Space Mountain: Clothing Optional - All done and true even if it is April Fool's

[Dugette]

Enjoyed your TR and looking forward to the next one. I remember that Christmas snowstorm! We were going to drive down to Kansas to visit my Grandpa on Christmas day, but it was so bad that we had to postpone until New Years weekend. And there were still cars in the ditches in Nebraska then! Glad you made it safely.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Awww, a sad ending with a not great Christmas... but I'm sure glad you had a lot of fun on your vacation! You have given me the strength now to finish the end of my TR! I can't wait for the new one! The title is awesome!!

 

[Jennifer48]

I'm so sorry to hear about the horrible weather added onto an already horrible ride home. Glad everyone was safe and I'm excited to read about the next TR!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oh yes, the Christmas 2009 blizzard! I remember it well.
I can totally understand the feeling of wanting to stay and be home on Christmas morning. I feel that way too.

Sorry your plans were so messed up and you had such a sucky Christmas eve - especially the food!! That's one of my favorite things about holidays - the food!

I normally would be sad your TR is over, but knowing the next one is coming right on it's tail makes me
I'll be there!!!
Thanks for sharing your fun family and it's crazy "only could have happened to you" adventures with us!!!

 

[MEK]

Congratulations! You finished and it was awesome. Ride home.....not so much. That is just like adding salt to the wound of having to depart Disney! But I am glad you made it home safe and sound.

So another TR.....?????......I guess that means there is another trip in the works! Woot! Can't wait to read all about it!

 

[DisneyJo]

Wow!!! I'm glad you finally made it home safe and sound but what a bummer your plans had to change and then the knock on effects were so bad. I hope you have a better Christmas this year

 

[Dizneydawn]

Enjoyed your TR and looking forward to the next one. I remember that Christmas snowstorm! We were going to drive down to Kansas to visit my Grandpa on Christmas day, but it was so bad that we had to postpone until New Years weekend. And there were still cars in the ditches in Nebraska then! Glad you made it safely.

It was bad Christmas Day. Really bad. Tons of cars and even big trusks in the ditch. In fact one yahoo who had a suburban and flew past us, ended up in the ditch 20 minutes later.

Awww, a sad ending with a not great Christmas... but I'm sure glad you had a lot of fun on your vacation! You have given me the strength now to finish the end of my TR! I can't wait for the new one! The title is awesome!!

You can finish it and please know...all the days were great minus the very last. Saying goodbye to the kids is depressing in a divorce esp. in the Holiday season and to then be stranded in Ames (sorry Iowans) where we were in a hotel with no home cooking - made it worse.

I am totally glad though that the places we found open were open. Selfish and horrible as it may be, without them, we would have been stuck at least 2 more days. I usually am 100% against places being open on Holidays - tell the kids about having to know what you needed ahead and plan cause nothing was open and then - we need the people I hate being open!

Know what I mean? Everything open makes it seem it is not really a celebrated day.

I'm excited to read about the next TR!

I am sssssooooooo excited about the new TR. Best vacation ever and so many stories to laugh at!!!!

I can totally understand the feeling of wanting to stay and be home on Christmas morning. I feel that way too.
There is just something about creating memories at home I love.
Sorry your plans were so messed up and you had such a sucky Christmas eve - especially the food!! That's one of my favorite things about holidays - the food! I know and I loove to cook! Argh!

I normally would be sad your TR is over, but knowing the next one is coming right on it's tail makes me
I'll be there!!!
Thanks for sharing your fun family and it's crazy "only could have happened to you" adventures with us!!!

My friends from Ireland call just for entertainment purposes. They say the most exciting thing that happens to them is a cup of tea spills!

Congratulations! You finished and it was awesome. Ride home.....not so much. It is hard to put any funny on that but it needed to be finished!!!

So another TR.....?????......I guess that means there is another trip in the works! Woot! Can't wait to read all about it!

McFly - wake up! We just got back from Disney last week! I mean - yes there is another trip in the works.......ahemmm...BWI CL in October....but the TR I speak of is the one from spring break 2010 - it totally made up for Christmas!!!!

Wow!!! I'm glad you finally made it home safe and sound but what a bummer your plans had to change and then the knock on effects were so bad. Never again will I make mistakes like that one! The good thing from cruddy situations is that you can grow wiser and not make them again!!! I hope you have a better Christmas this year

It will be for sure!!! Even if it snows!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I'll be watching...

 

[__disneygirl]

Dawn, I love this trip report and I'm sad to see it end! But yay, you're starting another right away!! You should be proud, all your kids seem well adjusted and GOOD. Period. Plus, they're all adorable!! I love reading about your families adventures...misadventures? together. Can't wait to read the next one.

 

[kmpprg]

Hi Dawn, Loved your TR. So sorry about your Christmas. It always seems like a good idea for us to go away for the holidays, like in the movies, but it is so nice to be at home. It is cool to leave the day after though-something to look forward to after all the build up of Christmas. Your dinner reminds me of The Christmas Story movie!
We actually took a train to NYC for New Years and it was so much fun. It was bitter cold and very busy, but lots of memories.
I cannot wait for tomorrow for the new report-the title has me guessing!

