Christmas Day 2009

This Christmas has been interesting and different!

The kids were off to Chile on the 18th. I didn't know what to do with all of that time!

So I came to The Villages in northern Florida with my sister and her family. It has been a very enjoyable time, and a chance to see a retirement community in full force. Check it out, www.thevillages.com.

I can't post any pictures yet as my computer (which has the photos downloaded) is not able to find an internet signal, so I am just borrowing some time on the resident PC. We have had fun running around in golf carts, shopping, eating, pool time, tennis and pickle ball. Yes, pickle ball!

I'll catch up later with the pics. Tomorrow I am off to Austin to see Cathy, Greg, and baby Collin...who is no longer a baby, since he turns 2 on Sunday! So hard to believe!

And so begins a new year of Christmas gifts. This year it was Susan's turn, and she chose to do random acts of kindness for the upcoming year. We will be blogging about it as we go, so check it out here: www.randomactsofkindness2010.blogspot.com. The entire family will be involved!

This Florida bit has been good for me. I am not feeling the winter blues, or feeling oppressed by laundry, responsibilities and other tiresome things. It is good to get away!

Back soon!

Those moments of pride

Tonight was one of those moments of pride, when your heart wells up for one of your own flesh and blood.

Setting: Evening, high school auditorium, stomach growling, stressed from the tough day, rushed from trying to avoid being late and hearing about this at the last minute. 18 degrees and the wind is blowing.

Occasion: Season end for Heath Bulldogs high school football, having made it to round 2 of the playoffs, with a final historical win at home.

Here comes the moment of pride...

The teams were introduced by their respective coaches, one by one. Each focused on the positivie contributions of each team member. Then there were the funny and awesome awards, mostly for the seniors. Ian won the "Ironman", which meant he missed no lifting practices all summer long!

Of this, I am very proud. He was dedicated and he and I worked as a team to get him there and back, having friends and babysitters helping us out (thank you!). If he couldn't get a ride, he found a way. His dedication and passion deserved recognition!

But in addition to that, in addition to that moment of parental pride, I was looking ahead to the next few years. Years that will pass by so quickly, that he will soon be up there as a senior, with life staring at him in the face. I am excited for his future, for the possibilities that remain, for how his purpose will be fulfilled on this earth! So much between now and then, but in the wisdom I have gained as a mother, I know this time will pass oh so quickly.

Not to mention, there would be someone else in the room with a heart full of pride. I am quite sure that somewhere, Coach Cox caught a glimpse of his grandson being part of a football team, and a darn good one at that. That would have made him proud, proud to know he had passed his legacy forward in spite of having all girls as his own children. We are proud of you, Ian! Keep it up and with each year, each season, each game, may you learn the important stuff and get better each time!

This weekend's adventure

Look out, the girls are getting ready to head out for the weekend!!!!

We will be celebrating Jenny's birthday - with who better than...Mickey! So back to Disney I go. Awww, I know you feel really sorry for me at this point.

Disney is offering a special celebration. This year you get in for free on your birthday! So we decided earlier this year that we would have her experience the Magic Kingdom, since she has never been.

This photo was taken last spring...for MY birthday. We celebrated at Easton. Had I known then about the Disney deal, I would have gone there!! Haha. Okay, so for all you December birthdays, you have a few more weeks to cash in! Make your plans now!!!

Disney Tip #1 - TRANSPORTATION

One of the things I love about traveling is to find an easier, cheaper, less crowded way. As I planned my quick trip to Disney World, I was frustrated by the cost of transporation from the airport to our hotel.

We stayed at the Hilton at Downtown Disney (great hotel, by the way!). This became a very convenient spot for many reasons, but the most beneficial in the way of cost savings was that we were able to take the public bus! For Mears transportation or other local shuttles, I was quoted at least $20 per person. A taxi was $55 plus gratuity. That's crazy! Those are NYC prices!

For just $2/adult, and $1/child, we took the bus from the airport directly to Downtown Disney, and the Hilton is on the corner. We returned to the airport for the same fare, and from the DoubleTree, just down the street. Additionally, the bus stops at places like Florida Mall and Sea World. You can get a full day pass for just $4.50.

Enjoy the savings, and spend it on those Mickey Ears!!!