Disney World Trip

We are back from our week long vacation to Orlando!  We only fought with Tropical Storm Debby and extreme heat, but we survived.  We had a BLAST!

We were able to rent a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo at Holiday Inn Resort for 4 nights 5 days for a whopping $199...and a sales pitch to become owners of a condo ourselves.  The value of our week was about $1100 so sitting through a 2 hour sales pitch seemed worth the money we saved.

The resort was beautiful and no expense was spared in building this place.  9 resturants, 7 pools, a lazy river, 4 golf courses and a few mini-golf courses.  Fancy.  We did enjoy the pool/lazy river for a few hours, but other than that we did everything else "off-campus."  We went on the tour that was only supposed to last 120 minutes...but we were held captive for an ENTIRE 3 hours.  I literally was about to go crazy.  Millie was really good, but at one point I was wishing she would act crazy so we could get the heck out of there.  Jason was our tour guide/salesman and I can tell you a million things about him because he would NOT SHUT UP!  UGH!  We seriously said NO 25 times, and that is NOT an exaggeration.  I will N.E.V.E.R. do this again.  (I said that 4 years ago on our honeymoon....so we shall see.)

Other than the torture that is a Time Share Tour, we had a FANTASTIC time in Orlando!  I had always wanted to take Millie when she was "Old enough to appreciate it," but we just couldn't wait anymore, and I am SO glad we went when we did.  She was old enough to love everything, but young enough not to state her opinion as to where and what was next.

Tuesday morning we woke up early and got ready to go.  We did breakfast in the car to save time.  We parked at the Magic Kingdom right at 9:00, putting us walking through the gates at 9:15.  Tropical Storm Debby was still lingering, so we brought our panchos and umbrellas, but the plus side was that it was less crowded.  Throughout the day, the longest we stood in line was 15 minutes for the Monsters Inc. Laugh Factory.  Everything else we were able to Fast Pass or was a short wait.  We did SO much.  Pooh, Small World, Peter Pan, Carousel, Haunted Mansion, Dumbo, Carousel of Progress, Laugh Factory, Jungle Boat Cruise, Train around the park and Country Bear Jamboree.  SO.MUCH!  Millie loved everything and was wide eyed the entire time.  We even took in a celebration parade where we got to Dance with Donald and the Light parade at the end of the night.  We also had a meet and greet with Minnie and Mickey. 

Millie only cried ONCE for the entire day from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.  and that was because I was putting her big yellow pancho on when a big rain came...she probably thought I was crazy...she had no idea what a pancho was or why I was putting it on her. 

My favorite part of the day was when Millie kept saying "My Disney World" (without the r in world)  She loved looking at the castle.  She also loved the light parade and was pointing at so many things during it...it was just so sweet.

I teared up about 3-4 times throughout the day because I was experiencing a dream come true...as cheesy as that sounds!

If Clint and I had it our way, we would go back every year, but we want it to continue being special.  As the years go on, I am convinced, we will be back!

Outside my window... it is bright and hot and our garden is wayyyyy overgrown!!

I am thinking...  do I give Millie a bath first or clean the kitchen first...hmmm

I am thankful...  for cell phone cameras...they've come a long way and help capture special little moments that otherwise wouldn't be captured 

In the kitchen... two words...hot mess 

I am wearing... Blue shorts and a lighter blue shirt

I am creating... our travel table...once I pack it or remember we need it, it goes on the table!

I am going... to get the hidden cherry tomatoes that Millie brought in from the garden and promptly put in HER little tikes kitchen, and put them in MY big tike kitchen...before I forget and they get nasty.

I am reading... Finally Forever by Robin Jones Gunn.  I am on my 5th "fun" book since school got out.  I have NO idea how I have found the time, but I love it! 

I am hoping... for wonderful weather on our vacation

I am looking forward to... walking through the gates at Disney World, pushing the stroller with my blue-eyed beauty staring out in amazement at all the wonder that is the Happiest Place on Earth!

I am learning... to count to 3 in my head before I react...works with 2 year olds, 77 year old women and your average adult. 

Around the house... puzzles, books, blocks, play food, picnic table, fan, dinner mess and x box remotes. 

A favorite quote for today... "Love is patient and kind..."

One of my favorite things... The "ahhhhhhh" feeling that comes after wrangling a 2 year old....all.day.long....then putting that 2 year old to sleep for the night and hearing her say "lub u mommy."   

A few plans for the rest of the week... packing, cleaning, church, loading, traveling and VACATION!

The Quest for Minnie

I've known Millie's 2nd birthday was on it's way.  I've thought about it for a while now.  I just COULD NOT decide on a theme for her party.  Rediculous I know.  She LOVES cupcakes, which she calls "Happy Cakes" and she LOVES Minnie.  I finally decided that since this is our big Disney trip summer to do a Minnie party. 

Minnie Mouse shouldn't be too hard to find right?? WRONG!

