I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted on here! Not that I haven't been busy or anything, but I definitely wanted to do a better job of keeping up on this blog.
So, why have I been away so long? I was preparing for a trip to Walt Disney World with my 4 young children. We went for 5 days and it was magical! BUT, it was also exhausting. We did have a blast all in all, but traveling with 4 children aged 6 and younger was more of a challenge than I was prepared for. I definitely recommend to wait until your youngest child is at least 6 before attempting this adventure, unless of course you only have 1 child and then any age would be okay.
We spent the majority of our time on potty breaks or trying to find our way around. It was frustrating trying to maneuver around the parks and using the bus system. I was not prepared for the amount of potty breaks that we ended up taking nor was I prepared for the melt downs and bickering that happened. I did expect it to be worse than at home, but not nearly like it ended up being. Hence my reasoning for thinking the kids were just too young for this.
On the positive side though, Disney is a very magical place! Even Jesse got excited to meet the characters (princesses included). :o) I cannot describe the moment of wonder and awe that comes over you when you see Cinderella's castle for the first time! Or the chills you get watching the fireworks with the music and special effects. Or the tears of joy as your children flash the biggest smile of their lives at you when the princess or character gives them a hug. I heard on more than one occasion that it was "THE BEST DAY EVER!!!!" It was those moments that made all of the hassle and stress of the day melt away like it never existed. It was also those moments that make me crazy enough to want to go back... However, I think Keldan (our youngest at age 2.5) will have to be 9-10 years old before we return.
For those of you wondering, it was quite the fiasco getting us all there between the packing, planning and traveling. Taking the kids through airport security was an adventure in and of its self. Gillian peed herself at the security check point, leaving a nice puddle on the floor. That was a little embarrassing. Dominic decided on the way home he didn't need to walk any more by himself, so he was dragged in the skiing position through security. Saviera threw herself onto the resort's lobby floor and proceeded to throw a kicking/screaming fit, for which she was rewarded by the staff with a Minnie doll and balloon ("Because at Disney all princesses should be happy all of the time." Grrrr). Though as a bright side, the other 3 kids also got a doll, Minnie for Gillian and Mickey for the boys. They were pleased as punch and it didn't cost me a dime, just some stress and embarrassment from Saviera. Yes, that is a hefty price tag! Keldan didn't have any issues at all, other than being a little bit disappointed that he was exactly 1/2 an inch too short for 90% of the rides.
I hope to post some pictures soon, so until then it's late and I'm headed for bed... I'm still unpacking, doing laundry and tying up loose ends left from before the trip.
Hugs ~ B.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Updates and Randomness
I know I've been slacking on the posting part of this blog. I come here mostly to read what others have written because I'm nosy and then I head to bed. So I am dedicating this entry to what's been happening in my world for the last week or so.
I've officially begun the vacation countdown! For those who don't know, we are headed to Walt Disney World on April 23rd! Our kids still don't know and won't know until we arrive at the airport. This task of keeping such a big surprise a secret has become increasingly difficult as my excitement grows. It is also even more extremely difficult to pack and plan things out without kids knowing. I am quite nervous about traveling so far and flying with kids aged 6.5, 4, 4, 2.5. Yes the .5 makes a huge difference! Those with kids understand. :o) Anywho, I've been plotting, planning, list making and sorting for about 6 months now. What to take, how much, what to leave behind, what will entertain them, what won't... This list goes on for miles. I've now spent about 2 hours packing and have all clothing except my own packed. I also have half the toiletries packed and carry on stuff is starting to accumulate in my closet (which is where the luggage is also hidden). I still have tons to do, a shopping trip and at least another 2 hours of packing. One might wonder why it takes so long to put together 5 outfits per person for 6 people? Because I have to think about what colors will keep us cool, look for stains and or rips in the kids clothes. Make sure mine fit and I am happy with how I look. Gather everything together and wash it all. Make sure I have outfits and not misfits. And finally just double, triple and quadruple check everything. I'm a worrier, so I cannot have anything left undone. We still have 2 weeks before we leave, but I'm sure I will be rushing around at the last minute even with all of this preplanning!
Alright, on to another subject (I will blog about the trip before and after we leave I am sure).
