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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Falling Star, which fell right into the palm of my hands!

The other night I had to get out. I had not been alone for days. I am a mom who needs her alone time. So I went to walk the isles of Target (i have not been there all summer) pick up a few necessities and return my slime toothpaste (nasty!)
Across the street from our two story (which at first was cool, now drives me crazy) Target is a Barnes and Noble bookstore. I wanted to go look for this book by David McCullough on the Brooklyn bridge. Our New York trip sparked some interest I never thought I would have about such a bridge and I hope to start that book by the end of the summer. So while I was in there I also looked for Star Garden the third book in the These is My Words series. The employee looked it up on the computer and found that there was one but that it had been special ordered for someone else and was waiting to be picked up. I teased with him that he should just sell it to me and he could order another one and it would be here by the time the customer wanted it, because if they wanted it as bad as I do it would not still be sitting on the hold shelf. He looked at me like the crazy lady trying to steal someone elses special order that I was.
Then yesterday at the pool my friend handed me a bag from Barnes and Noble and inside was the Star Garden. I had loaned her my copy of These is My Words (which has made its rotations on the pool deck this summer) and she knew I had been looking for Star Garden. She had special ordered the book for me as a thank you for some embroidery I did for her. So that book on the hold shelf really was for me - how funny is that.We were both laughing so hard!
I am excited to read the book and may take it on my trip.
So speaking of trip. We leave in a week for Europe and will be gone for 2 weeks. 2 weeks of hot summer heat with my screaming tired kids, one of which is still in diapers, and paying $10 a gallon for gas, pure heaven right? We have no flight reservation, no hotel reservation, no car rented - are we so crazy or what. It is times like this that I know Jeff and I were meant to be married. We are both laid back enough to travel in such a manner. (we are hopping a free military flight)
We are starting to follow flight patterns to see where and how we can begin our trip to and through Italy. Now that is our plan but we are fully prepared to show up at the Air Force Base and if there was a flight leaving for Spain, we would hop on it. In fact this morning we saw a flight that would be leaving for the Azores and we looked up where that even is on a map and said , "now that might be fun"
We have found that the less we really get set in our mind of what we want to do the more adaptable we will be to just going anywhere when we get there.This year we are packing as light as we possibly can. We just bought real luggage for the first time in our married lives and everyone has one small piece. We still have to bring two car seats a child's back pack (Cinque Terre baby!) and a stroller along with our luggage.
this is the type of plane we flew on last year a C-5. They have about 60 seats on top above the cargo. Our luggage gets put somewhere down below so that is just one other advantage that we don't have to pay for any extra luggage.
I just got these awesome "minkie" fabric pillows at Costco yesterday for each of us to take on the plane ride. Last year we looked like rookies for when the plane took off everyone pulled out their bedding and started laying all over the floor. We will be better prepared this year.
Today will be spent getting ready to leave next week as I have not done one thing (other than buy luggage to get ready)

to do list for today:
  • clean out the dollar store with 2 weeks worth of bribery toys
  • get sally jane a pair of shoes other than crocs (you have to wear close toe and heel shoes on a c-5)
  • travel size items just in case we make it on real flight
  • think about getting a rental car and maybe making some hotel reservations
Would you go crazy traveling with our family?
Have you read Star Garden?

28 comments:

Bart, Erin, Hunter, Jorden and a couple of crazy dogs said...

Hey Kristi~ My kids are huge fans of their crocs too and I can't stand to see them on their feet any more so we just got some Keens. They feel like crocs but are more of a shoe... just a suggestion to help with the to do list :) Sounds like an amazing trip!

Unknown said...

there is no way i could travel like this, and that is why i am so glad to have a friend like you, so i can read all the adventures!! it's like "where in the world is the cutler family?!?"

Kristin said...

I just requested These is my Words from the library. You will have to let me know how Star Garden is.

I just flew cross country (sans husband) with three kids ages 4 and under. We all survived...so anything is possible! Have a great trip!

patsy said...

As a complusive over planner I am almost getting hives reading about this trip... wow I love your style-but no I could not do it!!
Good For You!!!
Way to Go!! You're going to have a much better time than I would on my over planned trip & what an adventure.

Shauna said...

AS much as I am a planner, I could totally travel like this. I am not sure I could have when I was younger and first married, but now, I know I could.
You have done enough homework to make it a great trip regardless of where you end up.
Sometimes the most uplanned destination will bring the best surprise and memories!
Go!!!
Have a Great Time!!!!!

Kim Sue said...

I can't wait to hear all about your adventures. I know no matter where your plan lands you guys will find fun times.

Liz said...

I have read the Star Garden, and really I just love the entire series. What a funny story about how you ended up with the book.

I think I would be nervous traveling without reservations for anything. It is sometimes ok, I guess, but what do you do when you can't find any vacancies? I am sure it will all work out for you though! I mean, look at last years trip!! What a fun time you had! I hope this time is just as magical!

denice said...

Way to go on your travel plans. I've read all 3 books. First I have to say how much I loved Jack and Sarah so the 2nd and 3rd books were hard for me to enjoy as much because there was no Jack in them. I did like Star Garden better than Sarah's Quilt. It felt nice to finish and feel like Sarah's life was in a good place - even without Jack, she could be happy. These Is My Words is by far one of my most favortie books. Enjoy your trip!

