I am glad you had some control over your surprise. I am also glad the observation is over.
I am so sorry that this update did not bring back happy memories. I know all this weighed heavy on your heart and if I knew how heavy this was weighing on you I would have given you a great big
when I saw you.
We have a very good assistant principal. I wish we could keep her, but she'll leave for a principal's job soon, I'm sure. It will definitely be a bad thing for us and a good thing for whatever school gets her.
We did have a black cloud hanging over us on this trip. After I was alone in my room that night, I was able to have my good cry. There was nothing we could have done back at home, though. I kept in constant touch with the family to see how each day was going. They were all in shock, for the most part, but they didn't even know that they were going to be even more shocked in such a short time.
Memom - HUGS to you for the sadness of the last post. I hope you thought of some wonderful memories of Joan.
Congratulations for the last observation being over! I hate the weight of that....
Someone should have warned the other contestants who they were going up against...the Mayor of Distown!
Well, I won't be able to do the meet in progress this summer--We arrive July 8. I am very happy about the date. The only negative is missing the meet, but many more trips are in our future...
We do have great memories to treasure.
I am glad the observation is over. The post-conference is today.
I wish I could remember some of the questions on the quiz. When I have time to search my brain, I will see if I can come up with some. Some were about characters, some about rides, some about resorts - they weren't all obvious things for Disney newcomers.
Sorry we will miss you this summer - and only by a few days.
Yay that your observation is over!!
So sad about the news that was delivered to your during that time.
Life is full of good things and bad things, isn't it? We have no control over a lot of it, and we surely had no control over Joan's illness and passing. That was very unexpected. The bad days make us appreciate the good ones.
I loved the Jingle Jungle Parade!
I'm so sorry yall got such sad news at such a happy place. I know this must be tough to talk about. I'm glad yall got to spend some good time with her after you got home, though.
We love the parade, also, and it is so fun how they decorate the animals. Seeing the stockings and the naughty/nice list - those are cute touches.
Trent and I did get to spend an evening with Joan when we got back. She died two days later. I am glad I got to say my goodbyes. Jill did not get to do that, and with her being away in Huntsville, it will probably take her longer to really even grasp that Joan is not here, as normal.
I hate to hear that you got such bad news while in your favorite place. I know it had to be hard to keep going that day with such a dark cloud looming.
I got the news about one of my favorite people ever in one of my favorite places ever. I don't know if that has any significance or not, but I can tell you that I will never board the train to Rafiki's again without thinking of her.
We still had a good time, as Joan would absolutely have wanted us to do. There was just a heaviness weighing in the background at all times.
I'm sorry you received the news about Joan. I can tell how much she means to you. She is always with you now.
It was very brave of you to continue and push your way through for the girls. You are such a strong person, and Jill too.
Is there any news on Jill? How is she feeling with the pregnancy? I hope she is feeling well and if you are reading this Jill we are all thinking about you!!
She was an incredibly special, giving, caring lady, and the times we spent with her were happy ones, except for when I was going through the divorce. She and I talked a lot during that time. She was the one who told me I really had no choice other than to go to a lawyer and get something in writing before my husband/her nephew spent all of our money on his frivolous things. He left and started buying new clothes, a new truck, went to Vegas, etc., and she said I better get something down in writing about his obligations before he went any more crazy and spent it all. I never thought I would be involved in divorce, but she said I had the Biblical grounds, for one, and he was obviously getting worse, so I needed to take care of myself and the kids. This was
his aunt and my 'mother figure', so I went from her house to mine and went ahead and called a lawyer. I felt fear and relief. It was a really difficult time, but it was definitely the right thing for us, as it played out.
Sorry for the side story. It's just one of the biggest turning points in my life, and she and Ray helped me through it emotionally and financially, so it really stands out to me when I think of her.
Jill has been fine. She's busy, and she's tired at the end of the day, but aren't we all, even if we are not 'with child'?
Bella has been sick, so that's been taxing on Jill.
Hi MeMom! I finally have a chance to catch up. I have a ton of school work this week and next week. I've been working on a history paper all week, which I turned in today. Now I have a paper due Monday, a psych test on Tuesday, and a history midterm on Wednesday I have a long week of studying ahead of me. And there's another midterm the week after next. I've already had a looong day today and I've only been up for a few hours. I overslept this morning. I woke up about 15 minutes before I was supposed to leave I got ready quickly and only had time for a little bit of breakfast so my stomach was growling half way through history I'm going to the library in a few minutes to get some work done but right now I'm taking a DIS break while I eat lunch.
On the bright side, Meghan and I had a wonderful DIS meet It was a lot of fun. She forgot her camera so I'm the one with the pictures. I'll post them on my PTR when I get a chance. And my trip is a little over two weeks away
I'm sorry you got such heartbreaking news in your happy place My aunt was sick while we were there in 2010, but at that point we really thought she was getting better. Three weeks later she was gone
I'm glad you guys had a god visit.
Thanks for the picture. It made me smile to know you guys were having fun together.
You know how fast these horrible diseases can take a person down. It's awful.
Hang in there on the school stuff. Your trip is almost here!
Congrats on a good observation!
For real! I concur!!!
Good to hear from you. I have been enjoying Seth's videos on FB. He is so cute!
Maybe we will both have some DVC points one of these years.
Oh, I can hear the sadness in your words and feel the sadness in your pictures. How very hard to be so far away from home and receive news such as this.
Congratulations on getting the observation over and done with!
I had talked to Dawn about staying back before we left, if she felt like it was that bad. At that time, she didn't, and she said of course we should go on. I am just glad we did get back in time.
My week got better right after the observation was over.
to MeMom and family for your last post.
Shame there won't be any photos of your Mardi Gras staff luncheon, sounds like you made it look special for everyone.
I have checked for you and it looks like Brooklynn would be able to do the Characters in Flight balloon ride at DTD. The pricing for it states $18 for adults and $12 for children aged 3-9.
Bellow are some photos taken in August 2011 at Wintersummerland mini golf; the summer course.
We had a great time here, I'm sure you and Brooklynn would too.
The teachers loved all the decorations. They've talked about it and the good time they had all week. We had music playing, and the food was good. I am glad we played it up big. It was good for morale.
Thanks for the pictures....except for the one you are trying to frighten me with!!!
If we go to that golf course, I will have to take a chisel. I have got to make an air hole in that sand for Santa to be able to breathe!!!
The balloon is a good possibility. I'd love to get pictures from up high.
Ah, such a bittersweet post. I know how much it hurt you to lose Joan.
Glad that observation is done - now you can think of happier things instead of stressing about that.
Wow - that golf course looks AWESOME!!! I might have to check it out next trip!
I miss talking to Joan every Sunday morning before church. We would catch up on the week.
I hope the post-conference goes well today. Then I will enjoy my weekend.
I have a long week of studying ahead of me. And there's another midterm the week after next. I've already had a looong day today and I've only been up for a few hours. I overslept this morning. I woke up about 15 minutes before I was supposed to leave 
My aunt was sick while we were there in 2010, but at that point we really thought she was getting better. Three weeks later she was gone 
Send back lots of pretty flower pictures, please!
I will hate to part with it...so maybe I will just renew it. 
So our list will include: 
