Down Memory Lane- Our first trip to Disney

Back in September 2006, my little family took a fateful trip to Disney World. To tell you the truth, we weren't really that excited to go. Jamie and I had both had Mono that summer. On top of that, I had to have my gall bladder out 3 weeks before we left. We went to the beach in August and came home on that Saturday, I had surgery on Tuesday and we were camping at Watoga on Friday. 2 weeks later, we were leaving for Disney. To say I was less than excited would be an understatement.

We were so unprepared. As a matter of fact, Disney called us while we were at the beach. See, we were going during a Free Dining promotion and hadn't even made reservations. Anywhere. They called to tell us we should make reservations if we planned to eat. Well, they were a lot nicer than that, but still.

Fast forward to the trip. We'd built up some excitement and I was OK with not being allowed to lift anything more than 5 pounds. It kept me from lugging the luggage. I must admit I cheated a lot though. At one point I was carrying my 4 year old and I'm pretty sure he weighed more than 5 pounds.

We checked into All-Star Movies. Which we loved! Things started out well. We were all excited and ready to start our vacation. I had booked us the Hoop Dee Doo Revue for that first night. (rookie mistake number one...don't make an ADR for the night you get there) We rushed and tried to figure out the bus system and did finally make it to the show. It was great!

Our first day was in Magic Kingdom. Do I hear you seasoned veterans laughing at me? Whatever. We didn't know any better. We get there, well past rope drop (STOP laughing) and get the card thing figured out, pick up our stroller and stand in the middle of main street looking at the map and trying to figure out where to go. (seriously, stop laughing or I'll clock you)

We head for the castle. Now, this moment was wonderful. The Castle in all its real life glory is a sight to behold. We were enthralled. We may have teared up a little. 2 hours later all we had really done was wander in a circle. I was on a bench crying. My son was frustrated and impatient and my husband was getting a touch grumpy. Everyone else seemed to know where they were going and what they were doing and we were wandering aimlessly. Finally I said lets just get in line and ride SOMETHING. Anything. We parked the stroller and got on "It's a Small World."

Not only is it a small world but it is a magical one as well. N. was completely engaged by the ride. After "It's a Small World" we had a much better day. We were lucky because September is not very crowded and we were able to ride most of what we wanted. We weren't doing big rides. N. was only 4 and not really into that. But we spent a lot of time exploring Tom Sawyers Island and all the streets of the Magic Kingdom.

When we got to the hotel that first night, I sat down with my feet propped up (oh my aching feet) and went through the guidebooks and park hours. I made a bit of a plan to help us get through the week. Things went much better. We missed a LOT of stuff but we had a fabulous time. We went at N.'s pace which forced us to slow down and take it all in. There are so many little wonderful details to take in. We certainly didn't feel cheated.

My favorite memory of the trip was the day we went to MGM. We walked into MGM and headed for the tip board after picking up our stroller. We were getting much better at this stuff. So anyway, we check out the tip board and start heading into the park rather quickly. I told N. to ride instead of walk so we could make better time and make it to wherever we were going. I don't even remember. Well, J. is looking at the map and I'm pushing the stroller messing with the camera. No one is looking up but N. We keep hearing engine noises but not thinking about it. Next thing I know, my 4-year-old, jumps out of the moving stroller, hits the pavement and takes off at a dead run. Screaming! It's Lightening McQueen!!!!!!! Real. Live. Right. There. N is running for all he's worth. I'm tossing Jamie the camera quarterback style and telling him to run! I was laughing so hard by the time I caught up with them. We'd seen the other characters but he didn't really know much about Mickey, Chip & Dale etc. He liked them well enough but I had neglected his education in that department. But, oh my, Lightening McQueen was REAL. He was in the movies. One of N.'s favorite movies actually. And that is when I knew we were hooked. You can't get that kind of magic at the beach.

I think that if we'd have had one of those touring plans, we would have seen a lot more. But I really think we would have missed so much. That trip was all about discovering for us. We went at the pace of a 4-year-old. We rode the teacups 15 times. We didn't have anywhere we had to be. We missed a lot of big attractions. But I knew we'd be back. We were hooked.

