Disneyland/Huntington Beach

After 5 years of dreaming of the day that we would be able to take our children to Disneyland, we finally were able to make it happen!  

In January of this year, my good friend, Rachelle Allen told me about the 

Disney sponsored "Give a day, Get a day!" program that had just begun.  The program required that as volunteers, we sign up for an activity that benefitted the community in some way, complete that service, and then, in return, anyone 6 and older who helped would receive a FREE day at Disneyland or California Adventure or Walt Disney World.  

I was ESTATIC  to have such an opportunity.  Every time I had worked up the cost of going to Disneyland for our large family, I would end up shaking my head and thinking, "I don't know how we are ever going to make that happen!"  

In February of this year, we went to glean citrus fruit to be donated to a food bank.

We worked for 4 hours as a family, picking every fruit we could reach (and then some), and filling a huge food bank box (about 3 ft tall and 4 ft wide) 2/3 of the way full.

We had the 5 oldest children with us and got a babysitter for the 2 youngest (which was odd, I haven't had to call for a sitter for a very long time!)

The excitement of helping others, AND knowing that we would benefit with a day in Disneyland made the day extremely memorable. 

Once the tickets were in hand, we debated about when the best time for our family was to go.    

It didn't take long to settle on April...and we started looking for the specific dates we could go.  

Then...we waited...excitement mounting...for the day we could leave for DISNEYLAND!  

It felt surreal walking onto Main Street, USA in Disneyland the morning we arrived.

To say that it was a dream come true is not an exaggeration, and it was was heartwarming for me to know that my children would be able to build lasting memories with their siblings at Disneyland.  (We also got to see the Rob and Tracie Halliday family one night while we were there!  Talk about the ultimate play date.)  :)

The pictures we took were minimal.  

Even when I wore the camera around my neck, my thoughts were on keeping track of my children, not on capturing the moments on camera.  

Our family did wear the same color of shirts while we were there, so keeping track of the kids was easier than if everyone had worn random colors...but still, ensuring the kids were all safe and accounted for was a job that took all of my time and energy.

I was with  Isaac and Sam while the others went to Space Mountain.  We waited in line to get on It's A Small World.  The boys LOVED it...and Sam was singing the song for most of the morning.  It was very much as I remembered it, although I didn't have a high tolerance for the repetitive nature of the music.   

   

I loved this "postcard" at the end of the ride.

It's a great reminder for all of us.  

We quickly learned that any means of saving our feet was not only recommended, but also necessary. My kids were very excited to climb up to the top of the double decker bus and save themselves a few steps down Main Street.  We also discovered the train that goes around the entire park, and loved riding that.  (Did you know that there are mini-shows along that track? I actually didn't remember that, but I do believe that I rode that same track and saw those shows as a young girl...funny, huh?)  

Stephen caught this picture of me and Nathan coming down Splash Mountain.  I'm at the very back and my hair is flying out straight behind me.  Nate is right in front of me...and the rest of the family was...

  

eating ice cream.  

They had already ridden Splash Mountain and were hanging out with Isaac.

They even got some for us, and kept it in the cooler until we got back.

  

For my Bekah, seeing the princesses was a must.  The line was LONG (1 hour, 15 minutes) line...but she was insistent that it was something that was very important to her.  The rest of the family went on Small World, (making Bekah the only one who didn't get to go on that ride), and then went to ToonTown.  Emily was told that they were heading to the Dumbo ride, so she opted to stay with us, saying, "I guess princesses are better than Dumbo." (I know that neither of them were on HER list of things to do.) 

Princess Jasmine was the kindest and most sincere of the princesses that Bekah met.  She really made "Princess Bekah" feel very important.

As we were leaving, Beks looked up at me and said, "Is that all?"  She had expected that all the princesses would be together and she would get to choose which 3 she got to meet.  (It was a lesson on expectations being different than reality.)  She did choose NOT to stand in a 45 minute line to see the fairies in Pixie Hollow later that afternoon.  (Whew!)  We walked up and peeked through the leaves around Pixie Hollow and she saw the fairies that were inside...she was very happy when Silvermist waved at her.  

In ToonTown, the girls and I were looking for the rest of the family and decided to do a quick tour of Mickey's house. 

We had a chance to meet Mickey Mouse in the back of his house.   

I talked a lot to the older kids that while they thought the characters were silly, that they had to "respect the Mouse".  No disrespecting Mickey was allowed.  Although the girls didn't want this picture with Mickey, they stepped in when I did.  

