OFFICIAL JULY 2009 THREAD!!! (Part 2) It's here!!

[sabrecmc]

Wow we leave at 6AM too! Are you flying?? Have a great trip!

Nope, we drive. We live in the Florida panhandle by Destin. It is around a 7 hour drive for us. We stop in Gainesville at the Oaks Mall, which has a great play area, and let my daughter stretch her legs, grab some lunch, etc. I actually rather enjoy the drive down. Truthfully, I was trying to convince the family to load up and head down tonight, I'm so excited, but rationality prevailed!


Have a safe and wonderful trip!

 

[njtinkmom]

I am also absolutely terrified of flying -- I have panic attacks when I fly so I take prescription anxiety medication.

-Try regular Dramanine (not the non-drowsy kind) -- it should make you sleepy which might help you relax and rest (as long as your DH can manage the kids on his own, in case you fall asleep)

-Music. I cannot fly without my iPod -- I keep it turned on the entire time (except when they say to turn off all electronic devices). Music has a calming effect on me, so that might be worth a shot.

-Watch a movie or TV, if your flight offers those or if you have a portable DVD player or laptop that plays DVDs. That can help keep your mind off things.

-Buy one of those neck pillows and have a lightweight blanket -- for some reason, those help me be more comfortable in the seat. I tend to be more anxious when I feel crammed in and uncomfortable, so I have found that I need to do anything I can to help the seat be more comfortable. I use the blanket so that I'm not cold -- I am usually cold and the more I can do to be comfortable in terms of environment and seating, the better.

Thanks for the advice. I was able to get a prescription from the Dr. last week for flying anxiety - hopefully it will take the edge off! I just wish I could be like the rest of the world that gets on a plane like it's nothing! I think all the prep for this vacation has given me lots of stress to begin with, and then I lost my mother 3 weeks ago and I am still not in my right mind over that... I am hoping the Disney Magic works wonders on me!

 

[dolfinjuls]

Thanks for the advice. I was able to get a prescription from the Dr. last week for flying anxiety - hopefully it will take the edge off! I just wish I could be like the rest of the world that gets on a plane like it's nothing! I think all the prep for this vacation has given me lots of stress to begin with, and then I lost my mother 3 weeks ago and I am still not in my right mind over that... I am hoping the Disney Magic works wonders on me!

Good luck! I know everything will be fine, but I hope you're able to calm down enough and relax a bit on the way down! Pretty soon you'll be immersed in that Disney magic!

 

[HicksWDW]

I love all the crafts going on! I have to definitely drop by home depot to make some mickey tags! I would love to be spotted one day!!! lol

We check in in 10 days and I cant wait! The wedding is next friday and I am looking forward to the honeymoon!!

I did do some major dis things though- check out the cake I made for my fiance as a surprise for the rehearsal dinner!

Thatis sure to put him into the disney mood this week!!!

Great cake! That would definitely put me in the mood.

 

[HicksWDW]

Nope, we drive. We live in the Florida panhandle by Destin. It is around a 7 hour drive for us. We stop in Gainesville at the Oaks Mall, which has a great play area, and let my daughter stretch her legs, grab some lunch, etc. I actually rather enjoy the drive down. Truthfully, I was trying to convince the family to load up and head down tonight, I'm so excited, but rationality prevailed!


Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Have a great trip! I hope your mother has a good retirement celebration!

I have successfully talked DH into leaving the day before and driving half-way. That way we can get there earlier and hopefully not be as tired. We also have an ADR at 3:30 PM. So, I want to make sure we have plenty of time to make it. Let us know how your vacation goes!

 

[sabrecmc]

Have a great trip! I hope your mother has a good retirement celebration!

I have successfully talked DH into leaving the day before and driving half-way. That way we can get there earlier and hopefully not be as tired. We also have an ADR at 3:30 PM. So, I want to make sure we have plenty of time to make it. Let us know how your vacation goes!

Thanks! I think Nana will have well-deserved blast. I have her a basket from Memories by Betsy awaiting our arrival and a specialty cake ordered from the GF bakery for our dinner at 1900 Park Fare...and a few other little surprises sprinkled throughout the trip. I'm nothing if not a planner!

I wish I could've convinced my family to head down tonight, but I understand the whole "save money...we still have to pack" thing, lol. My daughter is packed, but the rest of us are still trying to pull it together.

Hope you have a wonderful time! Look out Disney, here comes half of Niceville!

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

We check in in 10 days and I cant wait! The wedding is next friday and I am looking forward to the honeymoon!!

I did do some major dis things though- check out the cake I made for my fiance as a surprise for the rehearsal dinner!

Thatis sure to put him into the disney mood this week!!!