It took us two years to get back. Two very long years. We went back with ADRs made at the 180 day mark and more of a plan and a spreadsheet or two. Two hours in, I tossed the spreadsheets. What I needed was more knowledge not more planning. I needed to know which fastpasses to grab first thing and I needed to make ADRs and to understand extra magic hours. To know when they were and if I wanted to use them. We still missed a lot but then, an hour in my husband said we were coming back next year.

If either of these trips were going to be my once in a lifetime or over *shudder* Spring Break, or in June, then yeah, I'd want a touring plan. It's not our style and I'm glad we get to go during times when going with the flow is doable. NOTHING will ever compare with that first trip. There were so many amazing moments. Most of the time, I'm glad we weren't prepared. Everything amazed us. And I'm sure I'll plan these future trips down to every detail. I'm also sure I'll toss the plan once we get there. Planning kills the time.

Nothing beats hearing my SO serious, over worked, over stressed engineer husband, whooping and laughing on Expedition Everest. Or having Mr. Practical waiting in line for 20 minutes to meet Darth Vader. And watching the face of my boy as he discovers something new at every turn is amazing. And for me? I get to be a girl. A little girl. I get to forget I'm just Mom. I get to ride rides, laugh, hug characters and PLAY with my family. I don't have to cook, clean or do laundry.

Magic Happens.

I have a good excuse

Dear Husband and anyone who may see the inside of my house,

I'm sorry I did not get the laundry done. Or the dishes washed. Or the floor swept. Or any of the hundred other things I was going to do today.

However, I am sure you will understand. We are under siege! I had to aid in the construction of a defensive fort in the living room! We had a little trouble engineering the blankets correctly. We've had a lot of sag. Fortunately, N. came up with an easy fix.

It involves me holding up the center panel with my feet while sitting on the couch. Really. I'm necessary for the structural integrity of the fort.

So if you need me, I'll be here on the couch with my hot chocolate, holding up the fort with my feet for the foreseeable future.

At least I had the sense to grab the laptop before the siege!

Just one more time...

I think it must be a Mom thing. I don't sense the same wistfulness and urgency in my husband when we talk of our son growing up. I watch him play with little-boy imagination and sheer abandon and I want to bottle those moments and keep them forever. I'll turn around and see him sitting on the couch in pajamas and I'll catch my breath and think, "He looks so grown up!!!"

I'm in no hurry for him to grow up. Nor do I want to tie him to childhood. I just simply want one more.

One more Christmas with a deep seated and unwavering belief that Santa is coming down our chimney.

One more visit to Disney World that is filled with the wonder of discovery and moments of sheer magic. One more visit to a land while the characters are real and true princesses give kisses to sweet little boys.

One more snuggle on the couch.

One more walk with a small hand in mine simply because it wants to be there.

One more day before he stops calling me Mommy.

One more good-night kiss.

One more Saturday morning wrestling match in our bed trying to wake up Daddy.

One more rock given to me as a gift as precious as the most priceless jewel.

One more vase of back yard flowers picked by grubby hands for the Princess Mommy.

I wish I had kept every rock and weed and put them in a jar or pressed them in a book. I've tossed the rocks back in the garden and let the flowers die. Have I been as callous with our special moments together? I hope not.

Things are changing quickly. I want to hold my moments a little closer. If I am blessed with rocks or weeds I vow to treat them as great treasures. When begged, I'll play one more game, take one more nature walk and have one more snuggle.

And at the end of every beautiful day, I'll hope for just one more.

Something that bugs me...

And since this is my blog I will feel free to talk about it.

I really think that some people need a reality check about life in these uncertain times. I am so sick of seeing newlyweds, young professionals or even people like us pushed and pushed into buying a home. It's just assumed that owning a home is the end all be all of the American dream.

People tell them renting is throwing their money away. A home will build equity. At least they'll have something to show for their money.

Let me tell you, people. That is not always the case.

If you think renting is throwing money away try buying a home, spending years fixing it up, worrying over resell values, choosing paints, carpets and finishes that aren't your first choice but are a good value choice for your home. Fence a yard with a picket fence, plant flowers, build a swing set, put on an over sized deck, pressure wash everything regularly, buff and shine the floors and touch up the paint yearly. Now, find out you have to move out of state, put the house on the market and wait 8 months. Have no one look at it. Beg the mortgage lender for a "short sale", be denied. Beg the listing agent to let you drop the 6% to half so you can drop the price, get laughed at.

