Trip to Disney World

In August I booked our trip to Disney World for 2013. The travel bug got me so bad I didn't book because I found a deal or anything I just booked! Since then I have learned that even though I have already booked and made payments I would still be able to take advantage of any deals they offer before our trip, so we may have to change our dates which is fine since our dates weren't special, because there is NO WAY I'm paying full price!!!

On this trip I will be able to complete several LIFE LIST items including...

1. Going to Disney World
2. Go fishing
3. Eat at Cinderellas Castle (as well as the other inspired restaurants at Disney)
4. Stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge
5. Hold an alligator
6. Visit the Shell Factory
7. Pick oranges
8. Eat alligator
9. World of Disney store
10. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Here are some other things I want to do in Florida but given that our daughter will only be 3 years old there are a lot of restrictions. This is no biggie- we're staying at an incredible resort with an inviting pool and we have daily passes to all the parks so we'll be busy enough as is! But these are on my list for next time!

1. Airboat tour
2.Swim with manatees
3.Indoor skydive
4.Renew our vows
5.Take a seaplane tour
6. Jet ski
7. Parasail
8. Visit NASA
9. Titanic tour
10. Exotic driving experience
11. Penguin encounter
12. Character in Flight
13. Alligator hunt
14. Tack on a Cruise since we'd be near a port of call
15. Go to SeaWorld

Also we will be visiting my Grandpa which will be nice but sad as the last time I was there it was for my Grandmas funeral.

I have but one major concern....how are we going to get there? I do not want to fly, it really takes a lot out of me to get on an airplane. I do it because I love to travel but I can very accurately describe what I go through as 'being in a near heart attack like state'. And given that it will not only be our daughter's first flying experience, she will also be only 3 years old and I know my limits. I can push myself pretty hard so by saying that I don't think I can deal with me flying and trying to keep my very active daughter quiet and still for 3-4 hours, it makes me extremely anxious. It could work out really well, as sometimes us parents have to put on a smiley face when we REALLY, REALLY.....REALLY don't want to-maybe SHE would calm my nerves.

At the same time the thought of a 20 hour long drive.......
It would be fun if we could have an extra week and about $5,000 extra dollars and I could knock off 30 LIFE LIST items!!!

In January they will have their new deals posted AND that's when I'm going to sit down with my husband and discuss my options in dealing with my totally irrational but very real hysteria.

Got any tips???? If you have a difficult time flying, how do you cope with getting on an airplane?

Merry Christmas

I cannot explain how much I enjoy Christmas lights. Thank you for doing this to your house. You win.

 I couldn't find it appropriate to continue my daily posts after what happened on December 14th.
 Those families will be in my thoughts and heart over Christmas and probably forever.

Lulu and Lula Photography - our incredible Holiday pics! Couldn't be happier!

I find this Christmas to be a very somber one- especially with what happened Christmas Eve morning in Webster New York. If it was not for my daughter I would have completely shut down. But luckily I am so blessed to have a little sweetheart whom I was able to create many wonderful memories with this Holiday season and I would like to just recap our Christmas 2012 through pictures....

Santa had dropped this off a little early since it was so big.

We kept a roaring fire in the fireplace....smells so good...

Christmas Eve turned out to be a day of one snafu after another but Christmas Day was WONDERFUL!!! Almost totally perfect-

Christmas morning!!!!

Giant Santa at Bronners in Frankenmouth!

Outside drive through Christmas story.

Z keeping an eye on the kitty in the tree.

First Santa of the season at Bronners.

Festive toenails- a must!

Lulu and Lula photography.

Lulu & Lula Photography. 

Lulu & Lula Photography.

A real reindeer!!!

My little one got her own little Christmas tree!

It had been a while since I've sat on Santa's lap...but he insisted...

Reindeer and Polar Bear carousel at Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland.

For fun, I wrote my letter to Santa while Z colored-my sweet and thoughtful husband found this and bought me everything on the list...except the puppy...he keeps insisting we're not getting a puppy chihuahua.

The STUNNING Downtown Rochester Michigan!

I made all 3 of us matching Christmas scarves!

Next year I WILL have a better camera so you can see how truly amazing this 'light show' really is!

