You know those days where everything just gets to your emotions? I guess I'm mostly figuring the ladies can relate to this, but this has just been one of those days. I guess just realizing the trip is so close, after waiting for so long, and I am so, so, so excited about being able to take Brooklynn there. I started out watching A Baby Story this morning, and I almost always find those so touching. The one I saw today had a lady with five handsome boys, and she was having a little girl this time. They all looked so sweet at the end, all those husky, rowdy, smiling boys huddled around that little princess. I don't remember their names, but somewhere out there, I believe they are living full, happy lives, and it just started off my day thinking off how proud that dad was and how excited that mom was to finally have a daughter to share girl things with.
Of course, that made me think of my own daughter, who has just turned out to be the most wonderful, giving, loving young woman. Seeing her become a mommy has been one of the greatest joys I've ever known. I thought about how happy I am that she and John met at college, and how they are making a good life for themselves. I'm grateful for John, who takes care of two girls I love very much. They are able to give Brooklynn a better life than I was able to give my kids because of their good jobs, and I am so happy for that. I'm thankful that Brooklynn is a beautiful, happy, healthy baby.
It made me think of Trent, and how grateful I am to have him. Trent almost died in a sports accident at the end of his senior year of high school. It's a long story, but he had emergency surgery to repair a damaged spleen, colon, kidney, intestines, appendix, and a one inch hole in his stomach on the night he was supposed to be going to his senior banquet. After the surgery, we were told that if the surgery hadn't been done when it was, he would have lived about another two hours, and then he would have collapsed and most likely not lived. He had an eight month recovery period which altered the course of his life, and at first he thought it was the worst thing that ever happened to him. Through that altering of his college plans, though, he met Kristi, and now he knows that from something very bad, something very good can happen. I am grateful that we have Trent around, and that he has sweet Kristi. I am grateful for Kristi, who puts up with Trent's craziness and who just fits in so naturally with our family.
It made me think of Drew, who I prayed for many, many nights, and who came from the other side of the world to be my son. Drew was the laughter and joy in our lives when we went through some really hard times right after his arrival. He's had a bit of a rough time in school, growing up with ADD, but here he is, on the verge of his senior year. I know he has wanted to walk out the school door never to return many times. He will be a happy young man when school life is over for him and he can go out into the world of cars and photography, never to sit behind a desk again, unless it is his choice. I'm proud of him for not quitting.
It made me think of how grateful I am to be around to see my little Brooklynn grow. I have a history of many kinds of cancer in my hereditary lines, and I had a pretty serious surgery several years back. It was only a tiny bit away from having reached the bone, but with lots of cutting and a lot of God's blessings, I am perfectly fine. Granted, I have a scar on my right leg that makes me look like I'm related to Frankenstein, but big deal! Because of the removal of the lymphnodes, my leg swells like an elephant at certain times, as I know it will do on our trip, but again, big deal! I can limp with the best of them, and I am so very, very blessed to be able to have the opportunity to limp through Disney World with my family.
So, though I am thankful for them every day, today has been one of my more reflective days. We are preparing to go to one of the greatest places in the world, all of us alive and healthy, all of us able-bodied and not wanting for necessities, and all of us very blessed people.
Okay, enough of the jibberish. Since my thoughts are probably so much on the surface because of the trip, I guess I can include it as part of the trip. And, of course, since declansdad has PROMISED me a new bathroom next year, I've never been so excited about Canada Day in my life! You all did hear him promise, right? All kidding aside, if you ever do come to Tennessee, go to the eastern part. East Tennessee is beautiful with the mountains and streams, especially in the fall. Gatlinburg in October is a sight to see! It would be worth it to stop off there for a night or two on your way to Disney World sometime.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead, whether you are doing something special, or whether you are just doing the mundane things in life. I believe all of us who come together in friendships on this forum are some pretty blessed folks! Stay safe, and keep counting those days until your trip comes!!!
Still trying to figure out how to tell the kids the big "we're going to WDW" secret! Mostly going nuts because I ALWAYS start packing about this time and I can't because the kids don't know!!! Sure hope I don't forget something because I won't be packing until the day before we leave OMG!!
One will say one thing and then the next one will try and one up them with a favorite ride/food/character. They get all worked up over it.
She has no idea how blessed she is! You all look like you have tons of fun together and really love each other.
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) that in two weeks we would be on our way to Magic Kingdom to ride Dumbo and Peter Pan. 
Thats dedication if you can fit that into the schedule...I am impressed!
This is sooo exciting! I can't wait to hear all about your week!