And then begins a vicious financial cycle that will take years to set right. You have to start letting one thing slide to take care of another and finally you lose more than you could imagine.

There are no certainties any more. Our home was very desirable when we bought it. A great neighborhood, a great little town. It was the perfect suburban neighborhood. Houses were going faster than they could be built. Then a plant closes. Another company pulls out. The builder decides to start a second phase of the development and DROPS HIS PRICES. The new homes are selling for less than any of you paid. Suddenly you have a stone around your neck and you are sinking fast.

And sure, everyone dreams of buying a home and living in it for 30 years and raising their children in it. The truth is that simply isn't always possible. I'm sure there are people that do it. More people that don't. Did you know that you have to own a house for 15 years before it becomes a better investment than renting? And that doesn't count repairs and alterations you have to make.

And I'm not saying people shouldn't own a home. They absolutely should. Home ownership can be wonderful. It just simply isn't always the smart investment everyone thinks it is. Give a young couple time to see where their life and careers are going to take them. Don't tie down a professional who has to pass up a promotion because it requires a transfer and there is no way the house will sell. There are lots of skilled professionals out of work who have to turn down the job because they are stuck in their homes in another state.

I am simply tired of the pushing. People that push us. Ask us if WE are tired of renting. The truth is, after last year, renting is wonderful. But we also have fabulous landlords who let us treat this home as our own. They take care of things when they go wrong. Right now I'm waiting for a guy to come and fix the kitchen window. It cracked during a nasty cold spell. In the days of home ownership that would have been a huge budget buster.

And I see it happen to couples who have just gotten married. People pushing them to get out and buy a house. It's a buyers market!!! Buy!! They don't remember WHY it is a buyers market. Someone is going to get screwed in the deal. And next time, it might be them. What happens when he or she gets the opportunity after a year for a better job or loses the one they have? I just think we wouldn't be in such a mess if people would slow down a little.

I'm no economist. I'm not a fortune teller. You can't know what is going to happen and owning a home shouldn't be something you just jump into. And pushing someone until they believe that unless they own a home they are a failure isn't helping anyone.

As for me, yes, I want to own another home some day. It's going to be a while. For one thing we just aren't in the financial shape to do it. For another, I don't know how long we'll be in this town. I'm not about to tie myself down when things are so uncertain. I figure my next home purchase may even be my cabin in the woods and my husband and I will retire there. And when we are old and gray, and our time is come, we can just be buried in the back yard.

Wonder what that will do to the resell value?

It's Historic

I think that no matter how you voted or how you feel about the incoming president, you can not deny that today is historic. There is a feeling of expectancy in the air. And it's tinged with HOPE. Something this country has been missing for a long time. For me, this inauguration is less about the man and more about a country coming together. People feeling hopeful. People being excited about their country. It's about history. And about possibilities.

No matter how I voted, I can't help but think that is a good thing.

It's a talent...

I just made an entire pan of meatballs one handed. I was talking on my itty bitty cell phone with one hand and rolling meatballs with the other. And they are even almost all round.

That takes skill.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm seriously out of inspiration. I need cheap, reasonably healthy and picky-kid friendly meals. We have a core list of favorites we all tend to eat or eat without much modification. I'm trying to stick with those but also slip some new things in as well. I've really not done well planning lunches and breakfasts.

Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread

Tuesday: Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans

Wednesday: Meatball Sandwiches

Thursday: Chili, biscuits

Friday: Payday dinner out and grocery shopping

Saturday: Smoked baby back ribs (the smoker and the ribs were a Christmas gift for my hubby) The package is huge so I'll freeze most of them after they're smoked. Potato salad, baked beans

Sunday: Lasagna

Breakfasts: eggs in a basket, oatmeal, cereal, waffles, turkey bacon
Lunches: Monday I'll make some egg salad then later in the week chicken salad. Also, there will be leftovers.

