Christmas all year long!

[annmarieda]

I have spent my morning attempting to get caught up on all my threads that I subscribe too. Easy to stay on top of if you don't miss a day...but more than a day and WOW!!

Anyway, I had to share a quite note regarding Zoe. I probably will go into more detail later, but I had to mention that yesterday we went to Childrens Hospital. She is scheduled for a big surgery in June. I originally thought it would be April, but with the wedding, and all the pre op and coaching and recovery... June will be better. She will still have some pre op in May (I really hate that since May will be stressful enough with the wedding) Then much of June will be in Children's. Then will come the adjustment period in July and August. Finally in September we will have to include the schools in a care plan. She will have a life coach to help her deal with her new way of life. I am terribly worried. I know this is going to be hard on her. For the first week they will keep her paralyzed to minimize her pain level. It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I just have to keep a positive attitude. Still... my stomach... My poor little princesss.

 

[annmarieda]

Zach's leaving

Today is the day we drop Zach off. I am both sad and excited. I am so proud of him, but I worry too.

On a funny note, we went out to dinner last night to celebrate his last night with us. They all picked to go to a local asian food restaurant. It is a weird mix.... not just teryaki... but Chinese food and now pho. Anyway, it was all of us... our 4 kids + the soon to be son in-law. So you might be wondering what is funny. This is dh's favorite place because he loves the pho. He has drug me here before so this wasn't our first time there. It has recently got a new owner or worker...and this was the conversation.

lady working at restaurant - " your daughter is so cute, she looks just like you. You have the same face"

me - "thank you"

lady while squinting at me - "what nationality are you"

Now...before I go further. I suspect where she is going. My entire life I have had people think I have asian background. I grew up across from a Laotian family and even my parents had a hard time telling them from me when we were all out playing. Truthfully, my mom kinda looks a bit asian. Her family though... there are still living blood relatives in the former Yugoslavia. Both her parents were from there. My father... his parents were a mix of things with the greatest concentration of anything coming from his full native American grandmother. (which is where we have always attributed my straight black hair to)

So I hesitate and shrug saying " I don't know" (not wanting to give the long drawn out explanation I gave above.)

The lady is now perplexed and turning her head says. "You are Chinese" In more of a statement sort of way than a question.

I say "no, I don't' think so"

This only causes the woman to more aggressively say "You are Chinese"

Ok, so not to be confrontational I just say something to the effect that I don't think so and that the only thing I do have is native American in me.

Now, she squints more and says "you are American???"

I nod

She squints more and says, in disbelief "American?" while shaking her head.


Now, after this visit she has kinda made it her mission to make me realize my heritage. We go there too much (or rather my dh does since he loves the pho there) Each visit she continues to note my features and how my children have them too... etc.

So the funny last night. In the midst of our last "family meal" we had her join us. She is truly a nice person. I think she is funny. I don't know her on a first name basis or anything, but... she kinda just came over and joined us "on her mission again" She kept saying how my kids had my "same face"

My kids found this hilarious. I had to explain to my future son in law why she was being this way. (telling him of our past conversations) While he found it amusing he told me that when he first started dating Kira he and his family were confused thinking how I must be asian... but Kira wasn't.

Honestly I am not trying to deny anything. I also am not trying to offend the restaurant lady by not agreeing with her. (although I don't think she is) I think she is just really curious how I have certain traits and am not "Chinese"

 

[dizneeat]

All caught up!

Your planning sounds great! I cannot believe you have already planned so much! I just came up with a list of some of our favourite restaurants and tried to spread them over 9 nights!

You must be so proud of your son! Serving his country is quite something for someone still so young!

Oh, and I loved that little "story" about your Chinese heritage!

 

[DisneyKira]

Zach's leaving

Today is the day we drop Zach off. I am both sad and excited. I am so proud of him, but I worry too.