We've been busy cleaning out our home and shed the last week or so. Trying to organize our smaller living space since we moved over 6 months ago. I'm definitely not a saver and already have 4 garbage bags full of stuff for yard sale season. Our community does a yard sale in May and a friend of mine is doing one in June. I hope to sell off most of it and what doesn't sell will head to Goodwill. I tend to purge the house about twice a year. Once in the spring and once right before Christmas making room for the presents the kids get. All of the kids are past the baby stages and so I have a ton of toys to get rid of! Hopefully the kids will let me. Dominic doesn't deal with change at all and is a pack rat to the extreme. Someday I will post pictures of his bed revealing proof! It's sad to know they are not babies anymore, but exciting to be able to relate to them and do more things with them. In a couple of years they will all be in my "perfect" age range to enjoy kids. I think from the ages of 5-10 or 11 are the "perfect" years for me. They are still young and believe in the magic of life, but yet able to talk to me and help me help them. They are independent and yet still need their mommy.
Okay, that's a whole other blog that I will dedicate to my kids....
So, onward. We had a great Easter just relaxing at home. I do believe this was the first holiday since Jesse and I met that we spent alone together with just our immediate family, meaning the 6 of us. Normally we travel to see family somewhere in MI. It was so nice not having a time schedule and being able to relax in our pjs for the morning. The kids loved their baskets from the Easter Bunny. They got mostly trinkets and small toys like puzzles. We do very little candy, because they somehow seem to end up with lots of candy no matter how little we buy. Thank you to banks who hand out sugar to my kids in our truck... It's the best place to give them sugar on a stick, while trapped in a vehicle and they cannot let the energy from it wear off... :-/ Oh well. It was my favorite part of the bank when I was a kid too.
We also got some projects we've been putting off started. And I can promise they will be finished before the week is out.
Well folks, I believe that is all. I do have a busy week ahead of me preparing for a party on Friday. I am looking into working from home for a company called Thirty-one. My house is in desperate need of a thorough cleaning, so I will be busy this week. Though I plan to blog Friday night about the party and my interest in the company. But until then....
Hugs ~ B.
I've officially begun the vacation countdown! For those who don't know, we are headed to Walt Disney World on April 23rd! Our kids still don't know and won't know until we arrive at the airport. This task of keeping such a big surprise a secret has become increasingly difficult as my excitement grows. It is also even more extremely difficult to pack and plan things out without kids knowing. I am quite nervous about traveling so far and flying with kids aged 6.5, 4, 4, 2.5. Yes the .5 makes a huge difference! Those with kids understand. :o) Anywho, I've been plotting, planning, list making and sorting for about 6 months now. What to take, how much, what to leave behind, what will entertain them, what won't... This list goes on for miles. I've now spent about 2 hours packing and have all clothing except my own packed. I also have half the toiletries packed and carry on stuff is starting to accumulate in my closet (which is where the luggage is also hidden). I still have tons to do, a shopping trip and at least another 2 hours of packing. One might wonder why it takes so long to put together 5 outfits per person for 6 people? Because I have to think about what colors will keep us cool, look for stains and or rips in the kids clothes. Make sure mine fit and I am happy with how I look. Gather everything together and wash it all. Make sure I have outfits and not misfits. And finally just double, triple and quadruple check everything. I'm a worrier, so I cannot have anything left undone. We still have 2 weeks before we leave, but I'm sure I will be rushing around at the last minute even with all of this preplanning!
Alright, on to another subject (I will blog about the trip before and after we leave I am sure).
We've been busy cleaning out our home and shed the last week or so. Trying to organize our smaller living space since we moved over 6 months ago. I'm definitely not a saver and already have 4 garbage bags full of stuff for yard sale season. Our community does a yard sale in May and a friend of mine is doing one in June. I hope to sell off most of it and what doesn't sell will head to Goodwill. I tend to purge the house about twice a year. Once in the spring and once right before Christmas making room for the presents the kids get. All of the kids are past the baby stages and so I have a ton of toys to get rid of! Hopefully the kids will let me. Dominic doesn't deal with change at all and is a pack rat to the extreme. Someday I will post pictures of his bed revealing proof! It's sad to know they are not babies anymore, but exciting to be able to relate to them and do more things with them. In a couple of years they will all be in my "perfect" age range to enjoy kids. I think from the ages of 5-10 or 11 are the "perfect" years for me. They are still young and believe in the magic of life, but yet able to talk to me and help me help them. They are independent and yet still need their mommy.
