December 2009 - A Celebration of many things

I’m really excited that my last real pre-Disney post has turned out to be number 500. I’ve actually thought a lot about what I should say in this one. I’ve spoken extensively about my belief in the magic, Disney and otherwise, and I’ve told all of you about my journey. But I think that this post best serves as a “Thanks!” theme.

First and foremost I have to talk about Greg; my best friend and companion in this life. This past year was a little rough on us, but he never once lost his faith and he stood next to me every step of them way, sometimes even carrying me. When I look back on October 18, 2008 (the day I returned to work from my honeymoon and the day I was laid off) I realize now that that day was a turning point in my life. It was the point at which I began to realize what I wanted from life and what was important to me. I knew I would always have to work, NY is expensive and we have many Disney trips in our future, but I never again wanted a job that was so demanding of my time and a job that would constantly come between me and my family (my life was a little bit like “The Devil Wears Prada” [and yes, she does]). We are almost out of the tunnel, but Greg is the reason we have gotten this far. He took care of me when I felt like I have lost my self worth and a piece of myself. He gave me a new purpose in life and helped me realize that more than anything I was proud to be his wife, and someday a mother. Greg stayed strong and talked me off many a ledges. My impulsiveness would have gotten the best of me and I would have canceled Disney. But Greg would say, “What was the point of all this saving and budgeting and struggling if at the end of it all we don’t go to Disney.”

When I titled this “A Celebration of Many Things” it really meant that this isn’t just our first anniversary trip, but a commemoration of getting through the tough times. We weren’t expecting our first year of marriage to be like this, but it has made us stronger, individually and together. We also learned a lot about each other and the limits of our bond. We were able to weather the storm and prove to everyone that no matter what there will always be us, and we’ll survive and come out on top.

When I found this quote, I knew it was perfect: "All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." Walt Disney
The kick in our teeth was exactly what we needed. I have a new outlook on life and for that I am grateful I lost my job!!

So, thank you to my wonderful husband for putting up with me when I was difficult, calming me when I was in hysterics, and being the best friend I have ever had in life and in love.

I also wanted to thank all of my Disney friends. You have made this journey so enjoyable for me and I appreciate all of you who were here with me through this planning process. Everyday I would look forward to what you would write, what you had to say, and hearing how your journey was going. You gave my workdays a little ray of sunshine. I feel that I have made some wonderful friends here and I am so happy that you are all apart of my life now.

Finally, I must say a little something about faith. Greg and I are not very religious people, we’ve had a little trouble finding an organized religion that encompasses what we believe, but that’s another story LOL. Anyway, we do, however believe in God, a higher power. I am grateful that we both managed to keep our faith throughout this entire ordeal. In the end we knew we would be stronger and that one day we would laugh about this. That day has come!

Please stay tuned for my TR which I will start shortly after returning.

To all joining me in Disney have a very magical vacation, and for those who have a little more time to go, no worries, that day will come sooner rather than later!!!
 
love the pics and your decorations. The holiday table was beautiful! lol on the turkey! :rotfl:

and you are all packed- pretty good!! you guys packed pretty well too- we are going to have way too many bags for us 3.

love the Virginia/Santa story. always a favorite.

and I LOVE penguins too. as a kid, we all had our favorite animal- my sister loved raccoons (go figure) and the other teddy bears. Penguins were my thing, so mom always bought me penguin stuff.

only 2 days left! so what else do you have left to do- anything? are you all ready now. i am so so excited for you guys!:wizard:

Thanks!! I love to decorate for the holidays!!! And since I have more room this year I'll be able to pick up some things at Disney without DH saying "Where are you going to put that?!?!"

We were pretty committed to not have to pay for the bags on the way down. We have an empty spare in the luggage, but we wanted to stick with our allotted bags for the trip there. Weight wise we're good too. Since we have jeans and sweat shirts they are a little more bulky, but Greg is at 44lbs and I am at 40lbs.

I love penguins too!! The penguin was my sorority mascot and it sort of stuck from there. Greg even adopted my a little Argentinian penguin named Penny. We renew the donation every year because it goes to preserving the penguins natural habitat. I get pictures and updates throughout the year, I love it!!

Thank you so much for posting that story. This year I have an 8 year old little girl who is having certain little friends telling her that there is no Santa Clause. I've been doing my best trying to get her to still believe but let's just say that she is the type of child that if I say it's black, she'll say its white just for the heck of it. :headache: So, I'm not sure if I am getting through to her. I just want to hold on to her innocence a little while longer. I don't think I could ever confirm that he isn't real. I read her that story just now and we talked about God and how we can't see him but we believe. It's all about faith and we can choose whether to have or not have that faith. Thank you again for reminding me of that wonderful story!

I am so glad you enjoyed the story!! I love that story, just makes me happy and gives me the warm fuzzies! I think your analogy with faith was a good way of looking at it. I hope that your daughter continues to believe, I don't think Christmas is the same once you have lost what forever!

I hate nasty 5 year old neighbor girls!

LOL I know!! Growing up I remember those means girls and how bad they would make me feel. Jokes on them though, they grew up to become a mess and I grew up and have a fabulous life!! Looking back I almost feel triumphant, but going through it was so hard.
 
Your final PTR installment was perfectly put! See ya Monday!!! :yay:
 












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