It's all part of the plan... More or less! A Dec TR!

[eecteacher82]

I finally got on here to read your updates! I LOVE how sweet and caring Brenda is! It shows what a great Mom she has!

I love the pics from T-Rex! That is one place we have never been, but it looks so good!

Olivia loves just riding the monorail! I actually just posted about our monorail riding in my last update to my TR!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[exwdwcm]

We so appreciate all the prayers we get. I know that things could always be worse and I try to remember that but sometimes I just get to feeling a little sorry for us all. If that happens fill free to send me a cyber slap across the head and tell me to get over it already!

I am a pretty proud mom! I have the best kids ever! We had many issues trying to get pregnant and when we did we had several miscarriages. When we finally had Brenda it didn't take me long to figure out I needed to quit my job and stay home with her. I know its not the right decision for everyone but it has worked out great for us. Yes, the extra money would be great with another income but this way I get to teach Brenda and Gavin our family values and that they are and always will be first in my life. Its just what has worked for us.

Enjoy the Lego store! Just take my advice and avoid the meltdown... go straight to the little blocks!

hey, as i tell my mom, who is losing her sight due to a brain tumor- it is okay to have pity parties every once in a while for yourself. We all deserve that. But have your pity party and then pick yourself back up and put on your happy face. I have a feeling you do that (the happy face) a lot already - i mean it shows in how great your kiddos are!

well your sacrifice to stay at home has paid off for sure! We struggled for 2 years to have William and i am about to TTC again (at 37), so nervous about it and I can't wait to stay at home in a few years with them. It's just not in the cards for us right now. but hopefully one day! enjoy every second with them at home.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I finally got on here to read your updates! I LOVE how sweet and caring Brenda is! It shows what a great Mom she has!

I love the pics from T-Rex! That is one place we have never been, but it looks so good!

Olivia loves just riding the monorail! I actually just posted about our monorail riding in my last update to my TR!

Can't wait to read more!

You have been too busy writing your own updates to come visit! Busy, busy gal you are!

T-Rex really was a good time for all of us. Brenda enjoyed it too, but it was over the top for Gavin. I was a little worried he would be afraid but he was great with it! Guess I am just too worried to let him grow up.

I told Jon the next time we do go we should knock 2 days of park tickets out and just ride the monorail all day!

hey, as i tell my mom, who is losing her sight due to a brain tumor- it is okay to have pity parties every once in a while for yourself. We all deserve that. But have your pity party and then pick yourself back up and put on your happy face. I have a feeling you do that (the happy face) a lot already - i mean it shows in how great your kiddos are!

well your sacrifice to stay at home has paid off for sure! We struggled for 2 years to have William and i am about to TTC again (at 37), so nervous about it and I can't wait to stay at home in a few years with them. It's just not in the cards for us right now. but hopefully one day! enjoy every second with them at home.

There are days when I can really let the pity party get the best of me. Then the kids do something and I am reminded that how I feel about things should be last thing on my mind. I have 2 amazing kids that need me to be a good mom. So on the smile goes and back to playing with the kids.

Good luck TTC. I hope you are successful right away! I know how much it can hurt to get those big fat negatives each month. I will keep you in my prayers and pray that it works the first month. I really should tell you that when I had Brenda, I had planned to work. To be honest, we have given up so much for me to stay home. When my maternity leave was over Jon had switched his schedule some so that he would be home and work nights (much the way things are now). He would take care of Brenda while I was at work. I taught Preschool so I was home by 3:30. The first week was awful. I cried every break I had and called home just sobbing. Jon couldn't take how sad I was and I couldn't take it anymore. I gave my notice the next week and they informed me that I really should think about using my unused vacation so I didn't lose it. So... I finished out the week and I was done with the exception of the accrued vacation time. There are days that I think about all the things we would have if I were still working and then Brenda or Gavin will give me a huge and I know I am the richest person in the world.

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Hoping to have another update soon. Uploading to Photobucket now!

 

[stephielela]

Your family is in my thoughts! I am so sorry about all the health issues you have been having. Hopefully now that spring/summer are here, things will get better. I always feel that a little fresh air goes a long way!

Brenda is too amazing! She has such a kind heart, and that's great but it is hard to find a balance between being generous and giving up too much.

I have found boys have meltdowns over the craziest things! Jack is often that way.

I am glad you had a great second day, I can't wait to hear about day 3!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I know I posted on Facebook that I wasn't going to finish this but after a ton of thought... I really need to. This was such an amazing time for us all. I really want to share our story and what a great time we had with you all. So, if you are a FB friend, please ignore my upsetting post that I wouldn't be finishing this TR. After some of you notice something different here, I will explain my I was so confusing! But someone has to figure that out first!

So without farther hold up... The 3rd Full day! Friday Dec 3, 2010... Travel with me back in time....