 

[carouselgirl]

I started reading one of your trip reports and was hooked. I have now read everyone, but the new one. You guys remind me of my family so much.
I moved from PA to Michigan 8 years ago and those family trips do not happen as often as they used to. To see the kind of mother you are and the love between you and your children gives me hope that the world might actually change for the better. Thank you for the TRs.

 

[Dizneydawn]

I'll be watching...

I would be disappointed if you weren't!

Dawn, I love this trip report and I'm sad to see it end! But yay, you're starting another right away!! You should be proud, all your kids seem well adjusted and GOOD. Period. They are. Not a perfect life and being raised by broke college parents and then broke college graduates meant they had to learn to not be selfish and to think about the whole process - not just from their view. They have gone without a lot in their life other kids have - for example - we are just now getting our backyard landscaped/excavated etc... while they have had more weeds than grass here their whole lives.

Not everyone believes in vacations over details of their lives like that.

If I had waited till 30 to have kids, they might have been able to have both.

But I did not wait and they did not have a choice to be born to young parents.

So I decided at 19 that my choices to give them what I thought was the most important things would have to take priority. Vacations are a huge thing to me. Not just the rides and the parks etc. - cause those are great but not my ideal or the kids.

The time spent is critical and the listening that can be had when you are at a place outside of home, where more neutral territory is had, is something I would not put a price tag on.

I know some people look at the drive we have done lately as insane.

But to have your kids say they tell their friends they are excited for the drive means to me I have done something right. They are excited about the memories created just when life takes it's course. Not bought or paid for.

Just simply created.

So I don't have a $20,000 backyard like I would like to someday have. Or more if ya count the pool I would love.

But I do have good kids.

You are dead on.

I can't tell you how much that meant to me to read this morning. Sometimes I focus on all the things as a parent I have screwed up on or the things I wish would have been an easier road for them.

The truth is though, they are kids other people like to be around.

Not so common with teens these days.

So this Easter when I look at what I am grateful for and thankful for.

I am going to try really hard not to place a "but" in my thoughts.

For me it is hard not to be so critical of myself. I think as Mom's we are all like that.

So a challenge for you the readers I write for this weekend.

Think about how good of a person/friend/mother/father/sister/brother/son/daughter you are.

No "But's allowed."



Plus, they're all adorable!! I love reading about your families adventures...misadventures? together. Can't wait to read the next one.

I am really excited to start it tonight!!!

It is cool to leave the day after though-something to look forward to after all the build up of Christmas. That sound like a great idea!!!
We actually took a train to NYC for New Years and it was so much fun. I have been to NYC 2 times but the kids have not. Maybe we can look at doing that trip next year. DC also!!!
I cannot wait for tomorrow for the new report-the title has me guessing!

It was the best tagline ever...a bit into the trip though and I will not tell ahead of time!!

I started reading one of your trip reports and was hooked. I have now read everyone, but the new one. You guys remind me of my family so much. So very glad you are here and thank you for posting!!!!
To see the kind of mother you are and the love between you and your children gives me hope that the world might actually change for the better. Thank you for the TRs.

Thank you also for so many kind words.

Treyner is not home for Easter this year. Talked about flying him home but his best friend is in the Marine Corps - leaving for Japan in 2 months and stationed in NC. He and some fellow Marines are going to Myrtle Beach to stay with parents of one of the soldiers.

Derek called Treyner and invited him to come.

So Treyner and a guy from England on his soccer team headed there last night.

He asked me if I would be mad that he did not come home.

I asked him what he thought.

He said, "I think that Derek is scared right now. I think he thought a ton about joining and the idea of being gone for 2 years was plausible but he really thought he would be going to California. So now, as tough as he is, he is sad and scared and he needs friends. I am his best friend and I need to be there for him right now."

I told him I thought he was dead on.

Then I said , "plus you will be at the beach and there are girls at the beach."

He said, "Exactly. Therapy for Derek."

Anyway - It is the best feeling as a Mom when they get what you tried to instill on them on their own.

Think of others and the world will bless you back 10 fold.

Always true. Even when you are eating corn dogs on Christmas!!!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Now you've done it with your last post! Made me cry at work!
I also had Mariah when I was 19. I feel the EXACT same way you do about vacations and spending time with them doing things like that vs. having the best lawn/new car/dream house vs an ok lawn, a running vehicle and a place we call HOME. When I am dead and gone are they going to remember that we didn't have any weeds or name brand clothes or the time I'd gotten into so much trouble at 50s PT Cafe that I had to stand in the corner and I swear they almost peed their pants laughing at me? I hope that I am raising them to value our time together and family instead of materialistic things. I can only hope when my kids are teenagers they are as fun filled, light hearted and as caring and loving as your kids are(when they don't want to kill each other, haha!)