I got me and my daughter matching sparkle shoes!!! I LOVE HAVING A LITTLE GIRL!

Scuba Santa at Rain forest Cafe.

Cha cha at Rainforest Cafe's breakfast with Santa!

I think she saw 6 different Santas!

We made a gingerbread house.

Matching snowman tattoos!

One of my favorite simple decorations.

My mom gave me this for Christmas a few years ago and I wear it as much as I can during the Holidays!

A surprise present from our AMAZING neighbors who know me so well already!

Presents!

Big snow storm the day after Christmas to add to our Christmas Eve snow! My little ones first time playing in the snow and she knew just what to do! "I help my Daddy" she told me.

I guess when you turn 60 you decide to stop decorating for the Holidays. My Dad and Joel's Mom gave me tons of their no longer wanted decorations....and I took 'em!

Delicious.

Me and my Mom.

She was so good, and said thank you for everything!!!

I bought her this sweater before she was born (when I thought I was having a boy but she looks so cute in it!)

Obviously I am a woman of many talents-we made ornaments at Breakfast with Santa.

I got this beautiful sleigh at an antique store for $10-Merry Christmas to me!

Greatest $5 ever spent....ever.

My little forest.

WHAT A CHRISTMAS, I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE MY LITTLE FAMILY. THANK YOU GOD.

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas, took lots of photos, made new memories and gave with your hearts. 

God bless them

What happened last week was devastating to our nation, our safety, our thoughts, our hearts, our souls, and to 26 entire families. Christmas time is supposed to be one of PEACE....and this year is it anything but.

This tragic event has changed the world.

I cannot believe something so horrifying has happened in our country. I have to ardently force myself to focus my thoughts elsewhere as this grief is too overwhelming. I have been fully submerging myself in my daughter's smile but the profound sadness I feel for those families is constantly lingering.  As a parent of a small child I am particularly sensitive. As I am modifying our daily lives I am anxious about her future. And I think about the day that she finds out about this. Whether she's 7 years old or 30 years old, I dread that day. What will I tell her?

We have been out several times in the past week and there is a distinct energy- People are looking at children and seeing them as the rare precious gems that they are. People are more protective, affectionate, compassionate, patient, empathetic and loving with their own children as well as every other child who passes by. I can FEEL the appreciation of how truly special each individual child is....It feels as if I'm walking around with a celebrity.

I will not let one person who is so bad stop me from trying to be good and do good. More than ever I am grateful to be a stay at home mommy and I pledge to being the very best mother I can be. My every moment is dedicated towards raising a child who is a gift to the world.

Please be kind, be cautious, be grateful, be respectful and let our hearts be with those precious babies and their dear parents who are suffering.

I think we are all asking God 'why did this happen?' 'how did you let this happen?' 'how can I help?'

Personally, I believe that God exists, I believe that evil exists. I believe that God is closest to those with broken hearts and I believe that His heart is broken too.

"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."
 Revelations 21:4

I wanted to share this post below that I found online, before I do, I want to say that it is ONLY with the absolute deepest respect and sympathy that I have chosen to share these words. This poem was not written by me, and I cannot say that I like it because of the reason for which it has been written. I think it's a perspective worth sharing....

"It was 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring.

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down to Earth, the world far below

He saw all the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land."

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools."

then He and the Children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I am still the light."

Braces-5 months

I cannot believe I've already had my braces for 5 months! It's almost half over!! They said 12-18 months, leaning towards the 12, and with my positive mindset and my agreeable teeth, I'm sure of its duration ending at the 12 month mark. So I think these puppies will be celebrating my 30th birthday with me but they will be off soon afterwards!

I am so happy with myself for finally going through with it, especially since the time has really gone by so quickly. I'm pretty used to them, I don't feel so self conscious any more-for 2 reasons 1. now I have braces on teeth that are actually pretty straight and 2. that heinous coil was removed months ago. The first month looked the worst but now I don't feel like they're THAT noticeable. My perspective has completely changed since I first GOT BRACES back in July. I am particularly proud of myself for this life list item because I wanted them for SO long (12 years of consultations) and I finally just ripped off the band aid! And it was so worth it!

4 months ago!