Disney World

6 days + 3 kids + 4 adults = one tired, but happy family!

We had a blast at Disney World last month! We got to to spend 2 days at Epcot center, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, 1 day at Disney Hollywood Studios, and 2 days at Magic Kingdom. The kids were such troopers though. We walked all day covering as much of the parks as we could every day since we didn't want to miss a thing. We only had to rent a stroller for the older kids for two days :) We stayed at an awesome Hilton time share condo provided by my wonderful parents, without which, we couldn't have done a lot of this trip. Orlando is absolutely beautiful though, there was so much more we wanted to see & visit. We'll definitely be going back!

Valentine's Surprises

After much thought on what we could do for Valentine's that would be fun, yet different, interesting, without being boring, not your average date, but nothing too weird either...basically not dinner & a movie again, I found out that the BYU International Folk Dance group was performing on Valentine's day in Provo, so we thought we'd give it a try. They were amazing!! I was totally shocked at what great athletes these guys were, everything from the high straddle jumps to the intricate dance routines were awesome!

Another great surprise was our dinner choice. We started out trying to go to Bombay House because they're always great, but after driving around the block trying to find parking and sliding around on the ice trying to actually get into the restaurant, we found out there was a 45 min. wait, and that wasn't going to work. So we slid back over to the car and decided to look elsewhere and that's when we found this great mexican restaurant I used to love when I was a student down there. They moved to a different location, so we were happy to find them at all, but the food was great as usual and you couldn't beat the price for their Valentine's special. Plus, we got fried ice cream at the end, so you just can't top that!

We've started babysitting swapping with my sis-in-law and that has worked out great. We both get to go out once a month and date nights are wonderful again. All in all it was a fantastic night out with the hubby and we can't wait to go out again.

Pass it Forward

All of us get them... those Fwd: emails that really would do just as well to stay out there in cyberspace, but every once in a while, there's a really good one. I got this one today from my mother in law that sounded like great advice for the New Year, and really loved the message, so I thought I might as well post it here and pass it on.

http://www.askdrsusanp.com/lessons_in_life

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It is never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take 'no' for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then, go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this really matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of whom God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative--dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.