Tried to be sneaky but the trick was on us! A family reunites... June 2014

[Marsheliz]

that's so hard....I understand about work being stressful and spilling out into life. I go through phases when i'm sure I should quit, then everything is fine, then I think it's time to move on again. you have to do what works for you and makes you and your family happy. you'll know what's right for you all!

and prayers for your family too.....

speaking of family---the pictures of the kids are too cute! did you all plan on having everyone in their frozen outfits, or was that just coincidence? the outfits were sure cute!

ahh, it's a small world.....my least favorite, favorite ride. can't go to MK without riding, can't stand the song stuck in my head all day!

we love philharmagic too! it's so fun!

It really is hard girl!! I know what you mean about it being up and down but mine is more down.. It's been downright miserable for me.. (

Well the outfits were kind of planned. I told my sister about my outfits and she had gotten some and just sAid she'd wear them on same day..

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh Marcie... That is SO ADORABLE!!! And so fabulous you were able to capture the moment.

And of course.. Prayers are sent.

But then why oh why must you taunt me with Small World???? I can absolutely go to MK without riding!!!

Oh my goodness, a surprise for you too. Hi Dad! How sweet!!! What a great update.

My only advice regarding giving notice is this and you know this all too well... Life is just too short to do something you genuinely don't like. There's never a right or wrong answer... just do what feels right. That often is the answer right there.

 

[Marsheliz]

Hmm, I'm sorry to hear about all your troubles in your real life. I hope everything works out all right. And if you believe you and your family are going to be happier emotionally/mentally if you quit your job, then you should follow your gut and do what's best for your family.

Aww, what great reactions to the surprise! Those boys must have been so excited to see one another. They just look like they've got mischief up their sleeves.

And look at that, a surprise meet for you, as well! How cool!

It sounds like this trip is turning into something extraordinary.

Thanks Alicia!! I just know something has to go and I'm just tired of putting my family on the back burner for things and people that really shouldn't matter!

They were super excited and it was such a special moment.. Long awaited too!

Having my dad join was icing on the cake!

 

[Marsheliz]

Saying a prayer for your sister and nephew.

What a great surprise from your dad!! I love seeing surprises like this.

Thank you!! It really was the icing on the cake for us!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

First, I will definitely be praying for your sister and nephew - and for you too as it seems like a lot of added family stress for you

Also, for you with regards to putting in notice at your job. I am always one to think that things will not always be perfect at work but it sounds like your situation is well beyond that and when it is consistently having a negative impact on you outside of work then probably best to get away from it. We had a similar situation in that paying for day care would ahve cost almost as much as what my wife was making (and after the second, probably more - day care near us is crazy expensive) so we decided it wasn't worth it and went to one salary. At times having some extra income would be nice - and my wife has picked up the odd job here and there but you need to do what is best for you and your family. Best of luck

****************

very cool that your surprise worked and everyone was happy! Also cool that you got surprised!

Love Philharmagic - for just the reasons you describe. Though a few of the characters that were in 2D in their movies look a little weird in 3D (like Aladdin, etc.)

 

[Marsheliz]

Oh Marcie... That is SO ADORABLE!!! And so fabulous you were able to capture the moment.

And of course.. Prayers are sent.

But then why oh why must you taunt me with Small World???? I can absolutely go to MK without riding!!!

Oh my goodness, a surprise for you too. Hi Dad! How sweet!!! What a great update.

My only advice regarding giving notice is this and you know this all too well... Life is just too short to do something you genuinely don't like. There's never a right or wrong answer... just do what feels right. That often is the answer right there.

Haha!! You know you really enjoy the ride!

Thanks for the advice! I think you are right on the money there... Quitting is what feels right ( miserable doesnt even describe it here) and I saw a quote that said " Do what you have to do for YOU and don't give a ____ what anyone else thinks..... Hmmmmm.. It's like I wrote that or something!!

 

[hstrickland]

Wow! What a sweet family reunion! Y'all made such great memories. So glad everyone made it safely. Did you really not know your dad was going to show up?! A huge surprise!

Sending prayers your way for your sister's family and you. If you're miserable in a job, it's not worth it. Maybe the job at the church will pan out. Sounds like a win-win situation for you.

