Disney Bound!!!!!

Before...

Now...

We’re only 3 days away from…Disney! We started our countdown at 100 days and thought December 3 would never come. After Family Worship on Friday night, we’ll load up the van (with my parents...my Grandma-who's never been and my brother and his wife are taking the train) and gear up for our 10+ hour drive to Disney. I must admit that I HATE driving to Florida and swore to myself I’d never do it again, but this time it was the most money-conscious option for our family. I’ve read lots of information online about survival strategies in case the boys don’t sleep but am praying for a somewhat peaceful trip.

As mentioned before, I’m an obsessive Disney planner. Yes, I buy the books, read the blogs, and now Jeremy loads the apps on his phone. I just can’t see spending that much money on a trip and not making the most of it, so we plan!

Every day is mapped out for our family while knowing that flexibility is a must with 3 little ones. Our first stop (Saturday morning around 7:00) will be for breakfast at the big McDonalds in Orlando. We then plan on being at Magic Kingdom at 8:30 (it opens at 9:00) and rushing to Dumbo with all the other crazies! We’ve got lunch with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, etc. at 11:45 and will hopefully check into our room after that for some much needed rest.

I’ve copied one of our planned out days below just so you can get a good laugh at how seriously I take this!=) Unfortunately, the map portion of our plan wouldn't post, but you get the idea. Every day is mapped out just the same, so we know what we’re doing.

This will probably be my last post til we return since there still seems like so much to do. We can’t wait to see that sparkle in the boys’ eyes again! I’ll be sure to post pictures when we get back! Yay!!!!!

Saturday, December 4-Magic Kingdom

1-Entrance-Arrive 8:30
2-Ride Dumbo (24 people behind)
3-Ride Winnie the Pooh
4-Ride Peter Pan
5-Ride Cinderella’s Carousel
6-Ride It’s a Small World
7-Ride Snow White
8-See Pooh’s Playful Spot
9-Move It, Shake It Party-11:00
10-Crystal Palace-11:45 (401910426049)
11-Ride Buzz Lightyear
12-See Laugh Floor Comedy
13-Ride Tomorrowland Transit Authority
14-Check-in at resort (mile marker 4,5); Dinner off property
*Get party tickets (JUDL8653930)
(include Speedway, Teacups, Astro Orbiters before lunch if time)


Mickey Mouse Cupcakes!!!...Disney, Here We Come!

Singin' In The Rain

Today we all have an extra reason to sing in the rain!...I got my knee brace off and for the first time in 3 years can walk without the fear of pain! Yay!!!!! The Dr. told us this afternoon that they tried more than 5 "screwdrivers" to take the screw out of my knee last Monday. He said they thought they had run out of options and didn't know what to do til one finally fit in the screw head perfectly! He (and I) were excited!

So when I got home, it started to rain a little, and we took advantage of it. The boys and I grabbed our umbrellas for a little wet fun! Stephen and I even played a little soccer! Can I say Yay!!!!! again for another sweet closure!!=)

Me and Dory!

I often joke about having short-term memory loss like Dory. I can literally forget where I put something and have no idea where to even start looking. In a blink, the memory is gone, and most of the time, we never find the thing I lost. Tonight, though, all joking aside, I believe my short-term memory loss was confirmed!

Jeremy and I went to BJ's to get some stuff and between the self-checkout aisle and customer service, I lost our receipt. I didn't even make it to the exit where they check what you bought before you leave. Seriously, this was like 5 steps...max!

When the lady asked us for it, I immediately knew I had forgotten where I put it, and there was no chance of me remembering...ever! There was an awkward 10 seconds or so where both she and Jeremy looked at me like I'd lost my mind. We had only walked by one trashcan, and I didn't even have a diaper bag or purse that I could have mindlessly dropped it. At this moment, I still have no idea where I put it!

As I look back on the moment (and yes, I can remember all of it!), I know my mind was racing with lots of other things, so I acted in autopilot. For example, Jonathan had just peed on me, Caleb was anxious to climb out of the buggy, and Stephen was carelessly riding on the front. Plus, it was past supper time, and in the busyness of the day, I had totally forgotten to eat lunch (Did I just say "forgot" again?). So, in my defense, my mind was on other things.

I also wondered tonight what has happened to my brain. Some say it's pregnancy...some say it's 3 young kids....others say it's all the anesthesia I've had in me. Who knows? Where did the valedictorian (does the fact that I just googled that word to make sure it's spelled right mean anything??) and the college student who finished her 4 year degree in 2.5 years go? I don't know...I doubt I'll ever find her again...I think she's been lost too, in the everyday joys of being a Mommy. I wouldn't trade my mindless, brain oozing out my ears life for anything.

One look at Caleb's sweet face, and you'll know why...Just hope I don't forget him somewhere!

Hold 'Em Tight

Some nights it hits me like a brick wall, and tonight was one of them. I never "impromptu blog," so who knows what this will turn out like.

Caleb's been asleep for over an hour and just woke up screaming. I went into his room and picked up a sobbing little boy out of his crib. As I held him tight, I could feel how tense his body was. A couple minutes later, I felt him relax and feel safe in my arms.

While holding him in that dark room, my mind went back to Stephen 3 years ago. How many times did I watch our baby fight and struggle in pain? How long did I hold my breath til he relaxed and felt safe? How many more times did I cry, wanting desperately to be that person holding him but knowing I was physically unable?

Tonight, as I go to bed, I'm reminded to hold them tight. I'm comforted to remember that when I can't, their Heavenly Father can. Tomorrow, I'll love them big. I don't want to let a moment pass.

We won't forget and are better for it...

This is normal for me!

Yes, I'm usually a once every month or 2 blogger. No excuses...it's the way I roll!=) As I lay here on the bed right now with a hugely bandaged knee, I can think of no good excuse for me not to blog. Yesterday I had a screw out of my knee and have not left this bed since last night. Besides, I can't walk on my own, so there's nowhere else to go!=) That being said, here's what we've been up to lately:

Parent Commissioning for Jonathan was last Saturday. We enjoyed having brunch with our families, and I especially loved that the Summit Kids' staff took care of everything, so Jeremy could sit with our family!
















Stephen's end of the year soccer party was at Chick-fil-a this year! He had a great time with all his friends, and Caleb loved the cow!=)











Jonathan is really growing up. I can hardly believe he's 11 weeks old. He's such a happy baby and sleeps between 8-10 hours each night. The boys are adjusting, and Stephen is a huge help. He takes pride in helping me by feeding Jonathan and holding him when I need an extra hand. I'm so overwhelmed by love for these little boys!






We have done so many fall (Halloween/Thanksgiving) crafts I can barely keep up with all the pictures. The boys love this kind of thing, and Jeremy often gets a laugh out of what we come up with!=) The other night Jeremy even got involved by roasting marshmallows on the grill! You'll also see how Stephen works so hard on his crafts while Caleb is totally free-spirited. The best example is the picture of Stephen's cute "apple turkey," and Caleb eating his apple with toothpicks all in it (he took the "turkey pieces" off).

















Caleb also had his second birthday complete with a trip to the Pumpkin Patch and also to the zoo. It was so nice having our families together for some fun!













...And there's so much more I should put but the Tylenol Codeine is calling me to sleep!=)