Wednesday, May 6, 2009
DISNEYLAND...THE EPIC STORY
My main purpose for starting this was because I was paranoid that Ted's laptop- where we were putting all our pictures and I was journaling- would get stolen our lost and all our memories would be- kapoof!!! But I didn't finish the last few days until today anyways and now those who want to can enjoy...I just copied and pasted my journal entry so skip it if you don't have time!
April 30, 2009
Disney Day 1
I did such a great job those first 4 days of recording our vacation then we hit Disneyland and I lost it. We played hard at Disneyland- hard!
As I try to recap our days at Disneyland I want to start with the quote that is on the plaque underneath the Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse statue in the center of Disneyland. "We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together." I found this quote online from Walt Disney, "We did it (Disneyland), in the knowledge that most of the people I talked to thought it would be a financial disaster - closed and forgotten within the first year."
Walt Disney, with only one year of High School under his belt, proved the world wrong. The world did need a place of refuge and just plain old fun! A place to escape the rush of mundane worldly moments that run our lives. I’m a pretty positive person, I think, about life in general- I can work my way through the mundane moments pretty well. Especially lately I’ve found that I’ve really been able to set myself aside- I don’t even take books with me anywhere anymore because I know that it’s just not realistic- and that the next few years will just be this intense focus on helping my children discover themselves- their talents- dreams- goals. And I am happy to do this. But what a fresh of breath air it was to just be able to focus on having fun with my kids- having that be the whole goal of my existance for ten whole days! And fun we had...
This trip was such an overwhelming blessing. A piece of heaven on earth. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the days we spent together in- bliss. The kids never fought- not once. They rarely complained. A few, “I’m hungries,” and a couple of, “I’m tireds.” The last night at Disneyland Ted left at 9:30 with the younger boys, our flight left early Saturday morning, and I stayed with the older two and the Bairds to finish off the night. We were exhausted. On the way home Emma just started sobbing. Her feet hurt, her head hurt, her back hurt. (So did mine) James and I propped her up for a moment then James jumped up and yelled, “Let’s run!” We had about ½ a mile to go. I looked at Emma and smiled- she looked at me, her eyes lit up- she grinned and took off at a sprint and soared home! We ended our amazing week as enthusiasticly as we started it! I will never forget the blessing of the moments of just being together. It didn’t matter what we were doing we were just so happy to be together.
The first day the temperatures hit the high 90’s. We were very lucky to have a nearly empty park and we could walk onto all the rides at our pleasure. We had agreed that if the kids were totally wiped out by the afternoon we would go back to the hotel to swim and cool off. About 4:00 that afternoon Ted turned to me and said, “I don’t want to go back to the hotel. I just want to be here in the Park and soak it all in even if we’re just sitting here.” And we all felt the same way. We had taken the day very slowly. Starting in New Orleans and Adventureland. I think that’s my favorite area of the park. Of course we started with Pirates of the Caribean. Oh I wish I had video of Kyle when he saw Jack Sparrow!! His eyes got HUGE and his jaw dropped a little and he stared at him- even leaning back and over the boat so he could follow him until the last possible minute. Adam was so brave and went on Splash Mountain. I was really surprised- but he loved it! And I think it was really good for him- boosted his confidence a little and he got to be one of the big kids. I was jealous because everyone else got soaked on Splash and I stayed totally dry. We ran through that line a couple of times- and I never did get wet. Kyle actually slept the whole morning- he was too short for Splash so we parked the stroller underneath the deck of the Big Bear Restaurant near the river and just took turns while he snored away. It was rejuvenating just sitting there watching families walking by together and sipping my lemonade. We let the kids pick an ice cream cone around 11:00 because it was at least 90 degrees by that point. It was suppossed to be an afternoon treat- we just did it twice! They were troopers never complaining about how hot it was. We stayed on that side of the park all morning. After Kyle woke up we headed to Buzz Lightyear and did that ride a few times- because Kyle loved it- and the other kids did Star Tours with Ted while Kyle and I did Buzz a couple of times. Adam wanted to do Star Tours again so I said I’d go. Big mistake. That is the closest I have ever come to throwing up on a ride. I had to put my head down on my lap and close my eyes.
