Hello Again!! It's been a hot minute since I've checked in.  I've started about a half billion posts but haven't published any of them.  I think it's because I owe you a lengthy catch up, but I have no idea where to start.  There has been so much life lived, so many changes, so many new beginnings.  New schools, new job, a new home, and a new adventure, which is actually my reason for popping on here. If you've been around here for long, you know I love Disney World...like really love it! It started as just a fun, one-day place to visit during our annual beach trip.  Then it transitioned into our favorite place to make family memories. Through the pandemic and seasons that my world was turned upside down, it became an escape.   All along the way, I've had this crazy idea that I wanted to become a Disney Travel Advisor, but I never had the confidence to take the plunge.  Instead, I just watched from the sidelines and helped friends and family plan their tri

It's hard to believe but somehow we muddled our way through 2020.  I think most of us are little road weary, nursing our wounds, counting our casualties and rallying what's left of our resolve as we head into the new year. I'll admit that while I have no have no room for complaint, this past year has been emotionally draining for me.  My family is healthy and thriving.  We're blessed to have our jobs, a new home, and so many adventures under our belts. Yet, there's been a heaviness that we can't seem to escape -fear, uncertainty, a sense of loss, a burden for those experiencing so many hardships. I once heard a saying something along the lines of, "Anyone can handle a crisis but it's every day life that's the hardest." I have found that to be true this past year. It's getting up every day and trying to explain to a tween boy why he can't hang out with his friends or why the sports season was canceled. It's watching your daughter cry

We'll we've made it through the first full week of 2021 and it's been interesting to say the very least.  Let's review, shall we?  School is still virtual.  Politics are more heated than ever and I was diagnosed with Covid.  Yep, you read that right.  It's such a bizarre story actually.  Before I get to that part, I just want to say that I am fine.   Bored but fine. I have lost my sense of smell and taste, but that's been my only major symptom.   The whole thing started last Tuesday when I woke up with a very mild bloody nose.  This had been happening for several days so I thought maybe I was getting a sinus infection because that's typically how they start for me.  Not wanting to get quarantined with Covid-like symptoms, I went to the doctor during my lunch break to get an antibiotic. At first they told me that it would be a Teledoc visit because I didn't have any symptoms and they were already busy with Coronavirus testing.  They would go ahead and tak

Well, I've found myself in the midst another unintended blogging hiatus.  I very much go back-and-forth on my vision for this little space of mine.  Some days I want to throw in the towel because I am so far behind that I'll never catch up.  Other days, I have grand plans for a complete redesign and more narrowly focused content areas.  Maybe I'll be a lifestyle blogger, or a Disney blogger, or a home decorating blogger.  I write these posts, delete them, change the topic and ultimately end up with a lot of "drafts" sitting in my box.  The thing is, nothing quite feels right. I'm just not comfortable marketing myself or my family.  I love all things Disney and have no doubt that it will be a regular topic for content, but that's not all there is to me or my family.  Same goes for home decor blogs. I read them daily, but there's so much more that I want to write about. Some days I want a big blog with lots of followers that brings in a little extra cash

Tomorrow begins a brand new school year for us. Actually, we start on Tuesday "in-person" since our last name is in the bottom half of the alphabet, but the excitement is no less than it would be if we were walking through those doors tomorrow morning with the A-K kids. I sit here tonight among backpacks full of new supplies, first day outfits carefully selected and neatly laid out, and two sweet kiddos cleaned up and prayed up for what lies ahead.  In spite of the uncertainty and unrest of the past several months, this summer has been one of the sweetest I have ever known.  That's the beauty of this dance we call life.  It's not all good, nor is it all bad.  It's a tender mixture of both, and it's when we learn to accept the messy presence of each of these that we are truly living. The past few months have been hard - social unrest, economic hardships, an international health pandemic to name only a few- but these past few months have also been full of tender

The pools here in Kentucky are closed and will be through the end of the month. Normally I wouldn't care because we would just swim in the back yard, but we are in the apartment this year.  We even picked one with a fabulous pool. Go figure! At first, I was super bummed out, but we've found the best little swimming spot.  The first time we went I didn't expect much because so many of these areas are packed with everyone else looking for a reprieve from the heat.  Luckily, I was very wrong, and we found a quaint little spot not too far where we live. We ran into one of Ellie's friends from cheer and spent the afternoon, just us, enjoying the sunshine and water. I'm sure we will make good use of the pool once it reopens, but in the meantime, I anticipate many, many trips to the creek. Hearing the laughter, and splashing and playing was so good for the soul. After working up a good appetite, we stopped on our way home for another summertime fa