Just Disney pics

Disney World

The whole story and adventures are below, but just to recap, I will say the kids did GREAT! They really held up well for 3 days straight without naps and trying lots of new things. Though I knew I would be tired after this trip, but I never knew how sore my WHOLE body would be!!

I guess walking on pavement all day every day 3 days in a row and carrying children more than I planned to do, lifting, bending, walking in the heat really took a toll on my out of shape body. I was sore for 3 days straight after returning to Atlanta.

OK, so about 5 months ago, before Sophia was even born, I decided I wanted to take the older kids to Disney World this year- the older kids for me is a 3 year old and a 23 month old! My parents offered to watch the baby so we did not have to drag her around disney- which I was so grateful for. I saw a lot of babies in the hot sun there and was so glad that my baby was in the shade and getting alot of attention. It also allowed us to each ride and spend lots of time with the older kids and they needed that!

I did a lot of research beforehand, I talked to friends that had been with their kids and got lots of useful , I read a disney book about traveling with kids and of course did some research online I felt prepared before I left, and then left ALL my notes and research at home in Atlanta-I left it

to the side because the kids kept digging in my suitcase and I did not want them to lose or ruin my notes...and most of all I did not want them to take them out of my suitcase and make me forget them, HA HA, i forgot all of the notes and the book. No one to blame on that but myself.

I planned to go to Animal Kingdom on Sunday and then Magic kingdom on Monday because I read that Monday was their slowest day- if they have a slow day, Monday is it! When we checked in we bought our tickets to the 2 main parks and it included tickets to a smaller park of our choice. We chose to go to Typhoon Lagoon- a water park. It was fun, but it was busy walking around and swimming, but some of the things were too advanced for our kids and some of it they did not like. I think when they get older they will like water parks more.

The kids slept pretty well that night due to how busy we were that day and no nap! The next morning we had to be up and out early to go to our timeshare presentation, which is how we got such a good deal on our hotel reservations, so we had to go! I knew we were not going to buy a timeshare, Brian was not thrilled about going but he went. The kids were even pretty good at that place. They had a kids room where they hung out for about 45 mintes and then we brought the kids to the presentation with us, mostly to get out of there quicker and get to Animal Kingdom!

The kids were so excited to pull up to Disney and go on the Safari ride and a little train ride to Rafikis planet watch. There we saw our first character- Pocahontas! I bought little autograph books for the kids after over hearing some people talking about how the characters sign autographs and kids like it. I was SOOO glad to have that book because James walked right up to Pocahontas and had his book. but if Charlotte had not seen James hand her his book, she would not have gotten close to her. Charlotte was saying "I dont Like it!!" until she noticed James hand over his book and then she was saying "My book, my book!!" and then she took her book right up to Pocahontas and then to Rafiki, who I know if she did not have that book she would have not gotten anywhere close to Rafiki!! As the day went on, we met more characters and as long as Charlotte had her book she would approach them, but if she did not have it in her hand, she was not getting close! James was excited to see every one of them!

The next day was definately the day I had been looking forward to- Magic Kingdom!!! I knew the kids would love seeing the castle and ride the rides. It was fun to have it as the finale day, but it was also the MOST exhausting. It was 80+ degrees and full sun, busiest park we had been to so far and it was our 3rd day of very busy days and I think I did not take that into account. It was so fun and I got a little teary 2 times - once when we were on "its a small World" because I remember being on that when I was a kid. Charlotte was not as thrilled about it, but Ithink she was just so tired she could not appreciate it. She did just sat in her daddy's lap and took it all in. James was so excited about it.

The second time I got teary was when we were in front of the castle at about 4 pm to watch the show. Charlotte was up on my shoulders and when Minnie and the princesses came out, she was jumping up and down and clapping and I thought, this is why I went thru all this work to get us there, so she could enjoy that! Loved seeing her so happy and excited. I hate that we never really got to see the princesses and get autographs, but I think the next we go, I will have to do a better job of locating them, especially since I will have 2 girls there wanting to see them!

Overall, the trip was a success, but I think the next time I go, I will arrange for someone to watch my kids the last day so I can sleep and recover!

Some days I got it, some days I dont

This was from a while I ago, I just noticed that I forgot to publish it.

I am going to toot my own horn, well, because today I deserve it!

Today, (day 2 of my husband being away) when the kids got up, I brought them all into my bed to watch toy story 2- that is of course so I can lay down for longer than they want to lay down, but dont tell them that. They like to snuggle with mommy and they both fight over who is closest to me, which is sweet, however it does not really get me much relaxation because I am getting elbowed in the face and knee'd in the side alot! If I am holding Sophia at the same time then it really gets crowded. We have a king sized bed, but as close as they all are, we could all fit perfectly fine into a twin! I love it, minus the elbows and knees! Actually, I really do love to just lay and snuggle with my kids, it is one of my favorite things especially if they are laying still and being quiet.