I first spotted the decor at my parent's walmart in Warner Robins.  "Aw...cute!  That is what we will do!  I'll get it when we get home."  That was my thought process.  I saw them again in Tifton while waiting for my pink-eye medication.  I was in so much pain at that time that to figure out how many of what we would need was out of the question.  "I'll get it at home."

I know I still have 3 or so weeks until her party, but I knew I needed to get the invitations out and I am losing a week due to our trip.

So....off to Walmart we went yesterday.  NONE...NADA!  It wasn't as if they were all sold out, it was just that our rinky-dink Walmart wasn't "carrying the Minnie Mouse pattern."  UGH!  It was Dora or Princesses.  No thanks.  I was so irritated! 

I came home to order online.  But that just wasn't going to happen due to our time frame.  Finally, I jsut decided that Millie and I would head to Tallahassee today and get the job done.  We did it and everything we needed was there.  What a relief.

As I read back through this post, I realize how trivial this problem was and I realize there are people going through so much worse than not finding the "right" birthday decor.  I am thankful that God allowed this little, minor detail to work out for us!  I am blessed to know he cares about the little things too!

I spent Millie's naptime getting all the info filled out, the envelopes stuffed and addressed.  Now for stamps and actually getting them in the mailbox!

Still cannot believe my sweet babygirl is turning 2!!!!!

I moved....but now I'm back!

So about a month ago, I decided to move my blog to word press. Not impressed, so I am back. I blogged a bit over there...all of 7 posts. Eh...what is the old saying...if it's broke, don't fix it. So...here I shall stay...same address, same title, same ole same! Here is the post from yeterday in case you missed it.... So getting back in to the groove of the blog world has not been as easy as I thought it would be! Here are a few of the things going on these days... It is SUMMER!!! Millie and I went to "Cuddle Time" at our local library the day after I was out of work for the summer. She did really well considering this was her first time. We sang songs as a group and the story lady read us a few stories, we had play time and ended the hour with a few more songs. I was really impressed with our library and am really looking forward to going back with her this Friday. I am just so thankful to experience the "best of both worlds" as a working/stay-at-home-during-the-summer mom! We spent last week on what I like to call the "Tour of the Grandparents." We stayed with my mom and step dad for 4 nights. We visited my dad and step mom while we were in town and just had a good time. We even took a day out to drive another hour and a half to visit Clints 89 year old grandma, "Ma." It was really a sweet time of seeing her watch Millie's every move and smile so big. After my family we went to Clint's parent's house for 3 nights and had fun hanging on the farm with them. While there I came down with pink-eye and a sinus infection...blech! I was thankful to have the help with Millie since Clint had to go back to work! While there, Clint caught a 7 lb bass! I am thankful that badboy, "Chester," is sitting in my in-laws freezer waiting for the go ahead to mount it. Just trying to figure out where the $250 to do so is going to come from...:) The HUGE plus after time with Clint's parents is coming home with more fruit and veggies then we know what to do with, and then sharing the love. Yesterday, Millie and I took some fruit to her babysitter and my friend Mrs. Allison. Today we took some to Mrs. Lieser from school. Everyone was really thankful to have their own taste of Thompson Farms goodness! We are now back home for the week and enjoying just hanging out! In our hanging out time we are making lists and lists and lists of things that need to get accomplished before our BIG TRIP to ORLANDO next week! I am over-the-moon excited about having a family vacation not to mention to my favorite place! I found a DVD of "Disney Sing-a-long Songs from Disneyland." I've been showing it to Millie nearly everyday so she can see the characters and rides and maybe, just maybe not freak out while we are there. We shall see! I am just thrilled for family time. We are staying at a really nice resort with a huge pool with a Hippo slide, so I know we will have fun there! Another thing we are planning is what we need for Millie's 2nd birthday party! I CANNOT belive it! I know everyone says that, but I am shocked that I am the parent of a 2 year old...who knew that was possible! We are going to do a Minnie Mouse theme since she LOVES her and we thought it was fitting since we are going to Minnies house....that's what Millie calls Cinerella's castle! We are doing a family party again...but that usually consists of about 25 people! Exciting things are happening in the Thompson househole...we are just truly blessed by God and so thankful!

Summer is HERE!!!

This is the 3rd summer break I've had since I started this blog! Kinda neat to look back on the summers before and see what we did and when we did it!

This summer is by far the busyiest summer I've had in a really really long time. Having my sweet Millie girl means lots of people want to get their hands on her and we have to share. This of course means traveling to do so.

We spent all last week visiting Clint's family in Tifton. We had a great time and enjoyed hanging out with Nana and Papa. While there Millie had her first real choking experience at a resturant with Nana and I. It was SO BAD...so bad that I had to do the infant Himlic on my sweet baby. I have NEVER been so scared. Thank the Lord everything ended up okay, but I am watching her like a hawk even more. The day after her choking incident, Clint got in a truck/trailer accident while hauling a load of 2,000+ cantelopes. Other than messing up the truck and spilling about 200 cantelopes and slowing down progress...all was well. I was still so shaken about Millie choking the day before that I freaked out a little more than necessary about this accident. Oh well...He is my husband and the thought of him going through something so scary (the wreck happened on a bridge) makes me so sad! Other than those two events...we had a blast! Millie even swam for the first time and really liked the pool!