On a funny note, we went out to dinner last night to celebrate his last night with us. They all picked to go to a local asian food restaurant. It is a weird mix.... not just teryaki... but Chinese food and now pho. Anyway, it was all of us... our 4 kids + the soon to be son in-law. So you might be wondering what is funny. This is dh's favorite place because he loves the pho. He has drug me here before so this wasn't our first time there. It has recently got a new owner or worker...and this was the conversation.

lady working at restaurant - " your daughter is so cute, she looks just like you. You have the same face"

me - "thank you"

lady while squinting at me - "what nationality are you"

Now...before I go further. I suspect where she is going. My entire life I have had people think I have asian background. I grew up across from a Laotian family and even my parents had a hard time telling them from me when we were all out playing. Truthfully, my mom kinda looks a bit asian. Her family though... there are still living blood relatives in the former Yugoslavia. Both her parents were from there. My father... his parents were a mix of things with the greatest concentration of anything coming from his full native American grandmother. (which is where we have always attributed my straight black hair to)

So I hesitate and shrug saying " I don't know" (not wanting to give the long drawn out explanation I gave above.)

The lady is now perplexed and turning her head says. "You are Chinese" In more of a statement sort of way than a question.

I say "no, I don't' think so"

This only causes the woman to more aggressively say "You are Chinese"

Ok, so not to be confrontational I just say something to the effect that I don't think so and that the only thing I do have is native American in me.

Now, she squints more and says "you are American???"

I nod

She squints more and says, in disbelief "American?" while shaking her head.


Now, after this visit she has kinda made it her mission to make me realize my heritage. We go there too much (or rather my dh does since he loves the pho there) Each visit she continues to note my features and how my children have them too... etc.

So the funny last night. In the midst of our last "family meal" we had her join us. She is truly a nice person. I think she is funny. I don't know her on a first name basis or anything, but... she kinda just came over and joined us "on her mission again" She kept saying how my kids had my "same face"

My kids found this hilarious. I had to explain to my future son in law why she was being this way. (telling him of our past conversations) While he found it amusing he told me that when he first started dating Kira he and his family were confused thinking how I must be asian... but Kira wasn't.

Honestly I am not trying to deny anything. I also am not trying to offend the restaurant lady by not agreeing with her. (although I don't think she is) I think she is just really curious how I have certain traits and am not "Chinese"

Don't forget about how relieved she was when she saw you with Dad. When she saw him come in with me and not you the last time, she thought that something had happened

 

[annmarieda]

You must be so proud of your son! Serving his country is quite something for someone still so young!

Thank you, it has been a weird day. I spontaneously started to cry. I can't believe we are about to take him to the armory.

Don't forget about how relieved she was when she saw you with Dad. When she saw him come in with me and not you the last time, she thought that something had happened

I know... she is so funny.

 

[tinacaplan]

I have spent my morning attempting to get caught up on all my threads that I subscribe too. Easy to stay on top of if you don't miss a day...but more than a day and WOW!!

Anyway, I had to share a quite note regarding Zoe. I probably will go into more detail later, but I had to mention that yesterday we went to Childrens Hospital. She is scheduled for a big surgery in June. I originally thought it would be April, but with the wedding, and all the pre op and coaching and recovery... June will be better. She will still have some pre op in May (I really hate that since May will be stressful enough with the wedding) Then much of June will be in Children's. Then will come the adjustment period in July and August. Finally in September we will have to include the schools in a care plan. She will have a life coach to help her deal with her new way of life. I am terribly worried. I know this is going to be hard on her. For the first week they will keep her paralyzed to minimize her pain level. It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I just have to keep a positive attitude. Still... my stomach... My poor little princesss.

Seriously...my prayers are with you on this one! Just dealing with Max's ear infections this week was difficult enough... I'm not sure I would be strong enough to handle surgery like that. I guess I'd do it, because we do whatever it takes for our kids, but its got to be hard. I'm sorry, and I think you explained it more somewhere, but what is Zoe having surgery for? I completely understand if you don't want to answer that, either.

Your plans look great! Yay for four more days! Funny how Disney math can work like that... Maybe you can spin it to your DH that the extra time means you can have a more relaxed trip?