You are so talented! Love the cake!

 

[flipflopmom]

We check in in 10 days and I cant wait! The wedding is next friday and I am looking forward to the honeymoon!!

I did do some major dis things though- check out the cake I made for my fiance as a surprise for the rehearsal dinner!

Gorgeous! That is amazing! Great job! And Congrats on the wedding!

OH wow! Let's take some deep breaths!

I think the only thing you need to do now is stop planning and enjoy your trip!

Yeah, I ran my girls to Brad's parents, did my final errand running, turned REM up really loud in the car and now I FEEL FIIIINNNEEE... Life is good. Too many stressors here, and I just want to BE THERE! If I haven't done it, I don't want to... I just want to LEAVE!!! I'm tired of the to-do lists, that have grown their own to do lists. I'm off to clean the house, then a bubble bath and an at home mani pedi !

 

[Amyz00]

Had another Disney dream last night...we got to CBR to check-in and I slipped the CM a note about the two welcome baskets that are supposed to be there for my girls...and they couldn't find them. They had given them to someone else! And my parents' welcome gift had the wrong items in it. I don't like these dreams!

I still haven't had a Disney dream yet. I am really surprised that I haven't because it's constantly on my mind. Maybe my brain loves it when I sleep - it gets a good break!

I did do some major dis things though- check out the cake I made for my fiance as a surprise for the rehearsal dinner!

Thatis sure to put him into the disney mood this week!!!

Your cake is awesome! Is it really hard working with the fondant? I love to watch those cake shows on tv - Cake Boss, Amazing Wedding Cakes - and they make it look so easy. I tried my hand at cake decorating and I completely bombed. It was rather looking!!

 

[PopArtGal]

Well guys, I finally did the online check-in, we'll see what it does for me

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Hey Congrats on the new kids. I've often thought of adopting a couple more or fostering but No way can I talk DH into it. You'll have to give me the whole background story on that one day. I would find it very interesting

I'll try to give you the short version:
Girl 12 boy 17,VERY bad home life, tried to just mentor/help out to get them to school-always out or late to school, mom on drugs just let me have them pretty much when they got thrown out of their rental home and we've had them ever since with no financial help from the mom. Definitely not the way one would want to go about it. It kinda just fell in my lap. But they are doing really well now so we really want to keep them.

 

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

thanks guys!!
Its really hard working with the fondant thats pre-packaged so i made marshmellow (and probably ate half of it!!)

If anyone wants the recipe let me know!!

I hope hes shocked i promise to post tomorrow when i give it to him

 

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

I'll try to give you the short version:
Girl 12 boy 17,VERY bad home life, tried to just mentor/help out to get them to school-always out or late to school, mom on drugs just let me have them pretty much when they got thrown out of their rental home and we've had them ever since with no financial help from the mom. Definitely not the way one would want to go about it. It kinda just fell in my lap. But they are doing really well now so we really want to keep them.

COngratulations hun. my fiances father was a social worker and vins passion is to adopt so I give you a huge congratulations. It takes a very special person to take someone in. GOd bless you and the family!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

COngratulations hun. my fiances father was a social worker and vins passion is to adopt so I give you a huge congratulations. It takes a very special person to take someone in. GOd bless you and the family!

Thanks! We really didn't go looking for this to happen, but it is very rewarding and a blessing to us as well. Sometimes it is really hard, especially financially, but in the end well worth it in so many other ways that you can't put a price tag on!
The only way we are even able to do this trip is because several people at my school have helped out and my MIL gave us her timeshare to use!!!

 

[Mindy5767]

where will you hang that flag?

Probably from the balcony. If we end up on the first floor, I'll either figure a way to hang it on the outside wall or I might hang it in one of the windows. Depends on which windows face which way. I requested the Grandstand area (SSR), but I didn't request a particular until or building. So we'll see where it ends up. I could have made a small one... but.... it didn't seem small when I was making it! compared to the huge banner I just made for the high school for Project Graduation! I could even hang it on the flag pole on my porch when I get home!! Proclaiming DIS boards to all!

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

Thanks! We really didn't go looking for this to happen, but it is very rewarding and a blessing to us as well. Sometimes it is really hard, especially financially, but in the end well worth it in so many other ways that you can't put a price tag on!
The only way we are even able to do this trip is because several people at my school have helped out and my MIL gave us her timeshare to use!!!

That really is wonderful. We've thought quite a bit about adopting (had an adoption fall through last summer) and doing foster care...our older DD is really excited about it but our younger DD is definitely NOT excited about it...so until we can get her a little more acclimated to the idea of more children joining the family, we're proceeding with caution.

Those kids are so blessed to be part of your family!

