Fullers Move East Part Two: The Flight

As previously mentioned the week leading up to our departure from Calgary was a little on the insane side. The week was long and arduous for both us and the children. Unfortunately because we were so busy getting things ready for the move the children were pretty neglected that week so they were a little more difficult than normal. Now I don't mean they were actually neglected, but neglected in that they were passed off to friends to be watched (I'm sure our friends didn't neglect them but you get what I'm saying here), sat in front of the TV watching movies all day long, they were not really played with or fed very balanced meals etc. Novah was also having a particularly rough week and wasn't feeling very well, she had an upset tummy and seemed to be teething. All of these factors summed up to me being a little terrified of flying solo with three kids on Saturday (August 2.)

Now I must explain that we were generously gifted with three standby passes from a West Jet employee. Because we were using stand by passes there was no guarantee that we would actually get on the flight we were hoping for! We had scoped out a flight from Calgary to Kitchener all week and it seemed to have a pretty decent number of available seats so we decided (earlier during the week) to list our selves for standby in hope that things wouldn't change too much. When we checked in 24 hours before the flight we were the first three listed and there were still 11 seats available so I felt like we would be fine.

In the morning when I checked our status there were an additional 3 people listed on standby and we had been bumped back a few spots because employees obliviously get seating preference. We had a hectic morning with all the last minute preparations for our flight and saying our last good byes to my family, Dan (since we wouldn't be seeing him for a few days) and some friends.

Our last family photo in Calgary! We weren't all exactly happy at this point :)

Our friend Mary Anne had volunteered to drive the kids an I up to the airport. I was super thankful for this because how else was I going to get there with three crazy kids, a bunch of suitcases, a giant stroller and three car seats. Yes a ride was a must! She showed up and we loaded the crew and I started preparing myself for the next leg of the race!

Mary Anne was generous enough to come in the airport with me and was able get a gate pass to help get my crew and I through the airport to our departure gate. Fortunately everywhere I went people seemed to take pity on the crazy woman with three very young children and a gazillion possessions (aka me.) Since we were flying standby we didn't check any of our bags which meant we have a LOT of stuff!

When we got to our gate I still didn't know if we were even going to be on the flight. Despite this key part of the journey that was still up in the air I cannot deny the peace that I felt. Even though I was alone about to take the kids on their first plane ride, travelling so far and going into this new unknown I just felt that everything was going to work out.

And it did.

About a minute before the flight was about to board one of the staff came and told me that we had made it on the flight. Let me tell you it was a miracle because every single seat on that plane was full. All 11 seats that had been empty the night before were full by boarding time. We literally found out while they were boarding other families that we had gotten seats.

We made it on the plane (thanks to a kind older gentlemen who helped me carry everything onto the plane) and I honestly felt that the worst part was over.

The boys were pretty elated about being on a plane. We had gotten them special earphones so that they could play with the ipod/tablet and watch tv.

So excited to be able to use the devices!!

Pretty little girl ready to fly!

The kids were actually pretty great during the take off.  While we were taking off I could tell that Cohen was a little scared so once we were up on the air so I had him and Marshal switch seats, putting Marshal by the window to look out with Cohen beside me (I was on the aisle.) Not long after this Cohen was tired so I gave him the baby carrier to use as a pillow and he passed out pretty quickly. He stayed asleep almost the whole time and woke up only about half hour before landing. A huge blessing.

Here's the sweet little angel all snuggled up. 

Novah fell asleep not long after Cohen and also miraculously stayed asleep on me for almost the entire flight!I definitely think this was another blessing given how fussy she had been all week and the fact that she never sleeps on me! She even stayed asleep when I had to switch seats and put Marshal on the aisle because he suddenly became terrified that he was going to fall out of the window!

Marshal was incredibly well behaved for the whole flight too. He was pretty stoked about his own personal tv and the fact that he could play with the ipod and tablet! We did have a bathroom incident when he proclaimed (while they were serving drinks and blocking out sets of course) that he had to go poop. I wasn't sure what I was going to do since Cohen was passed out and Novah was passed out on me, and then that lady in the green shirt (you can see in the picture of Marshal above) offered to take him to the bathroom. I was honestly so grateful. I mean its a little weird letting a stranger take your kid to go poop but I wasn't in a position to say no so I let her! And was eternally grateful I might add!

All in all the flight was actually a huge success and probably the least stressful part of my travels up to this point. I am so grateful for the blessings that I had in making this part of my journey smooth because I know it could have been very far from this! With the children sleeping and Marshal preoccupied with his technology the flight was actually somewhat peaceful and dare I say even enjoyable! I'm not the biggest fan of flying (slightly claustrophobic) but I was sure glad that our trip was only 4 hours and not 40 that Dan had to spend in the van!

Once we arrived in Kitchener we were greeted by Dan's parents and ready to start the next part of our journey east!

Jordan