And for your son leaving, too. I am so grateful for his service. Someone posted something on FB recently that was along the lines of: everyone's been obsessed with the Charlie Sheen story the past couple of weeks, but what attention are we paying our soldiers? But it in perspective for me.

On the planning side...we loved 'Ohana and we loved the Plaza. Many of the other places we ate were OK, at best. More to come on that in my TR, but I came to the shocking conclusion that we'd have been better off with more CS, as well as just snacking around the World on some days, as there are some amazing snacks at the various parks.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hope you are hanging in there after Zach's departure! I can't imagine what stress you must be going through worrying about Zoe! It sounds like a long process.

 

[annmarieda]

Wow looks like you will be spending a LOT of time at Disney! I think it'll be awesome that you get to spend your birthday at Disney if you do so...nothing quite like it, I bet! I've never spent my actual birthday in Disney but one year I'd love to.

I think this is one of the reasons I want to stay that long. We will see though, I might still change the plans. I think a lot is going to depend on flights. Right now, just leaving a couple days earlier cuts the airfare by almost half. That is just crazy!!!

Seriously...my prayers are with you on this one! Just dealing with Max's ear infections this week was difficult enough... I'm not sure I would be strong enough to handle surgery like that. I guess I'd do it, because we do whatever it takes for our kids, but its got to be hard. I'm sorry, and I think you explained it more somewhere, but what is Zoe having surgery for? I completely understand if you don't want to answer that, either.

Thanks for the hug You are right...we do whatever it takes for our kids. Zoe was born with a birth defect. Essentially, she did not have a complete urinary tract system...or what she did have was not completely formed. There were also orthopedic issues, but she has long since overcome them. My little girl, who the docs warned may never walk... she is a bouncing running ball of joy. Now, if only her other system could have cooperated as much. The goal of this surgery will be to have her gain continence. (as of right now she has basically none. Her bladder is the size of a newborn) It will be a long road, but we will get there.

Your plans look great! Yay for four more days! Funny how Disney math can work like that... Maybe you can spin it to your DH that the extra time means you can have a more relaxed trip?

Steve really doesn't care. I wish he would... either tell me he really wants to come home for Christmas or really wants to stay. The only thing he has said is that he really wants to stay in a deluxe hotel. I just hate how expensive the hotel is for those 4 extra nights. And...since the pin I had only covered the first part of the trip...there is no discount for those holiday nights.

And for your son leaving, too. I am so grateful for his service. Someone posted something on FB recently that was along the lines of: everyone's been obsessed with the Charlie Sheen story the past couple of weeks, but what attention are we paying our soldiers? But it in perspective for me.

I saw that fb post circulating. Thank you for your kind words. I am proud of him. I just hate not knowing when I will see him next.

On the planning side...we loved 'Ohana and we loved the Plaza. Many of the other places we ate were OK, at best. More to come on that in my TR, but I came to the shocking conclusion that we'd have been better off with more CS, as well as just snacking around the World on some days, as there are some amazing snacks at the various parks.

I know there are some good restaurants and some just ok ones. I don't want to waste my time with the "just ok" ones. I will be anxious to see what you have to write on your TR.

Hope you are hanging in there after Zach's departure! I can't imagine what stress you must be going through worrying about Zoe! It sounds like a long process.

Thanks so much Today is a better day...

 

[shocky5]

Glad to hear today is a better day for you! Your dinner story is hilarious, btw!! But what a good memory to laugh at!!

I'm intertwining your post on my PTR with my response in your PTR but you commented about how much I have going on and I think you have much more going on! Needless to say - our December trips will be much needed, long awaited rewards for a crazy, crazy year!!

Love that Zoe blew the docs 'out of the water' in regards to their theory of whether she would walk or not and is so full of energy and motion! Good indication that she will prevail through the next chapters on her path to continence. Turning 40... I think I'm headed in the opposite direction! C-sections, old, fat, old... Definitely warm thoughts for Zoe!

Do you know when you will get to hear from Zach? I know you don't know when you will see him but what's the communication going to be like?