This morning was supposed to be our "empty" early breakfast at Crystal Palace. I had wanted a picture of the family in front of the castle with no one else in the picture. Here is what I got...

You may wonder why is it so busy before the park is even opened... Well because I didn't bother to think about the fact that the Christmas Parade would be taping.

Giving myself some credit here. I DID think about it being taped on Saturday... but not on Friday. So, this is a day I was so happy that we got the park hoppers! This is a day we used them. But not before we had Jon's favorite breakfast at Crystal Palace. The food there was so very very yummy! And the characters were priceless! Here are some awesome pictures for all my wonderful followers...
First was Eeyore...

Than was Piglet...

Than came Ti-double gggg-er

Last, but certainly not least.... POOH!!!

The kiddos of course joined the Friendship parade as it passed by..

As you can tell it was a LITTLE chilly this morning... well... really chilly! When I called home I found that it was in the single digit in PA so I really didn't mind the chill in the air. Just wasn't what I was expecting. Brenda was started to say she was feeling a little sick. I really think it was more she was getting tired from the constant go.

After our tummies were all super full we headed out of Crystal Palace. Things were really full on Main street from the parade taping. Our plan had always been to eat and run from MK..but the kiddos decided they wanted to get down to the parade music outside. Look at them shake it...

And another shot of Mariah Carey from just outside CP.

After a few minutes of standing there we decided it was time to head off to another park. On the way out we saw practically no line for one of hte most important people we would see at WDW... SANTA!!!!

My favorite shot of the kids with Santa... EVER!!!!

Gavin was so proud that Santa signed his pillowcase!

So... now you have to wonder... just what park did we leave and go to??????? Stay tuned... I promise to be better about this!

 

[exwdwcm]

You have been too busy writing your own updates to come visit! Busy, busy gal you are!

T-Rex really was a good time for all of us. Brenda enjoyed it too, but it was over the top for Gavin. I was a little worried he would be afraid but he was great with it! Guess I am just too worried to let him grow up.

I told Jon the next time we do go we should knock 2 days of park tickets out and just ride the monorail all day!



There are days when I can really let the pity party get the best of me. Then the kids do something and I am reminded that how I feel about things should be last thing on my mind. I have 2 amazing kids that need me to be a good mom. So on the smile goes and back to playing with the kids.

Good luck TTC. I hope you are successful right away! I know how much it can hurt to get those big fat negatives each month. I will keep you in my prayers and pray that it works the first month. I really should tell you that when I had Brenda, I had planned to work. To be honest, we have given up so much for me to stay home. When my maternity leave was over Jon had switched his schedule some so that he would be home and work nights (much the way things are now). He would take care of Brenda while I was at work. I taught Preschool so I was home by 3:30. The first week was awful. I cried every break I had and called home just sobbing. Jon couldn't take how sad I was and I couldn't take it anymore. I gave my notice the next week and they informed me that I really should think about using my unused vacation so I didn't lose it. So... I finished out the week and I was done with the exception of the accrued vacation time. There are days that I think about all the things we would have if I were still working and then Brenda or Gavin will give me a huge and I know I am the richest person in the world.

*************************************************************
Hoping to have another update soon. Uploading to Photobucket now!

Thanks! here is hoping we don't have to do IVF again. You are so right. You are very RICH!!! Sometimes we get so caught up in money and life that we forget how truly blessed we are. I try and remind myself everyday how fortunate I am to even have William.

Love the latest update and glad you are continuing! we loved breakfast at CP too. sorry it was on the taping day!! but so cute that you got to see Santa with no line- he is an awesome Santa and I love that pic of Gavin with his pillowcase!

 

[KatMark]

Tammy, I am thrilled you are continuing your TR (although we would have been happy to see the pics on FB if you just couldn't deal with it).

The pictures of your adorable kiddos at Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends are wonderful. And I love the picture with Santa Claus.

 

[KatMark]

YOU HAVE A TICKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Details, please.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

KAT IS THE WINNER!!!! I will get your trophy to you soon!

I do have a ticker now. We haven't actually booked yet... Because you can't book this far in advance. We had every intention of returning Dec 2013... till today.

