Disney World

Georgia and I have had a very busy summer this year!

In June Georgia started going to a school 3 days a week while I went back to work. Being away from her has been a very hard transition for both of us and while we both are adjusting and enjoying the new changes in our lives at the same time it's still really, really hard! In July she started going 4 days a week and I am now working for my Dad which has been a huge blessing!

A few months ago I knew I wanted to take Georgia on a special trip for her and I to spend some time together- what better place to go that the most magical place on Earth- Disney World!!! I decided it would be an amazing trip to share with my Mom and Grandmother.

We all flew out last Thursday to begin the fun. Georgia is in love with all things Princess so you can imagine the fun she had! I can't descirbed the look on her face when we entered the Magic Kingdom for the 1st time and she walked down Main Street USA and saw the Castle. Pure amazement! It wasn't crowded and most rides we were able to walk right on and enjoy. She did so well on this trip I am very proud of her!

We flew in early Thursday with the intent of going to the park that afternoon. The night before with all the excitement Georgia decided to stay awake until midnight which did not bode well for our 5am wake up call to make it to the airport. We arrived at the hotel via Disney's Magical Express and my mom took Georgia swimming. We had dinner reservations that night at the Grand Floridian with Cinderella but poor Georgia was so exhausted she and I stayed in the hotel while my mom and grandmother went to Epcot for the evening. I have to say I was happy to do this as I too was exhausted!

Friday we were up and at it! Breakfast was at the Grand Floridian where we met Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and The Mad Hatter. This was Georgia's first experiance with the characters and just as I guessed she loved the people dressed as people (Alice, Mary Poppins) but was pretty terrified of the people dressed as Characters (Pooh, Tigger, etc.)Friday was also my Mom's 50th Birthday. After breakfast- the food was delicious by the way, they brought over the 1st of a never ending stream of birthday cupcakes we would be enjoying over the rest of the weekend to celebrate her birthday. We were then off to spend the day at The Magic Kingdom. When we walked into the park it just happend to be the same time the "Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it" Block party was starting. The parade passed us by then invited us to follow behind until we reached the area right in front of the castle. Then we all danced and grooved to the music with the characters. What a way to enter the park! Georgia was loving it! We spent the rest of the day riding rides and meeting characters. We lucked into meeting the princesses- Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Belle all at once. Georgia was a little unsure about it at first but by the time she met Belle she was totally into it. She talked to Belle for a LONG time- it was precious!

After the princess meetings it was about time for the second parade of the day so we ran over and got great seats. What an amazing parade. All the characters were in it. Georgia blew kissed to Prince Charming and when she saw Ariel she shouted "Ariel!! It's me, Georgia!"

That night we went to Epcot- they were open late if you were staying at a Disney Resort. We rode Finding Nemo (awesome ride) and had Turtle Talk time with Crush. Georgia then got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Pluto & Goofy for the 1st time. We ate dinner at Epcot then went to see the fireworks. Georgia wasn't into it- so we left and went on a few more rides and then back to the hotel.

Saturday was at Animal Kingdom. In the morning we had breakfast with Donald & Daisy Duck, Mickey, Minnie & Goofy. The food was soooo good at the Tusker House, but Georgia was still a little scared of the characters I walked her around a lot while they were there. We then went on the safari and saw lots of animals. The Lion King Show was amazing and Georgia loved it. Afterward Chip and Dale were outside who ended up being the only characters in full costume that Georgia really loved. We rode a few rides then Georgia and I went back to the hotel to rest! It was sooo hot! Afer we relaxed for awhile we went back to the Magic Kingdom and met back up with my mom and grandmother for dinner and walked around.It was really crowded on this evening since they were having the "Night of Joy" concert so we left after a short time and went back to the hotel.

Sunday we went to Hollywood Studios. This was probably my favorite day. They had a Playhouse Disney puppet show that Georgia loved- Little Einstiens, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Tigger and Pooh were all there and it was a lot of fun. After that we ate lunch at the Sci Fi Drive in. We all enjoyed it, but I think my grandmother loved it the most! We then split up and my mom took Georgia to ride Toy Story while Memaw and I went on the Hollywood Tower of Terror and then the Rock and Rollercoaster. So much fun! The parade was next. We had a front row spot. When they came by they stopped right in front of us for the show and pulled Georgia out to dance with them. She got into the groove pretty quickly and it was maybe the most adorable thing I've ever seen!

