Spring is here..one of the best times of the year (yes, my allergies are making me miserable...). My rosebush is blooming, the honeysuckle smells heavenly and it's time to plant the garden. Unfortunately summer is right around the corner, but I won't think about that just yet!
It's hard for me to believe that just two short years ago, I was experiencing the worst spring I'd known. I'd just lost my best friend and love of my life. My daughter had lost her father. I thought life would never be the same, that I would never be happy again. Over these two years I've experienced so much grief, pain, hurt, loss and love--the love of friends, of family and God's love. And sure there have been times of happiness...Kristin makes me happy daily...but the pure joy of life has been missing.
I was right that my life would never be the same and that's ok. Life is about change. And you see, once again, spring is here...and it's a time of change...everything is fresh and new. It's time to live life with joy and to be happy once again.
Oh, it's also a time for benadryl...lots of benadryl.
Apr 17, 2012
Mar 18, 2012
Disneyland 2012 Final Tally
Here's our visit to Disneyland, in a nutshell:
Attractions Ridden-
Disneyland
Tarzan's Treehouse--1
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters--1
Sailing Ship Columbia--1
Splash Mountain--1
Star Tours--3
Haunted Mansion--2
Peter Pan--1
Indiana Jones--2
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride--2
King Arthur's Carousel--2
Mad Tea Party--1
Gadget's Go Coaster--1
Small World--1
Pirates of the Caribbean--at least 10, lost count
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad--9
Tarzan's Treehouse--1
Disneyland Railroad--2
California Adventure
Golden Zephyr--1
Soarin' Over California--2
Ariel's Undersea Adventure--1
King Triton's Carousel--2
Monster's Inc To the Rescue--2
Flick's Fliers--1
Mickey's Fun Wheel--1
Shows--
World of Color
Fantasmic
It's Tough to Be A Bug
Tiki Room
Character Meals
Breakfast in the park with Minnie and Friends (awesome!)
Rides that broke down while riding them--3
Haunted Mansion--both times
Small World--for 30 minutes!!!
Indiana Jones--1 time
Our favorite rides--
Laura--Pirates of the Caribbean, Soarin' Over California, Indiana Jones
Kristin--Pirates of Caribbean, Indiana Jones, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Mom--Soarin' Over California, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours
Least Favorites--
Kristin and I both agreed that Small World was our least favorite this year
Mom--Indiana Jones (a little too wild for her, but I warned her!)
All in all it was a great visit. We rode everything we wanted except Space Mountain. Every time we'd start to get a fastpass for it, we'd get sidetracked by something else. Kristin was ok with not riding it though, and so was I. I love roller coasters, but I do remember feeling very claustrophobic on it and having very little leg room. I have to say, by the last day, I was ready to leave Disneyland. It was just a little too much for me. I was tired of the people, my family, and yes, even Mickey Mouse. And we never found Jack Sparrow. We were blessed with amazing weather--in the 60's and no humidity. I love Southern California and would've been more than happy to just stay there. Oh well...maybe someday....
Here are the links to our photos:
Photopass pics, clickhere
Day 1 pics, click here
Day 2 pics, click here
Day 3 pics, click here
Day 4 pics, click here
Mar 3, 2012
Two Years Ago...
Two years ago, March 4, 2010 mine and Kristin's lives changed forever. It's been two years since Chris left us and yet I remember it like it was yesterday. He'd been sick, gone to the doctor and seemed to be getting better. I went to fill his prescription, came home and he told me to call 911. K went to stay with Shawn, we went to the hospital, and needless to say, things went downhill from there. Shawn and Brenda came to the hospital, then it seemed that almost immediately I was surrounded by my Sunshine family...I even remember thinking, "When did they get here?" Makes me smile now to think about it. I literally felt like I was surrounded by love. Then Pastor Chad came, followed quickly by Pastor Tad and Kameron. It was then that I realized how lucky I was to have the friends I have. Calls, texts, and emails poured in. Shawn took me and K to her house for the night, then helped me get my house cleaned up for arriving family. Families brought food. Friends helped and took care of us. It was amazing.
Two years later....Kristin is 9 and is almost finished with third grade. She is doing amazingly well, considering all that she's been through. We help each other on the rough days and laugh together on the good days. And there is a lot of laughter these days! We are about to visit Disneyland with my Mom again....another adventure, that's for sure!
We still visit Eureka Springs every couple of months. People ask all the time why we visit. I've just always said it's just a good place to get away. Then tonight I realized, Chris, Kristin and I loved going there. It was a good, close place for a fun, family get away. While Kristin and I are there, we remember being there with Chris and treasure those memories. But we make new memories as well. Kristin and I have never been back to the cottage we stayed at with Chris (I'm sure they wondered what happened to us!). And I'm not sure if we ever will be ready to go back. At least not yet. Until then, we'll be at the Land O Nod. Chris wanted to go there, but never got the chance. So now, we go for him!
Through all of this, I've learned just how blessed we are. We have friends and family who will always be there for us. We have a church family that we are fortunate to be a part of.
Life IS good...treasure every moment of it!
Two years later....Kristin is 9 and is almost finished with third grade. She is doing amazingly well, considering all that she's been through. We help each other on the rough days and laugh together on the good days. And there is a lot of laughter these days! We are about to visit Disneyland with my Mom again....another adventure, that's for sure!
