Vacation

Day 1
The flight went fast and Shiloh did great. We picked up our rental and headed for Universal Studios. I was so fun. The Mummy ride was sooo cool. It is an indoor roller coaster, and it goes forward and backwards. Jurassic Park was fun too. The boys thought the drop was way far, but it really wasn't. All in all, great family fun.

We had dinner at Medieval Times which was sooo good. They even had a vegetarian meal that was wonderful. Shiloh got a flower from our knight (the Blue Knight) and we all cheered for him...until he died! It was a perfect end to our first day. Our room was pretty nice and the bed was almost comfortable.

Day 2
Our first day at the Disney parks. We started out at Disney California...sooo fun. I love Tower of Terror, Screamer, and Soarin over California. The have a Bugs Life area where all the rides are for kids. Shiloh loved it and so did the boys. The best part was Shiloh and I went to Ariels Grotto for lunch (way expensive...30 bucks for lunch,,but at least Shiloh was free). We met Ariel when we first got there and then during lunch we met Snow White, Belle, Aurora, and Cinderella. That made it worth the money.

I'll not soon forget the look on my daughters face as each princess came to our table and talked with her and took pictures with her. She wore her Cinderella dress and when Cinderella came by she told Shiloh that they could be sisters because they had the same dress and they both had blond hair. It really was the highlight of the trip for me!!

Day 3
Our first day at Disneyland park. We started out in Tomorrow land. We rode almost everything the first day. We never got to ride Dumbo or Peter Pan because the lines were consistently over 30 minutes, but we rode most everything else. Shiloh got to drive the Autopia car and keep asking me "How's my driving mom?"

We watched the fireworks show just before closing and it was very well done.

Day 4
This was our magic morning hour day. We went on the Nemo ride (which took most of our hour) because we didn't make in on the day before. Our tickets were park hoppers so we went back to Disney California for a few hours then back to Disneyland. This was the day we did Pirates and the Haunted Mansion (which they had done like Nightmare before Christmas). There really wasn't a whole lot that Shiloh couldn't do, so it was fun for everyone. I rented a wheelchair this day. I hated every minute of being in that chair, but it really was easier on my knee. I did have some pain pills for when it got really bad (thank you..you know who you are..for that it was a blessing). We actually left and hour before the park closed because we had done everything we wanted to.

Day 5
This was our beach day, but I couldn't get everyone going so we didn't ever get into San Diego until after 3. It was a bit overcast and breezy so I didn't go in the water and Shiloh only went for a few minutes. The boys and Damon went in for as long as they could. The had been craving the beach like addicts so didn't mind that it wasn't a great day for it. Our room in San Diego left a lot to be desired, but at least they had a good continental breakfast.

Day 6
Wild Animal Park! We took the African Safari and got some great pictures of cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, and the like. We went in with the lorikeets and a few of them landed on us. It was a nice relaxing day at the park. Shiloh started to not feel well near the end of the day, poor thing.

Day 7
Sea World. We started our day by feeding the dolphins. Then we went and saw the Shamu show. We got a bit wet at that one and Shiloh was quite upset with Shamu for several hours after that. We saw the sea lion show and feed the rays. Damon and I rode Journey to Atlantis, which was fun but weird. The shark encounter was pretty good...you walk though an aquarium and the sharks swim all around and over your head. We ended the day with Shamu rocks ( we all stayed dry for this one) and headed back to our room. Shiloh fever spiked to 104 so we took her to the emergency room. After waiting 4 hours, and reducing her fever to 99, we left. We figured we would just take her to her doc when we got home.

Day 8
We went to visit the boys other grandma before heading back to the airport. Shiloh, still not feeling well, slept most of the flight. The next day we found out she had bilateral ear infections. Poor thing must have hated that flight home.

So our vacation was mostly wonderful and I can't wait to do it again. We are shooting for every two years, but I may have to try to do it sooner. I think I'll add an extra day next time so we have more down time, but all in all...I loved it.

Time Flies

I can remember when I was young and the days seemed to drag and I wondered if I would ever grow up. Now that I am grown up and have children of my own the days seem to fly by. AJ will be 16 in January. I don't feel old enough to have a 16 year old!!

I wish I could turn back time and do it all over again. There are many things I would do differently. I would have worried less about the chores and more about play time. I would have thought before I spoke, so he would have never felt criticized by me. I would have waited to go back to school so I didn't miss so much, and they didn't miss me so much. I would go camping more often and work less. I would have lived the simple truth that my children are the only true measure of my sucess.

How precious time is. My only advice to new parents is "enjoy every second...it goes so fast...and you don't want to be sitting there 16 years later wishing you had done something differently"

I am so grateful that I have a chance to do things differently with Shiloh. I am careful to never miss a opportunity to play with her. We sing together and read together and play together every chance I get. I am so sorry that time got away from me with AJ and so grateful that I had Shiloh 13 years after AJ, so that I had the possibility to learn from my mistakes and become a better mother.

The reason I am so excited to go on vacation is not just that I love Disneyland...it's because I really want to share it with my family. We are going to have a great time and build some wonderful memories that I will cherish always.

October 1st

I have to admit that autumn is one of my favorite times of the year...tied with spring...(sorry winter and summer).

I love the way the colors change...I love the coolness in the air...and I LOVE Halloween!! This year I am making Shilohs Halloween costume. It's not the first time I've made a costume...I made the boys jedi knights a few year ago...but I still get nervous any time I attempt something creative.

Native Americans believe that anything you create must have one flaw in it so the evil spirits can find their way out...Well I certainly don't have to worry about evil spirits in anything I make.

I seem to be steadily losing one to two ponds a week...this week it has been two! It may not be happening as fast as I would like, but considering all I am doing is taking my Synthroid and eating a little less, I am very happy for it.

My knee seems to be getting better too. I can walk for longer periods as long as I don't walk too fast. So all in all, I am more excited than nervous for my trip. I've decided that I am going to get a child locating device before we leave. I sincerely doubt that Shiloh would were a harness, but I need to be sure that she remains safe. 18 more days!! The only bummer is that I will be in class at the time, so I have to bring my laptop and actually work during my vacation! So not fair!!