Updated Scrapbooking Page!!!!

I've FINALLY finished my Disney Scrapbook from our big 10th Anniversary trip in 2008. Yeah...only took me 3-1/2 years. but it's done and I uploaded a bunch more pics today. I have a bunch more but for some odd reason I'm having trouble uploading the pics to my computer from my phone. New computer...still figuring it out! :)

Check out the new pics here!

Officially changed our reservation today.

I'm sad my parents are not going (well...they still haven't given a 100% no..but 99.9%) but it sure was exciting talking with the Disney reservations lady on the phone to change our reservation today!!

So what I did was this: I took my parents off the reservation and switched it to a standard room at Art of Animation...since The Little Mermaid section is opening earlier than planned! Yippee!! If my parents decide they are in, all we gotta do it make a new reservation just for them in a standard room. It is cheaper for us to stay in standard rooms anyway, even with us splitting the suite (Those things are awesome, but way pricey! Two standard rooms is cheaper...but a good amount.)

But I did change the dates too. Unfortunately, my parents places of employment make it kinda difficult. My dad can only take M-F...so that means we had to go Sat-Sat...and flights will be more $$. And my mom can't take any vacation in December. But she wanted to go at Christmas time. So we were going Nov 10-17th. Parks are all decked out by then, so it was good. Hubby did not have that vacation though. He can probably get it. At his job, vacation is assigned...you get it when they give it to you...and his vacation is actually the last week of Nov and first of Dec. So since it's just us, we switched it to then..and a Wed-Wed to save on airfare. If my parents can go..we'll just switch the dates back. No biggie. (Hopefully)

So anyway, if you made it through all that babbling, thanks! We're pretty excited. I am in total Disney World withdrawal here. Our last family vacation was Nov/Dec 2010, and then me and DD took a short trip in March 2011. It's been a LOOOOOONG time since I've gone a year without a trip, let alone a year and 8 months.

And we already have our 2013 trip semi-worked out! We're heading West!!!! Yep! DISNEYLAND!!!! And most importantly, the new Carsland!! I was at Disneyland when I was a kid when my mom and step dad lived in San Fransisco. I am so eager to get back..and see the place as an adult and appreciate the park Walt created and was there to see finished. The plan is 5 days at Disneyland and then another 5 touring So Cal! :) Doing it in August, so I hope that will be a good time to visit! :) It will be way pricier than we're used to paying for...but hopefully we can swing it!

Tried not to act disappointed, but I am.

Talked with my mom yesterday. I am trying real hard not to talk about anything Disney World, but as you all understand, it is damn hard! I don't want to talk cause I don't want to push. I've known since June that them talking this trip with us was iffy. But I'd been hopeful the last couple months. Well...not anymore.

My mom pretty much told me they are definitely out. There is a minuscule chance, but it's not looking good. My dad is too afraid he will have an episode and doesn't want to chance it.

I get it. I understand. But the rest of me is wondering, "So you're just gonna sit home and do nothing...not live your life...be careful because of what might happen?" "You want to miss out on something special with your grand kids because of your fear?" But I don't say any of those things. My new life mantra: It is what it is. I can't force people to do anything and putting them on a guilt trip won't help either.

So...now I sit back and wait and make plans for a trip without them, just in case.

Maps are ordered!

I've done the free custom maps through Disney's website a few times. They are super nice and cool to have. I've never actually used them at the park. I think you're better off grabbing a map the day you're there, as it has up to date into on them with showtimes and what not. But the customized ones are fun to have!

This set I ordered for my parents actually. I'm hoping they generate some excitement for them. They still haven't given a definitive "yes" or "no" for the trip this November. It's all booked and all that's left is to make the dining reservations in May and book airfare at some point. And pay for the trip, of course. But it's all planned. Been planned since this time last year when we were supposed to go November 2011.

Today felt really nice!

For the first time in a while I got to do something today that made me really happy! Disney trip planning!!!

It's been 8 months since my mom gave me the definite news that they needed to cancel our trip that was supposed to be November 2011. That day I stepped away from trip planning and haven't opened my computer file since. We decided to postpone the trip instead of cancel...for November 2012. My mom really wants to go when the parks are all decked out for Christmas. It's felt really weird to not be planning a trip....I'm almost always planning a Disney trip! The trip was 80% planned out and everything will pretty much stay the same. Normally I am always making some kind of Disney plans...so it's been a weird 8 months.

But on Saturday I was at my parents house and my dad put in for the vacation time in November of this year. There is still a chance they will have to cancel again (dad's health issues) but I am feeling pretty confident. He's been doing well. Knock on wood...fingers super duper crossed. Today I was running errands with hubby and we started chatting about the trip. We may shorten the trip by a day, which would mean we need to change some things around, but wow did it feel good to talk about it!!!!

Boy do I need to get away!

This pic was taken while waiting in line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Hubby recently told me we really need to go on a vacation alone again. I couldn't agree more. I think back to this trip in April 2010, just the two of us, kids at home with Grandma and Grandpa, and I remember how peaceful it had been. So relaxing. Just us...recharging.

I have days too where I wish I could just go away by myself or a few days...no one asking me to do this or that, no household chores, no responsibilities...a few days to be completely selfish and worry about no one but me. I never used to think I could take a solo Disney trip....but I so totally think I would love it. Taking time to explore the things only I want to do. No one asking me to hurry so we can go do something. Being able to just sit and relax if I want, when I want.

It's been a rough few months around here and some days the stress just gets to me. Wish i was in Disney!

The trip is still a go! For now, at least

Well, me, hubby, and the kids are most definitely going. It's just my mom and dad I am not sure of.

We were all supposed to go this past November, but because of some medical issues, my parents had to back out.Instead of canceling, I just postponed the trip a year. My mom really wants to go when the parks are decked out for the holidays and we have to go in November because she cannot take time off in December.

Anyway, so I rebooked at the new art of animation resort...a Cars suite. so looking forward to it!! But I've had the sinking feeling that they were gonna back out again. My dad's health issues are somewhat better, but it was more than that. i really just had a feeling they did not want to go anymore. Or at least, my dad didn't want to go anymore. I need to know though. And semi-soon. If they're not going, we would probably switch our dates and we'd need to stay somewhere else. We can't afford the suite all by ourselves. Plus, dining ressies will be mid May.

So I chatted with my mom about it the other day. My dad still has concerns, but as of now, they are still in. But they want to shorten the trip by two days, 6 instead of 8. Hubby wants to stay a couple extra days just us and I so want that too...but when I told my mom we might do that, she seemed like she wasn't happy about it. I think they want us to fly with them, there and back, so they have guidance. But I'm sorry...by the time we go it will have been a LOOOOOOONG time since our last trip and I don't think 6 days will be enough. I could make it enough...but will I want to???