Okay, that's a whole other blog that I will dedicate to my kids....
So, onward. We had a great Easter just relaxing at home. I do believe this was the first holiday since Jesse and I met that we spent alone together with just our immediate family, meaning the 6 of us. Normally we travel to see family somewhere in MI. It was so nice not having a time schedule and being able to relax in our pjs for the morning. The kids loved their baskets from the Easter Bunny. They got mostly trinkets and small toys like puzzles. We do very little candy, because they somehow seem to end up with lots of candy no matter how little we buy. Thank you to banks who hand out sugar to my kids in our truck... It's the best place to give them sugar on a stick, while trapped in a vehicle and they cannot let the energy from it wear off... :-/ Oh well. It was my favorite part of the bank when I was a kid too.
We also got some projects we've been putting off started. And I can promise they will be finished before the week is out.
Well folks, I believe that is all. I do have a busy week ahead of me preparing for a party on Friday. I am looking into working from home for a company called Thirty-one. My house is in desperate need of a thorough cleaning, so I will be busy this week. Though I plan to blog Friday night about the party and my interest in the company. But until then....
Hugs ~ B.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Petrified
For the last couple of weeks I haven't been able to shake some thoughts that petrify me beyond belief. I don't know why I think these things or why I obsess over them, but I do. I think my biggest fear is losing Jesse or one of the kids. However, my thoughts always point to Jesse.
I think of all the "What would I do questions?" right down to "I have no idea where I'd even have his funeral." Morbid? Yes, I think it is... But I can't shake it. I really do have this sour feeling in my gut like I'm gonna loose him and be left to raise my children alone.
I think, "What in the hell would I do without him?" There are SO many things I rely on him for. Maintenance sums up what I have no knowledge of. But he's also our income so I can stay home because daycare is so expensive. I would have to work and raise the kids. How would I do that? I do know I'd move "home" which means back to Ludington. This would make me closer to family who could help. I also know we have great life insurance, so I'd be covered there for quite some time.
What I don't know is how I would survive without him. I know how much I've struggled losing my dad, I can't even begin to understand how I'd feel to not have Jesse. I also don't know how I'd be able to handle the kids alone. How could I help them deal with it all and deal with it myself?...
I hate these thoughts and the nasty feelings they leave inside me. I hate that I think of these things. And furthermore I hate that I think this way so often. Most of the time I don't even realize that is where my thoughts have slipped to until I feel the tears on my cheek.
I'm pretty sure this all has to do with losing my dad and a lot of other people close to me at relatively young ages. I think it is also related to watching my mom deal with life on her own for the first time ever (because she married at 18, so she went from her parents to my dad). And it may even be related to watching my brother raise his boys alone now, too (yes divorce sucks).
I need to find a way to feel secure in life again. I need to feel safe and happy. I want to let all of these worries go. Now, if someone could just tell me how.
Hugs ~ B.
I think of all the "What would I do questions?" right down to "I have no idea where I'd even have his funeral." Morbid? Yes, I think it is... But I can't shake it. I really do have this sour feeling in my gut like I'm gonna loose him and be left to raise my children alone.
I think, "What in the hell would I do without him?" There are SO many things I rely on him for. Maintenance sums up what I have no knowledge of. But he's also our income so I can stay home because daycare is so expensive. I would have to work and raise the kids. How would I do that? I do know I'd move "home" which means back to Ludington. This would make me closer to family who could help. I also know we have great life insurance, so I'd be covered there for quite some time.
What I don't know is how I would survive without him. I know how much I've struggled losing my dad, I can't even begin to understand how I'd feel to not have Jesse. I also don't know how I'd be able to handle the kids alone. How could I help them deal with it all and deal with it myself?...
I hate these thoughts and the nasty feelings they leave inside me. I hate that I think of these things. And furthermore I hate that I think this way so often. Most of the time I don't even realize that is where my thoughts have slipped to until I feel the tears on my cheek.
I'm pretty sure this all has to do with losing my dad and a lot of other people close to me at relatively young ages. I think it is also related to watching my mom deal with life on her own for the first time ever (because she married at 18, so she went from her parents to my dad). And it may even be related to watching my brother raise his boys alone now, too (yes divorce sucks).
I need to find a way to feel secure in life again. I need to feel safe and happy. I want to let all of these worries go. Now, if someone could just tell me how.
Hugs ~ B.
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