How to do Disney for less than $383,000)...pics added

[princesscate]

Great PTR! I can't wait to hear more.

U have a beautiful family and farm!

 

[shaunaday]

I just found you, your PTR is great! I am an ex rider, I used to show and train Hunters and Jumpers! I had a really bad fall, and had to stop riding. I tried again and now my knees are too deteriorated to continue, which absolutly breaks my heart! I have talked to DH about maybe going back to western riding (I started out western and went english after a few years), but I have yet to do so! It is my dream to own a farm of my own! Your place looks amazing! DD 4 is also a part time rider...lol she started taking lessons at 3, and has been doing it on and off for just over a year.

I wish that I could have a souvie from WDW like you got!! DH and I cannot have any more kids, so we just put in our application for adoption this week! I love the Coral Reef, your plans there sound amazing!! Can't wait to read more!!

Thanks so much for the kind words, Disney Brat! Glad to have you here.

I am sorry to hear that you are not able to continue riding due to your knees. I can;t imagine what my DH will do the day he is told "no more horses". I, personally, am a part time rider like your DD. As are my children. We like to look at the "pretty horsies." It drives my DH nuts.

Seriously, the kids and I are more of the "support staff" around here and DH is the horse person. I like to make the barn look nice and keep up with his books waaayyyy more than I like to ride. Although, I can ride and will ride a few of the trustworthy ones around here...you won't be seeing me hop on the back of most of the horses on our farm. If I were 100% honest here, I would admit to being a tad bit afraid of horses. (Horses are BIG! )

Good luck with the adoption!! I admire your decision to adopt and hope the process is a smooth and blissful one. No matter how your blessings arrive the waiting is hard, but worth it!!

Hi Shauna! My name is Shauna.

Love your farm and your wonderful WDW souvies. Looking forward to reading more!

What? A "Shauna" who spells her name like me? Woot! I never meet Shaunas who can spell.

Anyhoo...Thanks for being here. Stick around. I may have something interesting to say. Er, hopefully anyway.

Great PTR! I can't wait to hear more.

U have a beautiful family and farm!

Princesscate. so glad you are here. Hang in there. I promise to keep you at least moderatly entertained.

 

[samiet620]

Wow Shauna what an inspiring story that uplifts those of us going through "a rough period". I'm glad I came in today and read your post. Hanging in there is hard sometimes but hanging in there can bring great blessings, you are proof of that!. Your property is breath taking... My DD(your hubby's fan, remember her? )almost fell over. That child WILL have a ranch I tell you! Funny thing is she has never been near or on a horse!! Maybe she should come over for a reality check and clean some of those stalls for you
What a great way to celebrate your triumph as a family..Disney World

 

[the4princesses]

Your story is so wonderful!! With GOD as things are possible!!
My DD19 has a 3 year old mare, her dream is to have a ranch!!
Do you live in GA.?
WE ARE GOING TO BE AT POP SEPT. 3-10TH WITH FREE DINING!
CAN'T WAIT!!
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!
KATHY

 

[mkluvsmickey]

What an awesome story - thanks for sharing. I know where you are coming from - right now my hubby and I are living in separate states due to our work situation. It is hard but your story has encouraged me to keep the faith!

 

[amytheobald]

I love your explanation of why Disney! Disney is our celebration of being a family too!

 

[shaunaday]

Wow Shauna what an inspiring story that uplifts those of us going through "a rough period". I'm glad I came in today and read your post. Hanging in there is hard sometimes but hanging in there can bring great blessings, you are proof of that!. Your property is breath taking... My DD(your hubby's fan, remember her? )almost fell over. That child WILL have a ranch I tell you! Funny thing is she has never been near or on a horse!! Maybe she should come over for a reality check and clean some of those stalls for you
What a great way to celebrate your triumph as a family..Disney World

Thanks, samieT620!
I firmly believe that our family has been blessed in monumental ways (although perhaps not by the world's standards) due to our determination to stick it out. It reminds me of a quote a recently read, I wish I could remember the exact words, but it is something like this (forgive me, I am sure it was more poetic than this):

"No one could have sailed across the ocean if they had gotten out of the boat during the storm."

