Spring Break 2014

For the kids spring break this year, thanks to Carlos and Melannie's help, we decided to go to Disney World for 3 days.  We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and went to 4 parks (Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios) in 3 days.  To say our feet were tired and sore would be an understatement.....but we had a great time.  As the kids are getting older, I'm finding myself longing for as much "family time" as possible, because I know before long, they'll be adults and out of our house.  :(  Time goes by so quickly.  

Hunter & Grace at our hotel

Our family at our hotel

On a ride in Animal Kingdom

Hunter & Grace in Epcot

Hunter at Magic Kingdom

Grace at Magic Kingdom

The kids (& a gorilla) in Animal Kingdom

Grace at Hollywood Studios

Hunter at Hollywood Studios

At the Coke museum in Epcot

One year ago....

March 16, 2014 marked one year since I said goodbye to my dad.  As weird as it may sound, the year has gone by both quickly and slowly at the same time.  I find some days I go about my day without really thinking about him, but then others are really tough still.  Funny how it can hit you all of a sudden...that instant knot you get in your stomach...realizing yet again that he's really gone...that MY DAD is no longer here on earth.  There are so many "what if's" and "if only I had's", but I know it's out of my hands now.  Life is so short...a constant reminder to make the most of every day, every moment. Cherish those you have in your life.  

Zooming Out

Our focus determines our reality; our internal attitude is more important than our external circumstances.   When we are in a low place in our lives, it seems we want to drag others down with us.  We want them to feel sorry for us...to complain and get mad with us.  It takes great strength and determination to dig ourselves out of the pit and "zoom out" (to look for the bigger picture).  It's definately not an easy task...one I fail at almost ALL the time, but a necessary one.

So....as hard as this season of my life has been, I am now striving to "zoom out".  I'm sure this is something I'll have to remind myself of daily, if not hourly, but nevertheless, something we should do.

I'll end with some pictures and the 2 lists I came up with the other day -- 5 things I love about my kids.  When all around us seems so hopeless and unfair, to look for the positive enables us to continue on/to "zoom out".

What I love about you, Hunter:

1) your ability to be sensitive to others 
2) you love to give
3) you're outgoing
4) your longing TRY to do the right thing
5) how you like things picked up and organized

What I love about you, Grace:

1) your outgoing personality
2) your hard work/dedication with school work (homework, studying, etc)
3) the ability to sense a problem/issue, and try to find ways to fix/help it 
4) the perfect mixture of girly-girl and tom-boy
5) the attitude you have that nothing is too big for you to do/accomplish (self-confidence)