 

[annmarieda]

Love that Zoe blew the docs 'out of the water' in regards to their theory of whether she would walk or not and is so full of energy and motion! Good indication that she will prevail through the next chapters on her path to continence. Turning 40... I think I'm headed in the opposite direction! C-sections, old, fat, old... Definitely warm thoughts for Zoe!

Do you know when you will get to hear from Zach? I know you don't know when you will see him but what's the communication going to be like?

Thanks for all your kind words...and for the chuckle. I am 41 had 4 C-section...old...fat... Yup...that is me... so I hear ya!!!

As for Zach we got to see him briefly one last time before he flew out. He is now somewhere over the country... between Texas and Arkansas. Once he gets to where he is going we can write back and forth, but that is about it. After he is done in Arkansas, he will go to Mississippi. Then from there he will go to Virginia. I hope he is back by fall. We will see.

 

[shocky5]

Thanks for all your kind words...and for the chuckle. I am 41 had 4 C-section...old...fat... Yup...that is me... so I hear ya!!!

As for Zach we got to see him briefly one last time before he flew out. He is now somewhere over the country... between Texas and Arkansas. Once he gets to where he is going we can write back and forth, but that is about it. After he is done in Arkansas, he will go to Mississippi. Then from there he will go to Virginia. I hope he is back by fall. We will see.

Glad to make you laugh! Was my intention and anyone who's ever had c-sections will definitely understand the bladder issues that come later!!

Well he's just a state away from us! Arkansas border is about 50 miles from us - what portion of the state? We are NE Oklahoma. I just bet he will do great and make you all even more proud than you already are.

 

[annmarieda]

Well he's just a state away from us! Arkansas border is about 50 miles from us - what portion of the state? We are NE Oklahoma. I just bet he will do great and make you all even more proud than you already are.

I am not sure where is is in Arkansas. I know that is bad... I know next he goes to Ft. Jackson and then Ft. Lee.

 

[annmarieda]

A little of this and a little of that

Any of you who have followed for a while know that I do a bit of shopping ahead of time. I have already bought more than I probably should. (considering we are 9 months out)

I normally take pictures, but... rather than bore you all with that(and take the time that I really don't have a bunch of right now) I thought I would just list some of the goodies I have purchased. If there is anything that sounds like you just have to see... I can share a pic. Just let me know.

So, first there was some more pj's. I had purchased the Mickey ones for myself about a month ago. Well, all of those jammies were still around and had been clearanced down fro $25 to $5 now (I didn't get my mickey ones that cheap ) Anyway, the new ones are tinkerbell, pink with snowflakes.

Next I found some disney chapsticks at Dollar Tree. I bought a Cinderella one for Zoe (even has a "gem" on the lid) I bought a Mickey one for Alex. They were to go in stockings... but... little miss found them and took them to her room. Luckily I recovered them and we can still use them for the trip. (just not the stockings)

Then the Disneystore.com purchase. I got Steve a black fleece with Mickey on it. I bought a bunch of gift bags with Mickey wearing a santa hat on them(not sure what..but they were a bargain) I got a christmas plaid nightgown for Zoe that has both Mickey and Minnie on it. For her, I also got a princess sweatshirt and tutu. She is so cute in this I will probably take a picture at some point and share. I bought a rather strange Mickey/santa earband. The santa hat sticks straight up in the air.... it is bright and merry though... Also a mickey hat that has a patchwork of Christmas plaids on it. Not sure who will wear it, but I usually have a various amount of hats that we can choose from...

Finally, I got a couple tshirts for Zoe at Target. Right now, they have Disney T's clearanced to just under $6. A very cute Tink one and a bright Mickey one. I really like the Mickey one since it is an image of Mickey that is composed of smaller images of images of Minnie. Super cute.

So there ya go... all my most recent purchases.

 

[KatMark]

Ann, I'm sorry I've not been around and I'm trying to play catch up with all of my threads.

I'm sorry I wasn't here to give you a when Zach departed. I hope you are coping well.

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, I'm sorry I've not been around and I'm trying to play catch up with all of my threads.

I'm sorry I wasn't here to give you a when Zach departed. I hope you are coping well.