P.S. Send your daughter on over. I am tired!

And you know what...this side of the ocean is kinda nice.

Your story is so wonderful!! With GOD as things are possible!!
My DD19 has a 3 year old mare, her dream is to have a ranch!!
Do you live in GA.?

KATHY

HI there! I agree with your statement about God making all things possible. I sometimes forget and try to rely on my own strength...then when I have completely screwed things up...I remember then surrender.

We are in Georgia. Just south of ATL. Are you in GA as well?

What an awesome story - thanks for sharing. I know where you are coming from - right now my hubby and I are living in separate states due to our work situation. It is hard but your story has encouraged me to keep the faith!

mkluvsmickey, hang in there. It's hard when spouses are living seperate lives! I hope that your family will have a solution come your way soon. Until then, try to focus on what is right in your family and what works...I had a tendancy to focus on all the bad stuff and it only made me more sad. Good vibes headed your way...

 

[shaunaday]

We interrupt this pre-trip report to offer a post trip report.

Every year we go to Destin, Florida with my parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents...I mean the WHOLE family. We spend 7 days there each year and we have the most blissful time. It is the polar opposite of my WDW vacations...typically we sit on the beach and read, talk and nap.

What can I say...I am a well rounded vacationer.

Here are a few shots we took:

The first is one of DH and me before dinner...we ALL eat together each night. During the day, people come and go to the beach and to their condos. There is no plan. But each night, all of us (this year 32 of us) all came together each night for dinner. We all take turns being responsible for dinner. Usually dinners are somewhat more "sophisticated " than I am. But, my family can always count on me for fun. For instance...this year I did "Pirate Night" complete with a picnic on the beach, bandanas fo ALL of us and temporary tattoos. My poor family had so much fun, they almost had to convert to the "redneck team" before the night was over.

I will upload some pictures of that later.

Here is my DD and my step father at dinner time...he is like a father to me. I adore this man!

My DD and the two most wonderful aunts in the world (my aunts...her great aunts):

The greatest grandparents ever...they have been doing this vacation for over 30 years. Even though my grandfather has a reputation for being very frugal, he has always understood the value of a family vacation:

William and mommy:

And Jackson and his cousin Isabelle:

 

[the4princesses]

No I don't live in GA> I live in La.
My SIL is from Tifton Ga. Her MN is Tifton It was names after her family!!
They are very rich!!
Do they have alot of farms in Ga.?
What are the dates you will be at WDW?
Your children are so pretty and handsome!
How many acres does the farm sit on?
Write back,
Kathy

 

[Wannabe Belle]

Hi Shauna,

I am really enjoying your thread!! And you have a wonderful family.

My Mom is the4princesses. And I am the DD19 who as the 3 year old mare. I love to ride, it would be wonderful to have horses so close all the time!! You have a beautiful farm, how many horses do have usually?

We will be at WDW the same time as you!!

Keep posting!!!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I'm a little late, but I'm here now! What a great PTR. You have such a beautiful family, and such an amazing story. I am so glad you were able to work things out and stick it out as a family.

And the Tink gifts! LOVE them! Can't wait to do that with kiddos of our own someday. Maybe I'll do it for DH next year!

 

[chorlick]

I don't normally get in to reading the posts here, but I can't help reading yours, you are such a delight! I wish I knew you in person. You are so positive. Your students must be happy to have a teacher like you! Keep on writing, I'm reading!

 

[muppetkaties]

hi! I'm joining in too! Love the report so far and for running your own farm!!!! Sticking together and doing what you have to do is truly what family is about.....and celebrating that by going to Disney is even better!! Knowing you have worked hard for this vacation makes it that much more enjoyable! Can't wait to read more!

 

[shaunaday]

Do they have alot of farms in Ga.?
What are the dates you will be at WDW?
How many acres does the farm sit on?

Glad you are still with me, the4princesses!

