Second Star to the Right and Straight on 'Till Morning..to DisneyWorld! Sep13-NEW10/3

[MelMel11]

Count me in!!

 

[TMGosizk]

It looks like the three of you had a really nice day.

Hmmm it might be a toss up who's bigger that pumpkin or Laura... although Laura is certainly cuter...

We did! It was just a really fun day! The pumpkin is a little bit bigger! Haha! It was 15lbs and she's only a bit over 11! But, still much, much cuter!

That wine certainly has a cute label... I'd love to know what it tastes like...

I will post an update on how it is when I get back from PA! Hopefully they aren't out by then

Is that a little camo sleeper....lol...cute....

It is! It is!! That was actually the very first baby thing we got after we found out we were expecting Laura! John came home from work with it the day after my test at the hospital! He was just so excited!!

I don't follow football or basketball so I can't say I'm particularly sad about the Eagles-Steelers game but baseball and to a lesser extent hockey are a different story... The Phillies made me so sad this year...

I'm not a huge baseball follower, but the Phillies really did have a sad season this year

John did not look like he was messing around while he was cutting that pumpkin... he looks like a man on a mission...

Oh my he was! He had such a fun time cutting it out!!

Another audience member pulling up a chair for the ring-side Oct 2013 planning!

Great to have you reading along!!

I think I'll be there the same time you and your beautiful family will be there.

October is just such a wonderful time to visit!! And thank you

Looking forward to the countdown....and the planning, planning, planning.

Me too!! I can't wait!

Your pumpkin patch kid is adorable!

Thank you!!!

Hi!!!

I am loving your PTR so far~! I love your story.

Laura is just precious! I can't believe how much dark hair she has... Both of my girls were baldies.

You're sweet, thank you

I think 15 months is a great first age to be in Disney - she won't remember it at all, but you will create some very wonderful memories with her.

Absolutely! That's really the reasoning that won John over! And she'll be able to look back on those pictures when she's older and have a glimpse into those memories we have with her. My sister still loves looking at the pictures of her first trip when she was 15 months. Come to think of it, she was also born in July and we went the year after! How cool!
Sorry, I can't comment about flying with an infant... I hope your flight goes/went well, and I am sure it will be awesome to be "home" among your family and friends.

Thanks, and yes, they did. I honestly couldn't have asked for better flights. Laura did better than I ever dreamed! She only fussed when she was hungry. Other than that, she slept or just sat in my lap and looked around the plane!

Home is always a wonderful place, for sure....it is great to be back here again, even if only for a little while!

Thank you to your DH for his service. We are a military family too (retired)... My DH was full-time National Guard, and then a DoD civillian, and now he is IT at the VA hospital here in MN. We only did one (16 month) deployment, but that was enough for me - since he wasn't deployed as his MOS (they were kind enough to make him a truck driver in Iraq) - so, yah - that was enough. I miss seeing him in his ACUs every morning, but it's so nice to not have to worry anymore.

A BIG thank you to your DH as well! I completely understand: one deployment is enough...and a 16 month deployment is more than enough!

My girls and I are also planning an October trip - DH is not a Disney fan - not sure if we will be there at the same time, sounds like we might? Our tentative dates are the 12-19th (POFQ).

I had so many other comments to make, but I can't remember all of them right now.

I can't wait to hear about more of your plans for your first trip with Laura - it's sure to be an amazing time.

Yes, we're definitely looking at those dates, or at least a few of them. Since I've been home, my mom and I have been checking out a few things, so hopefully I'll have an actual Disney update soon with some semi-definite plans! We're trying to narrow down dates and a few other details. So stay tuned for sure!!
D~

Great PTR so far!!!! You have a gorgeous family!!! It makes me think of our family. DH is NH Air National Guard and full time civilian DoD employee. We deal with deployments every two years or so.