We headed over to DCA (that’s what Angie calls it) after lunch. We spent the afternoon over there- ending with the Pixar Parade—it was a blast! There was hardly anyone there to watch the Parade so the kids got to sing and dance with all of the characters that came through. Kyle had an even huger grin then normal on his face the whole time. After a couple more rounds of Screamin’ California- James and Emma loved it- we headed back to Disneyland. The excitement of the sparkling lights and yummy smells kept us going for a couple of more hours. We ended with a walk through the Castle and a ride on the Carousel. I wish we had spent a little more time in Fantasy land because the next time we come back I don’t know that even Adam will appreciate it. And I think this time Emma and Adam and Kyle would have enjoyed it quite a bit! One of very few regrets.
The kids crashed hard that night! But I just have to say again how amazing they were! It was 96 degrees- humid- hot! Tons of walking and no one complained the whole day- not even Adam. Disney had water bottles with fans on them for sale everywhere- I picked one up at one point just to check-it-out, it seemed like a nice idea to keep from melting…$17.00!!!!! Of course handy Ted came to the rescue. He took a couple of water bottles- we had brought lots into the park- and used a pin to poke holes in the lid. Thus we had our own .30 water squirter! The kids loved it and we soaked each other all day and never felt too hot- hot but not too hot.
Disney Day 2
Emma said that her favorite part of Disneyland was meeting all the different characters. We had found these cute little Disney autograph books at a “mart” for $1.99 and she has hers pretty much filled up with signatures. The boys ended up using it to color in as they sat in the stroller- which was also nice. So Tuesday morning was a lot of fun for Emma! I am so glad we did the character breakfast! It was hilarious to watch Captain Hook sneak up behind Emma’s chair and sniff her hair until she turned around and gasped! I loved how each of the characters really took time to spend with each table- and each kid at each table. Tiger must have thought Kyle was pretty cute (he is) because he spent probably 5 minutes just making Kyle crack up! It was soooo precious- I think we got some on tape. Eeyore and Adam were good pals for a while. And captain Hook came over to the table to flirt with Mom as well! I think it was one of the highlights of the trip- worth every penny!
The rest of the day we spent at Disneyland…didn’t go over to DCA at all. We actually felt the heat a little bit more the second day- I think from being wiped out from the first day still. So we just moved slowly- visited Toon Town and met Mickey. Then Emma and I waited in line for an hour and a half to meet the princesses- while the boys went to Fast Pass Splash Mountain. Emma got lucky- her three princesses were Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. Emma said Belle was beautiful and was her favorite princess to meet. We left the park a little earlier that night and went to Red Robin for dinner. Adam fell asleep on the bench at Red Robin! He literally collapsed on his chair! Poor little guy. He was such a trooper!
Good thing our plan for day three was- REST!
Disney Day 3
Our hotel set up was perfect! We had a kids suite so there was a bunk bed and queen pull-out couch in one room and a king size bed in the other. So we shut the dark curtain and slept in Wednesday morning!!! It was great!
For lunch we had reservations at the Rainforest Café. We drove over to Downtown Disney. The kids had been working hard to do their chores and save their allowance for months for Disney so this was the day we let them pick out their souvenirs. James wanted to assemble his own light saber- a cool station where you get to pick your own parts. So Dad and the boys helped with that. Emma had a very hard time choosing but finally settled on a Belle necklace and a Minnie wallet.
We thought that the Rainforest Café would be fun- but Kyle was actually petrified whenever the rain and thunder started! It was kind of funny! The kids enjoyed it. I was sick of eating by this point so I don’t even think I ordered anything.
