Top Ten Tuesday: Dream Family Vacations #3

Continuing our countdown of my dream family vacations, we hit #3 on the list…

Albuqurque for the Balloon Fiesta

This is another thing my parents have done numerous times, but I’ve never seen first hand.

Can you imagine being there as hundreds of hot air balloons in all shapes and sizes and colors take off into the air? It fills me with wonder just imagining it.

I mean, sure, I’ve heard wonderful things about Alburqurque in general and it’s a beautiful area and there’s plenty I’d like to see there…

but the BALLOONS!!

Yes, I know…I’m waxing poetic over hot air balloons, but they’ve always fascinated me and captured my imagination. It’s not for nothing that a hot air balloon ride is on my bucket list.

I would just LOVE to see this, and share it with my kids.  This happens every year around my wedding anniversary – so maybe one day we’ll get to go for our anniversary. That would be awesome.

Have you ever been to the Balloon Fiesta? What was your favorite part?

The Florida Saga: Where We’re At in our Move

*disclaimer* I am writing this over a week before publication. All information is subject to change. I’ll try to update if that happens, but I’m working a LOT, so it’s not 100%

It’s been a month of a whole lot and a whole lot of nothing.

Erik and I both got no’s from our interviews last month.  However, they were exceptionally positive no’s as both of the managers liked us and wanted to hire but there were key things preventing it from happening.  Both of us were asked if they could keep our resume, and keep in touch in hopes they could find the right fit.

So while nothing happened with those, they had positive feedback and left some hope that they could eventually work out.

I have had another interview in the interim.  It went pretty well, but I have not yet heard back.

I’m not worried, though. Every time I think about the move and us getting to Florida I keep hearing “June. June. June.”  Every single time.

So, I’m thinking June may be our month.

In the mean time we are starting the long road of packing up 16 years of our lives.  I started on my office last week in some time off from work. Packed up all but a few books, with one last large stack to go to half price. I threw away three bags of trash in the process of cleaning out my office.  It’s not done yet, but it’s close in there.

The girls took a cue from me, apparently, and cleaned/packed much of their room. I heard a rumor that several bags of trash went out during the process there as well.

No, we don’t have jobs yet. That means we certainly don’t have a house yet…but once things happen, they’ll happen fast and the more we prepare ahead, the less we’ll be pressured at that time. Well, that’s the theory at least. 😉

It’s weird living in a house of boxes…but it’s also nice to be just chucking so much excess we’d built up over the years.

So no major news yet…but it’s coming. In the mean time we are keeping the faith, keeping our hopes up, and keeping busy.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Dream Family Vacations #4

Continuing our countdown of my dream family vacations, we hit #4 on the list…

An Alaskan Cruise

Okay, okay…this one is kind of a cheat of a two-in-one.  Honestly, it doesn’t HAVE to be Alaska for the cruise part, I’d take any cruise, really…BUT…if I had to pick one that would be my top choice to go on first, it would be this one – and not just because I don’t require a passport to do it.

I’ve long wanted to go on an Alaskan Cruise specifically. Even though I’m opposed to cold weather anymore – the beauty and wonder of Alaska still pulls me in. I’ve seen so many pictures of Alaskan cruises on my perusal of the internet that I’m truly fascinated by the sights to be seen. The glaciers alone would be worth it…but all around the state is a beautiful sight to be seen…even if I’d never want to live there.

The cruise portion is a no-brainer, though.  The food, the activities, everything about a cruise is something I’m all on board for. My parents have been on like 20, but I’ve never been on one. I had one planned for my honeymoon…but ended up cancelling that (stupid, stupid, stupid). I want a chance to do it all.

Have you ever been on an Alaskan Cruise? Or any cruise for that matter? What was your favorite part?

You Can’t Put That On Social Media!

When I started this blog, they were toddlers.

Off and on the past ten+ years I’ve posted about them, their special needs, our struggles…everything.

Now?

My oldest is legally able to drink.

My girls?

They’re teenagers.

A couple of weeks ago, I snapped a picture of a piece of Molly’s artwork and posted it on Social Media as I have for ages…since Kennedy first displayed her amazing talent.

Molly chastised me when she found out.  “No! I did not give you permission to put that on social media!!”

And it hit me…

They are autonomous now.  They have some internet savvy, and much still to learn, but they are now capable of telling me NO.

I want to foster that strength of character. Especially in my young daughters. I want them to be fierce and proud and in control of their own wants and needs.

They aren’t babies any longer.  While I’m still their mother and have a modicum of control over their life – I no longer have control of their social image here on my blog, facebook, instagram, or any other social media.  They have every right to tell  me NO, I can’t post that.

I have to give them the right to use that right. I have to let them sit in their own power. I have to ask permission. Always.

Their body, their minds, their abilities are their own.

In my mind sometimes it’s hard for me to comprehend how mature they have become. They are no longer my “Babies”…they aren’t as immature or young for their age as they’ve always seemed before…they are now growing into their true selves.

I am going to foster that.

So you may “see” less of them. The timing is good as I’d begun to adjust the meaning of this blog and what it is for me lately.

That is their right.

They are strong girls.

Long live the Girl Power!

Top Ten Tuesday: Dream Family Vacations #5

Continuing our countdown of my dream family vacations, we hit #5 on the list…

Colonial Williamsburg

Once upon a time my family took a trip to Virginia. We went to Busch Gardens so we could ride some amazing rides…and then we went to Colonial Williamsburg because my dad has a degree in history and we always visit these places.

On the same note, I always loved towns like this. Though I hated history class…I’ve always really loved history brought to life in books, or places like this.

I would love for my girls to see the way Colonial Williamsburg brings history to life in such a big way.  We have a lovely small town that does something similar here…but there’s something about the whole large community bringing it to life that was something special.

There is so much to do there that isn’t available at other similar style towns. From the restaurants with period-appropriate foods, to the governors mansion, to the fife and drum march and carriage rides. I could spend days on end. My kids would probably hate it after a day or two, but the kids can’t love every family vacation, I sure didn’t love all the ones my parents dragged me on.

Have you ever been to Colonial Williamsburg? What was your favorite part?

Top Ten Tuesday: Dream Family Vacations #6

Continuing our countdown of my dream family vacations, we hit #6 on the list…

Colorado

I know, I know…that’s a WHOLE STATE. It’s just…some states deserve to have the WHOLE STATE on a list like this, you know?

Unfortunately, in this case, my kids have totally beat me to the punch SO HARD on this. They went, they saw, they conquered, and declared it their favorite state…which only furthered my desire to go.

I have an entire book series set here. I’ve been in love with Colorado (as a place to visit, I’m too much done with snow to want to live there) ever since I watched Dr. Quinn and saw the Red Rocks featured on an episode. I’ve always felt called to go see it some day…and I’m not jealous at all that my kids beat me to it.

I’ve heard really amazing things about all of the sights and the activities that can be done there.  My friend and former coworker went a couple of years ago and still talks about it. My kids still talk about it.

I just want to see it ALL…including the area where I set my little town at (there’s a real town there that I could visit) to see what I’ve always envisioned it looking like come to life.

Have you ever been to Colorado? What was your favorite part? Do you live there? What do you recommend as a MUST SEE?