

I don't know why they were in such a hurry, because we only had MORE LINES to get through before we could even enter the actual airport of Atlanta, Georgia.  This is where my mom comes in.  She equipped me with backpack leashes for my two littlest children.  

(If only we looked this cute!)

At first, I was truly for it.  Then I saw how demeaning it must look from other viewer's perspectives.  

(This is what L looked like at many points during our long day.  Yes, I AM BEING SERIOUS!)

But with CROWDS of people, grumpy/impatient security guards, lines, lines and MORE LINES, the chaos sets in and I become GRATEFUL for those leashes.  It was the ONLY WAY I could keep G & L safe, so I did it and it worked!

The night before, I had said family prayer and asked Heavenly Father for patience, kind people around us, and helpful hearts.  Well, we received all of that!  In Atlanta, you must collect your luggage and re-check it before you can go to your next flight.  Seems easy for one or two people, right?  Well, try 4 children, 2 of which are leashed and want to test out these new restraints, and 8 large/heavy pieces of luggage.  I NEEDED HELP!

Fortunately the sweetest man, an employee who gets tipped for helping with luggage, offered his services.  Now, I am a cheap skate, remember?  So for me to say yes was completely out of desperation.  He jumped at the chance.  But as we were walking to the luggage turn-styles, I realized I didn't have any tipping money on me.  I said, "Stop.  I can't let you help me.  I don't have any money to tip you."  He looked at me for only a moment and said, "That's okay Ma'am, I need to do a good turn daily anyway.  You will be mine today!"  I wanted to cry.  How could I humble myself enough to let this man help me and NOT pay him?

(This is what people must have seen.  Woman, small children, LOTS of luggage.  But Phillip packed our bags MUCH nicer than this and with gentle care.)

I just HAD TO!  I needed the help and he wanted the chance to serve.  I had to suck it up and let him.  He was so patient.  He waited for all 8 of our bags, picking each one up with care, like I was going to tip him $100 for helping us out.  He was so proud to help "this woman and her kids."  I was nervous about where to go next and asked him.  He said, "Don't worry Ma'am, just right down this way."  And he lead us down a skinny line, pushing a huge cargo cart loaded with our bags.  He then took the luggage and checked it in for us.  I didn't lift one figure to help him.  He did it ALL on his own.  What a true gentleman.  What a true saint!

I reached out my hand and thanked him from my heart.  I asked him his name, he said, "Phillip, ma'am!"  I said, "My name is Wendi.  Thank you Phillip for helping us today.  Thank you!"  I gave him my softest smile and warmest regards and off we went to ANOTHER security area.

This time, the people weren't so friendly.  But we made it through.  Luckily only E and myself had to remove our shoes.  In Costa Rica, ALL of us had to.  After the last security check, we were done and ready to find some food.  We asked for a Wendy's in the GIGANTIC airport and found one, two terminals away from the terminal we were leaving from.

(The Atlanta Terminal Train - FAST moving.  Just enough time to hop in and hold on for dear life!)

I don't know if you have been to Atlanta's airport, but it is HUGE.  We found the train to take us to terminal C and hopped on (my biggest worry!  These things are FAST and not kid friendly.)  We made it in one piece.  The kids ran to the moving walkways, thinking this was the way to the food, but we found we were going the wrong direction.  OH WELL!  They got to go back the way they came.  It made their day!

We ordered a nice lunch: chicken sandwich - littlest 3 shared, baconator for E (growing?), single for me, fries, 2 baked potatoes and a frosty.  YUM!  We still had a half an hour before we needed to leave for our gate, so we found the Delta Sky Club at terminal A.  We used the restroom, tried to charge our batteries, grabbed some apples for the plane, ate cheese, celery, and carrots.  Relaxed a few minutes and then left for our gate.

We boarded the plane, got settled and waited.  And waited.  AND waited.  AND WAITED!  The pilot would come on the intercom from time to time and say, "About 10-15 more minutes and we should be on our way."  After an hour, we finally shut the door to the plane and taxied to the runway.  That was when ANOTHER light came on, that there were other issues.  So we turned back.  We sat at the gate for another hour, when they finally said, "Everyone off the plane."  Seriously!  Now what?

(The plane was already practically empty by the time they asked us to leave.  I think the kids are happy to get off the plane?)