I personally think it's amazing that all of so much has come from the initial cartoons that Walt Disney created of Mickey Mouse and I need to teach my children of the contributions that Disney made to the world of entertainment.  Their exposure to Disney is only animated movie related...and they don't ever remember a time when they had to wait to see a movie only in the theatre or on The Wonderful World of Disney.

PART TWO

We knew when we planned the trip to CA that we needed to take the kids to see the ocean.  

None of them had ever been to the beach, so we took them on Saturday morning.  

Their joy and excitement is so apparent to me in this picture.  

My favorite man.

Isaac didn't want to get his feet wet for a very long time.

The whole kid crew, lined up for the "family" photo.

        Pat realized it was our first trip to the beach EVER as a couple.

When we first arrived, the tide was coming in and the waves were a quite choppy and high.  

By the time we left, the ocean had calmed dramatically and was beautiful to see. 

Isaac finally got his feet wet.

Everyone except Isaac and I played extensively in the water.

It was truly amazing to see my children experience one of God's amazing creations for the very first time.  I love the ocean and how I sense the reality of God and His hand in creation every time I see it. 

As trite as it may sound, I know that the Lord has a hand in our lives.

I view this entire trip as a blessing, a miracle, and a dream come true.

To be able to share it all with Pat and the kids...even better.  

I will treasure this vacation for a lifetime.   

On Responsibility

Two lunches sitting on the counter at home this morning.
PLUS
One homework folder on the coffee table in the living room.
EQUALS
Three kids that will remember next time because Mom is teaching them there are consequences to their (lack of) actions.

**As a note: (It is quite odd that it happened to be all 3 of them this morning too...it is so seldom that any one of them in a day leaves anything behind!   It wasn't even a chaotic morning.  And yes, I made the decision a LONG time ago not to fix every issue that came up because a child left something at home.)

Family Pictures 2009

Between October and December of every year, we make the effort to take our new family pictures.  

This year we decided we would go to two spots:  The Mesa Arts Center and the Mesa Arizona Temple.  

As we drove past the MAC, we discovered a local festival going on, with large numbers of people scattered throughout the area.  While we were sad that we wouldn't have some fun backgrounds for our family pictures, we were excited to go the temple and feel the peace that permeates the grounds.  

These are some of the fun pictures that we captured while we were there!  

There were over 1000 shots when we finished...with more than 200 of our little 2 year old Isaac!  (Any tips on how to get a 2 year old to look at the camera? I just kept taking multiple shots of him...a ton at a time, and finally ended up with some really fun ones.)  

By the time we got to our family shots, we were all worn...and it was more difficult to get a great family shot.

                                                         I loved that my sister came to help us and be part of our family pictures!

Daddy teaching juggling to Nathan. 

Wishing

Let's face it.  

Most of the time I want to be at home. 

Not that I utilize my time in amazingly productive ways, but I have routines that overall work and help me to feel like I have accomplished something in the name of housework or in the betterment of my family. 

This week I've been out of my home the past three mornings...and been gone into the sweet hours that constitute naptime at our house.

I consider myself to be extremely strict when it comes to naptime, simply because I am a beast without it my boys need it so badly. 

I don't like it (the being gone so much part...). 

On the other hand, I find today, a day where I have had "extra" time on my hands, I've not known how to direct myself.  

I keep expecting something to crop up, distract me from what I am doing, and be, you know, IMPORTANT. 

Oh, what I would give for the perspective to see the things that are critical in the eternal scheme of things and the DESIRE to do them. 

How do you gain that in your life? 

  

Wondering

Tomorrow I go to my first writer's conference.
It conflicts with our Stake Relief Society conference, which, had I known before I paid for the writer's conference, I would have attended.
I don't particularly like those good, better, best decisions when they involve personal choice and accountability.  

Tonight,
I don't wonder if I'm attending the right conference.
I am at peace with my decision to go be with my writing sisters...
but I wonder...
what is my purpose in attending a writing conference when I struggle to find time to write?
What do I need to do to continue to find my story?
What would the Lord have me do with this talent that I feel so strongly about, but do so little with?
Is my job simply to be a vocal voice and strength to other writers around me?
am i, am I, AM I, truly to contribute something to the world through this writing, this passion, this calling, I feel compelled to (if nothing else) acknowledge?

I have no doubt the answers will come.
I just have to put myself in places where they will come without so much of a struggle.
Which is precisely why I will be at the ANWA conference all day tomorrow.

(Is burying this talent still optional?)