No worries... I truly understand.

The day we dropped Zach off at the armory was hard. I cried. Then the next day we got a quick meal with him after he got his shipping orders. It felt like a bonus. Then the next day I got a call once he arrived where he was headed. It was his "last call" and while it was nice to hear from him it was painfully brief. Just a quick "hi, mom. This is my last call. I have to go now. Please don't call me back" I look forward to word from him. Probably I will get a letter.

 

[annmarieda]

I forgot to mention the best purchase yet.

It is a bit ridiculous....



It is very comfortable......



It has wonderful Mickey heads all over it......


What is it??????.....


A disney......







SNUGGIE







So, I know these get a lot of laughs... I mean, I admit it is more ridiculous than I could have imagined. Still, I find I keep using it. I LOVE wearing it at the computer. My initial intent was to use during parades instead of a blanket. Now.. I am not so sure.

 

[annmarieda]

I know that right now might not be the time to stress out about airfare...but I can't seem to help it. Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say I am actually stressed...but I am keeping a close eye on things.

In doing so one thing has been consistent. Flying out on the 13th or 14th is much cheaper than the 15th. Having already added to the back end, I really don't want to add to the front. Come to find out though... the cheapest fare I have found is flying out on the 13th (a red eye) and then flying back on the 24th.

It got me thinking. If we did that we could cut our stay down by one night without losing days (since we will arrive early in the morning of the 14th). We also would cut out the more expensive nights stays on the 24th and 25th. It would mean not being there on my birthday though... However, doing this would save (between airfare and package cost) over one thousand dollars. Hmm... staying would mean a pretty pricey bday gift for me.

Seems like a no brainer kinda doesn't it. Course... If there was another promo... or air fare came down... then we wouldn't necessarily save much.

The other kink is that I was thinking that we would have enough points on one of our mileage plans to have 2 tickets free. I know the rate at which we earn points. That puts us at earning the last allotment at the END of December. Even if we finagled a bit and earned just a bit extra each month... I figure the soonest would be November. I can't possibly consider waiting till then to get our airfare.

On another carrier, we have a companion fare so even if flights are a bit higher... it still makes the cost for two people cheaper. Plus... on that carrier it is always a straight flight. My thought was to also take advantage of this. Yes, that means that the guys would fly on one flight and the girls on another. That sounds weird, I know... however. Alex and Zoe can't seem to fly well together. Last year I swore I was not taking them on a flight together again. Steve also tends to read or "go into his own world" so I really wouldn't miss companionship.

So I am not sure I want to jump on changing dates. If we end up all flying together on Alaska (the one we have a companion fare with) Their rates could come down significantly as we get closer. However, given how much I have been thinking I DON'T like the cost of our current package... I am going to have to give this some serious consideration.

 

[onescgirl]

I would love to have the Disney snuggie!!!
I have the original plain colored one that sold on the t.v. before stores started carrying them.
I love my snuggie & use it all the time , but I wish I had a cute one!

Good luck with the airfare situation! I foresee tons of changes before Dec!

 

[annmarieda]

I would love to have the Disney snuggie!!!
I have the original plain colored one that sold on the t.v. before stores started carrying them.
I love my snuggie & use it all the time , but I wish I had a cute one!

Good luck with the airfare situation! I foresee tons of changes before Dec!

This actually makes me feel better. You are always so well dressed in all of your photos. If you... looking as good as you do.. like your snuggie, then maybe it is ok that I like mine. However, my family still make fun of me when I use it.

Lots of changes before December. Oh yes!!! I bet you are right.

 

[onescgirl]

This actually makes me feel better. You are always so well dressed in all of your photos. If you... looking as good as you do.. like your snuggie, then maybe it is ok that I like mine. However, my family still make fun of me when I use it.

Lots of changes before December. Oh yes!!! I bet you are right.

I love the snuggie so much that I would love to be like those on t.v. & take it to the ballgames during the winter. But, I'm too embarrassed people will laugh! So, I just take a regular blanket to the games!
I guess that makes me a closet-snuggie-lover!