Thank you and God bless your family and so many deployments! John has just gotten so lucky. He was offered a voluntary three month deployment a month before our wedding, which he declined. Then in February or March (I can't remember exactly) a deployment rotations list (I'm not sure to where, however) went out at his shop and because Laura was due in July, they kindly put him at the very end of it. But, people have been going left and right so, it really is only a matter of time.

My DH is my high school sweetheart as well and we just celebrated our 10 year anniversary in June, after 18 years of being together

Congratulations! So exciting to hear stories like this!!

I'll be reading along...I have a PTR as well going that I did have a link to on my siggie but took off because I wasn't keeping up as much as I wanted, but its pretty current now.

It's here: http://http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2981263

Wonderful! I have started reading your PTR, but not all the way through yet! Great so far!!!

Count me in!!

Thanks for reading along!

 

[TMGosizk]

Hi Friends!

Just wanted to give a very quick update about Laura and I and our travels to PA! It's been a very busy start to the trip! A great start, but very busy so I haven't had much free time to post here (been reading, but haven't been able to post much! It's much easier to do online than on my iPhone app! So it'll take me a bit to get caught up!)

Laura and I had a fantastic day of flying on Thursday! We had no delays , no flight problems, and actually had a pretty enjoyable time! A few funny moments, touching moments, and even a tiny embarrassing moment occurred over the course of the day! Everyone was so excited to see each other and we're already loving all the time together!!

I'll write up a bit fuller update soon and hopefully a nice Disney related one too , at the very least by the end of my time in PA! Mom and I have been trying to get some things narrowed down and decided (dates, etc.)! We've been talking Disney almost every night after Laura goes to bed since we arrived! There may already be a couple changes, but I'll get to that when I know more! Nothing really crazy, just looking into a few things! Stay tuned!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Enjoy the visit in PA. We'll still be here when you get back.

 

[DMGeurts]

It sounds like you are having a wonderful visit... I can't wait to hear about how all your plans are coming along.

D~

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Yeah for being in PA! Let's do the PA dance...

It's been a very pretty Fall here too... except for those rainy days...

Hope you have a great visit and I'm glad that your flight was so smooth...

Take lots of photos...

 

[TMGosizk]

It's been a little while since I've had a free moment to sit down, let alone fire up the laptop and spend some time on the Dis! But, I actually squeezed in a nap today while Laura did, so now I'm wide awake at midnight!

Anyway, on to responding! (And I'll have a very exciting update next!)

Enjoy the visit in PA. We'll still be here when you get back.

Thank you! I thought I'd check in with an update here since we've had to extend our trip because of Hurricane Sandy! We were set to fly through Philly Monday afternoon and according to weather advisories and such, that is the very last place I want to be by myself with Laura. So, US Air has been very kind and is allowing everyone traveling the 28-31st to change their flights to November 1-4th free of charge. We now leave Saturday!

It sounds like you are having a wonderful visit... I can't wait to hear about how all your plans are coming along.

D~

Oh, yes, it's been fantastic! We have been able to visit so many people and spend a lot of time with family! Now that we've extended the trip, it's even more family time and with NO set or scheduled plans...which after being on the go for two and a half weeks, it will be very nice to just hang out for a few days!

Unfortunately, this means it's even longer until we're back with John and he'll miss Laura's first Halloween but, as he said today when I talked to him upset about this storm and having to push the flights back, it's better to be safe than sorry and stranded. So, I'm being positive and just thankful for more time with those we don't see often enough.

A trip plan update next!! Stay tuned!!!

Yeah for being in PA! Let's do the PA dance...

It's been a very pretty Fall here too... except for those rainy days...

Hope you have a great visit and I'm glad that your flight was so smooth...

Take lots of photos...

PA dance!! So great to be back and it's been very nice so far!

Should have quite a few photos, but have to gather them all together from our various cameras and such! I'm not even sure what all we have so far!

This storm heading our way just sounds nasty! I'll be thinking of you all further south and closer to the coast this week! Praying that it's not going to be as bad as predicted

 

[TMGosizk]

And now, a true Disney update!!