On Being the {Gracious?} Receiver

Earlier this week when I got a call that I needed to "help" with Enrichment night, it was easy for me to say yes.
That is, until my friend on the other end of the phone explained how they wanted me to help this month.
She very kindly explained that she needed me to open my home to sisters who could come and serve me for about 2 hours on Thursday night (last night).

Sheesh.
That's not an easy way to help.
I admitted that to Karolee, and she and I chatted for a few minutes about how it IS hard to be served...and then she started throwing ideas out for me to consider.
It only took about 3 suggestions before my mind started jumping from project to project, thinking about how great this opportunity was!

The 2 hardest things for me were 1) settling on the project to get done, and 2) choosing not to clean up excessively because *gasp* sisters were coming over.  (I did make the kids do their chores before scouts, but that's pretty normal.)

Time and budget constraints made our final decision on what service would be rendered...we've had things purchased for a garden with a dripper system since last Nov. or so, and although I debated more shelving for the pantry, or painting a room, or even hanging noise-reducing curtains in the dining room, the ultimate decision was made because we had the gardening items in hand and unused out in the backyard.  All of the other projects would require a run to the hardware store and at least some out of pocket expense.   (I literally had no clue about what to do with the garden though...that's always been Pat's forte...and I knew I'd be busy for the first little while with the scouts).

So, last night, I had 3 sisters come to my home and loaned us a circular saw to cut the wood for the garden boxes, helped dig a small trench for the dripper hose, and filled our 2 garden boxes with the soil we had on hand.  We have 2 more garden boxes to put together, and we will need to buy more dirt and SEEDS to plant...but I'm looking out at a backyard with a space that WILL BE our garden.  Seriously, so cool.  (And as an added side note, I got some walls washed in the process too!)

Now, I just need to figure out what I want to plant.  :)

Refreshments came in hand...my kids loved those this morning!
Awesome idea...and I am SUPER excited, because next time Sister Swaps happen, I WILL get to help someone else...and not have to be {gracious} about being the recipient.

My Current Motto

Have you ever desired that things were different for you than they currently are?  
Yes, you don't really have to answer that, for I know that EVERY one of you feel that way or have felt that way at some point in your life. 


I find that I struggle with shyness.  
For those of you who know me here in Arizona, you may find that a bit shocking. 
Even those of you who knew me in New Mexico may be surprised by that revelation.  
However, it was a defining characteristic that influenced many of my growing up years.  
I regret some of the limits I placed on myself, and find myself striving to push my children to try things outside of their comfort zone.  
That being said, I am also pushing myself to do things and creating opportunities for myself that are beyond my "safe place".  


To say that I am a hermit would be overstating the situation a little, but I find it VERY easy to justify the need I have to be in my home...which will never be as clean as my perfectionistic nature desires...especially in light of the fact that I have 7 children to help keep on track with their chores and laundry.  
There are always errands to run, groceries to be purchased, spills to be wiped up, dusting to look at and put on my "I'll get to that tomorrow list".  
Meals not only need to be cooked, but the dishwasher consistently needs loaded or reloaded, and while the kids are quite thorough at taking care of that, often there is a second or even third load that needs to be run while they are at school.


I could go on...but I know any woman reading this will understand the ongoing list I keep in my head and strive to accomplish on a regular basis. 

Essentially, any socializing that I do comes down to making a conscious choice to ensure it happens.
I have mulled over the idea of knocking on a neighbors door multiple times, desiring to build that friendship.  
Every time, I have found a reason why I shouldn't extend myself.  
And you know what?  
Last week I found out she was moving, and I was selfishly sad.  
Sad at the missed opportunity to learn and grow from her. 
Sad that I had chosen, repeatedly, not to step out of my comfort zone and make an effort to be more open.
Sad that I had not strengthened a friendship when I had the chance. 


I can't change what is past, but as I have dwelt on what I could have/should have/would have done differently, the thought that repeatedly comes to my mind is this, 
"BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE." 


And so, that has become my current motto. 
Even when it's not easy, I'm working to have people over to my home, even when it's not perfectly clean (which it never truly is...that's why doors are shut and I don't invite people upstairs too often).  
I'm pushing my boundaries by inviting friends here to stamp with me...create cards and enjoy others company.  
I'm calling and setting times for get-togethers that I've always pushed off in the past for whatever reason.
I'm making the effort to create and send out "good mail"...trusting that more than just me wants to receive something other than a bill in the mail.  


I know this motto, this mantra, this new way of living my life is not just random happenstance.  
It is a prompting...a gift from God.  
And I thank Him for the change it is creating in me. 


Do you have a current personal motto?
If not, will you find one?