On a Boat

This past week, the family loaded up in the minivan with NeNe and Papoo (Erin's folks) in tow and headed for New Orleans to take a cruise to Mexico.  The kids were excited.  Grant devised that he could eat at least 10 ice cream cones per day for a week, and the rest of us would enjoy the sun and relaxation, not to mention watching the burgeoning of Grant's dairy intolerance.

Indeed, once we arrived on the boat, Grant immediately began his assault on the soft serve machines.  I think in the first two days he knocked down around 15 cones, so short of his prediction, but still pretty mind numbing (or brain freezing.)  Erin and I had worried about a number of things prior to going to New Orleans, mostly based on our previous cruising experiences.  Would we get seasick, as we had in the past?  Would we be able to really relax while chasing the kids around?

In the end, it was a good time, but not without its flaws.  For starters, Erin didn't inform me that the ship we were on, the Carnival Triumph, was the same one that floated about the Gulf of Mexico while filling with raw sewage a couple of years ago and was dubbed "the poop cruise" by the media.  I appreciated her sheltering me from this fact, but it did come as a surprise during the boarding process.  For someone with OCD, it was difficult to shower without allowing my feet to touch the previously infected floor.

The fact is, the Carnival Triumph is almost 20 years old and just doesn't feature the same level of amenities that the newer ships offer.  This was a calculated move on our part though, as neither Erin nor myself wanted to spend a small fortune on a trip, only to find out that one of our kids is rendered immediately seasick upon taking two steps onto a ship.  So lesson learned -- we can go a little bit bigger next time.

Browsing the Lucas de Galvez market in Merida

Overall though, the kids had a great time.  In addition to getting to experience a little bit of Mexico in Cozumel and Mérida, they got to eat, swim, and play to their heart's content.

Trent, in particular, continues to amaze with his unbounded personality.  Every time we passed a live band, Trent broke out in dance.  Every woman on that ship knew Trent, as he'd danced with all of them at various points during the week.

Grace enjoyed the on-ship entertainment, particularly a "men vs. women" challenge that involved adults stuffing medals into their rears, shimmying across the stage, and dropping them in a bucket.  Our little toilet-humored Chinese kid can't contain her laughter, even now, when we discuss that evening.  Erin and I were grateful for a chance to forget about our jobs for a few days, and just watch our kids enjoying life.

After returning to New Orleans, we made our way home via Memphis.  We spent the following afternoon on a tour of New Orleans, featuring the world's most informative tour guide -- "There's a pretty house over there."  "That's a museum!"  It was as though the tour company had given a homeless person $10 to point at things.  Such is life.

We had a great "last night" on Beale Street, where street performers entertained the whole crew.  The kids were particularly engrossed in a group of guys who could do 10+ flips down the center of Beale Street.  Pretty amazing.

Hanging out on Beale St

This has been a rough year for us, in some ways, and we needed the break.  The cruise just reinforced for me how blessed I am, and how the best times in my life are out with my whole family.  As always, Erin started planning the next trip on the drive home.

A Great Backyard

Childhood bliss, I tell you.  Childhood bliss.

Quick Spring Break trip

Gatlinburg 2016

We don't go to Gatlinburg because we love it.  The mountains are pretty, but the go carts, wax museums and sub-par tourist food isn't a real draw for Bret and me.

But, for kids, it's glorious bliss, all within a short drive.  Here's the quick recap, more for me than for you... but nonetheless.

Day 1

Arrive, play, bathe, bed

2. Easter Sunday
Church, lunch, walking and shopping in Gatlinburg, and Magiquest.

Day 3
The movies and rolling down the hill in giant hamster balls, followed by swimming and catch your own trout for dinner.  You know--everyday vacation fun!

Day 4
Glorious hike until the last mile when the three-year-old melted down... followed by shopping and a ropes course.

Day 5
Amusement park fun at Dollywood

Day 6
Go carts, mountain coasters, Magic show fun and more national park romping.

Overall, a great trip... full of plenty of memories, that's for sure.

This guy is NINE!

He's halfway done with his time in our house!  Be still my heart! So thankful for the little man he's becoming: so very compassionate, so very smart, so very a lover of Jesus!  This morning we celebrated with his favorite doughnuts, complete with gifts of a bug vacuum and stilts.  Tonight, it's chicken wings and ice cream.   The boy loves what the boy loves.

The oldest city in the US...

might be lost on these three, save the pizza place near this old school.

hot and crowded... but still magical

This has been the busiest fall break here yet, but we are still having a great time.

Pin Trading

Watching my kids interact with adults and other children is my favorite Disney pastime.

