Prince Charmsalot to Accompany the Damsels This Trip But You Must Pose w/ Princesses

[emmysmommy]

TPV at Bay Lake Tower is awesome! I loved watching the monorails glide into and out of the main CR Tower. Hopefully DH will also love it.

He better!!!

You know exactly what that is like..

Interestingly, the first time we stayed at BLT I was hesitant because I didn't think I would like the contemporary look/feel at all. Boy was I wrong.

 

[emmysmommy]

Jabead's Artist Point dining review finale made me very sentimental tonight when she posted some photos of her kids when they were younger from past WDW trips. It made me miss my baby boy who is currently in pre-deployment training in preparation for his December 15th ship date to Afghanistan. (I hate December 15th already! )

So tonight I will indulge myself in a little walk down memory lane in lieu of any planning updates. I've already asked if a letter from mommy to the US Army would release him from this obligation. Apparently his commanding officer is not accepting letters, emails, texts or singing telegrams to try and make him an exception.

Seriously though, the patriot in me is proud beyond words that my son has chosen this honorable path. He goes willingly and as so many before him, with an eagerness to serve and to face the unknown. Why can’t it be something where my heart does not have to weigh so heavy with this decision?

So for the little boy that grew to be a young man who will proudly serve in the US Army, here's my sentimental journey.

My boys - 1987 - I'm holding Chad, my Army son

Boys 1988. Chad in the middle

Fast forward 24 years - He's getting married!

Chad and Emily dancing at his wedding

Family photo at wedding with my parents and my oldest son next to me:

Mommy/Son dance:

More dancing - tango style

Ahhh... time to relax. Michael and I were having a moment together

Emmy and Mommy

Michael & Chad

I do know that God goes with him and that nothing is beyond the scope of His calling and protection for my son’s life. With that assurance I simply trust that God will keep him safe.

Thanks friends for allowing me to just be a mom tonight.

 

[GAN]

Very cool ...Thanks for sharing -and Thank your Son as well

 

[CatNipRules]

That is very cool!! I love seeing pictures from the past.

I thank your son for his service to our country. I will keep him in my prayers.

 

[Nemo32]

That's what the Dis is for...to share our stories and memories together!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Awwww, you have made me weepy! Thank you for sharing! And a huge THANK YOU to Chad for serving our country!

 

[deenbrad]

I think it takes such a brave soul to join the service since 9/11. My nephew is also in the Army. He is a Warrant Officer and we are very proud. He's been in Afghanistan and Iraq. I don't think I watched the news the whole time he was deployed. I remember him laughing at me as I cried when he was sent to Okinawa but I was happy he'd be safe!
Thank you for raising a child who is brave enough to serve our country!

 

[emmysmommy]

Very cool ...Thanks for sharing -and Thank your Son as well

Thanks for reading!

That is very cool!! I love seeing pictures from the past.

I thank your son for his service to our country. I will keep him in my prayers.

Thanks! I appreciate it and so would Chad!!

That's what the Dis is for...to share our stories and memories together!

I so agree!! I love people's stories of life almost as much as hearing about the magic of Disney!

Awwww, you have made me weepy! Thank you for sharing! And a huge THANK YOU to Chad for serving our country!

Thanks GoofySon'sMom!!! That was the mama in me just missing my kid! As you can attest, they grow so quickly.

I think it takes such a brave soul to join the service since 9/11. My nephew is also in the Army. He is a Warrant Officer and we are very proud. He's been in Afghanistan and Iraq. I don't think I watched the news the whole time he was deployed. I remember him laughing at me as I cried when he was sent to Okinawa but I was happy he'd be safe!
Thank you for raising a child who is brave enough to serve our country!

Ohhh your nephew deserves the highest praise for his service. I'm sure it was good to hug him when he returned from his tour of duty!! Thanks for your kind words.

 

[KatMark]

I'm here; I promise to be back tomorrow to read and catch up.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Very moving update! You should be so proud of your son, and best wishes to him and all of you.

 

[blancah76]

What a beautiful family! I couldn't help but shed a tear at seeing your baby as a man today. I want to send my thanks to him and your family for his service. Looking forward to the next instalment

 

[Linda67]

Just caught up with your latest update.

You have a beautiful family and I can see that you are bursting with pride, and rightly so

 

[francis6306]

Thanks for the chapter links!! Made catching up with you easy-peasy!!!

You have had a lot of Pixie Dust! And you just HAD to go to DL for a WORK function?! MAN!!! Tough life! What is it that you do in Real-Life Land (And sorry if I am making you repeat yourself- but I only read the chapter links! )?

