Easter This Year

One of the prompts from Mama Kat for this week was asking to recap Easter. So recap it I shall, even though it was the most uneventful, least holiday feeling, day that my family and I have had for a while.

You see, a few days before Easter, my Grandfather passed away a few days earlier. The weekend prior to Easter, my mom flew clear across the country to try and see him for the last time. There was a massive mess in her even reaching Pensacola, Florida from Seattle, Washington in that she missed her connecting flight, had to then fly to a different state, her luggage was lost, and then my aunt's (who picked her up) car battery died at the airport. She did make it to see him, though, and made it just in time as he passed the next day before she was able to make a return visit.His memorial (very rushed as it was) was a mere 4 days before Easter. Though I have not seen, or talked, to him in years it was a hard hit. In all of that, plus saving for our trip and dealing with some other harsh realities that life threw at us, Easter was definitely an after thought this year.

Both of my Grandparents

Normally, either my mom or myself gets the kids Easter outfits and treats. This year, between the trip, my mom's incredibly expensive flight, and grief, the kids wore normal clothes, and had no treats from us, which is okay as we do not celebrate the Easter Bunny in our house (not judging those who do, I just don't feel it's the reason to celebrate that day). Thankfully, though, the kids had a "feast" in Sunday school, along with treats and a bracelet, and their Great Grandmother  put effort in and got them some chocolate bunnies.

Bracelet from Sunday School

Treat from Great Grandma

Excited for his bunny

Before anyone thinks our Easter was miserable, it wasn't. We still laughed, were together as a family, and went out to eat. We still went to church, acknowledged the day for what it was, and lived life. It just wasn't normal in the anticipation and preparation. And that's okay. Part of life is dealing with death, and accepting that it will come to all of us some day. It doesn't matter that we are scared of it, or do our best to push it off, it is coming, and those left behind will keep on living.

Last weekend, after feeling more emotionally grounded, my mom cooked a belated Easter "feast" so the kids felt like something more was done. We all gathered around the table, enjoyed delicious food, and listened to my mom talk about her memories of my Grandfather.

Belated Happy Easter to you all.

And the Count is....

15 days, 10 hours, 25 minutes, and 13 some odd seconds until D-Day (but who's really counting, anyways?)! By "D-Day" I mean Disneyland, as in THE Happiest Place on Earth. Well, really, the second Happiest Place on Earth because my heart really belongs in Orlando, but at any rate, it's going to be awesome!

Think I'm a little excited???

For those of you who don't know, this will be our first family trip, and it is long overdue. I have been planning, and planning, this trip since last September. The fact that I have survived the anticipation into the double digit days is a miracle. Oddly, the closer we have gotten to our trip, the more I have wanted to let go of the reigns and let our trip have more of a relaxed, laid back, spontaneous feeling. After all, we won't get to do everything we want in this one trip, and will have to go back one day, so why plan every second out instead of simply enjoying the environment and experience?

As I have wrestled with those feelings, I had to stick to my guns when making ADR's (Advanced Dining Reservations for you non-Disney folk). Though I would love to simply choose a place that looks interesting (and, despite what most say, I know it can be done from my own previous trips, and time of employment as well), but when dealing with a food allergy/sensitivity, it changes everything. While planning, I found out that Disney goes above and beyond to ensure safety for all of its guests when it comes to food.

When I first booked this trip, being at odds with food was no where near my radar. Since then, I have found that I cannot eat much of anything processed without my body reacting harshly - in a manner I will not even think of coping with it in order to have any of the Mickey shaped, delectable treats. As this slowly began to sink in I had a few thoughts bounce around my head: 1. Maybe I could go the entire trip eating things I had shipped to our hotel (for those of you wondering, yes, hotels will gladly accept a shipped package with non perishable items so long as it is received no more than a few days prior to arrival). Things like nuts and special crackers. As long as I'm at Disneyland, I reasoned, nearly starving will be okay. 2. Maybe, just maybe, Disney can accommodate me.

Thankfully, I found out #2 was true. As I got closer to the day to make our ADR's, friends began sending me different links to vlogs where people on Paleo diets successfully ate at the parks, which gave me some hope. Then, I found that Disney has this incredible option to choose from for different food sensitivities/allergies in order to alert their chefs prior to ordering. Unfortunately, this option is mainly available for some of the higher priced dining, and we (like most people) are on a budget.

While wrestling with whether or not I should eat well on the trip, or save money, some brilliance struck. Why not have a combination of both? Because of our hotel, our breakfasts are free and contain things that I can have, which knocks out the cost of one meal a day for four people.  Next up, lunch. I have decided that lunch will be simple, no reservations needed. I will let the family choose, on a whim, where they want to eat, and I am bringing my stock of "goodies" that I am able to fill up on while not going into anaphylaxis shock.

A few of the clean eating items tagging along with us.

While not as delicious as the burgers and what not that they'll have, I will be able to stick with my completely clean eating in a magical environment. Lastly, we have ADR's for dinner, and I will be able to satisfy my cravings with the assistance of the Disney chefs - I cannot wait to see what they come up with in substitutions to still give me an incredible experience!

Stay tuned to see even more about our trip planning, and the results of all of the fun things we will do!!! Magical times await!

Spring Bucket List

1. Spring cleaning. We have already started this one, but still have a lllloooonnnngggg way to go! Nice, clean, and spring fresh in my home please!

2. Take our first family vacation. A mere 24 days from now we will be landing in Sunny California, and headed to one of the most magical places on earth!

3. Finish my last class for my bachelors degree.

4. Register for my last state exam for my bachelors degree.

5. Cultivate my little garden area, and grow some of my own herbs.

6. Lose 15 pounds. I've already lost a little over 30 in less than a year. 15 more should be a cake walk!

7. Kick some booty in court (long story, I'll share it some time).

8. Create some lasting memories during my last few months at this job. Going to be sad to say goodbye.

9. Involve my kids in making our yard pretty. They are creative and like working with their hands, it'll be a fun family project.

10. Get my kids more active, spending less time on electronics. Ideally, this is an all year list, but living in the PNW springtime is one of the first times the kids can be outside without a downpour. Outside they must go!