Home from Florida.

Our trip was absolutely amazing -- oh, and kinda exhausting, too.  Drive like mad, then traipse around Disneyworld for 4 days, then back in the car to get back home.  My hiney and legs are a bit confused by the actions I'm requiring of them ;)

Here's one quick photo of our family (taken in Epcot - the HGTV Garden Festival is going on right now, so there were amazing topiaries and flowers everywhere).  BTW, I feel compelled to say that our daughter was trying to imitate Ferb's pose, so no, she really isn't mad at her brother... I'll upload more this week, but just wanted to share a quickie and some thoughts:

• I am absolutely baffled as to why anyone would wear flip flops to Disney.  It's not like you end up there accidentally!  It was raining one day, and due to the wet socks, our daughter ended up with a blister on her foot.  We got a band-aid from the first aid station and discovered that blisters on the feet are what brings over three quarters of their "patients" in (this was an informal opinion of the nurse on duty, not an official statement)
• Disney does an amazing job hiring their "cast members" (no, they're not employees, but part of the show!) - hubby made the comment that he was trying to find just one grumpy person, but he couldn't.  Every one was genuinely polite and helpful.
• My hubby had been to Disneyworld back in 1978, and I'd been to Disneyland in 1990, and this was the first time for our kids.  I'm really glad that we waited until they were old enough to do "big" stuff but still young enough to enjoy the character interaction as well.  We made tons of great memories together, from riding roller coasters to seeing shows to eating fancy pastries.  Lots and LOTS of laughter
• My advice to any "newbies" considering a trip there: (1) Stay at a Disney property!  It was wonderful to use their shuttle service from our hotel to the parks, and not have to worry about finding our car or fighting traffic after a long day. (2) Dining plans are totally worth it, too.  I know we could have saved money by bringing our own food (which is not frowned on in any way) but I was thankful we weren't lugging a cooler around, and the food really was top notch - everything was fresh, and not the greasy, salty stuff that I was afraid of.

Signing off for now -- must do another load of laundry, put a few more things away, and then get some SLEEP!

Friday Funny

As heard around the house this week:

Son D, asking me to help him identify some songs: "You know, it's that one by Taylor Swift.  About one of her old boyfriends."
Me: "That doesn't really narrow it down much."
--
D: "Don't worry, Mom, I'll come to your funeral."
--
Daughter A: "Mom, do you know who made the very first American flag?"
Me: "Well, most people think it was Betsy Ross, but we don't really know for sure."
A, crossing arms: "Why do you have to know everything!?!"
--
both kids: "We're going to Florida!"
Yeah, that surprise thing didn't exactly work out -- our kids are getting way too observant!

Color!

I've come to the conclusion that my hubby is partially colorblind.  Not in the traditional red/green way, but he cannot differentiate between shades of a similar color.

He drives me crazy when he says stuff like, "Bring me my red shirt," and he actually means that burgundy one.I drive him crazy when I pick out paint colors because he swears the five shades of ivory are all the same - he doesn't see the yellow and blue undertones.

But color matters to me.  Especially in our home, which is my place of employment.  Color affects our moods, and helps set the tone of our life in the space.

Why am I babbling about this?  Benjamin Moore has an awesome new line of print ads that I just came across in the March, 2013 issue of House Beautiful.  There were three full pages (blue, green and pink).  The text on the blue page reads: The wall is not your enemy.  It's not there to fence you in.  No, the wall's wide open, nothing but _________ sky.  Notice we didn't say blue.  That's the beauty of the wall. You've got your own color for unbridled freedom. For possibility...

Love it.

Color. God gave us such beauty in the world!

Friday Funny

There's *always* something to be thankful for.

 

More silliness here.

Some Favorite Things

Sorry, but this won't be an Oprah moment where I give thousands of dollars in merchandise away... just wanting to share a few goodies that I've found useful and/or enjoyable:

- Foot spray (by Earth Therapeutics).  SO cooling and invigorating on those days I'm forced to wear shoes (thankfully I can get by with sandals 90% of the time here).  Also helps with the stinky factor. 'Nuff said. Used to be able to buy this on Walmart, I now either order from Ulta or pick it up at Kohl's. 
- Carmex lip gloss. Doesn't smell like medicine, works just as well as the original.  Also handy for coating noses that are tender and recovering after a cold (hint: apply it to a finger, THEN transfer ;) Found at Target, Walmart, etc.
- Stila lip glaze.  As I'm getting older, I'm realizing that my natural lip color is fading - not exactly earth shattering, but still something I'd noticed.  I don't even remember how I found out about these (magazine at a doctor's office? blog?) but I now have several colors and carry one in my purse.  It goes on a bit gummy, but I love the sheer color it gives (and application is much more forgiving than with regular lipstick).
- Revlon Colorstay: base coat + color.  I don't often wear nail polish, as it seems to chip off so quickly (my nails are super flexible, and I'm pretty hard on them).  I read about this line in a magazine, and they said that the testers were surprised by the results, as it was good for a week and a half with minor touch ups.  Splurged on one color, and now own four.  I still don't wear nail polish every day, but this stuff really is pretty awesome.
- Garnier Frucits style Surf Wax.  Since I'm now sporting a heavy bang and live in a super windy area, I was on the lookout for something to use in my bangs that was cheap and effective but not hard and helmety.  Had a conversation with a random lady in the Target Hair Care aisle and she told me her son loves this stuff.  So yes, I basically took the second-hand recommendation of a teenage boy.  And know what, I'm glad I listened!  I give my wet hair a once over with mousse or spray gel, blow dry my bangs for approx 90 seconds, then spend another minute finger styling it with this stuff.  It's touchable, but I can "direct" it.  This little pot has lasted over six months.

 

Anyone have any favorites they'd care to pass along?

Tuesday

Had a meeting with the pastor this morning, and officially let him know I'll be stepping down as the children's ministry co-coordinator the end of May.  Strange how one can feel such a strange mix of emotions: liberation, guilt, excitement about fresh leadership, relief.

Just another step in my path - whatever that may be.

On a COMPLETELY unrelated note, we have a huge surprise for the kiddos over Spring Break.  There will be over 2500 miles of driving in 9 days, but we will get to spend a half days with some friends in Florida and then four glorious days at the "most magical place on earth."  Have never been there myself, so I'm a big giddy kid.  Going to be *really* fun to pick them up from their last day of school before spring break and announce we're heading out...

It will be a welcome break from the daily grind.

Friday Funny

Haven't done one of these in awhile, but our son TOTALLY provided excellent material this week.

As previously mentioned, he's been having a hard time at school, and we've been riding him pretty hard.  He finished his homework up on Thursday evening and was begging for a bath in my ginormous jetted tub.  (Don't use it all that often, but sister took one earlier in the week and he was feeling left out of the fun.)

This kid embraces life with *SUCH* enthusiasm.  I try to appreciate that fact.

Sometimes the appreciation crosses over into involuntary explosions of laughter.

I kind of want to blow this shot up and hang it on my wall.