The Big D and the Huffledinks

I finally made the decision to fly to Dallas and visit the Huffledink family and see their brand new home and their newest Huffledink girl, Lauren and the two minature Huffledinks. They sure are cute. My flight was uneventful except for getting to the American Airline gate.

For those of you that see me struggle to my feet and then stop every 2o feet or less to rest, the idea of making my way to the terminal located at the end of the airport was not my idea of a wonderful exercise adventure. So where it asks if you need special accommodations they list wheelchairs, so I checked yes. What I didn't know is that American flags your boarding pass and immediately as the man was handing me the pass a little guy comes out asking if I need a wheelchair. I thought he was looking at someone else so I hesitated, then he asked again and I said I had requested one to get me to the gate. He immediately had me sit down then promptly yelled I need a WIDE one....... Well, so much for fading into the crowd.

My ride was ok although at times it felt like I was in a bad movie and the end would come as we landed the plane. This time the clouds were so thick that you thought you were floating on a huge layer of cotton... (candy) ha.... It was absolutely breathtaking.

When I got to Dallas since my seat was in row 30F I was one of the last to leave the plane and you guessed it there was an even shorter man waiting with a WIDE wheelchair (they must have called the request ahead) ready to take me to the baggage claim area. So we had a discussion, since his english skills were limited he pointed and I was trying to tell him I did not think the ratio of my weight and his size and gravity would work for him to push me up hill. He insisted and I being bigger kept walking as he followed me with the WIDE chair up the ramp. Just as we got close to the opening I finally sat down and then he strapped me in and off we went a whopping 10 feet to the baggage area where big daddy Huffledink met me.

As always it was good to see him and I will say he has shed a few pounds. Off we went to the Hamptons, just kidding we headed to his housing development. Big brick homes lined down the street. It was defintely a far cry from our trailer in Clyde. 5 bedroom 31/2 bath mini castle. The one really neat part of living where they live there is a mini theme water park within a few minutes from home.( there I go exaggerating again) only if you count the 5 pools and the spray park.

Kaitlyn is so pretty and getting older and losing teeth. She is always very lady like and sits with her leg crossed and swings the crossed leg with purpose. She growing up fast. Tyler was so cute, he didn't know whether to talk to me or not. He just looked at me and smiled a lot. Later he talked and talked. The kids have the entire upper floor, what I would have given to have had that kind of space when the john, tom and kim were small. Tyler choose wisely his room he is over the bridge and has his own private unit bath and all.

One neat thing that happened was Kim decided to drive down with her boys. For me it was so nice to see all the grandchildren together. Although they do not see each other often they sure did play together. As I sat an looked around I thought wow I have some cool kids. Kristena's grandparents came over for supper and we, daddy huffedink and sister hooter(kim) kept everyone entertained. The lasagna and the dessert was wonderful. Kristena has decorated everything very nicely and they seem to be making a wonderful home.

One really cute thing that happened was Kims kids call me MOP and Johns call me Grandma Jones. Joshua heard Tyler or Kaitlyn call me Grandma, he said you not Grandma you MOP.

Life is short I can verify that, one day you are 20 then suddenly you go to sleep and you are 59 how did that happen. One day your kids are running around fighting and laughing and suddenly they are parents of minatures of themselves. Lately I have been calling Sam (john) getting older is not good. Little Lauren is adorable and so petite, she has the bluest eyes they seem to be looking right through you. Unfortunately she seems quite attached to the Huffledinks and did not want them out of her sight.

Although my time was too short I am awfully glad I could go. Just before I left Tyler quietly came over to me and said real softly "grandma, you need to take off your shoes, my mom don't want you to wear them on the carpet". So I promise to remove my shoes the next time I come.
Families are important.... Mine are special