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

That is a funny story about the book.

I admire your bravo and gusto in traveling without a plan. I don't think I could do it, but I admire it in you.

And about your last post, you have the most interesting connections with people. I love hearing your stories that entertwine.

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Oh, by the way, I read These Is My Words several months ago and loved it. I can't wait to read this one you just got and also have David McCullough's Brooklyn Bridge on my to read list before we go to New York again.

Jill said...

I haven't bought The Star Garden yet, I guess I was waiting to see if we were going to be reading it for book club, but now I want to get it.

It's awesome that you and Jeff are both so easy going and can travel like this. I'm not really like that, but I've been itching to travel so maybe I'm starting to loosen up a bit. I'm excited for you guys!

Lauralee said...

too funny! I am glad the barnes and noble guy didn't give in!

what an adventure you'll have! can't wait to read about it! be careful!

Julia said...

I would love to travel like your family. I love throwing caution to the wind and going on adventures. We did that when we went to Bavaria last year. We flew into Salzberg, picked up our car, and were off. We didn't have a game plan, but were armed with a bunch of maps, and my husband was very familiar with the area and spoke the language.

My true travel heroes are my grandparents (you should meet them). They have a second home in Mexico, and spend half of every year exploring the Mexican countryside. But they also take a big trip every year, they have been everywhere in the world. Right now they are backpacking through China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. They will be gone for two months, and prepared by taking a few courses in Chinese. Did I mention they are in their 80's? Awesome. (Will that be you and Jeff someday?)

Francie said...

I'm LDS and started reading your blog about a year ago. Your trip last summer was so wonderful for me to read about. I lived in Germany 28 years ago. I never thought I could get to back...I'm leaving next week! Thank you blogging about that trip.

Francie said...

sorry about the typos. I think I'm a little nervous posting on your blog. You and Jill are pretty famous in the blogging world. Have a wonderful time on your trip!

Nikki said...

Love the Barnes & Noble story- perfect. :)
I think you are very brave in your travels & I'm glad you are so I can live vicariously through you! :)

The 5 Bickies said...

I would love to travel like this. Especially now that my children are out of the baby stage. What an adventure and great family stories to tell. Can't wait to hear yours!

Bond Girl 007 said...

oh Kristi, you are my kind of woman, spontaneous...you know, just the right atittude does the magic sometimes! and it seems you guys have it, and your children will be the benefactors of it.!
have a fantastic time, wheather it is at la arrivederchi o vale, ya llegaste a espana? both countries are fascinating and I have lived in Spain so either one you will eat wonderfully well!

denise @ little ant design said...

I could totally travel with your family and wish I was going on this little adventure of yours. I am sure you will have a great time.

My niece and nephew are currently living in Germany and have been taking advantage of their close proximity to so many countries. If you are interested you can go to their blog azprattfam.blogspot.com and see where their travel adventures have taken them and their 3 little kids. You might find some places of interest to visit.

Have a great time on your trip. I think it all sounds so fun and adventurous!

sockiepuppetsmom said...

I would love to travel with your family! It is such an exciting adventure:) I have read the Star Garden and the other 2 books in the series and I loved it. Sarah is such an amazing woman, I wish I had even half of the strength she had!

Will Murdoch said...

I'm excited for your trip to Italy. What a beautiful country.

A friend of mine just returned with her family from Italy and she was telling me how great accomodations were in places called agra turismos. She said they were absolutely wonderful for kids. I googled it, and if you haven't made reservations yet it might be something to look into.

I look forward to reading about your experiences.

LJ, DC and ML said...

haha we're going crazy because we're not going on vacation with you!!! :)

Alana said...

Hey, I hope you don't mind that I talked about you in primary today. I needed an example of modern day pioneers and it seemed like a perfect example to talk about the saints in you inner city ward. They just seemed to perfectly fit the characteristics I was discussing the pioneers that crossed the plains. I hope you have fun on your trip.

Karrie said...

Just reading this makes me so excited for you...I love traveling by the seat of your pants...I worked for JetBlue for a while and we took six of us to San Juan, Puerto Rico on stand by and will only carry on luggage...such an adventure...I would do it again in a heartbeat. We got the best hotel last minute and had the best trip ever! I would love to go with you do you need a nanny on the trip? Utah Blogger Mom - Karrie

Elaine said...

Good luck on your Italy trip! We took a Germany trip space-A a couple of years ago with our 4 young kids and it was fantastic. We've been thinking about going to Italy next summer, so I'm excited to see how your trip turns out and all the great places you get to see! I hope you get on the flights you want!

Amanda said...

wow. you two were meant to be together...sounds like a true adventure! we loved cinque terre...best gelato and beautiful scenery!

can't wait to hear about your amazing trip.

Love that that book was there on the shelf for you!
You're such a reader!

Kristy said...

I am sooooo jealous about your trip to Europe!!!! Have a fabulous trip!!

When I go on trips I spend a lot time researching the area...I don't plan a lot but I usually know everything there is to do and can rattle off options to everyone. My friend bought me a bag that says "Tour Guide Kristy" on it because I become the tour guide!

kate said...

...that is exactly how you should do europe. take the eurail, hop a train here and there, rent a car, stay at B&B's, stay at campgrounds!! ask the natives the best places and eat to your hearts content bcz Europe is about walking and you'll burn through all those beautiful calorie laden foods.