A Swimming Kind of Morning

With Daddy at work, we hit the resort pools which boast several water slides, a massive splash park and a huge pirate ship.  Who needs Disney?

a rainy day conversation with Trent

Fishing with Papoo

The kids have been BEGGING for someone to take them fishing.  Fortunately,  Grandpa (called Papoo) was up to the task.  He outfitted then with poles, hooks and the whole lot.  He's getting a workout, though, as the first several fish garnered lots of "I am not touching it" shrieks!  When I left him, Grace was in the lead with four bluegill to Grant's one!

October's Challenge--Read... and read some more

Did you know that reading for just SIX minutes a day can reduce stress by 68%?  Check out this great little article on the power of reading!

I don't need a lot of push to read... but with TV season gearing up, I thought it would be a great time to challenge ourselves to read... and read a lot.

So, this month, the challenge is to read FOUR books.  I don't care if you want to sit in the corner and read Harry Potter or if you are going to tackle Dostoyevsky; the choice is yours.

I'll try to update you on what I am reading.  I might tackle all new books, but I also might slip in a favorite.

Join me... please.

September's Challenge--The Art of Saving

This summer was our big trip out west, and I had prepped, planned and saved for that trip for some time.  It was a GREAT trip!

But, we also realized that we had to use a week at a condo in 2015, so last month, Bret and I had to find some place else to go in 2015.  Woe is me, right?

But, we know we're not going to have a ton of money to spend on this second trip... so I need to save an extra $500 to make it happen.  The cost of the gas will already be covered (gas is so cheap now, I could do budget cheerleading moves about it); our great condo is covered, but that $508 price tag to get a family of five into the Magic Kingdom for one day is looming in front of me!

So, my goal this month is to save $500 IN ADDITION to what I am already saving.  I need this money to be "extra," or I can't justify spending it on a second vacation. I already save money each month, but that savings has a purpose: retirement, a bigger emergency fund, college accounts the kids, or our next car--so this needs to be on top of all of that!

For me, there are two budget categories that stick out the most as a possibility for reduction for the month: Entertainment (which includes eating out) and Household (which for us is clothes, groceries, household products, etc).  Additionally, I will try to sell some stuff on Craigslist to make it happen.

So, how about you join me?  Couldn't you use some extra money in the bank?  Maybe $500 is just too steep for your personal situation and your personal budget?  Maybe you don't really have that kind of wiggle room... I get it!  I bet you can, however, come up with a number that makes sense for you.  It's got to be big enough that it hurts a bit... changes your habits at the grocery store or the food court (or lack thereof), but it also has to be doable.

For me, $500 is the sweet spot.  It's enough of a change that it's going to take daily (if not moment by moment) intentional decision making (and a month of meals of rice and beans), but it's also by no means impossible.

If you need help thinking through this or setting up a budget, let me know.  I simply LOVE talking about and planning budgets--sticking to them is a whole lot less fun! ;)

Cheap Labor

These two give a killer (I mean, really, really good) foot massage, and their going rate of $4 an hour can't be beat (plus Friday and Monday free, according to them).  This is the best 30 minutes of my day today, even if it confirms they have no business scruples.

Off to Preschool

and so excited!

Post church exhaustion plan

Working well, so far... They appear none the wiser that a 6:30 bedtime is looming.

First Day of School

....and just like that.... they start second and third grade IN THE SAME CLASSROOM!  Is a bottle of scotch an appropriate Christmas present for a teacher?

August's Challenge--The Early Bird Gets the Worm

I used to be a morning person.  Then, I became a mom.  I think that explains things.

But, for the month of August, I want to get up an hour earlier than I normally do.  The few times I have done this throughout the year, I am amazed at how much I get done in that hour and how much more smoothly the rest of the morning goes.

There's lots of research out there that shows how waking up early really does have a positive outcome.  People who get up early are:

1. Less likely to blow off a workout!
2. Are less depressed.
3. Eat healthier (actually eat 250 fewer calories a day)
4. Are more cheerful
5. Are more proactive in business
6. Make more money
and the list keeps going!

So, I'm going to get up during the weekdays an hour earlier than normal, and--don't type it, don't type it--I'm going to do the same on the weekends too.

I tried not to type it.  I tried to give myself a "break," but I really think good things are going to come from that early morning wake up!

So, who is up for 31 days of early rising?  Please don't make me do it alone!

Knotts Berry Farm

For our last day, we are at my childhood amusement park with cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents... for my kids, this is as good as it gets.

Dodger Game

a sizzling LA tradition...

Loads of cousins...

and loving every minute of it!