We do have quite a few farms in Georgia, but nothing like the farms out west-you know what I am talking about...the kind of farm country where your nearest neighbor is 2 towns over. We have lots of "Gentlemen's farms". Ours is just over 10 acres.

We will be in the World Aug. 30-Sept. 6. Is that when your family will be there too?

Hi Shauna,

I am really enjoying your thread!! And you have a wonderful family.

My Mom is the4princesses. And I am the DD19 who as the 3 year old mare. I love to ride, it would be wonderful to have horses so close all the time!! You have a beautiful farm, how many horses do have usually?

Thanks! Glad to have you here!

I appreciate having the horses close by. I enjoy looking out the window and seeing them running in the pasture. I even enjoy the farm work that goes along with it. But most importantly I appreciate the change it has made in our family. It's something we all can share.

DH usually has 8-12 in training at all times. That makes for a long day every day. Very long. But, I could not imagine my DH doing anything else. He lives for it. I think that he wishes he did things differently before going into business for himself (ie: worked for a few of the "big trainers" in the field before branching off on his own) but ultimately he is happy with the business.

Are you considering a career with horses?

I'm a little late, but I'm here now! What a great PTR. You have such a beautiful family, and such an amazing story. I am so glad you were able to work things out and stick it out as a family.

And the Tink gifts! LOVE them! Can't wait to do that with kiddos of our own someday. Maybe I'll do it for DH next year!

Welcome! Glad you are here. I've been keeping up with your upcoming trip too and I gotta say, my story pales in comparison to yours. You and your DH deserve kudos! I can appreciate what he is doing and how you support him through it despite the hardship it can create (DH was Army for the first few uears of our marriage). Hang in there.

You should totally send your DH a gift from Tink. I bet Iraq doesn't see many gifts from Tink. Add a little special sparkly confetti and a card that says "You've been Tinked" or "Tinking of you"



He'd love it!

I don't normally get in to reading the posts here, but I can't help reading yours, you are such a delight! I wish I knew you in person. You are so positive. Your students must be happy to have a teacher like you! Keep on writing, I'm reading!

Awww! Thanks. You know what it is? I am an Alabama girl myself. We have a kinship. (Trust me, that HAS to be it because I am not very entertaining. ) I am a North Alabama gal and actually my DH is from the same North Alabama town as me (Hartselle). What part are you from?

Anyway, keep reading and I will try to be interesting.

hi! I'm joining in too! Love the report so far and for running your own farm!!!! Sticking together and doing what you have to do is truly what family is about.....and celebrating that by going to Disney is even better!! Knowing you have worked hard for this vacation makes it that much more enjoyable! Can't wait to read more!

Hi there! Thanks for reading!! I am going to certain appreciate this family vacation more than I have any other, for sure. We have a lot to celebrate.

I am feeling mushy...watch out...

Great kids, happy marriage, overall good health. Life is pretty good. As a matter of fact, the only way it could be better is if we were at Disney.

 

[shaunaday]

Well, if you remember from my previous posts, I mentioned that DH, although he loved Disney, was not planning another trip to Disney since he had dubbbed our last one "The trip that just kept giving (or is that "taking")" after finding out that we were having twins.

But I am a "Very Determined Disney Dork".

It just so happens that I graduate from Grad School with a Masters in Reading Instruction in August. I asked my hubby if I could have a little WDW magic for my graduation.

He didn't exactly bite. He said, "I don't know. Maybe." and then went back to whatever he was doing.

Sigh. Not the committment I was hoping for. But, I had not given up.

*Warning the next few paragraphs contain a bit of bathroom talk in it. Read at your own risk.*

A few months after this discussion with DH I decided it was potty training time at our house. The boys took to it okay, except that I had two little boys who did not want to poop in the potty. They had figured out that urinating in the potty was kind of fun...but pooping in the potty wasn't so much.

They love their mommy, though.

Instead of going poop during the day when I would be the one to clean them up, they held it all day, went in their sleep, and woke up to daddy saying something like:"&!%# Not again!" (Remember DH has been taking them to the sitter/pre-school each monring.) So, DH told me that if they'd learn to use the potty, he'd personally book the WDW trip. It was this time that "Potty Training Boot Camp" officially began at our home!