Back to the hotel to swim- and who did we find? The Baird’s had arrived! Yeahhh!!!!!! We swam with them for a while and the plan was to head to the beach with Angie’s brother’s family for a big bonfire and hot dog roast. But the further into the day it got the more we decided that we were just pooped and needed to just chill at the hotel. We went to bed very early to be ready for our early entrance day into the park…
Disney Day 4
Apparently we did not go to bed early enough because Kyle and Adam were still crashed when we were all ready to go. So I headed off with the Baird’s and James and Emma and Ted caught up to us a couple of hours later with the still sleepy boys. We made a good team- the ten of us. We hit all the rides that we wanted to- it all seemed to jive quite well. We watched the Star Wars show that Disney does- man when they do something they do it right! Spencer was chosen to be a Jedi apprentice. James wanted to- but decided at the last minute he really didn’t want to. The weather was a lot cooler that day. By the afternoon the temperature was a sweet 75 degrees- a perfect Disney Day! We played hard all day at both parks.
Lunch found us at the Blue Bayou.,. enjoying ridiculously expensive macaroni and cheese But also the amazing Monte Carlo sandwich- a food highlight for me- and Ted loved his jambalaya. The ambiance of the restaurant is so fun in the heart of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
One of the highlights of the day was crashing in the afternoon at the Animation Studio in DCA. The kids were all totally mesmerized by Crush- the talking turtle from Nemo. It was hilarious and amazing to watch him conversing with the audience.
We ended the day back at Disneyland…Kyle fell asleep in his stroller and slipped through the opening- and stayed asleep in a little ball on the ground. Poor little dude! I decided I should take him home and didn’t need the stroller! I think I must have been a little delirious myself- and it’s a good thing I’m super strong and in shape because that mile and a halfish walk back from the hotel was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I thought I was going to die. 36 pounds of dead weight- oh my! My back hurts again just thinking about it. I had to sit down on the sidewalk a couple of times! I could have put my hat out on the ground next to me and made a few extra bucks! Oh my legs hurt and my arms were screaming and my head was pounding. Wow…didn’t help my ever present neck problem either. I even had to say a few prayers- and I though of Emma Smith traveling across the snow to escape with her two babies in arm and toddlers at her feet. Not the same- I know- but at the time I thought I might die in route! I texted Ted when I got home to let him know that I made it and he told me he thought I was crazy for not taking the stroller!
And another wonderful day came to a close at Disneyland.
Disney Day 5
Last day was a doosie! It started off pretty cold- we got to the park fairly early and Emma got to meet Cruella De’vil. I don’t think she’s even seen 101 Dalmations- but she thought she was hilarious (she was) and said that it was her new favorite character. I feel like I did a really good job making sure we got lots of pictures- and they are the best souvenirs! Paul worked his magic and we started racking up lots of Fast Pass’s. It was a wonderful morning. We hit all of our favorite rides. We decided to head back to the hotel and order pizza for lunch and pack- since we had to leave at 4:00am in the morning to catch our flight. It was a nice little break…and then Emma and I left before the boys so we could watch Aladdin. When Disney does something- they do it right! We were right in the front for the show and Emma was mesmerized by the bright costume and huge props! We hit a couple more favorites- Soarin’ over CA and Screamin- and the Tower of Terror (Ted had convinced Emma to go on this the first day- I warned her -but she was brave! When they got back to me she told me I was right and she was never going to go on that ride again!) before heading back over to finish the night off at Disneyland. We waited for two hours on a park bench in anticipation of the firework show…to have it canceled due to high wind at higher elevations! How ironic! And how disappointing! But we survived…Ted headed back to the hotel with the little boys- and we finished off the night with the Bairds using up all the fast passes. Actually, I kind of pooped out at about 11:00. We were going to do ice cream but I was dead on my feet so we headed home and left the Baird family to have their own family time. They always order ice cream and sit on a bench their last night in Disneyland. I would have liked to do this- but my energy was gone. In hindsight I wish I had just endured a little bit longer and enjoyed the lights of Disneyland with my little kids one last evening. Because who knows if they’ll even be interested in sitting with me on a bench the next time we make it to Disneyland.
