You are never going to believe this...

Flying is an adventure, that much I can say. In all the times I have flown I have never had a moments hiccup. That all changed Monday. The day started out completely normal. Heidi was gracious enough to be our taxi service to and from the airport. We went out to breakfast Monday morning and then she dropped us off at the airport. We sailed through check-in and security. The flight from Salt Lake to DFW airport (Dallas Fort Worth) was going smoothly when the captain came on to tell us that we were 30 minutes from our destination, however no planes were being allowed to enter or leave DFW. We continued to circle for about 20 minutes. Then we were told that we would have to be diverted to Abaline Texas until the weather calmed. There we would refuel, wait and be on our way as quickly as possible. It sounded good in theory. However we were on this big jet and heading to an airport that accommodated small commuter planes. After an hour on the runway we were told that we were cleared for take-off. As we headed down the runway and began to make our turn to the straightaway and take off, the ground crew who were directing our path steered us wrong and the wing of the plane hit the fence surrounding the runway. It knocked a signal light partially off. So of course we stopped while they deliberated on how to proceed. Another hour went by. We saw maintenance crews outside our window taking pictures of the light, but not repairing. Finally they told us they could not fly and we needed another plane. We de-boarded and everyone filed into this tiny airport that was actually closed for the day-no other flights out until the next day. After about 30 minutes they decided the only way to get us back to DFW was to use that plane, but we had to make the flight in the daylight. By then it was 7:20 pm (we were supposed to arrive at DFW at 4:50). Our connection to Louisville was leaving at 8:00 pm. So of course we missed our connection. We finally made it to DFW around 9. There were no more flights leaving for Louisville until the next day. However, they wouldn't give us our luggage. They did put us up in a hotel for the night. So slightly defeated, completely worn out and frustrated we went to wait for our shuttle to the hotel.
By this time we hadn't eaten since breakfast, we were completely out of hot water for Ty's bottle and we were anxious to get to the hotel to sleep. Ty was sleeping in my arms so we figured we should just get there. Then we waited for the shuttle, and waited and waited. 30 minutes goes by, no shuttle. We called the hotel, and they assured us it was on its way. Another 30 minutes, then another. About 50 people from our flight were out there waiting for this stupid shuttle-but no sign. Jake did find an abandoned wheelchair for me sit down in (I was still holding Ty-still luckily asleep)-there were no benches by the shuttle waiting area. As a bonus, remember it is Dallas, so even though it is night-it was still hot and humid! Finally Jake begins to walk down the long underground road, searching for any sign of the shuttle. He sees it coming and it starts to pass us. Jake stepped in front of it-literally. So of course it stopped, but he wasn't going to let us on because we were no longer standing under the designated gray sign. He starts to drive off again, I have never seen Jake so angry! Jake yelled at him that he had a 9 month old waiting out here for close to 2 hours and we were getting on the shuttle. I climbed on at Jake's insistence, without him. I thought the driver was going to drive off, but he didn't, he then allowed Jake to collect our bags and board. Others already on the shuttle said they had to get the driver to stop in similar ways. We continued to drive and if we hadn't made him, he wasn't going to stop for the rest of the people waiting further down. What a jerk! Seriously!
So we finally made it to the hotel, checked in and got to our room. By then it was 11:30. No bags, no food, no toothbrush even. All shops were closed-no food within walking distance. We ordered pizza and went to bed. We actually fell asleep before the pizza got there. So Tuesday we got up went back to the airport in the same clothes, no toiletries to freshen up, and flew to Louisville, luckily with no more snags. Once we got to Louisville we then still had to drive the 5 hours back to Decatur. It was a very long 2 days. Jake says it is just a blur of exhaustion and rage to him.
On the bright side, Ty was a complete angel through it all. There were other children on the plane just screaming and not sleeping etc. But Ty just went with the flow. Falling asleep wherever and eating when we could-no complaints. We really felt blessed during our ordeal that at least Ty was not unhappy.