First of all:

WE HAVE A ROOM RESERVATION!!!

Yes, you read that correctly, we are officially booked for next year!!

With a couple changes from our original 10-day, October travel plan!

On Thursday, I called that magical reservation number, spoke with a very friendly CM, and reserved:

An Atrium Club Level Theme Park Room at the Contemporary

for:

September 18th to the 25th!!



We decided to change to September for one reason: to take advantage of a mind blowing discount. Disney is currently offering a room-only Military discount through September 28th 2013. With this discount we recieved 40% off our room! We are saving just over $2,000!! I can't believe it, really!

When mom and I heard about this discount, we knew we'd be absolutely silly to not take advantage of it! I was worried they wouldn't have availability for the room type we wanted, but we got lucky! Even the CM seemed surprised there was availability. I had called on Wednesday as well just to check if the Military discount was being offered for Contemporary and for Club Level. The CM told me that there was availability, but that these rooms, because there were so few offered, go very quickly and that I would need to book ASAP! So, I called John, told him we HAD to book or we'd be losing out on the discount and he gave the go ahead!

And so we've got our room and dates!

Well, almost....

Tonight we decided to add on a day at the beginning of the trip and for the first time ever will be staying at:

In the past, we've always either already been in Florida before heading to WDW or left absurdly early in the morning to get there to be able to get use out of a park ticket that afternoon/evening. Since we are only doing Disney this trip (so far anyway..... ) and with a 14 month old, we feel that arriving a day early, taking our time, and relaxing after a day of travel would be really nice and needed! It also gives us an opportunity to stay in a different resort!

We discussed it and decided AoA would be the perfect resort to check out! It just looks so neat! We will either be staying in a Lion King or Finding Nemo suite but are having a very difficult time choosing! haha! I am very excited about this and really looking forward to just hanging out there for the day/night without feeling rushed to get to a park immediately upon arrival!

So, our dates of WDW travel are currently: September 17th to 25th!

We still have to get our park tickets, airfare, and if there is a free dining plan offered we'll add that, but the biggest piece is done with booking the room!

It now seems real. We have that exact date of arrival! Beyond thrilled!!

Now, it is time to get some sleep, I think...unless Laura has other plans and wakes up to eat! Until tomorrow readers, have a great night!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congratulations! That is one fantastic discount for CL at CR. You're just going to have such a great time and especially given that you've added a day to chill-ax beforehand. That's a great strategy.

And stay safe. Hope things are okay with anyone in the path of Sandy.

 

[DMGeurts]

Congratulations!!! Bummer that you won't be there in OCt...

I know - I am totally kicking myself for the military discount, as well - it is a killer deal, and one I would love to take advantage of... Maybe I will pay off our Oct trip, and then book one during summer break to take advantage of the discount, LOL. Doubtful, but fun to dream about.

How awesome that you got CL at the Contemp... That will be a magnificant trip for all of you!

And AoA looks awesome too - if we ever decided to stay there, I would definately do the Cars rooms... Now I woulnd't normally say that, since I have 2 girls who really don't "get" the whole Cars thing... but have you looked at those rooms? The Cars ones are by far the coolest ones of all of them. IMO.

I just wanted to add, that you can only do one discount per room, so I believe it's only the military or free dining, but I am 99% sure you can't do both. Regardless - 40% off is waaaay better than FD anyways, at least for a Deluxe resort.

I hope you all are safe from Sandy, and you enjoy your extra few days with friends and family. Take care!

D~

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey,

So exciting about the Contemporary... (that's on my bucket list... well actually my 10 year old is desperate to stay there... it's in the works for his 12th birthday so I can't wait to hear your opinions on it... - AoA looks awesome as well... the decor is so larger than life...

Good for your discount - you guys deserve that and more for your DH's service...