I wondered what Delta was planning to do?  With so many people waiting at the gate, we couldn't hear ANY of the announcements they were making in the airport.  Many of us just huddled together, asking what each of us knew.  We FINALLY found out that another plane was coming to take our plane's place and we would be flying soon.  Soon?  How soon? Now it was running into dinner time.  My kids would be starving on this flight if I didn't feed them.  Would I have time to run them all down to the food court and pick up some food?  

How was I up to this point?  Well, frustrated that I didn't know what to do but I chose to stay positive.  MANY of the people on the plane lost their patience and insisted on leaving the plane immediately upon arriving at the gate, to catch another flight.  They were so "put out" and rude about the problems the plane was having.  I for one was grateful the pilot turned the plane around.  My life was worth more than a few hours or even a day.  I was willing to chose patience, but I also didn't have a connecting flight.  But I did have 5 people to take care of and what airline would just "happen" to have 5 seats together for me to transfer to.  Not any, I am guessing.

So, I chilled out and tried to cheer up as many people around me that I could. Fortunately two nice men, one from India (wearing a head wrap) and another who used to work on ships in Alaska, played with the kids.  They talked to the kids, made them several paper airplanes and even let the kids climb all over them.  They were another blessing for us that day.

  Finally, I decided I better run and get food, it looked as though things were going to happen soon.  As I left, this cute lady/woman, Sarah, (someone I and the kids had made friends with on the plane) called and told me about meal vouchers from Delta.  I ran back, got $64.00 in food vouchers from Delta.  Sarah also gave me her $12 she got.  I ran, purchased not much food but spent alot of the money.  Ran back, just in time to get seated in Zone 1.  CRAZY!  Luckily I hadn't used my money to pay for the food. It was NASTY!!!

Looked so good, tasted TERRIBLE!

We got situated, buckled up and the plane took off!  The kids watched an hour of t.v. - no movies this flight (satellite TV only) and then they all fell asleep.  I had the rest of the time to myself. I channel surfed.  Watched a "Rock Center" on the Mormons (bugged me - I am super sensitive to Mormon criticism) and then I realized I had better wake the kids.  I couldn't carry them through the airport.  They needed to walk themselves to the shuttle. 

I gentled started to wake them.  Got their shoes on.  Packed up our belongings.  And then the plane landed.  Poor Kids.  We were at the front of the plane - Economy Comfort, behind 1st class - so we NEEDED TO MOVE and FAST!  They did great!  I had to carry two bags and L but I did it and never stopped to rest.  My arms are still sore today, but we made it.  We found our bags, said goodbye to Sarah, my angel and "sister wife" and loaded up in the Express Shuttle to drive home at 12:00 a.m.

I have NEVER been so happy to be home!

After 18.5 hours, life looks pretty great!  I am SUPER GRATEFUL for this experience.  This is something I would have NEVER created for myself to work through.  I am grateful that my Father in Heaven knew I could handle this and blessed me with WONDERFUL PEOPLE and an ABUNDANCE of PATIENCE Thursday.  I KNOW I didn't make it through this journey alone!

By the way, almost all of the pictures used today were from google images.

Lots of Love  ~  Wendi

Feels GOOD to be home!

I am so grateful to be home!  I am still in a bit of a fog, jet lag and sleep deprivation I think.  But boy does this feel GREAT!  The kids were SO CUTE last night, when we FINALLY arrived home.  They walked around the house, at 1:00 a.m., looking at everything they had taken for granted.  

"I love this red couch.  I love this garage.  I missed carpet on the floors.  I love this fridge.  I love this dishwasher.  I love these stairs.  I love this room (their bedroom).  I missed having a blanket to sleep with."

 SO CUTE!!!  

 

As for me, this is what I missed . . .

My dishwasher

My disposal in my LARGE sink, with a sprayer.  Oh, my sprayer!!!

Okay . . . MY KITCHEN!!!

MY OWN BED!!!

Even walking by this front door I missed!  Silly, but true.

 I just can't help it. 

I LOVE my home and I love it more now because I KNOW what I have here.  I didn't know before this experience to Costa Rica.  But I am seeing it better every day.  I am so glad to be home!  I am so grateful to live where I do.  I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many I love and who love me.

So stop on by, because . . . I AM HOME!!!

Good Night  ~  Wendi

Temptations!

