And we're off! Strike that. Reverse it.

Have you ever had one of those days where the ending turned out completely different from what you'd expected? Yes, indeed. That was Sunday.

There was so much momentum heading into our departure, that I suppose I didn't even consider the thought that it might not happen!

We had bought our tickets from Opodo and *thought* we were all set to fly out at 4:30pm. We rented a minivan, packed in our 121 kilos of baggage and left Ben's parents at 10am with tearful goodbyes.

We drove about an hour and stopped for one more Starbuck's coffee and to feed Yan. We drank our coffee whilst talking about the changes up ahead and how different it would be to be in Africa in a few hours' time.

And a riggetty jig we were off again! We arrived at the airport about 1pm, returned the rental car, moved all our luggage and the kids into a shuttle bus and headed for the airport.

We were all in a pretty good mood by this point, but obviously looking forward to checking our bags in and getting on the airplane!

That's when it all started! We stood in line for 1 hour waiting to check in. Ben waited with the bags while I took Yan and Lili for a walk around the airport. I am always touched by how friendly families from other nations are with me and my children. Lili immediately bonded with another little girl who she had no language in common with and Yan enjoyed mommy's milk and all the excitement around us.

When we finally got to the check-in desk, we were told that we weren't in the system. This led to a 2 hour wait while Ben went to another desk to work things out and I stayed with the luggage and kids. Lili used the rails as a climbing frame and was happy as anything until she fell backwards and got a big bump on her head. That same minute I could see Ben walking towards us with his head down, and I knew it wasn't good.

For some reason, though we had been charged, we weren't in the system and there was no space on the flight. Not only that, but there were no other flights for 4 days! SO, all this to say, after a coffee at Café Rouge, we turned around and did everything in reverse. We loaded up the shuttle, rented another car and drove the 3 hours back to Ben's parents, stopping for a road-side pizza baguette with cheese that tasted rather rubbery.

Ben was incredible. He moved our 121 kilos of luggage 8 times that day. The kids were terrific all things considered. I am so grateful for flexible kids, a good baby carrier that I can breastfeed in, and an ipod that entertained Lilias when she was fed up of waiting! :-) I am also thankful for 4 extra days with the Prices and their fantastic hospitality! But, man was that a long day!

After HOURS on the phone with Opodo, we now have tickets to fly out at 6:40am on Thursday. That means getting up at 12:30am.

One thing is for sure in all this - God has a plan - even when we don't understand it! I've learned to stop asking Him questions and just roll with it. :-)

And one other thing is for sure - our life's an adventure! I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with adventure right now....laugh. But as long as the Lord's with us, it's gunna be good!

So, Africa here we come!