The Adventure Begins

The start of our European/Congolese adventure has begun even though we don’t cross the ocean for another week.

I wonder where to start. When does Day 1 become Day 2? I am sitting in the Detroit airport as I write this wondering for the 50th time why anyone would book a red eye flight that allows a person no time to sleep?

We spent the day packing, except for my dear husband who never even started until an hour before we were to leave. All would have been well except he was lacking some primary items. And they were in the dirty clothes.

Oops

Much to his credit he never uttered a word of complaint.

I think I’ll swing by the store and get him an early Christmas present. I think he’ll very much appreciate it, don’t you?

Once we were all in the vehicle and rolling down the road, we breathed a sigh of relief.

But shortly after, we noticed the gas gauge was on empty. For most people that would mean they would need to refuel but for us it doesn’t necessarily mean that because our gas gauge has …issues.

Unsure if it was full or not we thought it better safe than sorry and pulled into the convenience market. Before we were completely pulled in at the pumps, Justus (my 12 year old) jumped out to ready the gas pump.

Now you might find the events that followed almost unbelievable but I can’t say I’m completely surprised.

At the time that Justus jumped out, our gas gauge decided to start working again showing we needed no fuel. So we kept going and got back on the highway.

Audrey noticed her traveling buddy was not beside her and thought he had climbed into the back. She decided to check on him but he wasn’t there!

I was on the phone when yelling ensued with them calling Justus’s name (thinking he might be hiding).

He wasn’t.

We had left him behind.

Can you imagine?

We returned to the market and with Justus reunited to the family and the knowledge that we had a full gas tank, we continued on.

We arrived at the Phoenix airport at the time I would normally be headed to bed, boarded our flight at 11 pm and were in the air by 11:20.

And now we are in the Detroit airport at 5:30am local time.

…With only a few winks of sleep.

Good morning everyone!

Our pile of luggage is rather intimidating.