We still visit Eureka Springs every couple of months. People ask all the time why we visit. I've just always said it's just a good place to get away. Then tonight I realized, Chris, Kristin and I loved going there. It was a good, close place for a fun, family get away. While Kristin and I are there, we remember being there with Chris and treasure those memories. But we make new memories as well. Kristin and I have never been back to the cottage we stayed at with Chris (I'm sure they wondered what happened to us!). And I'm not sure if we ever will be ready to go back. At least not yet. Until then, we'll be at the Land O Nod. Chris wanted to go there, but never got the chance. So now, we go for him!
Through all of this, I've learned just how blessed we are. We have friends and family who will always be there for us. We have a church family that we are fortunate to be a part of.
Life IS good...treasure every moment of it!
Feb 27, 2012
We're Bbbbaaaccckkkk!!!!!!
Well, it's been forever since I've posted on my poor, neglected blog! Guess it's time I get back to it...so here we go!
Things are good. Kristin is doing so well in third grade at Sunshine Montessori. She reading so well, and so far, has a much better understanding of fractions than I ever did :) She's wearing reading glasses now, which she hates, but is getting used to. What else is new with her? She's back in Parables, the children's choir/drama group at church....she's taking tap and jazz (loves it!) and started piano lessons this year. She was pretty hesitant at first...I think she was scared of poor ole Mr. Chris. But she's warmed up to him and is really enjoying classes. AND...she's really excited about this...in April she's going to start art lessons in Springdale at the Arts Center of the Ozarks! We've looked FORever for weekend classes and finally found some! She is SO EXCITED!!!
I'm doing pretty good too. Still teaching preschool at Sunshine Montessori and loving it. I'm so blessed to have a job that doesn't feel like work.
In 14 days Kristin and I, along with Mom, are heading back to Disneyland! I may need to be seriously medicated when we get back, but we are looking forward to it. Of course I'm waiting till the last minute to get anything packed or even close to being ready to go!
Kristin and I are still taking our weekend trips to Eureka Springs every few months. It's so nice to have somewhere close to get away from everything. We went for Mardi Gras and had a BLAST!
Ready for fun!
I really, really, REALLY want to move to Eureka. I've even found the house I want. But like I've told K, where would we go for our weekend trips? To Siloam? Don't think so! Anyway, we always have fun, even if we do nothing but lay by the pool. I am planning an early Mother's Day weekend for myself in April. I'm staying at the Palace Inn and Bath House and will, of course, be visiting the bath house. K was not happy with this news (how dare I go without her!), but since she'll be hanging with Shawn and her girls, she's ok with it, even if she won't tell me she is!
What else??? No big snows this year :( It's been a crummy winter. We both are still dealing with asthma and migraines, but K's asthma seems to be under control. Cutting back on gluten has really helped with our migraines. Just need to stick with it, or it ends up biting us in the rear!
Our sweet dog Moses died this summer. Came home one day and found him dead. He was eight years old and was Kristin's first dog.
Sweet Moses
We still have Austin and have adopted a cat, Maxi. She promptly took over the house!
This is always a rough time of year for us...March 4 will be two years since Chris' death. Kristin and I have been blessed with amazing friends and family. We are very very lucky :)
Things are good. Kristin is doing so well in third grade at Sunshine Montessori. She reading so well, and so far, has a much better understanding of fractions than I ever did :) She's wearing reading glasses now, which she hates, but is getting used to. What else is new with her? She's back in Parables, the children's choir/drama group at church....she's taking tap and jazz (loves it!) and started piano lessons this year. She was pretty hesitant at first...I think she was scared of poor ole Mr. Chris. But she's warmed up to him and is really enjoying classes. AND...she's really excited about this...in April she's going to start art lessons in Springdale at the Arts Center of the Ozarks! We've looked FORever for weekend classes and finally found some! She is SO EXCITED!!!
I'm doing pretty good too. Still teaching preschool at Sunshine Montessori and loving it. I'm so blessed to have a job that doesn't feel like work.
In 14 days Kristin and I, along with Mom, are heading back to Disneyland! I may need to be seriously medicated when we get back, but we are looking forward to it. Of course I'm waiting till the last minute to get anything packed or even close to being ready to go!
Kristin and I are still taking our weekend trips to Eureka Springs every few months. It's so nice to have somewhere close to get away from everything. We went for Mardi Gras and had a BLAST!
Ready for fun!
I really, really, REALLY want to move to Eureka. I've even found the house I want. But like I've told K, where would we go for our weekend trips? To Siloam? Don't think so! Anyway, we always have fun, even if we do nothing but lay by the pool. I am planning an early Mother's Day weekend for myself in April. I'm staying at the Palace Inn and Bath House and will, of course, be visiting the bath house. K was not happy with this news (how dare I go without her!), but since she'll be hanging with Shawn and her girls, she's ok with it, even if she won't tell me she is!
What else??? No big snows this year :( It's been a crummy winter. We both are still dealing with asthma and migraines, but K's asthma seems to be under control. Cutting back on gluten has really helped with our migraines. Just need to stick with it, or it ends up biting us in the rear!
Our sweet dog Moses died this summer. Came home one day and found him dead. He was eight years old and was Kristin's first dog.
Sweet Moses
We still have Austin and have adopted a cat, Maxi. She promptly took over the house!
This is always a rough time of year for us...March 4 will be two years since Chris' death. Kristin and I have been blessed with amazing friends and family. We are very very lucky :)
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