We're planning a big trip to Sam's Club this weekend. I will be very happy to get that done. We really need to restock the freezer with meat. I do a lot better not eating out or having my husband bring home something if the freezer is stocked with a good variety. It really makes a difference.

See lots more menus HERE!

Basic is beautiful

There are some days I really feel domestic. Days I feel that I am in touch with the women who came before me. That my hands reflect the work of my Grandmother. Days my house smells of home.

Today is one of those days. I've got a fire in the hearth. The smoke curls lazily from the chimney and makes its way past my window. I put a ham bone on to simmer to make broth for soup. I would normally have bought stock to save time but today felt like the "long way" would be worth it. My washer is working over time. The house smells of ham, woodsmoke, bleach and tide. I have a smudge of soot on my sleeve.

It's so cold outside. -4 with a windchill of -23. That is just so cold. I felt bad sending the husband out the door this morning. I'm trying to keep a fire going all day to just help keep the house warm. I look across the street and can see a couple more chimneys going. It's a good day for a fire. I'm thankful my pantry is well stocked today. It would be a miserable day to ask the husband to stop in at the store.

There are a lot of times I wish this house was bigger. I wish there was more room to put things away. Sometimes I feel overrun with stuff. My son's toys, just by the nature of what they are, can't be kept neat. Lego projects must be undisturbed. He's building a monster train layout with his old wooden Thomas track. All over the floor of the playroom. I want to tell him to pick it up. Oh, how I want to. But, what is the point of a neat playroom? Wouldn't I rather give him the space to be creative? Or would I rather have the floor neat and the stuff put away? So, I let it stay. It's not hurting anything. I just wish it was in an upstairs bonus room or in a basement. It's hard living in such a tight space sometimes.

However, I don't think there is much point in living in a house that looks like it is out of a magazine. I mean, what, so it can look nice and we can sit around staring at each other? Life happens in this little house. A lot of it. I guess as long as things are clean, the laundry is done and there is a hearty meal on the table, we're doing fine.

Life around here right now is about getting back to the basics. It's about seeing that we have to slow down. Doing the basics until we get them right. Stop letting them slide just to do something bigger and more fun.

I'm enjoying the stocked pantry, the crackling fire and time with my family at home. Basic is good.

Being Positive

It's 12 degrees.

We have 2 inches of snow and more is falling.

The wind is picking up.

It's going to be 0 by morning.

My son is waiting for me to take him outside in the snow.

I'm positive. Positive I'm going to freeze.

Some things are easier...

(photo by my Brother)

Some things are easier when you have only one child. Not better or worse, just easier. For example, going on vacation is a breeze. There is not much argument about where to go or what to see. We can run on one schedule. The boy's. Everyone goes to the bathroom at the same time on a road trip. That's a big one.

There's no arguing over what movie to watch in the car. No one gets disappointed in where we stop for lunch. There's no, it's his turn to pick or her turn to pick.The whole backseat is one big mess and it all belongs to the same person.When we're on vacation or camping or whatever, our schedule is easy. No one is disappointed if the boy wears out early. It's not the clash of the Pirates and Princesses. We pretty much stick to the adventure. I occasionally get thrown a bone and am allowed to indulge in some girlie shopping. My men-folk humor me. We never "split up" so that everyone gets to do what they want. We have plenty of time to get it all in.

Of course, some things are more difficult when you have an only child. There's no one else to play with. You are IT. That can get hard some days. Someone always has to ride by themselves on Expedition Everest. And you get one chance to get this whole Mom thing right. If I screw him up, I am out of luck. And I NEVER get to play Barbies.

But on the whole, my little family has become a well-oiled machine. I'm certain there are families out there with 5 kids who never bicker. I'm certain the chaos of a couple kids would have been a welcome addition to our lives. HOWEVER, what we DO have is pretty Incredible.


And vacation totally ROCKED! And really, I just wanted an excuse to post some vacation pictures.

It happened when I wasn't paying attention...

I realized something amazing while we were on vacation a month ago. At some point I changed and I missed it. I had spent so many years visualizing, wishing and praying that our family would grow. That we would look different. I always saw us as a partial family. One in progress. We had our "first" child. Then suddenly I was looking around at all the other families around us and I realized I could not imagine our family any different. I could not imagine more children and what that would be like.

