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Day 2 started out great we had breakfast at the hotel and decided to leave a little earlier than the day before to make sure we got to ride The Hulk!

We walked into the park and saw Hulk only had a 15 minute wait, so we headed straight there. Lar wasn’t y’all enough and Bree was worried about her neck 😉 so she didn’t go. I happily stayed with them, I probably would have ridden if the kiddos hadn’t needed me! 😜

I introduced them to my favorite part about universal, Starbucks!

Right there next to Hulk was Storm Force, Bree and Larsen really wanted to ride so we did it!

Off to our next stop, Forbidden journey!! So we walked around the park bypassing toon town, King Kong, and Jurassic Park! Our goal was to hit those later. Today was well thought out!

Alan got a few pics before their 3D journey began…little did they know this ride was super exciting it flipped them over, on their backs, back, forward! The kids loved it and it was indoors with air conditioning!

I sat outside and roasted! Thankfully I found a small spot of shade! While I sat I watched a small roller coaster next to us and thought when they get off I’m doing that one!! And I did!! In the front row!!! I was excited to ride something with them!

We almost took up the whole train! Ry was brave and rode all by herself!

We were hot, hungry and tired so I decided a pick me up was needed! A cupcake!!! We ALL shared one!

It was so good and exactly what we needed to continue on! We headed through Poseidon’s kingdom to Cat in the hat world!

Larsen wanted to hear them read the book so they walked on that ride and then over to One Fish Two fish!

Only three wanted to ride it so they did!

By this time it was already in the 90’s with high humidity! So a water ride was in order!

Bluto’s Bilge Ray ride!

You will get soaked they said…they did not lie! Thankfully we were able to store our shoes and socks in a dry place and enjoy the roller coaster type ride it was awesome! Never done a river ride so exciting!

And just like they promised, we were soaked! 💦

After this ride we were starving, soaked and hungry so we decided to head to City Walk for lunch then home for a little R&R.

The kids enjoyed some down time at the hotel and then we cooked dinner before we headed back for round two!

Unfortunately as we were waking into the park it started to sprinkle…it wasn’t long before it was pouring and booming! Thunder and lightning and a torrential downpour!

We ran into the first store which thankfully was huge and started shopping around. We looked and shopped for almost an hour and it was still raining. On the map we could see two of the rides we wanted to ride were indoor and continuing to run during the storm so we decided maybe we should just suck it up, and get wet as we headed toward the ride.

Jason has to rest his leg while shopping, he actually saw the building we were in get struck by lightning while he sat!

And that’s just what they did! I however again hung at Starbucks covered from the rain watching everyone run trying not to slip or get wet…which was impossible!

Spider-Man! Larsen was very excited to have made it to this ride. Jason however couldn’t keep up and his poor leg was swollen and not doing well so he came back and hung out at Starbucks until we were ready to leave the park.

I managed to find a poncho Alan had thrown in my bag and headed to meet them after they finished Spider-Man but while I was walking the lightning over hulk was awesome! I was so glad to get a pic! They were all already wet so they wanted to head back to forbidden journey. It was also running in the rain…because it was on the other side of the park. By the time we got there it was a 5 minute wait and the rain had stopped!

They liked it so much they went again! And when they came out the castle was lit up and we got to see fireworks!

We had 4 minutes before the park closed so we quickly headed to King Kong our last ride on the list!

We made it!!

Such a great day! It was time to head back and find Jason at Starbucks and head home.

But first! Chocolate emporium!

we got chocolate covered bacon and Oreos and a chocolate truffle red velvet shot!

We made it back to Jason, two full days at Universal complete!

The beach is calling our name, we are headed further south for three days of sun, sand, and water! ☀️🏖😁

Today started our first day of family vacation! We have had a very busy summer, Alan has been super busy at work and I’ve had friends visiting almost all summer so it was nice to be able to go on vacation together!!

We left late Friday afternoon and headed to Florida! We arrived around midnight and went straight to bed!

In the morning we headed off to Universal Studios!

We met our friends the Moser’s in Orlando and are spending our vacation with them!

☀️Universal Studios Florida🎥

Our first stop was the Minion ride! I do not like motion rides…I don’t really like rides period so I headed to my favorite attraction, Starbucks! I ordered my drink and waited for them to finish!

Next stop the mummy ride! This is the 2nd most intense ride at the park! There was no wait, and everyone walked on so quickly that they have no pictures!

I however did get a pic with a mummy!

Next it’s off to the Gringotts ride! The kids loved the cool 3D goggles they got to wear!

I met them at the exit so it looked like I rode too!

Next we had lunch with some of the messiest burgers ever!!

Next, it was time for my first ride! The twirl and hurl!!! I conquered it with a little help from Larsen!

Then we were off to do some shopping and goofing around!

We then raced to Fast and Furious! 🏎 Star and I didn’t want to ride so we met Vin Diesel!!! 😱😍

We raced to Men in Black afterward, it had just reopened and it was time to shoot some aliens! The kids were super excited for this ride. This is my family in the elevator to ride the ride…mommy did not go! All ready with their blasters!

