Day Two--Epcot Center

Sunday, April 12th--Happy Easter! Our next park, on the 2nd day, was Epcot Center. We'd been warned by many that Epcot is a place more for adults. Children tend to get bored and our kids were no exception. They were pretty bored most of the time but found some moments to have fun. I LOVED the different countries represented. It was so awesome to walk from country to country and see the shops and authentic merchandise as well as design styles. We got to ride one of our favorite rides, "Soarin' Over Califonia". Epcot is a "laid back" type park, we just took our time looking around and seeing the sights.

Elise and Brady were anxious to reach the Chine section and look for "Mulan". Unfortunately, we missed her. In China, I found the most adorable kimonos for boys and girls. I would have bought them in a heartbeat had they not been $60.00........each! In France, we saw a movie on France and then stopped into their bakery/deli for some snacks. We got some amazingly delicious pastries and sandwiches to hold us over for our dinner a few hours later. There was a pastry called the "Napoleon" that was a dessert with a flaky crust and custard layered, it was so good!

All throughout Epcot we saw topiary's shaped in many of the various Disney character. In one section there were all the Disney princesses and another was the main fairies from Pixie Hollow (home of Tinkerbell) as well as many others. It was pretty cool, I think I got pics of the kids with them all.

We ended our visit to Epcot rather early and to top off the end of the day Elise decided to throw the biggest, most embarrising tantrum of all from the back of the park all the way to the front and onto the bus back to the hotel---all because we wouldn't let her buy an expensive puppet we knew she wouldn't care about once we came back home. Unfortunately, this would not be the last of her tantrums. Ug!

Aside from the tantrum, I had a pretty great day in Epcot, Nate did too. It is a quite beautiful and fascinating place to visit, in my opinion.

Disneyworld, 2009--Day One

Saturday, April 11th--We flew into Orlando the day before. Nate and I had got a pretty nice offer, via email, from "Disney Destination". Basically, the kids hotel, park entrance and food was free with 2 paying adults. It ended up being a fantastic deal and we got a killer deal on airfare too. Part of the package is that we had to choose from one of the Disney "value" (cheap) hotel resorts. We chose "Pop Century Resort". Pretty neat place full of giant-sized figures from different decades all over the place. The rooms were basic but the resort more than made up for it with pools, food court and an over-all great atmosphere.
Day 1 we woke up pretty early and got ready to go. Our first day plans were to be in Magic Kingdom. We opened the door to our room and found the resort was covered in thick, muggy fog (not good for my hair!). The hotel provided buses to whichever of the 4 parks we wanted to go so we caught the one to Magic Kingdom. Once we got there we noticed the park was foggy as well. Fortunately, it cleared up a few hours later.
Once we walked through Main Street we veered to the left side of the park and that's where we stayed all day. The left side consists of: Adventure Land, Liberty Square, Frontier Land and Fantasy Land (more in the center). The crowds were big, as expected, so we got Fast Passes as often as we could. There were a HUGE amount of British tourists. I asked one of the cashiers, from London, why so many and she said it was because England takes a 2 week "holiday" off around Easter time and many come to Disneyworld. Lots of Europeans and Middle Eastern tourists as well. As weird as it is to say, we kind of felt like the foreigners but didn't mind at all. I loved talking and chatting--I even met a lady from Camaroon, Africa!
The rides in each of the "lands" were similar to Disneyland, as was Main Street. Nate was thrilled that Elise and Brady were willing to go on any ride he wanted to go on. And while they rode on the rides I can't stomach, I gladly hit the shops!
One of the highlights of the day was when we were on the "Jungle Cruise". The "tour guide" let Elise drive the boat through a dark tunnel. She thought it was so cool and even got a card/certificate because of it. Elise had a smile from ear to ear after that!
This day was really hot! That would continue to be the trend for the rest of the trip, minus one of the days when it rained. We managed to keep as cool as possible by going on indoor rides and finding shade, which was plentiful.