And that is what it’s all about. It’s what life is all about. Enjoying the moment. And Disneyland has captured this ability like no one else- no where else (except the temple if I’m not asleep)- nothing else I have ever had the opportunity to experience. Even standing in line we enjoyed just being there and being together. I meant it earlier when I said that this trip was a piece of heaven on earth. It really helped to ground me and remind me why we are here on earth. I actually prayed and fasted that I would be able to let go and relax and enjoy myself and my kids on this vacation. And I know my prayers were answered beyond what I could possibly imagine. I have to be so structured at home and I feel like I spend my life “moving things along.” Making everything work and go. Getting people in the car at the right time and to the right place. Making sure chores are done and that my kids are behaving properly and doing the right thing and using our time wisely and having our lives scheduled down to the minute in order to utilize all the opportunities that we have been given. And this trip made me step back and say, “Wait a minute lady!” Maybe life isn’t about utilizing every second of the day to develop every single talent and opportunity we’ve been given. Just like Elder Oaks says in one of my all-time favorite conference talks:
We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.
And while I know this- and won’t always need an expensive trip to Disneyland to appreciate this- it was a very sweet way to be reminded. Not slang sweet- simple sweet. Sweet good moments with my kids that I hope we remember and hold on to in those moments that aren’t so sweet. And so I close this entry by bearing my testimony that I know that we cannot taste the sweet without the bitter. And I am thankful beyond measure for the sweet days I have recorded in memory with my family who is more dear to me then anyone else on earth. We have bonded and the bonds have been carried home. Ted and I are laughing a little more often and snapping a little less often. The kids are happier and more carefree. A light heartedness has been draped over our home and hearts that will help us finish up these last few weeks of school and baseball and piano and gymnastics and scouts and teaching. And then we will soar into summer ready to live in the moment and discover the magic of…nothingness! The second happiest place on earth!!!
April 30, 2009
Disney Day 1
I did such a great job those first 4 days of recording our vacation then we hit Disneyland and I lost it. We played hard at Disneyland- hard!
As I try to recap our days at Disneyland I want to start with the quote that is on the plaque underneath the Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse statue in the center of Disneyland. "We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together." I found this quote online from Walt Disney, "We did it (Disneyland), in the knowledge that most of the people I talked to thought it would be a financial disaster - closed and forgotten within the first year."
Walt Disney, with only one year of High School under his belt, proved the world wrong. The world did need a place of refuge and just plain old fun! A place to escape the rush of mundane worldly moments that run our lives. I’m a pretty positive person, I think, about life in general- I can work my way through the mundane moments pretty well. Especially lately I’ve found that I’ve really been able to set myself aside- I don’t even take books with me anywhere anymore because I know that it’s just not realistic- and that the next few years will just be this intense focus on helping my children discover themselves- their talents- dreams- goals. And I am happy to do this. But what a fresh of breath air it was to just be able to focus on having fun with my kids- having that be the whole goal of my existance for ten whole days! And fun we had...
This trip was such an overwhelming blessing. A piece of heaven on earth. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the days we spent together in- bliss. The kids never fought- not once. They rarely complained. A few, “I’m hungries,” and a couple of, “I’m tireds.” The last night at Disneyland Ted left at 9:30 with the younger boys, our flight left early Saturday morning, and I stayed with the older two and the Bairds to finish off the night. We were exhausted. On the way home Emma just started sobbing. Her feet hurt, her head hurt, her back hurt. (So did mine) James and I propped her up for a moment then James jumped up and yelled, “Let’s run!” We had about ½ a mile to go. I looked at Emma and smiled- she looked at me, her eyes lit up- she grinned and took off at a sprint and soared home! We ended our amazing week as enthusiasticly as we started it! I will never forget the blessing of the moments of just being together. It didn’t matter what we were doing we were just so happy to be together.
