Next Time, I'll Take the Train

Hello all! We're back - back on the sweet, safe ground. I've always had a mild fear of heights, but could easily overcome them to ride a rollercoaster or something. And I've gone back and forth over the years about whether or not I am afraid of flying. I've been fortunate to experience many flights, some with others, and some by myself, and remember one in particular when we had a stomach-churning, sudden drop. The lady behind me cried, but I wasn't scared at all, then. The last time I remember being this scared, I was in college. My dad took us to California, and I really wanted to go. So I faced my fear, boarded the plane, and about an hour into the flight, I was fine. Cured for several years.
I'm back to being scared, and these two flights did NOT cure my fear this time. Christa did exceptionally well. Laughed and wiggled, despite her nervous mother. I was worried on the way out there that she would be fussy because we were departing right at her bed time. And my precious daughter does not especially like to snuggle against your neck and drift off into a deep slumber. But she was quite pleasant, making faces at the stewardess for about an hour, and did eventually catch a nap in Cline's arms (I'm still jealous). I, on the other hand, was on the edge of my seat with a death grip on Cline's arm the whole way out there. Maybe it was the fact that I knew we were flying through a vicious storm-system. Maybe it was the plane being tossed around like a dandelion in a tornado. Maybe it was the lightning right outside our window. During the landing, I was convinced the plane was going to flip just as we hit ground, and we'd roll to our fiery doom.
The way home was no better, despite blue skies and fluffy clouds. In fact, it may have been worse in my mind. The nice stewardess offered to retrieve Christa's car seat since there were extra seats on the plane, which was much appreciated. I was glad to have it during the death-defying drops at 30,000 feet, impending engine failure, mild turbulence that graced the entire ride. I walked off the plane glad to be on land and convinced that our family will be vacationing within an 8 hour drive of our home from now on.
Despite my mental trauma, we had a great time in Oklahoma. All of my extended family lives in the Midwest, so it's always nice to see my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Alicia and Brandon drove up from Dallas, and we hadn't seen them since Christmas, so that was an extra treat. And to the executives at Braum's (the best ice cream store I've ever set foot in), if you're reading this, then please expand your chain to the Southeast.
Grandpa and Alicia, I hope you have great birthdays this week!