I can't believe I am doing this, AGAIN!  I have to say goodbye to Costa Rica and I just can't bare to do it.

Just LOOK at this place!  (While I was driving on the freeway, E was my daredevil and took this picture out the window for me.  I took the risk of losing our expensive camera for one last look at this amazing view.  I just LOVE it here!

 For someone who suffers from seasonal depression, I am SHOCKED that I feel so happy being among so many clouds and rain storms every afternoon!  I just can't help it, this place makes me feel so happy!

So, how do I do it?  How do I deal with this "temptation" to stay here?  How do I let go of something SO SPECIAL to me?  I was SO TEMPTED to go driving today.  I am grateful I didn't.  I worked so hard today, harder than I did to get ready to come here.  I wouldn't have had time to get it all done and would have sacrificed my sleep.  Not a good choice.  Thank Heavens I stayed home today.

Because today I: made banana bread for the kids breakfast on the plane, made dinner, a batch of chocolate dusted almonds, cleaned out the fridge/freezer and fed it to the kids, and washed all the clothes.  Not to mention I cleaned out every room in this enormous house, ran to pay our airport fees ($198.00 to leave the country) and took the kids swimming one last time.  This time we waited for Paul to come home.  It was already getting dark, so we decided to swim and eat dinner a bit later.  The kids, of course, LOVED IT!  So did I.  

But this pain inside only got deeper.  How can I leave this beautiful place?  A place that feels like home to me!  A place, I think, I would like to raise our children in.  Well, that is how you solve the problem.  Thinking something is right and knowing it is right are two completely different feelings.  I don't KNOW it is right to live here.

So, with those thoughts, I MUST say good-bye to this beautiful country.  I will think of it and hopefully dream of it.  And if I get too homesick for Costa Rica, I will look up this incredible blog (thanks for the encouragement everyone!) and remember the memories we made one month, in 2012.

Good Bye Costa Rica - my heart and eyes will miss you!

As for all of those I am excited to see soon, Good Night!  Pray for me!  I am flying home with 4 kids and a TON OF LUGGAGE!  I am going to need all the prayers, patience and help that I can get.

Sweet Dreams  ~  Wendi

Fun with Daddy!

We had a wonderful day with Daddy!  ALL DAY TOO!  We let Paul choose what he would like to do with us today.  He had his pick of: the beach, the Children's Museum, the Gold Museum, or a trip to a volcano.  He chose the beach!

The Kids LOVED the idea!  (E & K swimming to their hearts content!)

I loved it too!  Since I got the chance to actually swim with the bigger kids once Paul had his turn in the ocean.  But Paul had his own fun with the little kids.

He helped the little ones build this AWESOME castle.  They LOVED every minute of it!

Paul also enjoyed taking some fun pictures of G, doing what G does best. 

Being a boy!

After a bit of prodding, L got the hang of playing in the ocean.  Poor kid.  She has been terrified of the water, ever since L and Paul's accident a few Saturdays ago.

But with Paul's help and a lot of patience, we got her finding seashells and bringing them to me in the water.  Got to love distractions!

After a lot of swimming, castle building, and finding seashells, we had some lunch!  This time the monkeys were no where to be found.  We did see some just as we got to the beach but they didn't come back until we were ready to leave.  So, we had a marvelous meal with no distractions!

YUM!!!

YUM!!!

YUM!!!

 After some more swimming in the beautiful Costa Rican Pacific Ocean, we showered, got dressed and headed home, to beat the nasty traffic.  But Paul decided to make a day of it and took us to the mall.  The kids had fun at this GIGANTIC mall.  They played, ate a yummy dinner and had their choice of ice cream for dessert.  We got home and EVERYONE was exhausted.  That is why I couldn't post last night, I was the most exhausted of them all.

But I have to say, the exhaustion was worth it!

Love from Costa Rica  ~  Wendi, Paul and the kids

Forgive Me!

Hello you all!  I beg your forgiveness but I am SO TIRED from today that I just can't blog.  I am also a bit stressed out about our flight home starting at 4:30 Thursday morning.  I am trying to wrap my head around feeding my children all 3 meals in an airplane or at the airport.  AHHHH!  It is SO EXPENSIVE and they dislike the food, VERY MUCH!