Let's just say that for the right prize, I can work small miracles.

And that, ladies, is how it's done.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Well, if you remember from my previous posts, I mentioned that DH, although he loved Disney, was not planning another trip to Disney since he had dubbbed our last one "The trip that just kept giving (or is that "taking")" after finding out that we were having twins.

But I am a "Very Determined Disney Dork".

It just so happens that I graduate from Grad School with a Masters in Reading Instruction in August. I asked my hubby if I could have a little WDW magic for my graduation.

He didn't exactly bite. He said, "I don't know. Maybe." and then went back to whatever he was doing.

Sigh. Not the committment I was hoping for. But, I had not given up.

*Warning the next few paragraphs contain a bit of bathroom talk in it. Read at your own risk.*

A few months after this discussion with DH I decided it was potty training time at our house. The boys took to it okay, except that I had two little boys who did not want to poop in the potty. They had figured out that urinating in the potty was kind of fun...but pooping in the potty wasn't so much.

They love their mommy, though.

Instead of going poop during the day when I would be the one to clean them up, they held it all day, went in their sleep, and woke up to daddy saying something like:"&!%# Not again!" (Remember DH has been taking them to the sitter/pre-school each monring.) So, DH told me that if they'd learn to use the potty, he'd personally book the WDW trip. It was this time that "Potty Training Boot Camp" officially began at our home!

Let's just say that for the right prize, I can work small miracles.

And that, ladies, is how it's done.

My parents took us on our first WDW trip after my brother was potty trained. I remember that being the best big boy potty incentive ever!

 

[Wannabe Belle]

Hi Shauna,

Am I going to have a career in horses?

I really don't know. I would love to be able to train and such. But I used to ride when I was little and then didn't do it for a while. So now its like starting over. I'm already 19 and I don't know if thats kind of late. Do you think its too late to start doing barrels? I did it a couple of times on Saturday and it was so fun! I love horses though!!

And I really love your PTR!! I think you will be there the same time as us. Maybe we could meet or something? Check out my PTR for the dates and stuff. But look on page 4. Thats our new schedule!!

Waiting for more!!

 

[TPCShauna]

Love the incentive for potty training. Seems to have worked pretty well, also!

BTW, love the pics of your family trip. You and your daughter are simply lovely. I wish I could tan like that.

 

[amytheobald]

Well, if you remember from my previous posts, I mentioned that DH, although he loved Disney, was not planning another trip to Disney since he had dubbbed our last one "The trip that just kept giving (or is that "taking")" after finding out that we were having twins.

But I am a "Very Determined Disney Dork".

It just so happens that I graduate from Grad School with a Masters in Reading Instruction in August. I asked my hubby if I could have a little WDW magic for my graduation.

He didn't exactly bite. He said, "I don't know. Maybe." and then went back to whatever he was doing.

Sigh. Not the committment I was hoping for. But, I had not given up.

*Warning the next few paragraphs contain a bit of bathroom talk in it. Read at your own risk.*

A few months after this discussion with DH I decided it was potty training time at our house. The boys took to it okay, except that I had two little boys who did not want to poop in the potty. They had figured out that urinating in the potty was kind of fun...but pooping in the potty wasn't so much.

They love their mommy, though.

Instead of going poop during the day when I would be the one to clean them up, they held it all day, went in their sleep, and woke up to daddy saying something like:"&!%# Not again!" (Remember DH has been taking them to the sitter/pre-school each monring.) So, DH told me that if they'd learn to use the potty, he'd personally book the WDW trip. It was this time that "Potty Training Boot Camp" officially began at our home!

Let's just say that for the right prize, I can work small miracles.

And that, ladies, is how it's done.

Man my kids got jipped, the each got one M&M for pooping in the potty!! SHHH, don't tell them!

 

[nessz79]

Love it!! This is my first time subscribing to a pre-trip report (usually I like to skip right to the trip, haha). What a beautiful family you have! And a farm??? Beautiful!!!

I love your sense of God and family and look forward to reading more!