The first day the temperatures hit the high 90’s. We were very lucky to have a nearly empty park and we could walk onto all the rides at our pleasure. We had agreed that if the kids were totally wiped out by the afternoon we would go back to the hotel to swim and cool off. About 4:00 that afternoon Ted turned to me and said, “I don’t want to go back to the hotel. I just want to be here in the Park and soak it all in even if we’re just sitting here.” And we all felt the same way. We had taken the day very slowly. Starting in New Orleans and Adventureland. I think that’s my favorite area of the park. Of course we started with Pirates of the Caribean. Oh I wish I had video of Kyle when he saw Jack Sparrow!! His eyes got HUGE and his jaw dropped a little and he stared at him- even leaning back and over the boat so he could follow him until the last possible minute. Adam was so brave and went on Splash Mountain. I was really surprised- but he loved it! And I think it was really good for him- boosted his confidence a little and he got to be one of the big kids. I was jealous because everyone else got soaked on Splash and I stayed totally dry. We ran through that line a couple of times- and I never did get wet. Kyle actually slept the whole morning- he was too short for Splash so we parked the stroller underneath the deck of the Big Bear Restaurant near the river and just took turns while he snored away. It was rejuvenating just sitting there watching families walking by together and sipping my lemonade. We let the kids pick an ice cream cone around 11:00 because it was at least 90 degrees by that point. It was suppossed to be an afternoon treat- we just did it twice! They were troopers never complaining about how hot it was. We stayed on that side of the park all morning. After Kyle woke up we headed to Buzz Lightyear and did that ride a few times- because Kyle loved it- and the other kids did Star Tours with Ted while Kyle and I did Buzz a couple of times. Adam wanted to do Star Tours again so I said I’d go. Big mistake. That is the closest I have ever come to throwing up on a ride. I had to put my head down on my lap and close my eyes.
We headed over to DCA (that’s what Angie calls it) after lunch. We spent the afternoon over there- ending with the Pixar Parade—it was a blast! There was hardly anyone there to watch the Parade so the kids got to sing and dance with all of the characters that came through. Kyle had an even huger grin then normal on his face the whole time. After a couple more rounds of Screamin’ California- James and Emma loved it- we headed back to Disneyland. The excitement of the sparkling lights and yummy smells kept us going for a couple of more hours. We ended with a walk through the Castle and a ride on the Carousel. I wish we had spent a little more time in Fantasy land because the next time we come back I don’t know that even Adam will appreciate it. And I think this time Emma and Adam and Kyle would have enjoyed it quite a bit! One of very few regrets.
The kids crashed hard that night! But I just have to say again how amazing they were! It was 96 degrees- humid- hot! Tons of walking and no one complained the whole day- not even Adam. Disney had water bottles with fans on them for sale everywhere- I picked one up at one point just to check-it-out, it seemed like a nice idea to keep from melting…$17.00!!!!! Of course handy Ted came to the rescue. He took a couple of water bottles- we had brought lots into the park- and used a pin to poke holes in the lid. Thus we had our own .30 water squirter! The kids loved it and we soaked each other all day and never felt too hot- hot but not too hot.
Disney Day 2
Emma said that her favorite part of Disneyland was meeting all the different characters. We had found these cute little Disney autograph books at a “mart” for $1.99 and she has hers pretty much filled up with signatures. The boys ended up using it to color in as they sat in the stroller- which was also nice. So Tuesday morning was a lot of fun for Emma! I am so glad we did the character breakfast! It was hilarious to watch Captain Hook sneak up behind Emma’s chair and sniff her hair until she turned around and gasped! I loved how each of the characters really took time to spend with each table- and each kid at each table. Tiger must have thought Kyle was pretty cute (he is) because he spent probably 5 minutes just making Kyle crack up! It was soooo precious- I think we got some on tape. Eeyore and Adam were good pals for a while. And captain Hook came over to the table to flirt with Mom as well! I think it was one of the highlights of the trip- worth every penny!
