Hello there!

Hi friends! We've been out of town, visiting family and friends in Ohio. Our trip began with a 4:00 a.m. wake-up call, with a 6:00 a.m. flight.

Is it just me, or is it nerve-wracking to go through airport security -- especially with kids in tow! The first leg of the trip went smoothly .... until we landed in Chicago. The airport was a virtual skating rink, covered with a thin sheet of ice. We sat on the tarmac for nearly an hour, waiting to pull to the gate.

I was so thankful our kids are old enough to entertain themselves with tic, tac, toe, I Spy, and countless rounds of thumb wrestling. We weren't worried at all about catching our connecting flight, as we already had a long layover in our schedule.

Well, when we looked at the departure screen, we were horrified to find that our next flight had been CANCELLED. That's the worst word you can imagine in a crowded airport! Can I get an "AMEN"?!

I was glad that my hubby was there to handle all that mess of getting us on another flight. Bottom line: we were booked on the next flight to Columbus, Ohio -- but we had about 6 hours to pass in the meantime. Folks, that's a LOT of thumb wrestling!

We actually managed to pass the time rather quickly ...... spending our life's savings at the airport restaurant and making up games to entertain ourselves.

We're having a truly wonderful visit, having quality time with family and dear friends. Grandma's house is full of fun for the kids, and it was warm enough on Sat. to take them to my favorite childhood park! We then came back to the hotel and had a pizza/pool party at the hotel with all the cousins.

It was way special to worship at our home church yesterday -- where Greg & I met and were married almost 15 years ago. So many new faces, yet many familiar and dear ones we've missed seeing.

We're headed soon to the greatest Amish restaurant in the whole world, where I fully intend to eat half my body weight in pie! And yes, I am wearing stretch pants, because I'm a planner that way.

I'll check in again soon! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.