The Rollercoaster

The original reason I was going to write an entry today, before we found out about Joshua losing his job, was to talk about living in a hotel. I want to stay focused on that, somewhat, because that part of our journey has been intriguing. Some parts of living in the hotel have been exciting, and some of have been quite boring. Some have been fun new experiences, and some of have been scary. There really is not a way to sum the whole experience up at all, and the thing of it is, I know we have only touched the tip of the iceberg. For the next two years we will be nomads, and we will live in many hotels.

We have met some interesting people already. We like all of the hotel staff very much, except for one receptionist who I think is really tired of us. We have a continental breakfast here, so we encounter many new people over coffee, donuts, fruit and a waffle maker that makes the most broken, ugly waffles in existence. The other guests are always angry about the waffle maker, so we have never used it. Some of the guests are quiet and polite, and we only see them quietly check and then quietly leave. Other guests we do not see check in but we hear them throughout the night. One group ran up and down the halls screaming and laughing, another spent a good deal of the night humming one note (chanting?) and another set fire to popcorn.


The popcorn story is fairly interesting. A couple on the lower floor settled in for a movie with their bag of popcorn that was very much burnt, and the fire alarms starting sounding. Knowing that it was just their bag of popcorn, they continued on with their movie while the rest of the hotel residents (including us) were in a panic. I am not sure how it all came about, but the fire department entered their smoky room to see them watching their movie calmly eating their popcorn. I guess it takes all kinds to make up the hotel population!


One challenge has been figuring out how to do housekeeping. We just stopped buying plastic plates and forks last week and started doing dishes in the sink. We also have no way of getting to the laundromat except for the bus or taking a taxi ($$$$$$$$) so we have been doing laundry in the bathtub. It's a simple enough process if you do not count the drying.

Drying is such a pain and it makes me want to buy new clothes once a week (we may as well take a cab) or just wear dirty clothes and look bums. But, we make it a family effort to rotate clothes from the shower rod to the ironing board, from the ironing board to the air conditioner, from the air conditioner to the closet as they dry. They must all by turned throughout the process so that no part is left wet too long or they begin to stink. For our next move, I am going to buy a nice drying rack so we do not have these same hassles if we cannot dry them in a dryer. What a pain!


Keeping Isaiah busy has been another obstacle. We play little games we have made up and sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider multiple times a day. When hotel occupancy is low, I let him run up and down the halls. I open the windows and curtains daily so we can get fresh air. When daddy gets home, we go out together almost every day. The mall has a great play place and it is only a short walk so we go there. He loves the other kids. He also loves going on bus rides and says, "WHOOOOaoooooOOaaaaaooooa!" whenever we go around a corner.

We are really struggling with the abrupt end of this project. We are most sad about how we instantly felt plugged in at the local church and now we have to leave. That is the part that is really "killing" us. Both of us get teary eyed when we think about leaving our new church. But, it really taught us a lot about the kind of enthusiasm we want to have in our faith going forward. That's what this is all about, right? Experiences and lessons.


What a roller coaster!

Toddler Travel Tips

Hello, all!

I have not abandoned this blog, but since we have moved to our new domain name I have been having a difficult time figuring out how to submit entries and alter the layout. In the meantime, I will be posting here! :)

We are currently living in a hotel in our new location, Bloomington, IL. I thought living in the hotel would be lame but it is actually a really great place! We have a King Sized bed and tonight we are working on getting a rollaway bed for Isaiah temporarily since he thinks that since we have a king sized bed he can stretch out and roll around all night.

Our location is great, too. We're near a few fun places that will make for great Isaiah-chaperoned dates. There is a delicious continental breakfast with sausage and gravy biscuits, waffles, eggs and muffins. There is also a pool but it's closed for now. We have a pretty good sized fridge and a microwave in our room. We don't know quite how long we are going to be here because there was a snafu with our housing money. I can't really complain- it's a nice place to be!

Yesterday while I was traveling, I got to thinking about what I wanted to write and I decided I wanted to write a couple of some of my travel tips that work well for us when flying with Isaiah. If they help you, great – but I always forget these things when I am getting ready to travel with him and this will be a great reminder for me too!

1. Pack smart.

My first time flying with Isaiah, I packed everything I could possible need and I had two very full bags of stuff. In subsequent trips with him, I packed one small bag and if possible, everything I needed and everything he needed were in one bag. The only things I really feel like I need when traveling with him is a few diapers and wipes, a change of clothes, snacks and drinks and if mostly stuff to entertain him with! If flying (we do train travel and road trips too) then I like to keep a baggy with any medicines he might need but I try to keep that at a minimal. Tylenol is really the main one. I keep all of those things in the main compartment of the bag and then in the small pockets I keep my license, flight info, wallet, cell phone and charger.

2. Plan your stops in advance.

As soon as I found out where my layover is, I look at maps of the airports. I get an idea of where all the concourses are, if I am going to have to take a subway from one concourse to another, figure out the good places to grab a quick bite (I think it's cumbersome to take food on the plane so I avoid it), find a play place in case our fight is delayed and get an idea where the bathrooms are. The best thing I did this time that made my airport time SO smooth is find out where the family bathrooms are. Can't believe I've never done this before. Really. Family bathrooms are so big and roomy and you can take your time changing a diaper, going to the bathroom, rearranging the things in your bag. All the family's that waited outside were so understanding because they, too, would be spending some time in there getting their ragamuffins ready for the next flight.

3. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

I have only ever traveled with Isaiah by myself, aside from road trips. Let me tell you something – it's HARD! This is so important. People LOVE to help other people. It's true. I have never asked for help and had a rude response. When I need help managing a million things at once while Isaiah is throwing a fit, I stop and look for other parents. There is always a parent nearby. Whether their kids are grown and out of the house or they just get to travel without them this time (I don't ask parents who have their kids with them, but I always offer to help if I can – it's hard enough dealing with your own kids!) - THEY are the ones that get you. I have had many a business man offer to help fold the stroller, get my carry on luggage down for me, whatever. The best part is how they always tell you their hilariously horrible travel stories with their own kids. When you are going through security, sometimes a TSA agent will help and sometimes they won't. If they seem eager to help, don't be afraid to ask for a little more help. Express your thankfulness for their kindness and pay it forward.

4. Transport baby around in the airport (or train station) in that you have recently been transporting them.
If you babywear often, take the carrier, sling or wrap! If baby rides in the stroller more often, use the stroller! I have done both and neither have been easier in and of themselves. Isaiah has been easier to wear in a carrier when he's been worn in the most recent weeks. This time, a stroller was easier and Delta let me check the stroller at the gate. If you are a weirdo like me and are worried about checking something at the gate, please don't be. Check in advance to see if you airline allows that and if they do, it's so easy you'll laugh at yourself for ever being worried.

5. Remember, “This too shall pass.”

A friend once told me the best travel tip at all- no matter how bad it gets, just remember that every flight comes to an end. If your baby is screaming, please do not be worried what everyone thinks of you. Your flight will land and all will be well again. Traveling day is only one day of many days in your life!

Bethany