So after our movie, which was only about half the movie because James cannot sit still long enough for a whole movie, I fixed them breakfast and then got us all dressed for another fun day in the snow. I played with the kids out in the yard for a while, we tried to sled but they did not like that, we tried to throw snowballs, but it was too icy so we just walked around in the yard I had each of their hands (the baby was inside sleeping at this time) and we just made footprints in the yard- so mcuh fun for both kids! Then I decided to start trying to shovel the driveway in hopes that my husband would come home. If he did, I did not want him to pull in and then slide down the driveway into our house.

Whew, was that a lot of work. I have not shoveled a driveway in quite some time and I really never used to shovel, my brothers did. I just ran around and told them they missed a section here and there. It was a lot of work- even more work with a spade shovel- finally my nieghbor gave me a square shovel and that made a world of difference. I wish I would have started with that, it would have saved me a lot of time.

Then my neighbor invited us all over to sled in his yard, he has a better yard. By then the baby was up, so I sent the big kids with him and went back in to bundle the baby in the warmest outfit I have for her, which used to be James'. It is like an outfit made of thick blanket material, super warm. It barely fits her but it is the warmest thing I have for her. We only last a little bit because James was getting antsy to get inside and did not like to sled anymore and I was getting tired of holding the baby, my arms hurt from shoveling. Charlotte loved it!

We came in, I fixed the kids lunch, gave them a bath and put them down for a nap. Normally I sit in the chair with the baby and feed her and play with her because she is usually up when I put them down, but today she fell back asleep too so I started working on the house. I threw in a load of laundry, did the dishes, mopped the whole downstairs (kitchen, dining room, living room, master bath and hallway), and put away some toys.

About that time, Brian called and said he was coming home- after he got home, I started dinner and some brownies and then invited over some neighbors for some social time. Two friends and their kids came over- gotta invite people over when the house is clean, because these days- it is rare! After they left, Brian and I played some wii after getting our kids down. Now off to help put away laundry, get the baby down and go to BED!

It has been a busy day- but some days I do nothing but the bare minimum so dont think this is how I am all the time, just on some days!

New Years Motto

Well, I know there are New Years resolutions that usually are toast by the 7th day- but today is the 7th day and I am still sticking with my New Years motto of 2011 that I stole partly from a song- but since I am a cleptomaniac at heart, I think it is fitting that I stole my motto, but added my own twist. When I say twist, I switched one word!

God is great, beer is good and my LIFE is crazy!!

My kids are crazy, hyper and keep me very busy. I have always loved beer and now that I am not pregnant or nursing I am very happy to be able to have a beer now and then when I want it. And I am doing a new bible study where I am on a mission to learn more about Christ and trying to grow spiritually.

I have to say I am very excited about my new year and my new motto. I am also trying to get in shape. by in shape, I just want to be able to fit back into the clothes that I have kept in my closet because I hoped to fit back into! Also, I need to be in shape to keep up with 3 kids. All the lifting and running and spanking is a lot of work so I would like to be able to do all of the above without getting out of breath! Of course my motto does not cover my diet/fitness plan just in case it does not work out- but I know it is in there somewhere between beer and crazy!

Speaking of crazy, I finally ate the last of my oreos yesterday and am not going to buy them again for months because I am addicted to them and need a break. They certainly are not going to help me in my fitness weight loss goals so I had to give them up. I am keeoping up with my fitness goals a little on wii fit- though so far it has only told me that I have gained weight,I like it because it kind of keeps me accountable. I think that is how the biggest loser works, seeing your weight on a BIG screen in front of whoever is around- makes you think- WOW, I should do something about that. Of course the biggest loser peopel have all day to work out and the right foods in their frige all the time.

Working out is tricky because I used to work out in the morning and that to me is truely the best time for me to work out. It helps me to eat better during the day and it is over with right away, so there is no putting it off. Well,now with 3 kids, I cannot always get up before them, because my kids get up VERY early and of course sometimes they keep me up at different times of the night. So I do not hold myself to getting up before them, but if I have any time to myself during the day, whether they are napping or if I have to lock them in their rooms for a little bit, I need to do some sort of activity. My goal is 30 minutes, but if I do not have 30 minutes, I no longer skip it, I just do what I can when I can. I have said enough with the excuses- you can do 30 minutes in 3 10 minute increments- is that ideal, not really but my schedule with 3 kids 3 and under is too crazy to alot for 30 minutes all the time.

So we will see if I can actually keep up with this plan!! I will try to post something on here too so you cna help keep me accountable- because I need it!!

Happy New Year to anyone who reads this!

ps, next time I post I will try to post a new photo as I do take many of them all the time. please check out my shutterfly account for pics, because I upload once a month on there.

New Years

Well, I finally had a night out like the old days and LOVED IT! I have been planning this night for months. in early September I reserved my sister inlaw on new years eve so that she would watch my children. I am a girl who cannot have fun unless my children are well taken care of. After I talked to my sister inlaw, I purchased tickets- before we even knew who was playing- and booked my hotel room.