My brother was supposed to fly in from California in today to Philadelphia for a business meeting... but thankfully he cancelled -he had to go back Tuesday-which is supposed to the height of the storm... Glad you could reschedule... that's really the decent thing for the airlines to do...

Stay safe during the storm...Hugs to you and Laura

 

[DMGeurts]

I hope that you all are doing OK through the storm. (((Hugs))) Hopefully you'll check in to let us know how you're doing.

I also stopped by to wish you a Happy Halloween!

D~

 

[KatMark]

Hi; I see you've joined my TR, and I am now returning the favor.

I will be back tonight to catch up on what I've missed so far.

****I'm back and all caught up.

I loved your introductions, and your daughter is absolutely beautiful.

Where in Illinois do you live? I assume down South since you are flying out of St. Louis for your trip home to see your parents?

Congrats on booking your resort (we used to stay at the Contemporary a long time ago) for your dates (that's the time we usually go to Disney, but next year we are going in August to get another use out of our annual passes.

 

[TMGosizk]

Congratulations! That is one fantastic discount for CL at CR. You're just going to have such a great time and especially given that you've added a day to chill-ax beforehand. That's a great strategy.

And stay safe. Hope things are okay with anyone in the path of Sandy.

I know, right?! That discount was too good to pass up!! And, I'm definitely looking forward to that day of relaxing...it's not something we've ever done before upon arrival, so it'll be different, but I'm thinking something we'll continue to do on future trips as well...at least while Laura's small (and any other future children are as well ).

And thank you, we got really lucky where my parent's live. No damage, no loss of power (at least at their house...some in town did lose it for a day or so).

Congratulations!!! Bummer that you won't be there in OCt...

Thank you!! Just so excited! And yeah, I'm a little bummed we won't be there in October, but at least we're going!!

I know - I am totally kicking myself for the military discount, as well - it is a killer deal, and one I would love to take advantage of... Maybe I will pay off our Oct trip, and then book one during summer break to take advantage of the discount, LOL. Doubtful, but fun to dream about.

Yeah, I know what you mean. We would have booked for October anyway if CL wasn't available under the discount for September, but there's no way we could pass it up! You should definitely also book for the summer! Haha! Oh, how great two trips in one year would be!!

How awesome that you got CL at the Contemp... That will be a magnificant trip for all of you!

And AoA looks awesome too - if we ever decided to stay there, I would definately do the Cars rooms... Now I woulnd't normally say that, since I have 2 girls who really don't "get" the whole Cars thing... but have you looked at those rooms? The Cars ones are by far the coolest ones of all of them. IMO.

I have looked at the Cars rooms and I agree with you , they are really cool! I like the looks of them a lot!! (I think the Nemo's are my favorite though!) That being said, I'm kind of letting the room choice up to the rest of the family...so far we have one vote for Lion King (from John and I was shocked! I thought it'd be Cars because he loves those movies!!), one for Nemo, one who isn't sure, and one who hasn't given an opinion yet....then there's Laura who at the moment is too tiny to say. I have no idea which one we'll end up in...

I just wanted to add, that you can only do one discount per room, so I believe it's only the military or free dining, but I am 99% sure you can't do both. Regardless - 40% off is waaaay better than FD anyways, at least for a Deluxe resort.

I'm thinking you are probably right about that...I could have sworn I read somewhere that the military room only was the exception to the rule...but I can't remember where I read that...I may have dreamed it and just thought I read it? That's happened before

I hope you all are safe from Sandy, and you enjoy your extra few days with friends and family. Take care!

Thanks we got really lucky! Didn't get hit near as bad as expected where we were and definitely did enjoy the extra days!

D~

Hey,

So exciting about the Contemporary... (that's on my bucket list... well actually my 10 year old is desperate to stay there... it's in the works for his 12th birthday so I can't wait to hear your opinions on it... - AoA looks awesome as well... the decor is so larger than life...