The rest of the day we spent at Disneyland…didn’t go over to DCA at all. We actually felt the heat a little bit more the second day- I think from being wiped out from the first day still. So we just moved slowly- visited Toon Town and met Mickey. Then Emma and I waited in line for an hour and a half to meet the princesses- while the boys went to Fast Pass Splash Mountain. Emma got lucky- her three princesses were Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. Emma said Belle was beautiful and was her favorite princess to meet. We left the park a little earlier that night and went to Red Robin for dinner. Adam fell asleep on the bench at Red Robin! He literally collapsed on his chair! Poor little guy. He was such a trooper!
Good thing our plan for day three was- REST!
Disney Day 3
Our hotel set up was perfect! We had a kids suite so there was a bunk bed and queen pull-out couch in one room and a king size bed in the other. So we shut the dark curtain and slept in Wednesday morning!!! It was great!
For lunch we had reservations at the Rainforest Café. We drove over to Downtown Disney. The kids had been working hard to do their chores and save their allowance for months for Disney so this was the day we let them pick out their souvenirs. James wanted to assemble his own light saber- a cool station where you get to pick your own parts. So Dad and the boys helped with that. Emma had a very hard time choosing but finally settled on a Belle necklace and a Minnie wallet.
We thought that the Rainforest Café would be fun- but Kyle was actually petrified whenever the rain and thunder started! It was kind of funny! The kids enjoyed it. I was sick of eating by this point so I don’t even think I ordered anything.
Back to the hotel to swim- and who did we find? The Baird’s had arrived! Yeahhh!!!!!! We swam with them for a while and the plan was to head to the beach with Angie’s brother’s family for a big bonfire and hot dog roast. But the further into the day it got the more we decided that we were just pooped and needed to just chill at the hotel. We went to bed very early to be ready for our early entrance day into the park…
Disney Day 4
Apparently we did not go to bed early enough because Kyle and Adam were still crashed when we were all ready to go. So I headed off with the Baird’s and James and Emma and Ted caught up to us a couple of hours later with the still sleepy boys. We made a good team- the ten of us. We hit all the rides that we wanted to- it all seemed to jive quite well. We watched the Star Wars show that Disney does- man when they do something they do it right! Spencer was chosen to be a Jedi apprentice. James wanted to- but decided at the last minute he really didn’t want to. The weather was a lot cooler that day. By the afternoon the temperature was a sweet 75 degrees- a perfect Disney Day! We played hard all day at both parks.
Lunch found us at the Blue Bayou.,. enjoying ridiculously expensive macaroni and cheese But also the amazing Monte Carlo sandwich- a food highlight for me- and Ted loved his jambalaya. The ambiance of the restaurant is so fun in the heart of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
One of the highlights of the day was crashing in the afternoon at the Animation Studio in DCA. The kids were all totally mesmerized by Crush- the talking turtle from Nemo. It was hilarious and amazing to watch him conversing with the audience.
We ended the day back at Disneyland…Kyle fell asleep in his stroller and slipped through the opening- and stayed asleep in a little ball on the ground. Poor little dude! I decided I should take him home and didn’t need the stroller! I think I must have been a little delirious myself- and it’s a good thing I’m super strong and in shape because that mile and a halfish walk back from the hotel was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I thought I was going to die. 36 pounds of dead weight- oh my! My back hurts again just thinking about it. I had to sit down on the sidewalk a couple of times! I could have put my hat out on the ground next to me and made a few extra bucks! Oh my legs hurt and my arms were screaming and my head was pounding. Wow…didn’t help my ever present neck problem either. I even had to say a few prayers- and I though of Emma Smith traveling across the snow to escape with her two babies in arm and toddlers at her feet. Not the same- I know- but at the time I thought I might die in route! I texted Ted when I got home to let him know that I made it and he told me he thought I was crazy for not taking the stroller!