It was off to the Magic Kingdom again! My mom and I wanted to ride Space Mountain so Memaw took Georgia to ride Snow White- which they ended up riding 7 times in a row! We came back and whild I took Georgia on it again my grandmother started talking to a "cast member" at Disney who told her she could give us a "Magical Experiance" since it was our last night there and take us to the front of the line for the Peter Pan ride. Such an neat experiance! We walked right up to the front and the whisked us on and off just in time for us to make it to dinner at Cinderella's castle. By this time Georgia had begun to introduce herself as "Cinderella" when someone asked her name. On our way to the castle I said "We're going to eat at Cinderella's Castle" to which Georgia promptly replied, "No! We are going to eat at MY castle!"

We walked into the Castle and Georgia was greeted by Cinderella herself for a photo shoot. They talked for a long time- all of the princesses really seemed to spend a lot of time with Georgia and really engage her in a conversation. The food was delicious! Ariel is one of Georgia's favorites and she was so excited when she came over to visit. Snow White was last and when she walked up Georgia ran to her and buried her head in her chest and just held on around her neck forever. It was precious!

All in all it was an amazing trip! I am so glad I was able to experiance it with my mom, grandma and especially Georgia!

I will try to find some time to post the pictures and video later on!

Performing Arts at the Bedre's

These videos crack me up- the one of her singing to herself in the bathroom mirror is eerily similar to a video of me around age 4 doing almost the same thing. The next video you have to watch the clip from Beauty and the Beast to truly get it. I swear she comes up with this stuff all on her own!

Georgia singing in the mirror:


Beauty and the Beast Clip:


Georgia singing Beauty and the Beast:

Moments

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what I want in life. What does anyone want in life?

I know I want to be happy- regardless of what people think of me.

I want to stop putting so much stock into what people think of me. I am who I am- if you don't like me or what I stand for then who cares? You probably don't know me well enough or have taken the time to get to know me any way!

I want to be an awesome role model for my daughter. Someone who she will always look up to.

I want to take control of my life.

I want to go to church every Sunday- not just show up once or twice a month.

I want to remember every moment I have with her. Her life is almost like a tape recorder in my mind playing over and over again. I remember those first few moments I had with her completely alone at 4:30am in the hospital. I had a c-section late the night before and they took her to the nursery before I was able to hold her. Doug had to leave after that and I tried my best to stay awake past the 4 hour mark they required to watch her. I passed out about 3 am but I clearly remember snapping back to life around 4:15am and immediately calling down to the nursery to have my baby brought to me. I remember it seemed to take FOREVER for them to bring her to me and I even called back a second time asking where my daughter was! They wheeled her incubator in and left. At first I just stared at her. She looked as though she were in awe- her eyes were wide open. Of course I snapped a few pics with my camera phone- every time I look at that picture of her it reminds me. I couldn't move much just having had surgery 4 hours earlier but I maneuvered my way around and picked her up to hold her. It was dark in the room and she was quiet. I was quiet. It was just she and I. I held her to my chest and laid there with her until our visitors started arriving shortly after. To me those moments are like pieces of heaven here on earth.

If Georgia is my only child I am at peace with the fact that I have truly taken advantage of being her mother. I have loved (well, come on the nights last month when she was up til 12:30pm multiple nights in a row I didn't really love...) let's say "treasured". I have truly treasured every moment. I know at the end of this journey we call life I'm never going to look back and be irritated she gave me trouble going to bed a night occasionally. Even now while it's still fresh I am glad I had the chance to rock her to sleep, comfort her and kiss her goodnight.

Maybe that is a gift God has given me as a mother- no matter how hard it is in the moment, how crazy, stressed out and tired I am I still try to realize she won't be little for long. Every day I have with her is a day I will never get back.

Tonight Georgia was singing in the bathroom. I ran and grabbed the video camera and caught some great action of her belting out some tunes. It's hilarious- I can't find my camera cord but I am going to look for it tomorrow and hopefully get it uploaded! Let's just say she may be watching a few too many Disney movies.... =)

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These little moments...

Spring has Sprung!

I cannot believe it is practically the middle of April all ready!!! This year has truly flown by. We have been so busy the past couple of months it seems like March did not even make an appearance this year!

For our BIG news that many of you all ready know....we bought a house! Yes! FINALLY!!!!!! We are so excited and will be moving at the end of this (April) month. I cannot wait. I have been busy picking out furniture and dreaming of design ideas in my sleep. I am dying to get in there and decorate!

