Disneyland

Here's a quick peek at our recent trip to Disneyland. With our very big move pending, and Peter going on ahead of us, we decided to take the kids on one last big trip before we were to be separated for so long.

So Monday, for Family Home Evening, we told the kids we were going on a picnic and got them in the car, which had been loaded up prior to them getting in. As they were getting settled, Simon said, "why are there suitcases in here?" And the fun began. It was 5:00 in the afternoon and we were headed for DISNEYLAND!!!

It took an overnight stay by the nicest people ever, who let us stay at their place in St. George, to get us there. But we made it and had a wonderful time.

Anticipation...

Even I found myself talking like a Disney Princess after meeting all of them. "Oh, my...yes."

This was Roo's big treat. Face painting, fancy new ears, and a WHOLE lot of Polly Pocket Disney Princess packs.

If you don't know Chugs - he IS Stitch. We couldn't resist this hat. He wore it everyday and never too it off. He'd yell at anyone who touched it. AND he ran around like a crazy two year old without a nap for three days. It was perfect. Everybody commented on it. We told them, "It's not a hat. He IS Stitch."

The big boys got light sabers that lit up and made noise, which meant of course, so did Stitch. And believe me when I tell you, people risked their lives walking by us. He held it straight out in front of him and tried to hit anyone/thing within striking distance. Somehow, it has seemed to disappear since we've been home....hmmm.

The boys did "Jedi Training" and were pulled out of the audience to participate. Definitely their favorite part of the trip. Here's Si at the Tiki Room. Who doesn't love this place? (Don't answer that!)

Saturday morning we went to Huntington Beach. Samuel could live there. He LOVES the water. Good thing, as we will soon be living AT THE BEACH!

Roo was picked out of the audience TWICE in the same show, two different girls, to get up and dance with the High School Musical clan. Yes. I know. Anyone that know's me knows that I was being very generous to even let her see it - let alone dance with them. She LOVED it, of course!

Stitch did NOT like meeting his twin!

The end of one of our very exhausting/wonderful days!

We feel very blessed to have been able to do this for the kids. Thanks to everyone who made it possible. We were also able to see my sister Krista and her daughter Kate, who were there for a cheer competition. It was so nice to see them!

On a side note, going to Disneyland 31 weeks pregnant isn't exactly exciting. But since my whole family is either little, or ride wimps - at least I didn't feel too bad. But next time; look out!! I LOVE all the fun rides, and I will be forcing my kids on them with me!

More updating

Part Two:

This year started out looking fantastic. A great job, four lovely kids, happily married, getting my sanity back (as much as can be expected, anyway) after child number four, getting in shape, getting out of debt. All things we’re supposed to want in life. Right?

Then I was just driving along the road of life, and WHAM! The skybox of my life flew off the top of the car and the contents there in – quickly became strewn all over the map. Literally.

The day after we got home from Hawaii, we found out half of Peter’s company was being laid off. The half that included Peter. And so we found our selves without a job. Without a job for what ended up being six months. We were truly blessed to have a nice savings – which is now of course, gone. But it sustained us for the time we needed. It was a difficult time, as so many in this day and age know all too well. These hard financial times contributed to further debt, and a basic ruin of us financially.

(I know. I’m much better with sarcasm and jokes. It’s easier to take than real life, huh? Sorry.)

So that event was more than a few of our so called “camping chairs” thrown across our freeway of sorts. Mid way through this financial turmoil, we decided we better be done having kids. That with all that is happening in our lives, and the huge amount of stress. Let’s just close that chapter in our lives. The baby chapter.

No sooner did we have this conversation than did I never had a period again. ( I mean I literally gave away all my maternity clothes the day after my 35th birthday) Isn’t that the way it goes? Seriously. Not that we aren’t thrilled to be having a baby. We always wanted five kids. (okay I did, he wanted six – keep dreaming!) So we take things as they come, right? No job and now having a baby. That should be at least a couple of bags of luggage screeching across the pavement, right? I think so anyway.

But life goes on and you take it as it comes. You pick up the mess, say a prayer of thanks and keep driving.

So that’s what we did.

And come October first, six months after the initial lay off, Peter got a new job. A job that is not his dream, but a job that will do. He likes it – but we are making almost a third less of what we were. And although beggars can’t be choosers, life is still quite financially very tight.

I’ll just add this little diddy in. Although, I’ll list it as a “sleeping bag” flying out of my life skybox (nothing too damaging – but truly annoying), being pregnant makes me fat. Or shall I say fat – ter. This year I lost 58 pounds. That’s a lotta pounds. Trust me. I know. And getting pregnant is a bummer on your bummer, if you know what I’m sayin’. So that’s that. Boo hoo for me. I know.

The next big “duffle bag, several lawn chairs, and perhaps the entire box itself” flying off the top of the car and just missing the people behind us, so to say, is the biggest change of all.

A move.

And a BIG one.

One that is taking all the courage each member of the family can muster. One to the other side of the world. But amazingly, we are going forward with faith, and things are turning out. Like the whole skybox disaster, it’s been scary, but little damage has really been done. We are back in the car and driving on.