I was *gasp* content. More than that, I was HAPPY with my family and the way we are. I can't actually imagine having another child any more. And at first I was a little shocked. I mean, a second child is something we longed for. We hoped and prayed and had treatments and pills and saw doctors and adoption agencies. We scraped and saved to pay for treatments that turned me into a raging lunatic. We were poked and prodded and sacrificed our dignity entirely. Then we gave up on the treatments (ran out of money) and decided to just let it go. But the longing was there.

At some point while I was busy just getting through this last year, things started to change for me. I talked about our "only" child. I began to think of us as a complete unit. A whole family. It's so easy when you are longing for that addition to your family to feel incomplete. But I don't. We're a little family but a family none the less. And I also realized that my brother and sister-in-law, without kids, is a family too. And that it hurts them as much as it used to hurt me to feel like I was "less" than everyone around me.

Although, more children would have been a blessing beyond measure, it no longer makes me sad. I don't feel incomplete. I don't feel like less of a mother. I'm not in some temporary place waiting for the next child to come along. I am whole. My family is whole.

And you know what? My family is wonderful! We are so connected. We work as one unit. There are so many amazing things about my little family. Things I intend to detail in the coming days.

The best part of all? I wouldn't change a thing.

And that's a miracle.

Missing Summer

It's a terrible thing that it is only January and I'm already longing for the warm rays of the Summer sun. I am lost in thoughts of flowers blooming, the smell of pool water, fresh cut grass, evenings in the back yard playing games, fresh herbs and tomatoes, and rain on the hot asphalt.

In my head I'm working out plans for a better garden, a new herb bed and tons and tons of flowers. I'm revitalizing old flower beds. Making use of containers to add color around the house and disguise some of the "shabbiness" the owners won't fix around here. The house is great, the yard is spectacular. But, the people that own it haven't put a lot of money into cosmetic upkeep outside. The paint is peeling in places and the buildings could use some freshening up. Small things I wish I could fix.

I'm going to really redo the veggie garden. I want much more variety this year. I'm going to have the husband hang a tire swing off the oak tree and I'm going to put a swing out under the shade of the same tree. I think another load of sand for the sand box and a few new bricks around the fire pit. New chairs on the deck around the pool area and as many sunny daisies as I can find.

Unfortunately, it's gray and icy outside. Not even snow to brighten the landscape. It's going to be a long winter.

Menu Plan Monday

Wow! So, it's been a while since I did a menu plan. Probably before Thanksgiving. It's been a busy and wonderful holiday season around here. However, I'm ready, so ready, to get things back to normal and back into routine.

I'm still a bit disorganized in the pantry with lots of strange odds and ends hanging about. Hopefully though I'll get all that organized and get actual groceries next week. As it is, I'm making "do."

Monday: Turkey pot pie with biscuit topping

Tuesday: Chicken breasts in the crock pot with salsa. We'll put this in tortilla shells and serve with cheese, lettuce and sour cream

Wednesday: Tuna cakes and macaroni and cheese and a veggie

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Ravioli with meat sauce

Saturday: Grocery day so I'll find something at the store

Sunday: Pot roast in the crock pot

lunches: PBJ, leftovers, chicken noodle soup

Breakfasts: oatmeal, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, eggs in a basket, waffles

Hope you have a great week. Find more menus HERE!

Getting back into it.

We are back to school on Monday. I have to admit, the long break was nice but I find that I'm kind of excited to start back to our little home school. There are stars to earn, lap books to make, stories to read and frustrations to sooth.

I like the morning routine of getting our breakfast and sitting down together and the exhilaration of finishing up for the day.

The only issue in all of this right now, I have NOTHING planned yet. Nothing. Nada. Zip.

I am not panicking. I'm sitting down this afternoon at the (new!) kitchen table with the laptop, notebooks, fresh pens and lots of ideas. I will not emerge until I have a good list of ideas and plans. And probably an order or two to place. I realize most other homeschoolers did all of this in August. I used the time from August to November to strengthen some basics with N. We'll go into the full swing of the year come Monday. Well, if I can get some plans made. I have an idea of what we want to do. It's just putting it all together.

It is an adventure.