Happy Easter----Early!

Sunday, April 5th--We "called" the Easter Bunny and asked that he/she come a week early since we'll be on vacation next week. The kids woke up this morning and found their hidden treat-filled baskets. They were pretty happy, even though the Easter Bunny made a mistake in picking out some of the treats that Elise couldn't eat due to her braces. Oops! I took an article in the April "Ensign" to heart. It basically said to try and "spititualize" our kids Easter baskets. I found a pocket-sized Childrens Songbook for Elise and got some CTR rings. I also found a pocket-sized hymn book for Nate to put in his scripture bag. Elise has loved looking at her mini songbook all day. She even commented on how fun it will be to learn to play the piano so she can read the notes in her songbook.

Usually I take pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits as well. Because we'll be in Disneyworld on Easter day, we decided not to buy Easter outfits this year. Elise's Aunt Jenny bought her an adorable summer dress for her birthday and I will be taking pics of her in it soon and we'll call it good. Brady's got some cute summer outfits too that I can dress him in. When we planned the dates for our vacation we failed to check the calendar for when Easter would be. I'm kind of sad we won't have the traditional Easter festivities on that day but we'll do our best to think of the Atonement of Christ, His resurrection and all that He's done for us all.

Hooray! A New Piano!

Saturday, April 4th--While my parents have been in town we decided to go to The Piano Gallery and look at piano's. I've been wanting one for several years and well, they're just too darn expensive! We looked at basic digital piano's and really liked what we saw, and the price, so my dad generously helped buy one for us. It was a true blessing! This digital piano has a built in metronome, demo songs, different sounds, a recording button, a head-phone jack and a computer port. It's really cool and it feels just like a piano. We brought it home and put it together. It's been fun to play and it's here just in time for Elise to start piano lessons at the end of April. I'm so happy to see her interest in learning already. Nate and I are excited to brush up on our piano skills too.

A Visit From Nana & Papa

Wednesday, April 1st--My parents arrived today for a 6-day visit. The two of them decided to take a vacation that started out with 4 days in Disneyland--just the two of them! They had a wonderful time going on rides, seeing shows and munching on great food without whining kids and grandkids. ha ha ha From Anaheim they flew to Salt Lake to visit family here. We've enjoyed their visit, it's been several months since we've seen them. They've also been able to spend time with my grandma. My dad was able to give her a very tender-hearted blessing. We know her time on earth is short and I'm happy they've been able to see her and say their "good-byes".
Friday night we challenged my parents to a game of Wii bowling. They had never played before and it was quite entertaining. The more and more they played they got better. However, Elise beat us all.....again! Just like she did when she played with her other grandparents at Thanksgiving. It was a fun night!

I wish we could see my parents more often. Brady and Elise just adore their Nana & Papa. I love to see them play together and joke around, making each other laugh. I love to hear Nate and my dad have conversations--they care and respect each others opinions and advice, it's so wonderful. My mom is so helpful and fun to talk to. Maybe some day we'll be able to live closer to each other and see more of each other. In the meantime we enjoy the time we have together and treasure it.

Happy 7th Birthday, Lady-Lou Princess Pooh!

Tuesday, March 24th--That's my nickname for Elise. She thinks I'm silly for all the nicknames I come up with but it's my way of maintaining my special bond with my kids, among many other things. Anyhoo, Elise turns 7 today. This has been a special birthday as we have discussed this coming year and her preparation to be baptized. She's excited and seems to understand so much already. I am just waiting anxiously for that moment when she puts on the baptismal outfit I wore for my special day, many years ago. For now, we'll enjoy her 7th year and all the wonderful things in store.
We celebrated Elise's birthday on Saturday, the 21st. Nate and I did a BBQ and most of his family was able to attend. My sister, Alishia, called right before to let me know she wouldn't be able to attend due to a migraine. It was a great night. Fun to visit with family, as always. Elise received some fun gifts, including a hula hoop. We didn't know she had such talent with a hula hoop but we're finding she's a total pro! Other people had fun trying to hula hoop as well, we caught our newly-turned 15 year-old nephew, Cameron, giving it a shot. Rather funny, I must say!