The day was much better than I had even hoped, other than I did not get any sleep! We dropped the kids off at 9 am and went to breakfast, bought lottery tickets and then headed to the marriott marquis to watch the parade and head up to visit some friends of mine that volunteer at the Chickfil a bowl hotel- which is the marquis where we arugued on whether to take a nap or go to lunch first. Brian wanted to go to lunch and then nap- so we went to lunch. Unfortunately we were both unable to fall asleep for a nap- so we watched tv and then got ready for the game. I had wanted to take a nap and then have linner!

Earlier in the day, when Brian decided to go to lunch first, I decided to wear my cute outfit- my sweater dress and high heeled boots. I did not want to go to a nice resturant in my jeans and sneakers, but since I had been planning to wear my nice outfit to linner and then to th game, I was not happy about having to change so early. But, since I rarely wear heels anymore, walking around the city and then to and from lunch my feet were killing me, so I was happy to not have worn them to the game- that would have killed me! Especially since both teams' fans stood most of the game!

We met up with some friends at the game, and we also helped support a friends kids softball team with my beer purchase! We left at the end of 3rd quarter because south carolina barely showed up! As we were leaving the stadium we saw two women begging for money- one had a 3-4 month old and the other had a 2 year old and that just about broke my heart and got me all worked up and I was not ready to go to bed- so we went to mehans so we could have a snack and I could have a drink. After leaving there, we headed to the hotel for theh midnight toast in the lobby and then headed up to my friends suite.

I was tired and was just getting ready to leave when more people came in, so Brian went down to our room and I told him I would see him in 30 minutes.... that was not the case, as that was 1:30 am and I did not get to our room until 4:47am. I was VERY tired, but since one of my major issues since I have had since having children is lack of socialization, I had to take advantage of the opportunity to hang out and talk it up with people I have not seen much of in years. I just do not have opportunity to go out much. I have been pregnant or with new born for 3 plus years now. And with Brian working and me having the kids. by the time I could go out, I am way to tired to do so. But since I was already out and the kids were taken care of, I just could not leave until finally at 4:45 I felt like I was not going to be able to keep my eyelids open much longer, I headed to my room.

It was 23 hours that i had been awake, because my kids got up at 5:45 the morning before. By the time we got them home on Saturday, it was late in the afternoon and they were tired and grumpy as was I. luckily they went to bed early, except the baby was up most of the night and of course made for a long day the next day. I will say, I do not regret staying up even though I am so exhausted... but do not plan on doing anything like that for a long time!

pictures are in!

Well here are the pictures from my picture fun post- I hope you enjoy!

I think I forgot to mention in that post, that before we even left for the place, I had to wrestle both kids into their outfits. Charlotte was pulling one arm out of her shirt and screaming while I tried to put her other arm in. This went on for awhile, I was beginning to think I was dressing a spider! James cried about not wanting to get dressed, which is iroonic since on the days when we stay in pjs all day he always says he wants to get dressed and go somewhere!!

When I look at these pictures I am just happy that we got some half way decent shots.I dont think there is one where everyone is smiling or happy at the same time, but at least they were not screaming. I did not have a good photographer either and almost asked them to pay me for the pictures because I had done so much work!

Bitter sweet times

This week marks the anniversary of my oldest brothers death and it is hitting me harder this year as I am so emotionally torn in missing him and being so blessed with my complete family.

I can still remember standing at the front of the church with my parents and brother Peter, with Rick's casket right in front of us and my father saying- "this is the last time the five of us will be together." It breaks my heart to think this, muchless write this.

I have always been apart of a family of 5, but it got harder after he passed, because when you meet new people they ask if you have siblings and it was so hard to decide if I say I had 2 brothers, then when they ask where they are, I have to get into too much detail and sadness. If I leave him out of the conversation, my heart hurts and I feel terrible for acting like he never existed. I still miss him teribly and am so sad that he is not here to meet my husband or torment my children like he did to me when I was little.

This year Sophia joined us to complete our family, and though I will never forget any of the members of my orginal family of 5, it is bitter sweet that God has answered my prayers with my own family with 3 precious children. I am incredibly blessed and happy to be a complete family of 5. Right now, I am still getting used to saying that comfortably, but I am hoping that over time I will be able to say it without thinking about all that saying means to me, but to say it proudly knowing that he knows he has not been forgotten or replaced.

I wish I could post an old school photo of what I am calling the original 5 of us, but I do not even own a picture of all 5 of us. I will have to steal a copy of one next time I am at my parents house. Even though my kids do not like organized pictures I will take as many as I can of my family of 5 because every one of them is so precious to me. I will drag them kicking and screaming to get photos of us as a family so that if anything should happen to them, I will always have those moments to look back on. (Please note the second picture above is me dragging the two older kids to the picture location while relatives laughed at me, I won't mention who was laughing the most, but her name rhymes with weather) Unfortunately, in most of our family photos, not all of us look as happy to be a part of this family! Good luck to me convincing everyone else in this family how to smile in a picture!