Well, so much for my grand idea that things would be back in full force last week–including all of our regular features like the Walgreens and CVS deals and Super Savings Saturday.
For those who didn't know, we took a long-anticipated and much-saved-for trip to San Antonio Thursday through Sunday to attend the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.
I had every intention of blogging while I was gone since there was supposed to be free wi-fi at both our hotel and the convention center. But not only would the wi-fi not work for me, I had little time for blogging anyway. Meeting many of you, taking care of the girls, and listening to wonderful lectures and films filled up just about every waking moment of the first two days.
And then Kaitlynn came down with an awful stomach bug the last day and a half. I'll spare you the details, but I'm sure many of you other moms of young ones can imagine!
It didn't take long for me to just hope and pray we could make it home in one piece–and soon! I packed as many changes of clothes, wet wipes, and so forth as I could scrounge up and we left for the airport for our scheduled return flights home.
We made it through our first flight only to discover upon landing that our next flight was cancelled and we were stuck in the Dallas airport for five more hours–with two little children (one who was very sick) and a tired pregnant mama.
Needless to say, I was never so grateful to make it home. Kaitlynn is much improved today and other than mountains of thrown-up-on laundry that I have waiting for me, things are mostly back to normal.
So I also hope that I'll really and truly be back to regular blogging here starting today. Thanks for your patience with me this past week–and these last few weeks. I'm blessed to have readers who are willing to let me put the needs of my family before blogging. Thank you all.
Angela says
This is a great site. Never been here before but I will surely visit daily. Thanks for all the great tips, and sites to check out.
julie says
so glad your back hope everyone is feeling better i really miss the cvs and walgreens deals i just can’t make it work with out you!!!!!!!!!!!
elizabeth says
Glad you’re back and everyone is on the mend. I really missed the CVS/Walgreens column– if you ever wonder if anyone *really* cares about what you do, know that at least one mama was at sea this week without it! 🙂
Stacy says
Glad you made it back safely. Your trip sounds so tiring! I hope you all escape the bug that your daughter had. You don’t want that when you are pregnant!
Stacy
jolie says
I hope everyone is rested and recovered soon. I am glad and encouraged to know that your family comes first, before blogging.
rebekah says
glad you are back!!! sorry for such a crazy week!!!
Luci says
Yikes! Glad to hear that you all are feeling better!
Cherity says
Sorry to hear your little one was sick on your trip. Folks around here have been getting that bug for the last few weeks and I think everyone is finally getting back their health.
One way we get our stomachs “back in order” after a stomach virus is by drinking kefir smoothies. I posted a recipe and an informational link on my blog :
http://chaoticpeace.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/pineapple-banana-kefir-smoothie/
This is also great for all kinds of seasons in your life…I’ll pray that the rest of you stay healthy!
Sarah says
I read your blog from my google reader normally, but just had to come visit your site to say that I’m sorry for your sick child/stuck at the airport tribulations recently! It sounds like one trial after another, and I applaud your fortitude… Hope your daughter is feeling better!
Thanks for all the great tips, and a great site. 🙂
PS I’d love to hear about your favorite films at the festival! I didn’t even know there was an independent Christian film festival… sounds exciting!
gabrielle says
Bless your heart! That sounds awful. Glad you are back home in one piece and hope your little one feels better soon.
kelly says
im sorry your little one got sick! we had this in early december along with most of our church and it ripped through almost all of us. it seems like its just everywhere right now.
we just had company come from florida and they got it in a georgia hotel and started throwing up in the next hotel in KY. they spent the next 5 days at our house throwing up (it had to go through the whole family )and since wed had it the month before we didnt get it.
stomach flu is highly contagious and EASILY passed on to others.(look up norwalk virus–its what causes most stomach flus in america ) you are actually contagious for AT LEAST 3 DAYS AFTER you feel better ! and some are contagious for up to 2 weeks after they are feeling better . most people have no idea they are still contagious and get back to livin’ life and continue to spread it to everyone else. bleach is about theonly thing that kills it. detergents and alcohol based products (like germ X)do little to kill it —we ended up washing our dishes with a bit of bleach in our water and bleach water to disinfect everything in the house after we were well. (door knobs, countertops,tubs , tiolets ,faucets and toothbrushes !)
i also read that people with type B and AB blood have some natural immunity to it which was interesting. 🙂
be well and thanks for all your work !