And another wonderful day came to a close at Disneyland.
Disney Day 5
Last day was a doosie! It started off pretty cold- we got to the park fairly early and Emma got to meet Cruella De’vil. I don’t think she’s even seen 101 Dalmations- but she thought she was hilarious (she was) and said that it was her new favorite character. I feel like I did a really good job making sure we got lots of pictures- and they are the best souvenirs! Paul worked his magic and we started racking up lots of Fast Pass’s. It was a wonderful morning. We hit all of our favorite rides. We decided to head back to the hotel and order pizza for lunch and pack- since we had to leave at 4:00am in the morning to catch our flight. It was a nice little break…and then Emma and I left before the boys so we could watch Aladdin. When Disney does something- they do it right! We were right in the front for the show and Emma was mesmerized by the bright costume and huge props! We hit a couple more favorites- Soarin’ over CA and Screamin- and the Tower of Terror (Ted had convinced Emma to go on this the first day- I warned her -but she was brave! When they got back to me she told me I was right and she was never going to go on that ride again!) before heading back over to finish the night off at Disneyland. We waited for two hours on a park bench in anticipation of the firework show…to have it canceled due to high wind at higher elevations! How ironic! And how disappointing! But we survived…Ted headed back to the hotel with the little boys- and we finished off the night with the Bairds using up all the fast passes. Actually, I kind of pooped out at about 11:00. We were going to do ice cream but I was dead on my feet so we headed home and left the Baird family to have their own family time. They always order ice cream and sit on a bench their last night in Disneyland. I would have liked to do this- but my energy was gone. In hindsight I wish I had just endured a little bit longer and enjoyed the lights of Disneyland with my little kids one last evening. Because who knows if they’ll even be interested in sitting with me on a bench the next time we make it to Disneyland.
And that is what it’s all about. It’s what life is all about. Enjoying the moment. And Disneyland has captured this ability like no one else- no where else (except the temple if I’m not asleep)- nothing else I have ever had the opportunity to experience. Even standing in line we enjoyed just being there and being together. I meant it earlier when I said that this trip was a piece of heaven on earth. It really helped to ground me and remind me why we are here on earth. I actually prayed and fasted that I would be able to let go and relax and enjoy myself and my kids on this vacation. And I know my prayers were answered beyond what I could possibly imagine. I have to be so structured at home and I feel like I spend my life “moving things along.” Making everything work and go. Getting people in the car at the right time and to the right place. Making sure chores are done and that my kids are behaving properly and doing the right thing and using our time wisely and having our lives scheduled down to the minute in order to utilize all the opportunities that we have been given. And this trip made me step back and say, “Wait a minute lady!” Maybe life isn’t about utilizing every second of the day to develop every single talent and opportunity we’ve been given. Just like Elder Oaks says in one of my all-time favorite conference talks:
We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.
And while I know this- and won’t always need an expensive trip to Disneyland to appreciate this- it was a very sweet way to be reminded. Not slang sweet- simple sweet. Sweet good moments with my kids that I hope we remember and hold on to in those moments that aren’t so sweet. And so I close this entry by bearing my testimony that I know that we cannot taste the sweet without the bitter. And I am thankful beyond measure for the sweet days I have recorded in memory with my family who is more dear to me then anyone else on earth. We have bonded and the bonds have been carried home. Ted and I are laughing a little more often and snapping a little less often. The kids are happier and more carefree. A light heartedness has been draped over our home and hearts that will help us finish up these last few weeks of school and baseball and piano and gymnastics and scouts and teaching. And then we will soar into summer ready to live in the moment and discover the magic of…nothingness! The second happiest place on earth!!!
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