On our way to the race

11/14/13 Thursday evening our plane took off for Phoenix at 7:35pm - on our way to watch Jamie participate in the Ironman Triathlon on 11/17/13.

 We arrived early and visited a well hidden secret at the Minneapolis airport- the observation deck in Concourse D.  I remember going to watch the planes and jets here when I was a kid; that was before you had to go through security to gain access.  Many people don't realize it still exists.  Terminal 1, Concourse D past the "northern lights" restaurant, to your left and up three flights of narrow steep stairs you will find a birds eye view of the Minneapolis airport (mainly Delta jets) complemented by 1970's style retro seating. The deck is higher than the rest of the airport and all windows.  We were the only "observers" watching the ground crews move planes and baggage around.  It was fun to witness the boys in awe of the organized commotion; it was the same awe I felt as a young girl watching the magic and coordination of these large flying machines. As the boys ran from window to window, I was pleased to know that they still considered this exciting. You see, the boys have never been to Disney world,  ValleyFair, MOA or Wisconsin Dells.  Not to say that we won't do these things some day- it's just that Jamie and I have made a conscience effort to keep their experiences simple.  I believe that our society is always looking for the next big attraction or must see family destination- and we end up forgetting how to be content.  Yes I said it -content.  Content to be together as a family wherever we are- content. We have spent days doing such silly things as running through the skyways and riding the escalators in downtown Minneapolis, riding a parking tram back and forth, parking by a train station and watching the trains come and go, sitting at a construction site watching the diggers and dump trucks maneuver through the dirt.  In our world of excess and opulence we sometimes forget to stop and look around at the simple things and enjoy time with each other.  There is plenty of time for over indulgence; right now I want them to enjoy time with each other and the family no matter where we are or what we are doing. I want them to learn how to be content.