Hope you have a happy Thursday!
Heather

 

[Marsheliz]

First, I will definitely be praying for your sister and nephew - and for you too as it seems like a lot of added family stress for you

Also, for you with regards to putting in notice at your job. I am always one to think that things will not always be perfect at work but it sounds like your situation is well beyond that and when it is consistently having a negative impact on you outside of work then probably best to get away from it. We had a similar situation in that paying for day care would ahve cost almost as much as what my wife was making (and after the second, probably more - day care near us is crazy expensive) so we decided it wasn't worth it and went to one salary. At times having some extra income would be nice - and my wife has picked up the odd job here and there but you need to do what is best for you and your family. Best of luck

****************

very cool that your surprise worked and everyone was happy! Also cool that you got surprised!

Love Philharmagic - for just the reasons you describe. Though a few of the characters that were in 2D in their movies look a little weird in 3D (like Aladdin, etc.)

Thank you so much!! It definitely was a great surprise!!

Thank you for sharing your family story with me... You are correct in that sometimes paying for daycare just isn't worth it.. I will get into it on
my next update but I had a brief meeting with my supervisor this morning and told her how I felt and she is freaking and wants to know what she can do to change my mind, etc and I'm considering going part time... Ugh! She promises to adjust her attitude, etc... Didn't expect this!

Philharmonic is definitely one of the best!

 

[Marsheliz]

Wow! What a sweet family reunion! Y'all made such great memories. So glad everyone made it safely. Did you really not know your dad was going to show up?! A huge surprise!

Sending prayers your way for your sister's family and you. If you're miserable in a job, it's not worth it. Maybe the job at the church will pan out. Sounds like a win-win situation for you.

Hope you have a happy Thursday!
Heather

Thanks Heather!! I will have an update on the job on my next segment... I feel a lot better today and looking forward to this weekend and catching up on some TR's!!

I had a little hunch that daddy was coming but I was surprised when we came out and he was standing there! He is actually on his way to Disney again now! )

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

I can totally relate on the whole job thing/family time. I've been a stay at home mama for the past 4.5 years and just recently went back to work at the animal hospital. I feel the same way at times and think how much easier everything was when I was just home all day. But with it just being part time, I just use it as my "get out of the house and interact with adults" time. Go with your gut. If it keeps telling you to quit and be home full time, then do it. Your kids are only young for so long ya know? Although, maybe give the part time a chance for a month or so and see how it goes. You'll probably be better able to determine if it really is the job or maybe just the hours. Either way, good luck girl and just go with your heart <3

Seeing the boys meet up just melted my heart! Aww, that was so sweet! I think it's awesome that they all coordinated with their outfits, too!

 

[Marsheliz]

I can totally relate on the whole job thing/family time. I've been a stay at home mama for the past 4.5 years and just recently went back to work at the animal hospital. I feel the same way at times and think how much easier everything was when I was just home all day. But with it just being part time, I just use it as my "get out of the house and interact with adults" time. Go with your gut. If it keeps telling you to quit and be home full time, then do it. Your kids are only young for so long ya know? Although, maybe give the part time a chance for a month or so and see how it goes. You'll probably be better able to determine if it really is the job or maybe just the hours. Either way, good luck girl and just go with your heart <3

Seeing the boys meet up just melted my heart! Aww, that was so sweet! I think it's awesome that they all coordinated with their outfits, too!

Thanks Lauren! I'm glad you understand. Thank you for sharing! My boss was a different person yesterday after telling her. Confused.

I have a video of the boys too, I will have to see if I can figure out how to post. It really was so precious and so glad we made it work.

 

[Marsheliz]

We last left off with Papa Tom waiting for us outside of Mickey's Philharmonic! After all the excitement died down,we decided we wanted to venture further into New Fantasyland into Storybook Circus....

Much to our surprise, there was only a 10 minute wait for Dumbo! So, we decided we could spare a few minutes to play in the que since we had to skip the playing last trip. Lawson took off one way and Landen preferred to stay close by and explore.

One of my favorite pics of this day!! Pure joy!!

We played around for about 15 minutes and then jumped in line so we could ride Dumbo! The original plan was to ride three and two but in the end, we just couldn't fit comfortably ( imagine that) so I decided to sit this one out and let my dad and MIL enjoy the kids.

Everyone enjoyed it and I enjoyed watching and waving!