I have been having some super duper down in the dumps days lately. Seems like with Jon's surgery and the kids having some health issues that we were never going to get anything positive again. We recently looked at a house that was for rent and someone else beat us to it. Things were just getting darker and darker. This morning Beauty and the Beast was on the Disney channel. I was watching it with the kids and Jon and had to fight back the tears. I was remembering us all watching it in HS and how much fun we were having. I didn't realize Jon was feeling close to the same way. Then I started to tell Jon how much I was missing Disney. It is then that he left me know that he was feeling the same way and had been for a while! We BOTH really need something to look forward too. So we started to talk. Brenda will be in first grade then so we really have to look at the school schedule. We so want to go at the same time of year. The Christmas decor there just added a lot to our experience. So we looked at the school schedule and are pretty easy to predict some things. Brenda will be off for Thanksgiving that year.. not sure on the Weds before but we know that, living in central PA, she will have off the Monday and Tuesday after because hunting season is a national holiday here in PA. Bonus for us. We will leave when she gets out of school on vacation, drive to Jon's parents in NC for a few days and then travel so that we get to WDW on Sunday, Nov 25! We know, from both having gone to the same school that Brenda is allowed to easily miss 7 days... and more under certain circumstances. Being that I have my teaching degree I am going to write lesson plans and have study time with Brenda each day which will allow her 2 weeks leave! So... BIG mood change!!!! We are going to Disney in Nov 2012!!!!!! I know that ticker looks huge but it will be what gets me through these tough times!!!

If you are my FB friend, please don't mention our return to WDW on there till much much closer to time. If you recall we didn't get to great of a response when we announced our last trip. This one will be even worse with Jon just having surgery and things. We know that it really is going to take some savings. We aren't crazy. We just know that we need to buckle down and save...with a purpose.

So this will keep me on this TR. I will want to get it done so that in a few months I can start my PTR!! After all planning is half the fun!

Now, feel free to party with me!!!!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Just because you have all been so patient with me... Here is proof that I am going to try to do better on getting this TR going again! Here is the rest of the day....

So when I last left off... only a few hours ago... We were seeing Santa with practically no line and leaving the MK because it was crazy due to the parade taping. I know htat it was WAY before lunch when we left. I am guessing around 10 AM. We would hop the monorail and head over too Epcot. But of course no day should start with less than 3 loops on the monorail... at least by my kid's standards! So we rode 3 loops on the monorail and got off at Epcot. I am thinking this is actually our first visit to "that big golf ball" as Gavin first called it. Never too young to get that connection!

Of course by the time we get the kids in the stroller and settled... we get through bag check, Gavin is asleep.. and misses the first glimpse of the golf all... Here is our first pictures from Photopass at Epcot...

We decided to head over to World Showcase. You MUST love the giant Christmas Tree that welcomes you...

Our first stop was Mexico. We wake Gavin up on the way over to Mexico... How many times can you say that.. Waking someone up on the way to Mexico? Gavin spots Donald almost immediately. He decides that he MUST wait and see him. It was so cute when he walked up and put his arms around Donald...

and all of us together...

Then we slowly worked our way over to the ride...

We caught a few story tellers while we walked around World Showcase. The kids loved this story teller most. He was so animated...

We then grab something yummy from...

Yes, Caramel Corn!!!!!!! We grabbed some caramel corn and a bunch. It was so very yummy. I made plans to get some more later in the week, but I never did back to do that. Not really sure what stopped me.

Then the kids were off to pound the drums...

We simply continued to just walk around and enjoy the evening. We each grabbed different snacks and quick service while for dinner that night. Tried a little of a lot of stuff! Jon got Sushi which made him super happy... although more so because he can't get it too often here, and less because it was yummy. This is us near the place where Jon got the Sushi. I love the environment here.

Before long it was getting late... and the tree lights came on... So pretty..

We grabbed a last picture of the "golf ball" before leaving. The kids were sound asleep in the stroller at this point.

Since the kids were asleep Jon and I took a chance to have a picture of just him and I done.

Another great day in the world!!!! We had to wake the kids to get on the bus but they drifted right back off on the bus ride. And then we put them in the stroller to get to the room. We forgot all about bathes this night and put the kids to bed instead. They were worn out.. and if you recall Brenda wasn't feeling well earlier that morning. I do think it was just a matter of being tired though. This is one of the few nights Brenda and I didn't to talk to before drifting off to sleep. She was already asleep... but still nice to cuddle up as I dozed off.

What will tomorrow bring????? Stay with me and find out!

 

[KatMark]

Tammy, first I am delighted to party with you (and promise to not say anything on FB).

Love the Epcot update. World Showcase is a favorite spot of ours and I love the enthusiasm of Gavin greeting Donald Duck. And good that you and Jon got your "own" photopass picture together.

 

[jenseib]

I am so happy for you. I read this 1st update earlier today on my phone, but couldn't respond.
I am also so happy that you have continued writing your TR. I love hearing how magical your 1st trip was.

 

[Tinkermom76]

Oh Tammy I am so happy that you will be going back again sooner than expected!!!! We are planning for Oct in 2012 so we will miss eachother again

I am also glad you are going to finish your TR because I love seeing it through your eyes, I think I need to slow down some more when I am there. I love that you guys just ride the Monorail, maybe we will try that next trip... Emma loves the Monorail!