Sunday night we went up to Salt Lake to visit my grandma in a care facility. Her health has gone down hill even more so and, by the looks of her Sunday night, I sadly say I don't think she'll be with us much longer. Even so, I enjoyed my visit with her and was so thankful to spend time with her. Before going to see "grams" we went over to Alishia's house and she cooked a wonderful dinner--Nate's favorite, calzones. Alishia and her family gave Elise a "Hello Kitty" backpack full of fun goodies.

Today was just making the best of her birthday while also tending our niece and nephew. We had a great day but I'm glad we were able to celebrate this weekend. Nate brought home "Pie Pizza" and a small cake so we lit up candles again and Elise loved blowing them out and making another wish.

*Elise, you are so special to me. My first born and I can't help but love that my first child was/is a girl. We've enjoyed some wonderful times together and I look forward to so many countless more. You bring so much happiness and joy to our lives. You are witty, funny, incredibly smart and hilariously entertaining! I love you so much and look forward to all this year will bring for you.

Love always and forever, Mom.

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Tuesday, March 10th--Nine years ago, Nate and I spent the morning at the Salt Lake Temple being married for time and all eternity. I truly wish I could remember what the sealer said during our ceremony, all I remember is that he was very long-winded. I do remember kneeling at the alter, holding Nate's hand, looking at him, getting teary-eyed and thinking "Nothing will ever feel as right as the choice I made, this day, to marry this man." I still feel that way! All the decisions that have felt right since then have been made with Nate. We've built a life and family together. We've been through good times and bad with plenty of arguments and plenty of moments of pure joy. Here's wishing many more years of wedded "bliss" to come! I love the quote: "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!"
Saturday, March 14th--We just returned home from an amazing night, celebrating our anniversary. We dropped the kids off at my sister, Alishia's house where they spent the night. Then off to Desert Star Theater to watch "Home School Musical". I LOVE this theater and highly recommend it to anyone. They spoof popular movies and topics (the next one is "American Fork Idol"). We usually laugh like crazy as they incorporate jokes involving news headlines and stereotypical Mormon "tendancies" (there's usually a High Councilman joke! he he). We bought season tickets as our anniversary gift to each other. At the end of the show the actors will sing "Happy Birthday" to those celebrating birthdays and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" to those who are celebrating anniversaries. After the "Sweetheart" song the couples are asked to stand up and kiss each other. There were 3 of us couples celebrating, the other two have been married for 6 and 8 years. Each of them kissed first and both were rather "whimpy" kisses, so, since we were the last to kiss, I decided to plant a big 'ol smooch on Nate and let everyone know that the couple who had been married the longest still had passion! LOL! We had fun!
Then off to Armstrong Mansion Bed & Breakfast in downtown Salt Lake. If you go to their website: http://www.armstrongmansion.com/ you will find a listing, pictures and virtual tours of each of the rooms. We chose the "April" room and it was pretty nice. We enjoyed staying there and no, we didn't get a discount for having the same last name nor do we think we're related to these Armstrongs.
While our big vacation is still 4 weeks away this little mini-vacay was a great way to re-charge our batteries, especially since both the kids have been little demons this week, worst of which was on our actual anniverary!
Once again, Nate, I love you with all my heart and look forward to many more years to come!
**PS: Brady took this photo! We took some of ourselves and, oddly enough, this one turned out the best. Way to go, Brady!