Oh, that's great that you're looking to stay at the Contemporary for his birthday! It's just such a fun place and I think you'll like it! I have always enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the main concourse (that you see from the rooms and monorail). I know some say it's noisy, but it's just something we love about staying there (and I honestly can't ever remember a time when we couldn't sleep or anything because of the restaurants and/or the shops downstairs...but that's just us). We've stayed there every trip (with the exception of our first two) and love it...I'll definitely give an updated report after the trip, though!

That's why I'm so excited that we decided to add on an extra day at AoA at the start of the trip without park tickets or anything so we could stay somewhere else but still be able to stay at the Contemporary for the remainder of the trip! I can't wait to see the resort and report back with pictures and everything!!

Good for your discount - you guys deserve that and more for your DH's service...

Thank you! It's just really nice that Disney supports the military like that and are willing to give back with such an awesome deal.

My brother was supposed to fly in from California in today to Philadelphia for a business meeting... but thankfully he cancelled -he had to go back Tuesday-which is supposed to the height of the storm... Glad you could reschedule... that's really the decent thing for the airlines to do...

That was a good thing that he cancelled then or he would have been stuck! It was very nice that US Air did allow the reschedule, especially since the flight ended up being cancelled anyway! On Saturday both our flights had open seats. We ended up in a row to ourselves on both flights, which was great!

Stay safe during the storm...Hugs to you and Laura

Thanks! Glad to hear you all made out okay despite the power outage! Is it back on yet? Fingers crossed for you that it's soon!

I hope that you all are doing OK through the storm. (((Hugs))) Hopefully you'll check in to let us know how you're doing.

I also stopped by to wish you a Happy Halloween!

Sorry I missed you on Wednesday! Happy Late Halloween!! And happy November! Can't believe it's November already!!
D~

Hi; I see you've joined my TR, and I am now returning the favor.

I will be back tonight to catch up on what I've missed so far.

Welcome! And thanks for coming over and reading along!!

 

[TMGosizk]

Hi; I see you've joined my TR, and I am now returning the favor.

I will be back tonight to catch up on what I've missed so far.

****I'm back and all caught up.

Oops! I missed that you added more!!

I loved your introductions, and your daughter is absolutely beautiful.

Aww, thank you!

Where in Illinois do you live? I assume down South since you are flying out of St. Louis for your trip home to see your parents?

We currently live in Belleville (stationed at Scott AFB). And we're about 30ish minutes from St. Louis...give or take with traffic. This is all changing though ...I still can't believe it! More in my next update!

Congrats on booking your resort (we used to stay at the Contemporary a long time ago) for your dates (that's the time we usually go to Disney, but next year we are going in August to get another use out of our annual passes.

Thank you!! LOVE the Contemporary! How is it there in September? We've never been there at that time! We've also been there in August, and it was hot, but we still had a wonderful time and if I had to, I'd go back in August in a heartbeat!

Thanks again for reading along!

 

[TMGosizk]

Hi everyone! For all those effected by Sandy, praying for you! I still can't believe what I see in pictures and such. We got very lucky at my parents' and had no damage and didn't even lose power, which is unusual--they lose power when a leaf falls! But, I know we were incredibly fortunate.

Laura and I made it back to Illinois safely on Saturday after extending our trip. We had one very good flight and one very bumpy flight (at least this was the shorter of the two). Laura didn't seem to mind at all! I will do a very mini report on our travels soon.

I'm writing today to share some news. While in PA, I recieved a phone call from John. And I HATE when he begins conversations with "I need to tell you something important." Not really the words that are troublesome, it's usually the tone. My BIGGEST fear when this happens, is that he's going to tell me he's being deployed.

However, he's not....yet...thank God! But, he HAS been reassigned to another intel unit. When he returned from Korea he had a "Code 50" on his orders, which is just the Air Force's way of saying he HAS to be stationed at his next state-side base for three years to re-acclimate to life in the US. We probably would have been able to extend a year after that, maybe longer. So we were looking at four years in Illinois...maybe more.

But that's all changing. His Code 50 was removed...