Next up a ride for Mommy! Woody woodpeckers coaster!!! (A kid coaster 😜) Just my type of ride!

We were all ready for a break so we headed for a show!

Our last stop of the day was the transformers ride! Larsen was done for the day so he hung out with Aunt Sam…we had cake pops on the pier! It was the perfect end to the day!

We were wore out! What a great day!!

Dinner was at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 🦐 it was amazingly delicious! Everyone was starving! Then it was home for showers and bed, another day tomorrow!!

Oh, I almost forgot we got famous donuts for dessert! 🍩

Our last day in Texas was fun, fun, fun. We started by hanging out at Staci’s. We played with Christmas toys, goofed around, and just had some fun!!

Then Grammy and pappy took everyone bowling! This is one of our favorite activities!

Then after a quick trip to Central Market we headed over to Papa Bills for some nerf war fun!

The kids have so much fun playing Nerf wars!

We hit the road late that night and started the journey home. 🚙

We were able to see John on our way home and spend some time together as a family. There is never a dull moment when Johnnie is around!

Home is now only 4 hours away, only a lot of cars, a lot of Rain and a lot of hours stand between me and my home sweet home!

Christmas was amazing! 🎄

Day 2 at Great Wolf started with a character breakfast!!

Then it was off to the ropes course! It was windy and cold, but it was still open and the kids were ready! Three stories of rope obstacles and zip lines!

But first some yoga and snow!!

Then ropes!

Bree was pretty timid to begin with so she stayed o t he first level, but then she got brave and eventually made it to the third! They had so much fun! My family even did a triple zip line for me!

Next up family pics by the huge fire place! We had so much fun!

Off to the water park one more time!

We had an amazing exhausting time!

It’s not over yet! We had to run over to the Gaylord to see all the Christmas decor before we headed home.

Such a great Christmas getaway!

🎄

Our first stop Christmas morning was Staci and Jack’s!!

Alan read the Christmas story and then chaos commenced!! There were presents and wrapping paper everywhere but the kids were happy and my family was together!

Next came stockings and toys and pictures and fun! We had a blast and the fun hadn’t even begun yet! It was off to Great Wolf Lodge 🐺 for Christmas Day!

Our first stop was the water park! The kids did the wave pool, lazy river, tube slides, family ride, all of it!!! Then we went to check out our cool rooms and get ready for dinner.

After dinner we had story time and Jammie jamming dance party time!

Needless to say my nephew and I rocked the dance party!

We were able to go outside and see all the beautiful decorations for Christmas.

And then there was snow and an ice cream date with my hubby!

Christmas 🎄 was a success! Spending time with family was so great!

Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps…means a little bit more. – The Grinch

It’s vacation time!! 🚙 This time it’s Christmas with our family in Texas!

We went to church Sunday morning, and then headed out. My family, and my parents are headed to Texas to spend the holiday with Staci, Jack and her dad!

We dropped Butter off for his vacation at the vet and hen hit the road!

Atlanta was beautiful!

Then next morning we were up early, we hit the gym and then the road.

We stopped at Bucees for food and fun! One of our new favorite things to do in Texas! 🇨🇱

With it being Christmas Eve we had to have a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, In N Out! 🍔

Then we headed to Texas Motor Speedway for their light show. It was a lot of fun, we saw the lights all over the stands then drove into the infield to see Santa!!

It was off to the hotel then for “The night before Christmas” and new Christmas PJ’s!

The next morning was Christmas!!!

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Summer vacation is coming to an end, in fact it already did end. We started school and then three weeks later we took our summer vacation! 🤣

We headed to Texas again, but this time south Texas to San Antonio to visit the Papps!

We traveled late one night, and into the next day. Since school had already started the girls worked in the car, the beauty of homeschooling! We can travel and never miss a day!

Our first stop was New Orleans, we met up with some old friends. If not for these two, Alan and I would have never met. Jay and Joelle introduced us many many years ago!

We also couldn’t be in New Orleans and not visit Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee!

Then it was off to San Antonio! One more night on the road and we made it!

Of course our first dinner had to be in n out! Poolside! 🍔💦

We had such a great week planned, but with summer officially over Daddy had us on a budget! No extra spending, so we didn’t!! We played at the pool, every day!!

It was such a fun week! Alan and Michelle also surprised me with a mom’s night out! Michelle and I got to spend two days out just us! We stayed at a beautiful hotel, went to the spa, the pool and out to eat without kiddos! It was also a celebration for Michelle’s birthday! 🎂

Our last day Michelle had free passes to six flags!

The girls were so excited!!! I am a big chicken so I just went along for the ride! Thankfully Michelle loves all the rides so she took the kids! I did ride one though…it was terrifying!

The roadrunner

Up next was Goliath and the Sky screamer…20 stories in the air on swings! 😱

Superman and Wonder Woman

We had such a blast we were sad to leave!

But no trip to Texas is complete without a stop to see Jack!!!

We met at IHOP and then had a great day!

We spent one day with them, we played, took a hike, went to Yogurt Story, and Taco Casa all our favorites!

We love Texas and everyone we love who lives there. Such a fun visit!

