The Magical Memory That Will Last

Last weekend we were blessed in a HUGE way.  I must back up though for the blessing of it all to be really understood.  Jonathan asked about going to Disneyland during a casual conversation one night after dinner. Of the four kids he really is the only one that hasn't been in the last three years.  He doesn't actually remember his last trip, he thinks it was when he was a baby.  He's practically right:  he had just turned four the last time we used our Disneyland passes before they expired.

I immediately started adding up in my head what this trip could cost if all of us were included.  It was a number upwards of 800 dollars.  I told him maybe we could take Janessa and him for his birthday if that was what he really wanted.  That price tag seemed a little more up our alley.  Here's the thing:  we could afford to take a family Disney trip.  But Ernie and I decided that wasn't a good use of that much money.  We could stay overnight for a weekend getaway for the amount it would cost us.  We just couldn't justify the huge expense for one day of fun.  We just couldn't do it.

Fast forward a few days later.  It was late and I was checking my email before I went to bed.  The house was sleeping and I saw an email from a dear friend.  This woman I've known about twenty years.  I was blessed to volunteer beside her in a classroom with her kindergartener and my little brother.  I wqent on to have the pleasure of teaching each of her three children at different points in their lives. . .elementary, junior high and high school.  Her presence has been a constant in my life.  They attended our wedding.  We email periodically to keep in touch and now her oldest is a teacher.  It feels we've come almost full circle.

This woman is the type of mom I always dreamed of being, even when I had to work full time.  She was involved, as most moms are.  But she had a quiet presence that just exuded love and acceptance of her children just as they are.  I've always looked at her as their soft place to land.  She shared resources with me through the years, manipulatives,  and educational toys and a binder of articles she had gathered through her parenting years.  She was my mentor mom before I even knew what one was.  She still is. . .

And recently her role is shifting as her children are young adults and spreading their wings.  I imagine it is much harder than she could ever explain in words because her kids are her heart walking around outside her body.  So, I read her update about her kids and how she had more free time these days in addition to a part time job with children that she loved, so she decided to follow in the footsteps of her three children and applied and accepted a job at Disneyland.  The last lines did me in: With that said,  I know you and your family have been through a lot this past year.  I would like to offer to you and your family six tickets to Disneyland for Saturday, January 30, 2016.  Please let me know if you are interested.

I sat there still and immediately tears poured from my eyes.  I found myself silently sobbing as her offer became real.  Merely a few days before, my son was asking to go here, and suddenly God had put it on this woman's heart to gift us in this incredibly generous way!  It was almost too much for me to wrap my head around.  I just kept thinking, God sees all.  He knows all the prayers on our heart.  I was overjoyed and filled with such gratitude immediately.

Ernie and I decided to keep it a secret from the kids.  It was going to be so fun to surprise them in this way!  And it absolutely was!!!  The morning of we told them how to dress, had our snacks packed and we knew it was going to be a long, full day of fun!  The weather was cold, but not raining--God saved that for the next day!  The kids were shocked that we ended up at Disneyland.  We told them the story of how this came to be and they were dumbfounded and filled with gratitude as well.  It was a beautiful moment.

Our 1st family trip to Disneyland!

With our friend who makes dreams come true!

I'm not going to try to recount all the events of this day.  It was layer upon layer of fun.  It was quality time away from the demands of home and work.  It was absolutely magical.  There was something so beautiful seeing the park through Nessa and Bubba's eyes.  The trip was not taken for granted because we had been there countless times before.  It was a gift that they cherished which was completely evident all day long.  

The ride lines weren't an issue because we were busy plotting our next steps. Of course Janessa and Bubba would be adventurous and conquer  the Matterhorn and Space Mountain with no fear.

I just love daddy/daughter shots.

This guy was given an honorary citizen pin by one of the workers.  Made his day!

Snack coupons were even included!

One of Janessa's best friends (mom is one of mine too) happened to be there on this special day.  So we documented it and rode the Pirates of the Caribbean, twice!