And we've been reassigned to Fort Gordon, Georgia. Which is just outside of Augusta.

Even though this means we have to leave our brand new house...the one we had built and just moved into this April (because we HAD to be here for at least three years)...we are still really excited for this move. I can't even describe how sad I am to have to leave the house behind...I love this house...but, it's just a house...and I have to keep reminding myself of that.

I've been researching the base and the area and have to say I'm liking what I see! We don't know how long we'll be there...a definite minimum of two years, but not sure after that.

Here are some of the positives:

We'll be in the same time zone as our families in PA.

We will be closer to PA--12 hour drive as opposed to a 14 hour one.

The cost of living in this area is amazing! We would be renting a house and could basically rent OUR house now for about a quarter less than what our mortgage is currently.

Augusta is beautiful and from what we've heard a very nice place to live.

The winters are great! According to one source, the coldest average day temp in December/January was 55!! Music to my ears! I'm sure it gets colder than that, but I'm thinking it's still better than PA and IL!

We will be only SEVEN hours from Disney World by car!! I think I hear an Annual Pass in our future....hehe

We will be three hours from the beach!! Which means we can go there on weekends without John having to take any Leave (he can go away within 4.5 hours without needing to use Leave...maybe it's 5 hours...I can't rememebr)!

John's job would be better (and that's pretty much one of the biggest things!)

We will all be together! This. Is. HUGE!

So, it's a positive move...and there are many worse places we could be heading to!

We need to report no later than May 10th of next year, so we will be very busy in the next few months ...putting our house up for rent scheduling to have everything packed and shipped (so thankful the Military does this for us), setting up visits to houses in Georgia to see when we arrive, then we also have Thanksgiving (my parents come out for this) and Christmas (back home to PA), and still planning for Disney in September (but SO much closer!)!

It's going to be a busy, busy end of 2012 and start to 2013! Someday, we'll have a year of normalcy...but, honestly, at this point, I wouldn't have it any other way. Laura's young enough that it's okay things are a bit up in the air! And who doesn't like a new adventure every so often!

 

[DMGeurts]

Wow!!! Lots of big news!

Glad you and Laura made it home safely and your family didn't suffer any damage.

Congrats to John for a better job!

And how awesome that your move will bring you closer to your family and to Disney.

That's a bummer about your house - but you can always build it again.

I agree - at least you are together - that is most important.

Can't wait to hear all about your new adventures... I have a few good Dis friends that live in GA.

D~

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

WOW... really WOW...

That's a lot to process...You really have to be flexible and resilient to be a military family... I give you guys a lot of credit...

Moving again...not too much fun...

But being together...priceless...

It's good to have such a positive attitude... It really gets you far... and since it's happening anyway... it makes it smoother for you...

Yeah for a better job...

and yeah for being within drivable distance to WDW...

 

[KatMark]

First, glad you made it home safely.

I'm sad you are leaving my home State (I know the Belleville area), but being in Georgia certainly has a LOT of advantages.


To answer your question about September at Disney, it is hot...I will not lie. We had 90's when there a couple of months ago and quite a bit of humidity. But, truthfully, it doesn't bother us all that much. We just drink lots of fluids (mostly water), keep a cool washcloth on our neck, take breaks, etc. We also need to get used to it if we are moving there, as planned, in three years.

 

[TMGosizk]

Hello Friends!

I have been away for far too long...almost a month since my last update!! My sincere apologies...time has just not been on my side lately! I have been reading subscriptions on my phone and keeping up when I get a spare moment (or during those late-night feedings with Laura), it's just been hard commenting away from my computer!

We've had an absurdly busy November!!

