Friday, September 25, 2009

I'm Dreaming....


...of a place, far-far away. There are no signs of modern communication....no babies crying.....no dirty diapers.....no Elmo......no homework.....no medicines or pumps.....no laundry......no piles of dirty dishes. The only sound I hear is the rush of the waves beating against the shore. (and maybe even the squawk of an occasional sea gull). To sit in complete peace admiring God's amazing handiwork....that's what I'm dreaming about these days.

The bad part of going on vacation.....is you are soon thrust back into the whole reason you needed one to begin with! Todd and I have joked (although we are quite serious) that we need a vacation now to recoup from our vacation. Our trip to Florida was wonderful....but extremely busy. Getting up at 6:30-7am......and then finally hitting the sack at midnight (or later) for 7 days! And go, go, go.....trying to hit 6 different parks in 5 days.....was exhausting! I took this picture while we had an afternoon with Stan and Megan at the Polynesian Resort. These fleeting 2 hrs. were the ONLY time we had of rest and relaxation, and the tranquility of the picture is something I am desperately trying to hold onto!

This week has been.....well,.....how can I say it nicely......VERY, VERY "stressful!" The kids have been coming home from school, doing their normal daily homework, and then sitting another 2,3,4....hours doing make-up work. Caed finished his a few nights ago.....but poor Reagan has worked now for the past 5 nights for almost 5 hrs at a time!!!! (and no...she's not in high school...but 3rd grade) She is beat. I am beat! I know most people would argue and say, "Well, that's what you get for going on a week long trip during school." I agree. However....this trip was planned many, many moons ago when we were still homeschooling. This time of year seemed perfect to us. Then, when everything changed, it was too late to alter the dates of the trip too. I even asked the kids' teachers for all their makeup work before we left for the trip.....just by any chance we had a few hours in the evenings. Well, we soon realized that homework was not going to fit into the equation. We were ok with that, and knew this week would be a very long, hard one trying to get all caught up. It HAS!!!! Reagan is still not finished.....but hopefully we can work hard again this weekend and be done by Monday. If you forgot....she missed the 2 days before we left for Florida because of Impetigo all over her face. So, that makes 7 consecutive days total! ugghhhh! I asked for all her work those 2 days so she could at least be done with those before we left, but only received a fraction of it. More and more "make-up work" seems to be coming home everyday. She is getting very overwhelmed (as am I), but hopefully things can soon settle down and return to "normal." Ah! What is that? I'm not sure I like "normal" anymore. ha! (even that seems to be stressful)

However...I am fully reminded that if homework woes are the worst of our problems right now....we are indeed BLESSED!!!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

I wish I may....I wish I might

....have this wish I wish tonight!




On our last day in Orlando, we just stayed at Give Kids the World, and let Reagan & Caed do some things there on the property we hadn't had time to do before. We spent most of the time in the Castle of Miracles. This is where each "wish child" can write their name on a glass star and the fairy takes it and throws it into the "sky." Because we waited until the last day we won't know specifically where his star is (there are thousands up on the ceiling already). However, each star has a bar code on the back of it, so we can return to GKTW several years from now, and they will be able to show us exactly where his star is located.

the House of Hearts


Caed writing his name on his star


placing it in the "magic" star box where the Wish Fairy will come and get it



the ceiling in the Castle of Miracles (it's quite a humbling sight)



Caed's star will soon join the others



the pillow making machine









making their wishes at the Wishing Well



the enchanted forest












The flight home was good, just made for an extra long day (once again). We slept late this morning, but I think this past week is proving to be the hardest on Mommy and Daddy. The kids played all day long. (whereas I could barely function) My parents drove to Celina this evening and dropped off Caleb. Boy, we are SO HAPPY to have that little guy back home again!
I think he grew at least a foot! :)

We want to thank my mom and dad and also Todd's mom (and family) for taking care of him once again! They had him almost 2 whole weeks!!!! We definitely saw where this past week would have been very tough on Caleb (as well as us). We went NON-STOP for 7 solid days. Caleb would have been absolutely miserable. (and Reagan & Caed would probably not have been able to go and do ALL they did) So.....THANK YOU again for watching him for us!! We love you all SO VERY MUCH!


So, now we are back to the daily grind. We have been desperately trying to get caught up on all Reagan and Caed's school work. I know we will have all next week to get it finished, but I am wanting to get it done ASAP.

We had a wonderful week......full of lifelong memories we will not soon forget. Someday when I get some "extra time" I want to write more about the trip. Not the rides, attractions, or characters we saw. But.....just what the trip (opportunity) meant to us. What Make-a-Wish represented. It's humbling and overwhelmingly joyful all in one breath. And we are SO grateful for the blessing of this week and what it meant to Caed!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Hollywood Studios/Polynesian Resort

Once again.....another LONG, full day of fun in the sun! We headed to Disney Hollywood Studios first....met back up with our new friend Travis, and enjoyed the last of the 4 Disney parks.

Later that afternoon, we went over to the Polynesian Resort for swimming and time with Stan, Megan, and Xan. Then, for supper, caught a bus for Downtown Disney. This day ended VERY late.....but it was a great one!







Caed's most favorite ride......Toy Story


car/motorcycle stunt show

Caed and the "Green Army Guy" from Toy Story


Caed's favorite character.....Buzz Lightyear (this is who he's going to be for Halloween)


Beauty and the Beast show (really good!!)

AeroSmith's Rockin' Roller Coaster......Reagan's 1st in the dark, UPSIDE DOWN (and every which way) roller coaster. As we got off the ride....she said "I want to do it AGAIN!!!" It was intense....but FUN!


enjoying another day with Caed's new best friend (Travis)


Everyone we met kept calling her Hannah Montana......(she loved it!)


it was amazing how quickly Mickey got around to ALL the parks!


Captn' Caed





sandcastles at the beach





the volcano water slide





Downtown Disney

Rainforest Cafe


Xan and Caed....they were inseparable


Thursday, September 17, 2009

Magic Kingdom



Another GREAT day......spent with family and a new friend! Stan (my brother), Megan, and little Xan met us at Magic Kingdom. The kids had such a good time! It was so fun to get to see them again.....and especially here at DISNEY!

We also met up with Travis (friend of Todd's aunt and uncle from OK). He works at Disney (although has to keep "his identity" top secret), so he was able to help us out immensely! It was as though we had our very own private guide. He is such a nice guy and of course.....Caed took to him immediately, wanting to "ride with Travis!" at each attraction.

Once again....I don't have the time to really write about our day....I'll let the pictures do the talking.

(today.....we are heading to Hollywood Studios and then swimming at the Polynesian with Xan)





This was funny! We were standing there posed for a great picture when all of a sudden "these people" came up behind us invading OUR SPACE. We turned around and it was Stan and Megan!


Caed and Xan watching the castle show


Buzz Lightyear ride








Brad....this picture was specifically for YOU!!!!








Caed and Travis





getting sick on the teacups





Block Party





Reagan and Xan dancing with Woody





beautiful fireworks


Travis with the kids after a LONG day....