Karen says
You poor thing! Sick kiddos are no fun. I tend to get sick at conferences myself. I’ve also been in the Dallas airport for 5 hours–at least the seats are fairly comfy! So glad you’re back in one piece
Mary Ann says
My 8 year old would love this!!!
Michele says
Glad you are home and Kaitlynn is feeling better. Some days, I think it just pays to drive rather than deal with planes and all of their delays.
Saver Queen says
Wow, sounds rough. Glad you made it home okay in the end! Great to have you back!
Spoodles says
Poor dear. Kids get sick at the most inconvenient times, don’t they? Glad you’re back!
shawna says
Glad you made it back safely and that your little girl is on the mend. We missed you!
Michele says
I’m so glad you’re back. I’m a lazy couponer that had fallen off the wagon and, as part of my New Year’s New Attitude, have re-focused my couponing and money saving efforts. In that past I relied almost solely on YOUR CVS/Walgreens scenarios to do my coupon shopping each week. I’ve surfed around to other blogs, but yours is the most straightforward…causing my numerically challenged brain to have to work less! lol
I don’t know if I could do this without you. Welcome back!
Melissa says
I’m glad you’re back! Sounds like a great vacation minus the sickness! 🙂
Elizabeth Rehn says
We fly from Baltimore to Dallas a lot to visit family, and one time I had two that were sick on the plane, a one year old and a 4 year old. By the time we landed back in Baltimore, I was covered and sick myself. That was the worse trip ever, but the people on the plane were very nice and helped me with bags and napkins.
I am glad to hear that you are back, and that you had a wonderful time.
Lisa H says
Oh, Crystal, I feel for you! So, so sorry you and yours went through that horrible trip home. I’m sure you are so incredibly relieved to be home with laundry instead of still stuck in an airport. 🙂 Glad to have you back and looking forward to having you “back”, too. Blessings!
Kate says
I sooooo get it. That bug is here right now!
Lisa Merriman says
Welcome back! I’m so sorry your little one wasn’t feeling well on your trip. It is truly no fun traveling with a sick little one.
Carrie says
I hope you don’t get it! My oldest had a stomach bug all weekend, and now the baby and I have it. This is the first time in 5 years of parenting that my husband actually stayed home (albeit working from home) because I am sick. Thank you, thank you, dear husband!
Cindy says
I can completely empathize with you!! We were in Texas for Christmas and got ravenged by the stomach bug. All four kids and my husband. Thankfully, God protected the mommy, probably so I could care for and clean-up after everyone! 🙂 Our return home was delayed four days waiting for it to pass….
I’m glad you are back and posting again!! Have a Happy 2009.
Olathe mom says
I hope you all start feeling better. I am due in early April, and just the thought of being away from home with older, sick children (we have three “olders!”) makes me overwhelmed! 🙂
As for your blogging, knowing that you have the self-discipline to put your family first and NOT worry about blogging is more inspirational to me than you blogging while frazzled and ignoring the kiddos who need you. Your self-discipline and family-first attitude are wonderful ministries in themselves.
There is a secret part of me that is very glad when you, too, don’t manage to do it all! 🙂 It keeps you “real”, sweet girlfriend!
Carol says
Ohh, sorry you had a rough trip. Glad everyone is feeling better.
The Thrifty Mama says
I’m sorry to hear about all your difficulties. I’m glad your back though. Don’t push yourself too hard today. Take care of those little ones and that pile of laundry. Remember to get some rest yourself, too.
Marli says
awww so sorry your trip to TX was not the best! I would have let you guys come to stay with us instead of the airport had that been at all possible! 🙂 You all get healthy and rested!
maryanne says
Glad you made it back and that Kaitlynn is feeling better. And I think it’s wonderful that you put the needs of your family first. I look forward to reading your future posts 🙂
Tosha says
Glad you made it back safely:)
leigh says
I was wondering what happened to you. Glad you are home and can’t wait to see what you post next.
Jenni says
I feel for you, and am glad you made it back! Being stuck in an airport, especially with sick small children, can be awful!
Christi D. says
Everyone needs a little time away….glad you made it home safely 🙂