We are sad we are leaving the "inner loop" of Houston, but really feel like it's the best move for Georgia. The schools are great and there is an awesome community pool that really rivals Moody Garden's palm beach. You can bet we will be out there practically every day this summer.

I can't remember the last I updated but I know it has been awhile so here goes:

The end of February Doug and I went to a close friend's (Erica and Vadim) wedding in Cleveland. It was gorgeous and snowing everywhere! Georgia stayed here in Houston with family and had a great time.

We went to the rodeo several times this year. Georgia was really into it for the first time. She loved the petting zoo and even rode the live pony-go-round all by herself. I could not believe she did it! The entire time I was waiting for her to start screaming and crying for me to come and get her off the horse, but she stayed on for the whole ride. May have helped that her big cousin Michael was there riding the pony in front of her!

Also in March I turned the big 2-5 and we celebrated my birthday many times! =) Georgia is now a pro at singing "Happy Birthday" although I can't say I didn't practice with her and her play birthday cake... Doug had a little dinner party for me at my favorite restaurant- RDG and we celebrated with some of our best friends. (You have to try the champagne and strawberry drink- I can't ever remember the name but it's AMAZING) He also followed the list of bday gifting like a pro! ;)

She is really growing up- I look at her sometimes and can't believe she is only 2 years old. I know she is turning 3 soon, but I try so hard to not say "she's almost 3" when people ask me. I want her to stay little forever! She can really carry on a conversation with you and understand things when you explain them to her. She is also becoming very self-sufficient. She loves to do things by herself from buckling her car seat to getting dressed.

Oh yes, getting dressed....the clothes battle has officially begun. Pretty much every morning I pull out her outfit to wear and she says "I no like it". For now at least Mom's way trumps 2 year old's way....most of the time.I normally try to have 2 outfits and try to let her pick which one she wants- but even then "I no like it" to both options. I have become very creative in my child dressing abilities.

She loves to play with her cousins Noah and Eli. I am so glad my sister and I have kids the same age. It's a lot of fun when we all get together.

Lately Georgia has picked up quite the southern drawl. We started noticing it a couple of weeks ago and are kinda baffled as to where it came from. Yes, we know we live in Texas, but when we travel most people have always told me I don't have an accent. I really don't think any of my family does either, but my darling 2 year old sounds like she showed up straight from the hills of Tennessee (Or Georgia...). I will have to try to record her talking and put it up here. It's pretty comical!

Georgia is also in love with Princesses and Castles. Every time we see a church or drive through Downtown Houston she cries out "LOOK! A CASTLE MOMMY!!!" Every book that she opens up to read starts out like this, "Once upon a time there was a BIG, BIG castle, the end!" She's a girl after my own heart.

She loves the Fancy Nancy books. She will pick one up and say "Let's read my favorite book". If you haven't read these books it's about a little girl named Nancy who is obsessed with being fancy and using things around her house to obtain this goal. Nancy's favorite thing is fuchsia glitter. When I picked up Georgia from MDO today she had her art project from last week which was an egg the kids had glued glitter on- Georgia chose fuchsia. I was so proud.
-P.S. according to Georgia it isn't glitter, but "sprinkles".

Easter was this last weekend and we celebrated with almost all parts of our family! We spent time with Doug's Dad and sisters, my mom, my grandmother and my dad. What a busy but fun weekend. I will try to post pictures up here later today or tonight!

Layla Grace

If you didn't hear about this little girl I encourage you to take the time to visit her parent's website and read about her story.

www.laylagrace.org

If you don't have time to go by their blog (or can't get on as they have had so much traffic lately ) Layla was a beautiful 2 1/2 year old girl who passed away this morning (3/9/10) She was diagnosed with neuroblastoma- her parents have a lot of info about it on their site but basically it is a type of cancer that causes tumors to grow in your body. She went through different types of treatment and a couple of weeks ago found out they weren't working. They took their little girl home to pass away. It just breaks my heart.

I can't read about her without crying. It makes my body ache to think about this family loosing their precious daughter. I can't imagine the strength these parents must have to make it through this. I don't think I could ever have the courage or grace to go through something so unfathomable. Their faith in God throughout all of this is such a wonderful testament to so many people.

I'm glad Layla is out of pain- she touched a lot of people during her short time here.