Okay, I am also SUPER SAD we are leaving but at the same time too excited to just be home.  I feel like I am split down the middle.  In all honesty, I am glad to be coming home but I am going to miss it here so much that I can start crying if I let myself really think about it.

Volcano Barva - this is where I wish I could go tomorrow!

I want, so badly, to go driving around tomorrow, looking at one more volcano.  That has been my favorite part of Costa Rica, the driving and scenery of this beautiful country.  How can I NOT go tomorrow?  But how can I?  We need to pack at least 10 bags of luggage, make banana bread for breakfast on the plane, make and eat our "last supper" in Costa Rica, probably say good-bye to our landlady and her husband, pack the cars and then go to bed for our early start.

This is a bit daunting and a huge price to pay for coming on this trip, BUT WELL WORTH IT!  (I MUST keep saying this to myself OVER, and OVER, and OVER on the plane ride home!)

So, forgive me for not filling you in on the fun details today.  I will do it tomorrow while the laundry is washing, bread is baking and the kids get a chance to swim one last time.  I guess this is the tough part of being a grown-up / mom, you have to put aside your desires for what is best for the entire family.  Driving them to one more volcano takes ALL DAY!  We don't have that luxury.  I just hope I have the opportunity to come back again one day and see even more of this beautiful country!

Good night and talk to you all tomorrow!  ~  Wendi

Kid's are Bloggin' Today!

Welcome to the "Whitti Children's Blog".

Today we have 4 special guest bloggers: L, G, K and E.

They are going to share with you their favorite moments in Costa Rica.

Our first guest blogger is L.  She personally picked ALL these pictures (yes, this took A LOT of patience!) and these are HER WORDS to describe the picture.  Enjoy!

"Going to eat donuts, and goin' to walk around, to whatever it is called.  My face is different!"

"UHHHH!  Big donuts!  Little donuts on the top and big donuts on the bottom.  I don't like those!"  (K started laughing.  "Then why choose this picture?)

"UMMMM!  HUH!  Crocodile water!  UHHH! We're swimming!  AANNNDDD the playground."  (very silly giggling while saying this)

"Um, I don't know?  Um, going?  What?"  (I finally asked her who took this picture)  "Uh!  Did I?  Did you?  Did K?  E took the picture?  OOOOHHH, YES!  I took the picture!"

"I went to the volcano!"  (silly voice again)

 Now it is G's turn!  

(Laughing) "Donut picture.  I feel good about the donut.  I look like this because I want to be CRAZY!"

"This is David and Goliath.  Um, I did this in church.  By figuring out which colors I want.  I did it because I felt like I like drawing."

"This one I don't know about.  Because K and E made the fort.  I like this picture because I like it."

"I know the temple is true!"

"I like to go on slides with water at the bottom of the slide!"

Okay, K's turn!

"We had fun eating!"

"We jumped into the water in our clothes!"

"We had fun in the tree!"

"We had fun being silly!"

"I could FINALLY talk to someone.  Nice guy!"

Last, but not least, E!

"This is me and mom before we went into the temple to do Baptisms for the Dead."

"This is me and Dad in front of the temple doors awaiting to feel the warmth of the temple.  I was excited and happy to be going into the Lord's house."

"This is me building a tree fort by the swimming pool.  This is one of the many trees that I could climb here."

"Mom told me to come to L's bathroom to see something.  I discovered it was a baby lizard.  I thought it was cool to catch a lizard so easily."

"I like to make big bubbles and I enjoy the shape that this bubble made."

Okay, my turn!  Boy, this was a CHORE to do but we made it!  Just choosing the pictures took at least an hour.  Then the blogging, well, I won't bore you with the fighting that went on but WE DID IT!  

I hope this fresh look, at life in Costa Rica through the kid's eyes, was fun?  I sure am proud of what these kids have handle the last 22 days.  I can't beleive we only have 2 full days in Costa Rica left!  I hope to make the most of them.  

Today was just a chill day.  We thought we were having company today but they never called.  So, we watched shows, played in the rain and even jumped into the pool with our clothes on.  The best time to swim is during a rain storm; with the cloud cover, the water is warm.  The pool water was almost to the top of the pool too, due to all the storms we have had for a week.  It has been a good day.  

See you all soon!  ~  Wendi and the kids.

(poor Paul is sick in bed.  Yucky and nasty cold/flu going around at his office.  It is definitely winter here!)