Daddy had a little fun too…he loves golfing!

There are friends, there are family, and then there are friends who become family. 🇨🇱

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged and today I had to catch up.

Unfortunately, my catch up posts start with a trip I never wanted to have to take.

My best friend’s mother sadly passed away from the ugly disease of cancer. A word I just hate, it made my world collapse almost 20 years ago, and this year it collapsed hers.

I wish I was really good at words and could pay an amazing tribute to Mary, but I’m not, so instead it’s words from my heart all mashed together.

I met Mary so many years ago, maybe 17 years. She was so full of life, so fun, so thoughtful. My earliest memory of her was a thanksgiving one year. My brother and I didn’t have anywhere to go from college so she invited us. I remember eating and playing games with their family. She was so sweet to involve me.

My most recent memory was in March, we went for a visit to see her and help Staci if we could. We knew Mary’s time on earth was limited and I really wanted to see her, hear her voice and hold her hand because she had touched my world in a way no one ever had. When we arrived, she hugged me with her frail arms and said “I knew you would come for Staci.”

A few years ago my brothers marriage to Staci ended. It wasn’t a good end, in fact it was a tough one. I knew I wanted my relationship with Staci and Jack to endure this entire life of mine and it was at that point even though Staci stopped being my sister in law she became my best friend. I didn’t know how Staci’s family would be, but I’m not really sure why I ever questioned it.

They had loved and accepted my family as their own and our first visit after the divorce was no different. I remember hugging Mary and apologizing and she said to me “Babe you have nothing to apologize for, we love you and we always will.” Her love was a true love, unselfish, so Christ-like, so amazing. She was like a second mother to me. She taught me to make kombucha, I still have her scoby, a piece of her I can’t let go. She gave me my first taste of kale, she wouldn’t tolerate my nonsense of I don’t eat kale, she made me do it. She made me bread pudding that I just knew I wouldn’t like and now only a few months after she has left us I find myself wanting it…fresh and a little warm straight from her oven. I have so many memories of her, too many to even name but she loved me, my husband, my children and it was a highlight for all of us to visit “Jack’s Nana”

In July we made our final visit to Mary. We attended her visitation, her funeral, her gravesite. We laughed, we cried, we remembered all we could. And my family did what we do best, we worked together, we helped each other and we comforted each other. Whether we were putting up storm doors, getting hair cuts, unpacking pictures, picking out funeral outfits, we did it together for a women we loved so so much.

Her visitation was beautiful, seeing the many people who loved her, come to see her family was such a testimony to her life. One couple was a neighbor when they lived in Louisiana so many years ago who traveled the many miles to be there. That was a testimony of Mary’s reach upon so many people. At the visitation, Staci’s dad and brother also included me in many introductions and introduced me to so many people that I felt like family.

The following day was her service, it was a vary hard day for all of us. Alan had the privilege to play her funeral and even though it seems odd, it was his honor. He made sure to do his best, he practiced, he wanted it all to be perfect, because like me, Mary also meant the world to him.

Her gravesite was at a military cemetery, it was a short, beautiful ceremony. Her earthly body is laid here, but she is not there, she is with Christ in the glorious beauty of Heaven. Cancer no longer grips her body, no longer pains her, no longer has any control. My heart breaks even today as I write this thinking she isn’t merely 4 states away and at any moment I can hop in the car to go visit. I know however because of the promises in God’s Word that one day I will see her again. Until then, I will do my best to always be there for Staci, to always be there for Jack.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11

What a great vacation! We squeezed Teen Camp into a family vacation and also got a little family reunion!

Saturday dawned bright and early and we headed to Gulf Shores, Al. We were meeting my brother and his wife! We all haven’t been together in many years.

It was a great visit. We spent the day at the beach, then had dinner together then headed back to our hotel.

We got home late and were up early the next morning for church. We headed to the campus church, it was neat to be in the service.

Next stop, Petland! The kids had seen a billboard all week saying we could come in and play with puppies so off we went!

A mini dachshund…my heart wanted this baby so bad!!!

Lots more puppies we played with, then off to hamsters and finding Jack the tortoise!

We swam some more waiting for Staci to arrive to pick up Jack, then we had dinner together and then it was time for goodbyes.

The kids have had such a blast this week with Jack. It was so hard to see him go. We were so thankful for the great time with him!

Family is forever!

I woke this morning at 5:45 to get everyone else to the bus and on their way by 6:30. Ry stayed asleep and then we both hung out on campus for a bit before heading back to Alan and Bree at the hotel!

Bye Griffith Tower!!! We headed to the coffee shop and the commons before heading out. I had a Mullenix Mocha!

I have really enjoyed this time with Ry. She is growing up so quickly, I have about 6 years before she heads off to college and I’m gonna cherish every moment…even these crazy pre teen moments!

Next stop Pensacola Beach! I am in need of some sun and sand! When we got there it was very crowded! People everywhere, it was time for the blue angels dress rehearsal for Saturday’s Air show. It was so neat to stand on the sand and watch these amazing stunts! We played in the sand and water, boogie boarded and caught clams!