It's Been A While...

[aksunshine]

It has been a while!!!

Been a while since I wrote a PTR/TR, been a LONG while since we have been to WDW....

Our cast is, ME!! I love WDW, it holds a special place in my heart. In 2007, we spent 10 wonderful days in Disney World. Then it was my husband, 5 year old daughter and 16 mo old son. Only 5 short days after we came home, a truck ran a red light and took our Levi. He would be 12 this year and we miss him so terribly. We used to return every year to remember him and our time there. Below is a picture on our first night of that trip.



Next is my husband, who is not the Disney lover he once was and is certainly jaded. He is going along, because he loves the memories, though. I know he misses it, too, just not the crazy cost and so many changes.

Then our three children, Isabelle who is now 16, Gabriel, 8, and Sawyer (named for Tom Sawyer's Island, and the best Disney Souvenir I ever got!) will be 6 soon. Sawyer was a baby last time we were down there, he remembers nothing, and Gabriel doesn't remember much more.

We haven't been to WDW since 2013!! We have always stayed onsite (Value, Moderate, and Deluxe), this will be our first trip off site. We need to save as much as possible, and we need SPACE!! lol!

Stay tuned....

 

[aksunshine]

I have not set exact dates. I have to wait until January for my husband's schedule and vacation requests. I still may find a condo/villa/townhome to book for the dates I am hoping for, though.

For now the plan is 9 nights between October 19 and 31. I'd prefer the earlier, but I think DH's schedule will be better in the later part. Who else will be there in October?!?!?! We have always gone earlier in the Fall off season, by a few weeks. Honestly, I'd rather be going earlier in October. I think crowds would be better, but this is the way it works for us.

We will be staying off-site (first time for everything!), cost vs benefit here. More space for less money. I will miss the theming, though. We aren't settled on a place, yet.

If you have any off-site suggestions, I'd love to hear about it!!

We will be driving down from our small farm in Indiana. You can read more about our farm on FB! Providence Farmstead

 

[aksunshine]

As I said, my husband cannot justify the expense of Disney anymore. Which I understand! Truly! The only way around this was for me to save for it myself. Well I am a stay at home mom. We homeschool and have a small farm that we are JUST getting started on. Eventually we plan to have a family- friendly farm that people can visit and understand where food comes from. We hap to have a small orchard with U-pick, market garden, host events, and, eventually, day camps. This has been our dream for about 8 years. It was a long time getting to where we are and we have a LONG way to go! If that story interests you, you can read more on our blog and watch our vlogs. Both of which are sadly outdated.

Vlog
Blog

I started doing Swagbucks. Which is nice, but SO time consuming! I mean, I have a LOT going on!

Around September, I get sad, thinking about Levi, missing him, mores than normal. It's a tough time for me. Normally I sew more to distract me a bit. Last fall, I had all my sewing stuff packed away for our move to the farm. Here are some older things I have made! I hope to make a few things for my kids for this trip, but they have mostly outgrown customs.

 

[aksunshine]

So,,,,I looked for something new...I am an artistic person. Always have been. I enjoy painting. One area I had never explored, but always wanted to was face painting! So I got some cheap supplies and started trying my hand at it! Turns out I really love doing it! I built myself a great kit and started working. All summer I have been painting at parties, festivals, fairs, fundraisers...Loving it! And saving that cash for our trip. Most of it, anyway....I help with Farm expenses on occasion, as well.

 

[stephk1981]

Following, and excited to see how your trip turns out. So sorry about your little one, your family is beautiful, wishing you peace, blessings and many magical memories. Also, have heard great things about Bonnet Creek.... I haven't stayed there, but many people always highly recommend it.

 

[aksunshine]

Th

Following, and excited to see how your trip turns out. So sorry about your little one, your family is beautiful, wishing you peace, blessings and many magical memories. Also, have heard great things about Bonnet Creek.... I haven't stayed there, but many people always highly recommend it.

Thank you Steph. So happy to have someone comment!

 

[kclark9830]

Following along! My daughter passed away two years ago. She would also be 12 this year. {{{Hugs Mama!}}} We ALSO have a Disney souvenir baby!

I've been seriously considering an offsite stay in the future. Hubby likes the Disney transportation though, and not having to drive all vacation. So, we'll see. We'll be on our Disney trip this Sept.

 

[kclark9830]

Also, how adorable is your farm?!

 

[aksunshine]

Also, how adorable is your farm?!

Thank you!! It needs a LOT of work.


Hugs Mama! It's a rough road. <3 I miss Levi everyday.

 

[aksunshine]

As I said, the boys were quite small last time we were in WDW.


I can barely remember a time when we didn't have to use parent swap. I am so excited to get to ride Soarin with my husband! It's my favorite ride! And with the boys!

Just like Levi, my youngest (Sawyer), took right to Stitch! Here is Levi in 2007 with Stitch.



So I have to say there is SO much to look forward to this next trip!