Mother's Day 2014

Mother’s Day is always a day when I feel extra appreciated, but the idea of having a relaxing Mother’s Day has never really worked for us. :) Sundays are intended to be restful (this I know), but it seems like they can be some of the hardest days for me.  This year on Mother’s Day, I really missed my own mama and the idea of being with her on a lazy Sunday afternoon enjoying family dinner.  It also happened to fall on my dad’s birthday this year which didn’t make it any easier.  When everyone in the house fell asleep for an afternoon nap after a quick Sunday dinner of leftovers and whatever else I could muster up, I took a drive to a nearby park and had a good cry.  Despite my faults, I have three beautiful babes who need and want me anyway.  Their demands can be overwhelming, and sometimes my heart aches for them (and me!) to have extra loving grandma hands close by...but those times when we’re tired of each other, yet we only have each other, simply make us stronger.  

I came home from the park a better me.  Jared spoiled me, and the kids showered me with homemade love.  Being a mother isn’t always a yummy piece of cake, but it’s worth it in every way for so many reasons that continue to surprise me and fill me up with overwhelming gratitude.  

Welcome Summer!

Summer is off to a great start, and now that it’s pretty much here, I don’t know how I lived without it!  I took C & G to the aquatic pad at the Grange Park yesterday to soak up the sunshine, and we really had a great time.  It felt weird not having A there (school can finish any day now - one more week left - man alive), but I enjoyed spending time with just these two together.  G refused to wear his swim trunks, but at least I had plenty of swim diapers for him to sport around in.  Aside from applying sunscreen every 30 minutes or so, they seemed to be more into the play system than anything else - funny kids. 

Today all three kiddos & I went to a swim party at a friend’s family pool, and it was a "best day ever!" type of day.  Even though it’s almost been a full year since we moved back to the Tri-Cities, it’s taken time to adjust.  Although I didn’t expect it, it’s been a time of major growth and reflection moving forward into a new reality.  It hasn’t always been easy, and I still find myself struggling to know where I fit in, but when my heart turns toward serving others, everything falls into place again.  Today I recognized more fully the amazing women & friends surrounding me….and as I drove home through a peaceful farming community, down the mountain, & through the canyon to our drive (all while the littles lulled to sleep with the late afternoon sun on their faces in the backseat), I got that tingling confirmation that we ARE where we need to be right now...and that’s good enough for me.  

 

Disney Dream Cruise

The day after our gator tour, we boarded the Disney Dream cruise ship.  It was definitely a sight to behold!  Disney never ceases to blow me away.  Since this was Jared & I’s first time on a cruise, we really had no idea what to expect, and we were not disappointed.  Our niece came along with our girls much of the time - three little peas in a pod - they had so much fun.  fyi - Gabe was in Idaho with my mom & dad which was a back-and-forth decision leading up to the trip, but as much as we missed him, we decided to make this all about our girls and give them our full attention.  I can’t thank my parents enough for accommodating our little guy and for allowing us this opportunity to be with Jared’s family and our girls.    

Checking in... 

Deck 11 was the place to be the majority of the time - swimming pools, The Aquaduck (an amazing water coaster that carries you over the side of the ship & back), AND the food, of course.  The sail-away party was FULL of dancing, singing, swimming, and games with Mickey’s crew.   

The Oceaneer Club was a children’s activity center - Kid’s Only - where adults could leave their children with an ample supply of child-care counselors.  We attended the open house the first day, and wow, it was the perfect place to take our girls while Jared & I had some alone time here ’n there.  

Pixie Hollow (AnnMarie’s favorite place) inside the Oceaneer Club:

This is a kid’s cafeteria (inside the Oceaneer Club, too) where the counselors served meals and baked different goodies with children throughout the day.  The security procedures were unbelievable.  Check-in to check-out included password identification, wristband screening, & photo id. 

A few walls in the halls. :)

Our room keeper surprised us every night with a different towel creation.  So funny!  

We attended a Broadway-caliber show each night in the Walt Disney theatre; it reminded me of a 1930s Hollywood style theatre (rich golden & red hues throughout - so pretty).  We LOVED "The Golden Mickeys” which was basically an awards ceremony where different Disney characters were nominated for heroism, romance, etc.  

As I finally sort through these pictures, I’m so grateful for this magical experience we had.  I’m looking forward to posting more pictures again soon.  :)