Busy Bees!!

  As it is spring time here I thought the title appropriate. :) We have been so busy! I have come home to NC for a visit for a few weeks....sadly Steve couldn't make the trip with me, but we are definitely planning our next trip together. I had a crazy trip getting here! I was worried about traveling so far alone, and turns out I had reason. I flew from Melbourne (huge line at customs to leave! grrr!) to Sydney where I had a really small layover, then onto the looooong 13 hr and 58 minute flight from Sydney to LAX. We arrived in LAX on time, and I managed not to swell up on the flight...I had an isle seat, they showed a movie I wanted to see (Conviction-which was great), and I had a book to read, I alternated sleeping with busy work as I needed to try and adjust my internal clock....wasn't easy...and I am still so sore from that stupid plane.

   Well we landed in LAX ahead of schedule, which was fine, I had a 6 hour layover (on purpose as I had lots to get done in that time frame). We got off the plane and had to go straight to customs....longest line ever....then I had to go get my luggage, and wait in yet another long line, and this line seemed totally pointless, they didn't check anything they just glanced at my passport and waved me through, same as customs only they didn't stamp my passport...annoying!! So I had to walk two terminals down to the Delta terminal to re check my luggage and check in for my domestic flights. My flight path was kinda rough...I would go to Phoenix and have another 6 hour layover, but I was going out to dinner with Amy & Scott, my second cousin and her new husband, and catch up with them and then go back to the airport and catch an overnight flight to ATL, have a small layover then get to Wilmington the next morning. 

  Well when I tried to check in at the self check in for Delta, it wanted me to pay for my one checked luggage.....as I was coming off an international flight I shouldn't have to pay for checked luggage...but when I tried to check in at the actual desk, all I was told was I don't make the rules...and then he changed my flight path! Part of me was annoyed because now I only had an hour to get through security, find my gate...get connected to internet (that wasn't FREE!) because my cell phone wasn't working and call everyone to let them know that I wasn't going to PHX so don't meet me there, and that instead of tomorrow morning, I was getting there late that night so please pick me up....talk about rushed! I finally get a itinerary only to find out that I now I am going to be on US Airways instead of Delta, which means getting on a bus and going to yet another terminal to check in....luckily I made it to the bus stop just in time. Checked in and then had to wait in a huge security line! At this terminal in LAX no more metal detectors, you get x-rayed! Which takes even longer...because you have to get in to the machine, wait while they take the photo...then step out and you are roped into this little area that you step into, then they wait for the image to come up before they let you through the ropes....of course I forgot you had to remove your shoes at security so I had to do his all barefoot!! Icky! 

  Well I made it to my gate, got connected to the internet ($8 grrr!!) and called everyone, then I packed up, got some water and went back to my gate only to hear that the flight was delayed by about an hour. This flight was going straight from LAX to Charlotte, and then I was connecting on to Wilmington. I immediately freaked out, because if we arrived an hour later than scheduled then I would miss my connection! And then I still wouldn't get there til the next day...what a waste! I asked the people at the desk, who seemed optimistic I would make my connection...so I tried not to worry as it was rather useless.

  I slept most of the 4 hour flight from LAX to Charlotte...we arrived there as the last zone was boarding on my connection...so now I knew I made it, but had my luggage!? The flight attendant seemed optimistic that it had...probably before I even got there. It was a jet of some sort so our late flight only took 20 minutes! I finally arrived to ILM about 38 hours after leaving Melbourne! And my luggage made it too!! Yippee!! Until I realized at home that my luggage had been ransacked! Grrrr!! And today as I was getting ready for church I realized they took my white church shoes...no note or anything...just gone. And no they weren't left at home, I had Steve check. Very annoyed.

   I wasn't as jet lagged as when I got to Australia...but I was most certainly tired and sore and stiff. I have had a hard time sleeping as my internal clock is off, and the first night it didn't help that I had had a 4 hour nap ending at around 9pm lol. Slowly but surely I am getting adjusted, and as soon as I do finish adjusting it will be time for me to leave. 

   Since I have been here ( I arrived on Tues 4/5 local time) I have had my fair share of my long lost SunDrop & Dr Pepper, but I have been careful not to go over board and have also had my fair share of water...and chocolate milk made with Hershey's syrup!! And of course big ole plates of Carolina BBQ!! Yummy! Cathy, Granny, and I went out Friday to do some shopping (Costco! Target! WalMart!) and we had Olive Garden for lunch! What a great day! I am planning on going back to all of the above stores plus some for some goodies to bring back to Australia. :) 

  Granny has scheduled my temple date for Thursday and I am very much looking forward to it! Mom went to DC and picked up all the things we need from the distribution center, and is bringing them with her. I will take out my own endowment here with the family, and when I get back to Australia Steve and I will go to the Melbourne Temple to have his done and we will also be sealed for time and all eternity there. I am extremely excited to be sealed to Steve!! I hope he is excited too :) Just kidding! I KNOW he is very excited! We should have a second honeymoon since this is like a second wedding! :) haha that would be nice, if we were millionaires! Unfortunately it is straight back to work. But on the plus this is just yet another stepping stone to starting our own eternal family. I only wish we could have done it all here with my family. However, I have to stay positive, and realize the blessings that we have. Like each other, and our church family there to join us. 

  I think my trip here is going too fast!! I have mixed emotions about going back. I miss my husband terribly, but it will be so hard for me to leave all my family yet again. There are still lots of things I need to do before I leave. At least I have done my taxes...phew! I still have to get all my police checks done while I am here...and of course the main reason I came, Granny & PawPaw's party this Saturday. Really looking forward to that. 

  Mine & Granny's birthdays are tomorrow...another year older....is it just me or do they go by faster and faster!? As everyone is so busy and my parents and brothers won't be here, we probably won't do too much. I am looking forward to spending time with my buddy Clay tomorrow. He is teaching me how to stack blocks and we might dig. Oh the simple joys of childhood. lol Should be fun!! I have been so busy I haven't even stopped to take photos...I really should try to get some taken while I am here....I am just so scatter brained at the moment. This is the first blog update I have had a chance to do since my days off after surgery!! That was almost two weeks ago now! After I get back I will need a vacation from my vacation!! haha. But for now I better get some sleep....yet another super busy week ahead...I am sorry if I don't catch up with everyone that wants to...believe me I would love to, but not having a vehicle is really tough...but I will try!