God bless you, your son and his wife! I think it takes a special woman to support a man in the military!

 

[emmysmommy]

I'm here; I promise to be back tomorrow to read and catch up.

No worries Kathy! You are a very busy lady - between your son's pending wedding, dis meets, and life!

Very moving update! You should be so proud of your son, and best wishes to him and all of you.

Awwww thanks DDW!

What a beautiful family! I couldn't help but shed a tear at seeing your baby as a man today. I want to send my thanks to him and your family for his service. Looking forward to the next instalment

Thank you so much Blancah75. I see you will have a trip soon as well - how exciting to share the magic with your daughter for the 1st time. I wish you all the best!

BTW: I LOVE, love, love Miami. It has been a couple of years since we have been there but I love Bayside area and Biscayne Bay. I know, very touristy but it has such great memories for us as a family when we cruise out of there.

Just caught up with your latest update.

You have a beautiful family and I can see that you are bursting with pride, and rightly so

Thank you Linda! You always have such kind words.

Thanks for the chapter links!! Made catching up with you easy-peasy!!!

You have had a lot of Pixie Dust! And you just HAD to go to DL for a WORK function?! MAN!!! Tough life! What is it that you do in Real-Life Land (And sorry if I am making you repeat yourself- but I only read the chapter links! )?

God bless you, your son and his wife! I think it takes a special woman to support a man in the military!

Awww thanks and thank you for stopping by. Like I mentioned in your PTR I was compelled to read through your entire thread - such good stuff!!!

I don't think I've mentioned what I do in my big girl life - it really isn't that exciting but I am a Manager with a couple of service teams that I oversee for the workers' compensation product of a national insurance company. The regulatory part of it is what is pretty boring although it puts me in contact with politicians, lobbyists, and other lawmakers.

Thanks again for your kind words.

 

[emmysmommy]

What better way to prepare for our upcoming WDW trip than to "practice" at Disneyland? Ok, I admit, it doesn't really feel like WDW since it needs to be about 15 degrees warmer and much, much more humid. There's no mousekeeping anywhere in sight and I didn't have dinner reservations at any themed restaurants. Heck, I had no monorail or bus to take us to the entrance plaza of the parks. But it is still a magical place and it was a lovely day to spend some time with Michael and some friends.

In just 13 short days, we will be in our very happy place!!!

A few photos to document our day at the other Happiest Place on Earth:

A smooch from my Prince:

One of my favorite snacks:

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Backing up a little... we got together for lunch with our oldest son:

As for official trip planning related stuff... I showed Michael the more "complete" version of our "master touring schedule" and he said.... "yeah, where's the rest and relaxation?" Uhhh.... I explained that building time in our schedule for some afternoon down time is the rest and not being in the office everyday is the relaxation!! Not sure if he's buying it yet. I may have to not be so commando for this trip. And truly, we are not even commando compared to those that make rope drop everyday (I did it twice last trip) and stay til park closing (did that only a few times for all of our trips.) Seriously, I'm gonna need to put him down for a nap each afternoon like a 3 year old to get this to work.

 

[Linda67]

One day I have to get myself to Disneyland
I would love to finally see it in person

 

[mom2my3kids]

Cant wait to read your reviews for this upcoming trip...

 

[KatMark]

Okay... I am FINALLY back and all caught up.

The plans sound great. I can't comment on your resort choices as we've never stayed at either (that clown pool causes me NOT to stay at BW).

Love a lot of your dining plans...Yak & Yeti was great when we ate there, love the atmosphere at Sci Fi, Kona is one of our favorite breakfasts (we love Boma too). I'll be anxious to hear about Yachtsman as we are going there for Mark's special 60th birthday dinner in December. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed in LeCellier last year and don't think we'll be back for awhile.

I was teary-eyed reading about your son. First, I will pray to God to keep him safe and thank him for protecting all of us. Great pictures of you and him at the wedding.

I promise not to get too far behind again. Oh, and I want to know how you like it there in August as it looks like our 2013 will be in August.

 

[francis6306]

Well, You just tuck him in the bed and run for the buses!!! Once he gets there and gets into it, he will have fun and forget about that "resting" stuff!!

Worker's Comp… Fun stuff! I work in healthcare, patient account services. My husband had the chance to go to Orlando this summer for a Fraternity Convention, but since we had to move, we didn't go. I hope they do it there again next year, so we can comp some of our Disney expenses!!

 

[Alysa]

Loved the photos of your son. Moms and their boys, eh? Sending prayers for a quick and safe return!