 

[Caretames1]

WHOO HOO! I'm so happy for you. Going back was even better then our first trip.

I think my favorite photo in this update is Brenda with Tigger. It's quite the look she seems tobe giving him

I also love that you got a picture of just you and your DH. It's a sweet picture

We've been talking about our next, next trip and wouldn't you know we;re thinking Nov 2012! We'd be going around the 14th though. That would be for Kadence's birthday.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Tammy, first I am delighted to party with you (and promise to not say anything on FB).

Love the Epcot update. World Showcase is a favorite spot of ours and I love the enthusiasm of Gavin greeting Donald Duck. And good that you and Jon got your "own" photopass picture together.

Thanks for partying along. Somedays you need a party... even if you have to do it all by yourself! I will let you know when we can hold the party on FB too. Right now there is just too much life hitting the fan... and the last thing I need is the stress of what others will say.

Gavin loved Donald and I am not really sure why this Donald was so special. I guess he just jumped out to Gavin.

I am so happy for you. I read this 1st update earlier today on my phone, but couldn't respond.
I am also so happy that you have continued writing your TR. I love hearing how magical your 1st trip was.

Thanks. I was just having some major issues and feeling like "whats the use, we'll never make it there again". I know its a LONG LONG time off but it helps that I have a set date. I know that a lot can come up in the meantime but I need that concrete piece of happiness coming my way feeling... if that makes sense. I'll just deal with anything that comes up... when and if it comes up.

Oh Tammy I am so happy that you will be going back again sooner than expected!!!! We are planning for Oct in 2012 so we will miss eachother again

I am also glad you are going to finish your TR because I love seeing it through your eyes, I think I need to slow down some more when I am there. I love that you guys just ride the Monorail, maybe we will try that next trip... Emma loves the Monorail!

Shoot! One of these trips we will have to bump into each other! Its a must! Its so hard to slow down sometimes. I really wanted to just go go go but I always wanted to remember each and every little piece that I could. It wasn't a trip that we said to too many things... like riding the monorail a thousand times! If that is what Brenda and Gavin wanted to do than that is what we did.

WHOO HOO! I'm so happy for you. Going back was even better then our first trip.

I think my favorite photo in this update is Brenda with Tigger. It's quite the look she seems tobe giving him

I also love that you got a picture of just you and your DH. It's a sweet picture

We've been talking about our next, next trip and wouldn't you know we;re thinking Nov 2012! We'd be going around the 14th though. That would be for Kadence's birthday.

Darn! Maybe you should hold off 2 weeks and make it the end of November! I think you might get a fight there from your family though. I guess you can go first and get them all ready for me and my CrAzY family!


Thanks for sticking around. Hopefully another update this week!

 

[mrsksomeday]

I could look at pictures of your kids ALL DAY LONG!! Bill and I just adore them so much, they are so precious!! Looks like you had a great time. The Santa picture is amazing.

I am SO HAPPY for you setting a date for another trip!! You deserve to go back to your happy place, as the Wishes song says "just believe". You have a long time to save and I will pray for discounts for your timeframe.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I could look at pictures of your kids ALL DAY LONG!! Bill and I just adore them so much, they are so precious!! Looks like you had a great time. The Santa picture is amazing.

I am SO HAPPY for you setting a date for another trip!! You deserve to go back to your happy place, as the Wishes song says "just believe". You have a long time to save and I will pray for discounts for your timeframe.

Awww.... Thanks Tracy! I have to tell you, for the few minutes we saw you at POP my kiddos are taken with you and Bill too. When we talk about Disney Brenda ALWAYS has to remind me of the night we saw "the guy in the cool chair and that really nice lady". I know who she is talking about but always say "You mean Tracy and Bill" to which I get "Yeah, those really nice people". Its always the same exchange. I think its because you left them blow Bill's horn! We haven't told the kids we are going back yet. I know when we do tell them they will ask to see you and Bill! I really think they believe you two live there!

 

[stephielela]

Yay!!! I am so excited for your new ticker. I've been meaning to ask about the earrings Brenda lost. I am not going till Ocotber, but it's only a few months away, so if you PM me a picture I would LOVE to get them for her.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Yay!!! I am so excited for your new ticker. I've been meaning to ask about the earrings Brenda lost. I am not going till Ocotber, but it's only a few months away, so if you PM me a picture I would LOVE to get them for her.

Thanks so much for remembering but Brook did pick them up for me while she was there. With as hectic as life has been yet, I haven't found the perfect time to give them too her... I mean for Tinkerbell to bring them by! Thank you again though!

 

[Tinkermom76]

Thanks so much for remembering but Brook did pick them up for me while she was there. With as hectic as life has been yet, I haven't found the perfect time to give them too her... I mean for Tinkerbell to bring them by! Thank you again though!

That's awesome, so glad you got another pair!!!