 

[Mindy5767]

I love it, it's almost like the marriage is an afterthought. Then I saw you edited to add something, and thought "Wonder if it was getting married?"

In 48 hours we will be halfway to Orlando!"

I had to laugh last night, DH changed our countdown clock, he wanted it to get to 0 when we leave, not when we get there, he was so proud of himself!

I awoke every hour on the hour last night! Maybe I'm finally getting excited! We got the DVD players hooked up in the car last night, did another trial run of the trunk,and I'm all packed except for about 6 or 7 last minute things!

Question for those of you driving - what do you wear on the trip down? I like to ride in comfort, but really don't want to show up at the happiest place on Earth looking like Cinderella when her step sisters were done with her. Do you ride in comfort, style, or a compromise of both?

Mindy - cute stuff! Again, where are you hanging that flag?

Anyone putting a sign on your car on the way down? I wanted to, but have no idea how to do a window cling, and DH said it might get in his way. Grump.

He goes to the dr. this afternoon, pray they give him a cortisone shot and that it works!

I'm hanging the flag from my balcony if I have one... I can hang it from the draw rod if we're at the patio level.

I have Bistro Markers that I bought at AC Moore craft store. They're actually for writing on chalk board or glass. I can use them to write something on my back window. DS17 says that ONLY if they don't block his view. He's going to try out his learner's permit!! maybe I can write Student Driver!! He'd LOVE that!!

 

[meanmom121]

Put a sticky note on the door that says "Underwear check!" so that you'll see the note every time you leave your room. *wink*)

OMG tomorrow is the big day!!! My biggest problem is that I am a chicken and don't really like to fly! My DH and all the kids are so excited to get on the plane and I am petrified! I keep trying to tell myself it will be OK but it is not working!! Any tips to calm my nerves?? I feel like throwing up ! What a bummer!

It will be okay
It will be okay
It will be okay

Well guys, I finally did the online check-in, we'll see what it does for me

I'm proud of you

I'll try to give you the short version:
Girl 12 boy 17,VERY bad home life, tried to just mentor/help out to get them to school-always out or late to school, mom on drugs just let me have them pretty much when they got thrown out of their rental home and we've had them ever since with no financial help from the mom. Definitely not the way one would want to go about it. It kinda just fell in my lap. But they are doing really well now so we really want to keep them.

Must have been meant to be. It certainly has to be a blessing for those children to have some stability in their lives

Thanks! We really didn't go looking for this to happen, but it is very rewarding and a blessing to us as well. Sometimes it is really hard, especially financially, but in the end well worth it in so many other ways that you can't put a price tag on!
The only way we are even able to do this trip is because several people at my school have helped out and my MIL gave us her timeshare to use!!!

Isn't it amazing the way blessings come through to help us when we do the right thing

 

[flipflopmom]

Well guys, I finally did the online check-in, we'll see what it does for me

It wasn't so hard now, was it! If there is something you really want room wise, just call and talk to the front desk. They were very nice at Pop when I called!

I'll try to give you the short version:
Girl 12 boy 17,VERY bad home life, tried to just mentor/help out to get them to school-always out or late to school, mom on drugs just let me have them pretty much when they got thrown out of their rental home and we've had them ever since with no financial help from the mom.

As a teacher, I see kids like this all the time, and just wish someone could give them love and a new start. Thank you for what you are doing, on behalf of the future. It scares me what it will look like with all these kids facing what they are now!

thanks guys!!
Its really hard working with the fondant thats pre-packaged so i made marshmellow (and probably ate half of it!!)

If anyone wants the recipe let me know!!

I hope hes shocked i promise to post tomorrow when i give it to him

I would love it, don't know when I would use it, but all the same. Can't wait to hear about his reaction....

I'm hanging the flag from my balcony if I have one... I can hang it from the draw rod if we're at the patio level.

I have Bistro Markers that I bought at AC Moore craft store. They're actually for writing on chalk board or glass. I can use them to write something on my back window. DS17 says that ONLY if they don't block his view. He's going to try out his learner's permit!! maybe I can write Student Driver!! He'd LOVE that!!

I had to drive to Tennesee on vacation right after I got my learner's. Daddy had a freak ankle injury, and mom was having neck problems. I'd had it a month.... Those roads are NOTHING like small town VA I'm familiar with!

Bathrooms and mirrors and glass are clean, and I am just taking a recharge break!

 

[meanmom121]

Crazy Kanga,
I second FlipFlopmom's thanks to you for what you are doing - I too see these type of kids alot unfortunately it's when they've made it to the hospital setting from neglect or abuse. It breaks my heart that these children's lives are often taken so lightly by their parents.
Keeping your family in my prayers that all you need to successfully parent these children will be granted you