After our little ride, we realized it was time for our fastpasses for the Mine Train! Talk about excited! It is always super exciting to ride something new and long anticipated! Now, mind you, my dad didn't make any fast pass reservations... But my DH being the good man, he is.. offered to let my dad have his fast pass and stay behind with Landen. The two of them went back and forth, back and forth. My dad kind of felt bad for taking it but my honey insisted. He said " go on and go with them and I will take pictures". I was so glad he did b/c he got some perfect shots.

Look at Papa's hair flappin' in the wind!

You only get this kind of magic at Disney!

You can see little Lawson's head! And MIL looks like she was having the time of her life. <3


The ride was great! Very well-detailed but I am sure you guessed that..It's Disney.. Everything is perfectfully detailed. Only thing I didn't like is, it went by way too fast, but that is with any anticipated ride IMO.

After riding,we decided we better go grab some lunch. My dad really wanted to try BOG and not that we didn't but with us basically only being at MK for this one day, we didn't want to wait in the line. But definitely next time.
We ended up going to Pinocchio Haus. This used to be one of my favs but not as much, since they changed the menu.


Landen had a little fun while we waited to get our lunch.

Stevie got a meatball sub, my dad got the chicken caesar salad, Lawson got a flatbread pizza and I got chicken nuggets and french fries ( definitely not what I wanted, I just wanted to share something with Landen), and MIL got some breadsticks and french fries. What a combo!! The CM also hooked us up with two wildberry foams!! She made them in error and asked if we would like them.. PIXIE DUST! I only knew what they were because of the DIS Boards!!!!

Definitely refreshing and nice little break inside!!


DH looked on his phone to see the radar and warned of a storm and I say
" Well, it looks perfect outside, I don't think it will rain'....

Clears throat... AHEM... I was wrong.... We gather up everything and get outside, try to decide what we are going to do and out of nowhere, it starts pouring, lightening, pouring.. It WAS BAD! We tried hovering near the RR that are near the restaurant and then slowly make our way out, when we have to go back for cover and we are all hovering under an umbrella and chairs outside the restaurant. It was TERRIBLE. In all of our trips, we had never seen rain like this...

I even said well, I guess we would have had time to eat at BOG. Oh well.

After about 20 minutes,we decide we better head on so we head to Haunted Mansion and ended up having to wait about 30 minutes. I just realized the pics for this are on DH's phone so I will have to upload later.. #imsorry

HM is one of my favs but so is where we headed next.. I don't care who you are but you can't see Country Bear Jamboree and not smile.

It is a Disney classic.... And my favorite songs are the 'There was blooooddd on the saddleeeee" and the "All the guys that turn me on, turn me down!! Annndddd... "Mama don't whoop little Beaufort"..... And of course, I love Big AL and Trixie!

Waiting for doors to open....

See how wet??!!!

Always a knee slappin good time!!

Up NEXT: RAIN, RAIN and MORE RAIN! ​

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST.........................

 

[Marsheliz]

CONTINUED....

Life update:

I know I mentioned to you guys I was thinking about quitting my job. Well, last Friday my supervisor asked if she could talk to me... We sat down to talk and she told me she could tell that I haven't been myself and asked what was wrong... I have had SO much stuff going on in the past couple of years. My mom getting sick and passing away, I lost my job in 2013, troubles with family members, raising my children, struggling with infertility... The list goes on..... Planning Disney trips has been such a saving grace for me.

I told her I wanted to be honest with her and I told her that I just wasn't happy. She is like " What can I do, do you need some time off, how can I help, is it me? Yada, Yada.. And I told her yes, it was somewhat her, that I feel like it's push, push, push, negative, negative negative. She apologized and said she adored me and she didnt want to see me go..

We spoke about possibly doing part-time ( 3 days a week) that way I can still pick Lawson up and keep the kids after school.. I'm even thinking about seeing if I could work from home some too.. ( we have others that do) Anyways... since Friday she has been SOOO super sweet to all of us and I am hoping that the part time works out and I can have the best of both worlds! YAY!!! Hopefully I will know something in the next couple weeks b/c school starts here on August 18th. ​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Awww Dumbo. Just such an iconic Disney experience.

Oh my goodness, the Mine Train photos are Epic!!! So glad you got to experience it AND get some great photo memories too.