As if things weren't perfect enough, tickets, snacks, and Honorary Citizen pin, lots of rides. . .we decided to watch the Paint the Sky parade.  We were up by the train station and had a decent view, but then a man and his wife moved out of the way and offered my kids the railing!  It was so generous, I teared up.  The parade was beautiful and just added to the magic of our entire day!   

The day was incredibly magical from start to finish.  We stayed pretty much up until they closed.  Janessa walked the entire time making me realize our baby days are indeed. . .over and the kids are at ages that made me not as frantic about the crowds. All in all, it was such a great day!  The way this trip unfolded was a pure gift.  The time we spent together. . . a gift.  The magic the memory will forever hold. . .a gift.  

Terrific Ten

I feel like the double digits scared me as a parent.  Then we met and the pleasure has been all mine.  Really. This year has been one where I'm seeing the fruits of our labors so evident in how Lene acts, what she says, what she does.  She has put on a brave face and sometimes made statements about the growing pains of friendships that are wise beyond her years. . .and yet she still has the fortitude to be nice.  She is respectful. She is growing into who God made her to be and she's fighting against the world in the process.

She isn't ashamed of her love for all things stuffed.  She doesn't understand why some of the other girls think it's sad she doesn't wear a bikini.  She still holds my hand and gives me a kiss in public. Her sense of style is all her own--she pays no attention to what is considered a trend.  Comfy is her only requirement. She clears the table without being asked (mostly) and reaches for her devotional before the tv remote (mostly).  She has spread her wings some but she is still cautious and considerate and really just a good girl.

As Honor Choir performances come to an end, and the last days of elementary school creep in on us, I want to always remember how this girl used her voice, her God-given talent to entertain and inspire.  She even earned a solo in the second to the last show of the year with a verse from "Surfin' USA.".  She wasn't even really nervous about it--she just got up there and sang her heart out and it made my heart happy to hear her beautiful voice.

Friday was their last choir performance.  It happened to be at Disneyland--on a day it was to be open to the public for a full 24 hours.  To say I was not excited is an understatement.  I saw traffic and long lines and the need to make arrangements for the picking up and care of three other littles at home.  I kept trying to convince myself of the fun we would have once there, but truth be told, I was hard to be convinced.

Within the first twenty minutes of our arrival, Lene teared up as the group headed to Indiana Jones.  She couldn't remember what to expect.  She was nervous.  And then Thunder Mountain roller coaster was named, and she lost it.  Tears flowing at the happiest place on earth.  I tried to reassure her she would be fine.  I wanted her to try something at least once. . .blah. . . blah. . . blah.  Still crying.  Then two wonderful teachers spoke calmly and softly and offered to stay behind because she wouldn't have to do anything she didn't want to do.  Um, okay.  Backfire.

We proceeded to Indiana and she did fine--dare I say, even may have enjoyed it. A group of fun, giggling, ten year olds was a pretty fun way to spend the morning.  I loved being a part of it and all was well because no mention of a roller coaster had come up again. . .

The show went off without a hitch.  They were given some really cute shirts to sport around the busy park.  We saw our cousin who was in charge of the sound stage and then. . .we went off to Thunder Mountain.  She was scared.  She was nervous.  She had big, anxious eyes.  She was talking to herself as we entered the car.  "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," she muttered over and over again while the bar latched.  Her friends in three other carts cheered her on and then the ride began.

The scariest parts were the unknowns.  She doesn't like the dips and she never knew when to expect one.  I don't think there was one but the turns and speed coupled with her wild fear gave way to tears.  They poured out of her eyes even as she yelled, "It's actually okay!"  And eventually her death grip loosened and her arms raised and she screamed out in fun, no longer fear. It was fast and slow all at the same time--this sense of bravery and facing fear.

And I'm happy to report she came out on the other side.  Then we headed to a gift shop to buy her another stuffed animal to cuddle and love.  Because I'm going to encourage and try to keep the little in my girl for as long as I can. But I'm also going to be right there to walk the rocky terrain beside her.  Two are better than one.  Together we can.

This day with my ten year old is one I will treasure forever.  The best part was her decision to eventually leave the group to go off and explore and enjoy on our own.  It truly was a joy.  All the people, the long lines, the late night, were all worth it to be truly present with my daughter.  Best day ever!