We are leaving tonight for WR and will pick up to Nashville tomorrow morning! I am beyond excited to spend time with my people for about 4 days! I just cannot wait. Dreading the 9 hour trip with an 11 month old, but hoping she does well.

11 MONTHS! Holy cow! We are in the middle of planning her 1st birthday party and I am trying to not be "that" mom that over does it. It is hard, but I think I am managing well. I never realized the cost that went into planning a birthday party. Makes me thankful that Millie was born in the summer as we always seem to have a little extra cash during that time. We are having a cookout at our house for JUST family....but that will be about 30 people we think. Oh.My! We will have a blast I am sure!

BEACH TRIP!!! Clint, Millie and I are going (next weekend) to Fernandina Beach to get family beach pictures made. We are thrilled for the 3 day get away with JUST us 3! We are now just trying to find a hotel that we can afford and that is decent.

Tata for now!
Until next time,
Sam

Day 3: Your views on Drugs and Alcohol

I am not gonna go crazy on this one. It has been a long day...a long GREAT day...but nevertheless, long. I am leaving soon to meet my Dad and Step mom who are coming through town, so I am pretty excited!

Drugs- Illegal. Nuff said! No, in all seriousness...there is some crazy stuff out there. I've watched Intervention enough to be scared to death to every try it. And honestly...wouldn't know the first place to go to get drugs.

I do enjoy Ibuprofen every so often, but only for the aches and pains as they come.

Oh...and don't get me started on the drug we call "Epidual"! HEAVEN!

Alcohol. Not for me. Never tried it, don't plan to. I don't judge people that do drink. I just know it has no place in my life. I've been burned by the stuff...I truly belive it caused a lot of pain in my life growing up. So...I stay away and have no desire whatsoever!

Yeah...so not very interesting I know. Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Until next time,
Sam

Day 2: Where I see myself in 10 years

I was asked this about 10 years ago (okay well almost 11 years) as I was anticipating my High School graduation.

10 years ago I said the following:

Graduated from College- Check
Married by 21- How about 25?-Check
Teaching- Finishing up my 7th year now- Check
3 kids- How about 1 cute little girl named Millie Kaye?- Check
Living in a big house- How about a small "starter home" that we love?- Check

I feel accomplished~ but even with all of that, I KNOW there is SO much more to life! SO MUCH MORE!

So....in 10 years...

1- LOVING God with all that I am. Not just because I teach in a Christian School or go to church when the doors are open. But because I LOVE Him and am SO thankful for his sacrifice for little ol me! Being REAL with Him. I mean, He knows me inside and out...He made me for goodness sake. Serving Him with my life...not just with words, but that REAL relationship!

2- Still be madly in love with my husband, taking time for us and serving each other.

3- One more baby- preferably within the next 5 years. NO WE ARE NOT TRYING NOW for those of you wondering. (SO many people ask that question...SHEESH!) (And for the record, I'd love more than 2, but the reality is, the money just isn't there. I know if that is in HIS plan for us, all will be well. We shall see)

4- Continuing on the journey we call Parenthood- I knew it would come and I knew we would be "Parenting" Millie, I just didn't realize how soon the word NO would be used on a regular basis. I didn't realize how at 9 months old, we would have to start slapping her little hands. OH.MY.SOUL We have a VERY strong-willed little girl on our hands. My prayer is that we do the best for her to help her turn into the Woman she will be one day. Quite the task for sure!

5- I am content with my job and my home and even my little Toyota Corolla...it will be paid off in 3 years! On the job front, I wouldn't mind a few changes, but I have had to give that to the Lord. It is beyond me and TOTALLY out of my hands! Out of 7 years of teaching, this has been my best class but the year that has presented me with the MOST challenges outside of the classroom. I am praying that the years get better!

6- Weight. I WOULD love in 10 years to be a size 4. (HAHA) Really, I just would love to be happy and not have to shop in the plus size department. ONE of the ways I'd like to accomplish this is to be a RUNNER! Weird I know...I DESPISE running, but I think Runners are SO COOL! (Yes, you Leah, I think you are cool) I am not saying I want to do marathons, but I'd like to be the lady that you always see running around the neighborhood. The big 3-0 is coming up in the year 2012. I'd like to see these changes before that takes place...we shall see! I have to be MENTALLY prepared and to be honest...I am not quite there yet. And..I need a jogging stroller!

7- In 10 years I would like to have visited NYC! I talk about it alot and think it would be so so fun!

8- I would like to star on "The Real Housewives of Thomasville, Georgia" HAHAHA!

I think that is all for now!

Check back tomorrow!
Sam