Update on Little Miss Darci

Monday, March 9th--Darci came home from Primary Childrens Medical Center on Thursday night, March 5th. The pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Swinyard, (also Brady's doctor) felt mom and dad did well with the education and Darci's glucose levels were stable enough to release them and get them home to begin their new routine. To be expected, there's been plenty of nervous feelings coming from Bret and Marissa and I'm glad they feel comfortable calling us for advice.
Darci's response to her treatment has been miraculous. It was a month of pure hell fighting Brady and pinning him down in order to give him his insulin shots and finger pokes. After that he finally was sitting still for both. In less than a week, Darci is sitting quietly to do her finger pokes, even picking the finger she prefers at the time, and having her leg ready to do an insulin shot. She still whimpers a little but I'm so amazed at her, what seems to be, quick acceptance of the treatment for her Type 1 Diabetes.
She confirmed it to me in the hospital with her little hug and cuddle before I left, she HAS amazed us all with her ability to endure and strength. Way to go, Darci!
Prayers are still appreciated but I think Darci and her family are going to be just fine, even Christopher and Xander (her older brothers) have taken an interest.

The Newest Face of Diabetes

Tuesday, March 3rd--In just 3 weeks we'll be coming up on the 2nd anniversary of Brady's Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. It's been on my mind a lot and today we got some news that absolutely shocked us. My sister-in-law, Marissa, called me around 2:30 pm and told me that she was at Primary Children's Medical Center with her barely 2-year-old daughter, Darci, and Darci had just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. As soon as she told me I just wanted to be there with her and my brother-in-law, Bret to give them comfort. I'm so grateful she allowed me to. I packed up the kids, took them to my sisters house (thank you, Alishia, for being so willing at the last minute!) and headed up. I arrived a little after 4:15 and they were still in the ER waiting for a room to open up. Poor little Darci just looked so miserable. She had an IV in and whimpered at any little thing as she clung to either parent. My heart just broke and was brought to tears many times over while I was there. This is the exact same age Brady was diagnosed and all those memories of our experience came flooding back. I just hurt for them and what they will be going through the next few days and months as they adjust to this new "normal". On top of this terrible news, Marissa is coping with a high-risk pregnancy and had just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes last week. Darci is the youngest, she has two older brothers, Christopher (6) and Xander (4). Baby Eliza is due in May but will probably come earlier.

This is not a disease I would wish upon anyone, especially the sweetest, most gentle little two-year old girl you've ever met! It's not fair and only our Father in Heaven understands all the reasons, especially at what is already a difficult time for their family. But Nathan and I are thankful to have the knowledge that we do and that we can help out whenever needed. Bret and Marissa had a lot of questions and I hope I was able to put their minds at ease a little. Marissa was also able to talk to Brady's pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Mike Swinyard, tonight and it seems he was able to help out too. He's pretty awesome at doing that! To prepare them for this disease, Primary Childrens Medical Center is the best. We had such an amazing experience during Brady's hospital stay and they will have that too---I had already noticed that the few hours I was there tonight.

As I was about to leave the hospital tonight I held Darci for a moment. She put her head on my shoulder and I just wept again but I also had a feeling in my heart that she will amaze us all with her strength and ability to endure--much like her brave cousin did almost 2 years ago and continues to do so.

Please keep them in your prayers! To Bret, Marissa, and Darci---you are all strong and I know our Father in Heaven will bless you and comfort you in your time of need. He will reveal to you courage and strength you never understood you had. With this courage and strength you will have the ability to adapt and make diabetes a part of your family's life without it consuming your life. You need not feel alone, we are here for you at any time. We love you all!

My Little Brace Face!

Tuesday, March 3rd--HA HA! Elise got a few braces on her front teeth today. She was such a brave little trooper. She didn't cry at all and it looked uncomfortable just to even watch so I can only imagine what she felt! She had to get little rubber bands put around each brace and got to pick the color. Naturally she chose a Princess pink color and I think she looks quite adorable. So far, so good. She hasn't complained about them all day. These braces are the last phase in "Phase 1". She'll be done in about 3-5 months (I hope!) and then we have to wait for all her permanent teeth to come in to do a full set of braces. The orthodontist says that'll happen around 12 years old.