To add to the business, not long after coming back from PA, we all got sick I don't know if germs got stuck on Laura and I when traveling, or what, but we all ended up with a cold/sinus infection mixture of un-lovelyness. John somehow got it all first, but was better in a couple days, which was helpful because Laura was the next to have it! I felt so bad for her...her being so little, we couldn't really do much to help. There were a few nights I was up about every hour or so to clear out her nose so she could breathe enough to go back to sleep! Thank goodness we also run a humidifier every night because I'm sure that helped, too! She did get over it relatively quickly; however, by the time everyone else was feeling better, it hit me full force! And, as is custom when I get sick, it stuck around for a good two weeks! Finally, felt well enough just in time to clean the house, prepare for my parents' arrival, and get things ready for Thanksgiving!

Anyway, I'm back to (hopefully) more regularly updating and actively commenting on other's threads! A few responses to get to here and then I'll work on a little Thanksgiving recap and within the next couple days a Disney update with our first round ADR picks!!

Wow!!! Lots of big news!

Glad you and Laura made it home safely and your family didn't suffer any damage.

Congrats to John for a better job!

Thank you! He's pretty happy! This job is basically what he's been trained for (not that his now isn't important and necessary) and what he wants to do!And so many people we've talked to that have worked where he'll be working have loved it! I don't think we've heard anything negative yet...at least not that I can think of right now!

And how awesome that your move will bring you closer to your family and to Disney.

My excitement for both of these things cannot be measured! I'm thrilled to be closer to the ones I love and to my favorite place!

That's a bummer about your house - but you can always build it again.

This is very true, and we figure next time we build, it'll be even better! Though I don't think we'll do that again until we're in a more permanant location!

I agree - at least you are together - that is most important.

HUGE

Can't wait to hear all about your new adventures... I have a few good Dis friends that live in GA.

There will definitely be a lot to share in the near future that's for sure!!

D~

WOW... really WOW...

That's a lot to process...You really have to be flexible and resilient to be a military family... I give you guys a lot of credit...

Thank you! I can't pretend it's easy...there are a lot of times it is very, very difficult. But, the only way to get through the icky times, is to focus on the good things...and they out-weigh the bad by a huge margin!

Moving again...not too much fun...

I do not like the actual moving part at all...I haven't lived in the same place for more than two years at a time since 2007. Packing is the worst! But it's so great that the military does that for us when we change duty stations! Makes it a lot easier on everyone!

But being together...priceless...

So, so, sooo wonderfully true!

It's good to have such a positive attitude... It really gets you far... and since it's happening anyway... it makes it smoother for you...

Absolutely...and this is sometimes SO hard...but, I have to stay positive about things. HAVE to! I don't function too well otherwise. So staying positive, planning something: trips, outings with John, Laura, and I, visits back home, etc., etc., etc., are ways to do that! It's not always easy, but it definitely does make things smoother!

Yeah for a better job...

and yeah for being within drivable distance to WDW...

These two deserve a:

First, glad you made it home safely.

I'm sad you are leaving my home State (I know the Belleville area), but being in Georgia certainly has a LOT of advantages.

I'm a bit sad about it, too, actually, but SO many advantages, yes!!! Where in IL are you from? This is a pretty nice area...it's been a good two years here!

To answer your question about September at Disney, it is hot...I will not lie. We had 90's when there a couple of months ago and quite a bit of humidity. But, truthfully, it doesn't bother us all that much. We just drink lots of fluids (mostly water), keep a cool washcloth on our neck, take breaks, etc. We also need to get used to it if we are moving there, as planned, in three years.

Hmm...that is one thing I'll miss about not going in October...bit lower temps. However, we've been in June, July, and August, so hopefully it's maybe a little tiny bit better...if not, that's what we've been used to our last three trips, so we'll definitely manage....and drink lots and lots of water (and some non-water drinks too! ), for sure!!!

Do you know where about in Florida you'll be moving yet? My parents are also looking at moving there after my mom retires in a year and a half and will definitely be within either walking or a very short driving distance to the beach! The hard part is picking just one beach! My mom loves so many down there!

Hope you're having a FANTASTIC trip right now! I have been keeping up on your TR even though I haven't commented of late and was SO excited for you and your DH Wednesday night!!