Peter will leave us for this part of our lives, for several months, returning for a few weeks when the baby is born. A challenge for all of us. But we are up to it. Remember when this summer I learned and wrote about hard things? And that we can do hard things? I don’t think I ever really imagined what I could possibly be talking about. But guess what? We are doing hard things. And we are going to be fine.

(Due to natural (or maybe not so natural) paranoia, that I’m sure I will look back on and laugh, I’m not posting the exact location of our move. If you read this and don't already know where we are moving, but would like to know, email me and I’ll tell you. It’s just a lot of info to put out here in cyberspace. teresa_tennis@hotmail.com)

WARNING: Major Blog Updates Ahead

Part One:

Would you believe I have been imagining/planning writing this post for over SIX months?! The day this happened, I knew exactly what to do with the analogy. Don’t set your sights too high; but here goes.

This past summer we only made it on one over night camping trip. While we spent hours and hours in the beautiful nearby mountains, only once did we actually spend the night. This was on our annual ward camp out. You know, that camping trip that only lasts 12 hours? Right. That one.

So when Peter wanted to take our Yakima Skybox, for our 12 hour camping trip – I simply refused. Yes, I know. We like to be comfy. And to have all the comforts of home, takes A LOT of stuff. But surely, SURELY, we could get by just shoving things into the car. We certainly did NOT need the skybox.

Apparently. We did.

So with my refusal to help, The Scout Master (Peter) was determined to put the box on himself. He wasn’t even mad that I wouldn’t help. He just wanted it done –and did it. (my kind of scenario) SO, with the car packed to the rim, and the skybox loaded, we headed up Provo Canyon, making way for our destination to edge of the Uintahs. (I have no idea how to spell that, but, like maybe an hour and half or so.)

It was just the right weather, nothing too hot. Peter was in flip flops, and we were just settling into the drive, 25 minutes or so. When we heard a very loud crunch, some flapping, and a lot of things flying behind us.

Yep.

You got it.

Someone forgot to fully bolt down the racks that the box was attached to – to the roof of the car. The box had caught some wind under it, then the front end flipped off the side of the car, and then burst open. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it was a sight to see. Camping chairs, they were a-flyin’.

All of our things were scattered over the freeway and the side of the road. This was a busy Friday evening, and I know that the hand of the Lord was involved in everyone’s safety. There were probably six cars right behind us. Could you imagine a camping chair crashing through the window of the car behind us?! It makes me sick to think about. But needless to say, the cars were able to swerve out of the way and everyone was safe.

Out we go to assess the damage. Which really wasn’t bad. Sleeping bags, chairs, duffle bags, etc – strewn trough the grass hopper infested side of the road. After our hearts quit racing – we picked up our stuff, said a prayer of thanks, and headed on our way.

Eleven and a half hours, and counting…

Of course I said to Peter – “I guess we shouldn’t have taken the skybox huh?” Then I said to myself, like usual “no one ever listens to me…” Just kidding. I wasn’t mad. It was an honest mistake.

So why do I tell you this story? I mean, it was funny. After the matter. But this is a long story, so get on to the point already!

I realized that night as I was rethinking the events of the day, and not sleeping - because who sleeps with six people in a tent. Including, and mostly because of, an 18 month old? I realized that seeing that box ripped open and the contents thrown all over the road seemed very familiar do me. A little too familiar.

Like the happenings of my life this year, too familiar.

Thursday of thoughts

I’ve spent the morning on the computer sending emails across the sea. What amazing times we live in. On my list of things to do today, are included, respond to emails and update my blog. So that is what I’m doing. Been at it three hours and am just now getting to the blog. Sheesh!

I’ve been gathering thoughts this week, and here they are:

How have I turned into a spread in the National Geographic? I mean really. Couldn’t I have turned into a spread in the swim suit edition of S.I.? If I have to have “turned” into something – really? This? In my early teens, perusing the Bothell Library, with nothing better to do than giggle at N.G. photos, I can remember really and truly thinking that these African women were very genetically different that us here in the U.S. I mean, did you see their snoobs? Guess what? Someone forgot to tell me that after you have and nurse four, nearly five kids – you get to look like they do. Thanks for nothing. At least they’re “tan.” And doesn’t everything look better in “tan”?

I recently noticed that the only place I've been getting my creative outlet from is during Sacrament Meeting, while coloring in Ruby’s coloring book. Really. I found myself going to my happy place right in the middle of a talk on Sunday, and I wasn’t even listening. I was enjoying watching the color of the crayon fill the page while I colored. Seriously. It made me feel dreamy. I love coloring. It’s very therapeutic. And I am very crazy.

Hmm. Let’s see. What’s next.

Two weeks until I am a single mother for two months and I’m not sure how I feel about that. Mostly sad, but also – who doesn’t love mac n cheese every night of the week? For the kids, that is. I’ll be getting take out. OR; eating ice cream. Mmmmm. Is it any wonder I’ve gained 900 pounds this pregnancy? Nope. No. Not really. I mean, I’ll make other things. Things like, say, top ramen, cold cereal, baloney and cheese. You name it and we’ll have it. (just kidding)

Well, I think three totally sarcastic remarks is enough for the day. How ‘bout you? And even fills you in on where my life has been lately. Very exciting, I know.