I CAN'T SEE COUNTRY BEARS AND NOT SMILE!!!!!

I'm actually quite impressed with your supervisor doing that. Way too many would never. She clearly likes you to go to that trouble. I hope whatever you do, it's what works best for you.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

First, I'm glad to hear things are looking up at work! That's a step in the right direction!

Next--awesome pics from mine train! You all look like your having such fun! I'm glad your dad got to ride with you. That was very sweet of your DH!

I love your dumbo pictures! I can't watch that movie without crying but I love the ride. I can't wait to ride it at night all lit up on our next trip!

What are wildberry foams? Sounds pretty yummy.....

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The play area by Dumbo is so much fun ... though it is kinda funny that sometime you have to drag kids away to go on a ride

And those are some epic Mine Train pictures! You all look like you are having a blast - especially you MIL! And you can tell how the cars swing - which is cool!

Bummer about the rain though - dang technology being right!

I think one of the reasons Country Bears is so great (besides being such a classic that Walt had a hand in) is that the lyrics seem so un-Disney like ... no way they would be able to release something like that if it came out today

*****************

I'm glad you had the conversation with your boss and things seem to be turning in a positive direction. Where I work one of my good friends used to work 4 days a week but switched to working 3 days in the office and 2 days at home - she really needs something like that to stay connected with the kids. I do hope something works out for you

 

[Marsheliz]

Awww Dumbo. Just such an iconic Disney experience.

Oh my goodness, the Mine Train photos are Epic!!! So glad you got to experience it AND get some great photo memories too.

I CAN'T SEE COUNTRY BEARS AND NOT SMILE!!!!!

I'm actually quite impressed with your supervisor doing that. Way too many would never. She clearly likes you to go to that trouble. I hope whatever you do, it's what works best for you.

I'm glad you enjoyed the mine train pics! I thought they were awesome myself!

I knew you loved the country bears! I pulled it up on you tube last night to let the boys watch.. <3

Thanks Rob- I was quite shocked she went to this length for me... Maybe she does like me after all! Ha!

 

[Marsheliz]

First, I'm glad to hear things are looking up at work! That's a step in the right direction!

Next--awesome pics from mine train! You all look like your having such fun! I'm glad your dad got to ride with you. That was very sweet of your DH!

I love your dumbo pictures! I can't watch that movie without crying but I love the ride. I can't wait to ride it at night all lit up on our next trip!

What are wildberry foams? Sounds pretty yummy.....

Thank you! I feel such a relief!

Mine train was an absolute blast- as if you couldn't tell by the pics! Ha!

I want to ride Dumbo at night- its just gorgeous at night!

It was kind of like a frozen lemonade but obviously, not lemon, berries.. It was very delicious!

 

[Marsheliz]

The play area by Dumbo is so much fun ... though it is kinda funny that sometime you have to drag kids away to go on a ride

And those are some epic Mine Train pictures! You all look like you are having a blast - especially you MIL! And you can tell how the cars swing - which is cool!

Bummer about the rain though - dang technology being right!

I think one of the reasons Country Bears is so great (besides being such a classic that Walt had a hand in) is that the lyrics seem so un-Disney like ... no way they would be able to release something like that if it came out today

*****************

I'm glad you had the conversation with your boss and things seem to be turning in a positive direction. Where I work one of my good friends used to work 4 days a week but switched to working 3 days in the office and 2 days at home - she really needs something like that to stay connected with the kids. I do hope something works out for you

Thanks!! I'm glad you enjoyed the mine train photos! I thought they were perfect & DH got some great shots!!

You got that right about the bears! No way that would fly these days!

I'm glad it is working out too...this will definitely be the best of both worlds.. I can get out of the house some, still have an income,here at firm and keeping kids, keep my foot in the door at my firm ( you just never know when I'd have to have a full time job again, these Disney trips aren't cheap- ha! And above everything- more time to be a mom!

I know you all are enjoying Emma! She's super gorgeous!

 

[JulieODC]

I'm REALLY late to the party on this one!! But, I'm glad I'm here --- I just caught up, and it sounds like such a fun trip!

Your boys are adorable! So smiley!

And, we stayed at POR for one night in May, and really loved it too! Such a peaceful resort - we'll be back for sure!

Oh, and hope all the job stuff works out...always nice to know you are appreciated, and to feel like you were listened to!