 

[Dizneydawn]

Now you've done it with your last post! Made me cry at work!
I also had Mariah when I was 19. I feel the EXACT same way you do about vacations and spending time with them doing things like that vs. having the best lawn/new car/dream house vs an ok lawn, a running vehicle and a place we call HOME. I am glad somebody gets it. Sometimes my emotional vomiting makes me wonder if I am alone - but even so - at least I know what I mean.

Says the schizophrenic!

I can only hope when my kids are teenagers they are as fun filled, light hearted and as caring and loving as your kids are(when they don't want to kill each other, haha!)

This last trip - no joke - 2 times of sibling anger. That is it. I also think one of them was a long time coming and needed to be hashed out.

In fact, when your kids tell you to stay out of it and let them argue - it takes you aback. They are old enough to know that there are just things that need to be argued over, dealt with and moved on from.

Me telling them not to fight is stupid. I fight with my sisters. I am also old enough not to fight over who is doing the dishes anymore.

Now - it is due to legitimate feelings and concerns and they are at that age.

Kind of nice to know I can walk away and say - you figure it out. Let me know what you come up with.

No more being the referee.

New position for sure for me, loosen up my control string and know, if there is no blood at the end - they will be fine. They don't need me for that part of THEIR relationship anymore. It is never ours as parents even when they are young - it truly is their relationship but when the maturity of siblings isn't there to resolve and decide what is worth an argument - the "Moooooommmm" gets so old!

Scary that they are old enough to do that -(cause that means I am old) but awesome none the less.

 

[__disneygirl]

They are. Not a perfect life and being raised by broke college parents and then broke college graduates meant they had to learn to not be selfish and to think about the whole process - not just from their view. They have gone without a lot in their life other kids have - for example - we are just now getting our backyard landscaped/excavated etc... while they have had more weeds than grass here their whole lives.

Not everyone believes in vacations over details of their lives like that.

If I had waited till 30 to have kids, they might have been able to have both.

But I did not wait and they did not have a choice to be born to young parents.

So I decided at 19 that my choices to give them what I thought was the most important things would have to take priority. Vacations are a huge thing to me. Not just the rides and the parks etc. - cause those are great but not my ideal or the kids.

The time spent is critical and the listening that can be had when you are at a place outside of home, where more neutral territory is had, is something I would not put a price tag on.

I know some people look at the drive we have done lately as insane.

But to have your kids say they tell their friends they are excited for the drive means to me I have done something right. They are excited about the memories created just when life takes it's course. Not bought or paid for.

Just simply created.

So I don't have a $20,000 backyard like I would like to someday have. Or more if ya count the pool I would love.

But I do have good kids.

You are dead on.

I can't tell you how much that meant to me to read this morning. Sometimes I focus on all the things as a parent I have screwed up on or the things I wish would have been an easier road for them.

The truth is though, they are kids other people like to be around.

Not so common with teens these days.

So this Easter when I look at what I am grateful for and thankful for.

I am going to try really hard not to place a "but" in my thoughts.

For me it is hard not to be so critical of myself. I think as Mom's we are all like that.

So a challenge for you the readers I write for this weekend.

Think about how good of a person/friend/mother/father/sister/brother/son/daughter you are.

No "But's allowed."

That was so nice to read. Really beautiful. Ya got me!! Again. Obviously you raised the kind of kids that values a good mom that teaches them well more than a fancy backyard. You should be proud.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Another post that makes me so happy I "know" you Dawn! You and your family's stories and thoughts really make me think!
About Treyner coming home for Easter - WOW! You obviously have taught him well - thinking about his friend and what he needs - just wonderful. I hope that you will always continue to share stories about your family. I LOVE reading them.

I absolutely cannot wait for your new TR. Don't start until later tonight - I have to have my DD7's bday party until 7:30 or so - then I'll definitely be looking for it!!!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

MOVE TO RALEIGH!!!!!! We have.....ok, well, not much, but it's only a 9 hour drive to Disney. Though you will miss the gigantic cross.

I currently have the fun of dealing with how to balance out holidays with a serious boyfriend and his family. Last Easter he spent with my family, I spent Thanksgiving with his, Christmas we spent apart with our respective families, and he is currently en route to New York to visit his extended family. It's stressful at times. My mom tells me it just continues as you get older.

 

[lovegrumpy]

It's great that Treyner wanted to be with his friend. It does suck when you have orders to one place but the the military needs you someplace else. Every person that I know has loved being over in Japan. He'll love it once he gets over there.

 

[olivasmommy]

I am coming out of lurkerville to tell you that your TR is the FUNNIEST THING I have ever read. I was laughing out aloud and my family thinks I have lost my mind. Can't wait to read the next one!!!!! Keep it coming!!!!!!

 

[Dizneydawn]

hi guys! Wanted to make sure that you guys saw the new TR - link at the bottom of my siggie!!!