... when I think of His blessings, I'm reverent, for reverence is love.
Ok, so I couldn't help but continue with the lyrics of my favorite childrens hymn once I got started with that title. But back to the point, well I guess it kind of ties in, because I consider this feeling I have to be an important blessing right now.
I miss my dad, everyone knows that. But lately I have found great comfort in an incredibly strong spiritual impression that we won't be apart that long. Whether that means that the Second Coming will be soon (wouldn't complain about that) or that life on earth, no matter how long it lasts, really isn't that long in the grand scheme of things, I know I'll see him again and when I do it won't feel like it's been a long time.
I'm so grateful for the little ways the Lord blesses me daily, especially the quiet assurances He so often provides me with.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Oliver's Disneyland Favorites
Overall I would say Oliver loved the Disneyland experience. Since (even though it was Nathan's birthday) this trip was really all about Oliver, I want to remember the things Oliver loved the most. In his words...
The top of the list would have to be:
- "Casey Jr. Train"
- "Ride Horsies" - King Arthur's Carousel
and
- "Hi-Ho" - better known as Snow White's Wishing Well
He also really, really liked:
- "Go down su-ma-ine boat, see Nemo!"
- Mickey's house and Donald's boat and Goofy's house - "Goofy not home"
- "Oliver drive car!"
- Dumbo
- The live performance of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
- "Mono-ail Train"
- Seeing "Lightning Car and Mater" - especially in the parade
and
- The Monsters Inc. ride
It has been more than 3 weeks since we were there and he keeps talking about it. It was so cute to see his reactions to things and figure out what he liked most. It was great to have the 2nd day to repeat a lot of these favorites and add to them. It was a great trip, and I know he won't remember it when he's older, so hopefully I'll remember it well enough to tell him all about it.
The top of the list would have to be:
- "Casey Jr. Train"
- "Ride Horsies" - King Arthur's Carousel
and
- "Hi-Ho" - better known as Snow White's Wishing Well
He also really, really liked:
- "Go down su-ma-ine boat, see Nemo!"
- Mickey's house and Donald's boat and Goofy's house - "Goofy not home"
- "Oliver drive car!"
- Dumbo
- The live performance of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
- "Mono-ail Train"
- Seeing "Lightning Car and Mater" - especially in the parade
and
- The Monsters Inc. ride
It has been more than 3 weeks since we were there and he keeps talking about it. It was so cute to see his reactions to things and figure out what he liked most. It was great to have the 2nd day to repeat a lot of these favorites and add to them. It was a great trip, and I know he won't remember it when he's older, so hopefully I'll remember it well enough to tell him all about it.
Disneyland Day 2 - December 8th
The second day of Disneyland was unexpected. When we left the night before we figured that was it. But when my mom caught wind that we were only doing 1 day and that it had been rainy and cold that whole day, well, that just wasn't OK with her. She offered to pay for a second day - I said maybe. She called back a few minutes later and said she would feel bad if we didn't go and talked me into it. I'm so glad she did! And thanks so much mom!
We didn't decide to go until a while after we woke up. So instead of trying to make it before the park opened we just rushed to make the next shuttle from the hotel - we barely did. We got to the park around 10 I think. As we were walking down Main Street we noticed a crowd forming near the castle and Nate heard something about the Disneyland band. We decided to stop and watch - good decision - Mickey and a bunch of other characters joined the band. It was a super fun way to start out day 2.
Our second day was a lot more laid back. We had done almost every ride we wanted to the day before, so there was no pressure to make it to anything. There were a lot more people, and lines were longer, but it didn't really matter because we weren't in a hurry. We kind of let Oliver decide what we did, with a little of our influence, mostly just repeating his favorites. We got to see both the Christmas Parade at Disneyland and the Pixar Play Parade at California Adventure (I took way too many pictures and will spare you - but they were both way cute and fun). We made it to a couple other things that we missed the day before as well. We did the Bug's Life stuff during the day this time, so we could see everything better and I think Oliver liked it more that way. And we saw more of the Disneyland castle at night, which with its wintry icicles was so beautiful and fun!
We didn't decide to go until a while after we woke up. So instead of trying to make it before the park opened we just rushed to make the next shuttle from the hotel - we barely did. We got to the park around 10 I think. As we were walking down Main Street we noticed a crowd forming near the castle and Nate heard something about the Disneyland band. We decided to stop and watch - good decision - Mickey and a bunch of other characters joined the band. It was a super fun way to start out day 2.
Our second day was a lot more laid back. We had done almost every ride we wanted to the day before, so there was no pressure to make it to anything. There were a lot more people, and lines were longer, but it didn't really matter because we weren't in a hurry. We kind of let Oliver decide what we did, with a little of our influence, mostly just repeating his favorites. We got to see both the Christmas Parade at Disneyland and the Pixar Play Parade at California Adventure (I took way too many pictures and will spare you - but they were both way cute and fun). We made it to a couple other things that we missed the day before as well. We did the Bug's Life stuff during the day this time, so we could see everything better and I think Oliver liked it more that way. And we saw more of the Disneyland castle at night, which with its wintry icicles was so beautiful and fun!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Disneyland Day 1 - December 7th
The first day of Disneyland was Nathan's birthday - which is why we even went - because he could get in free, making it enough more affordable that we couldn't resist. It rained all day. We got soaked - as you can see in all of our pictures. It was cold. There were no characters about and no parades. It was magical! It was fun! We only waited in maybe 2 lines for more than 5 minutes - most were either a 3 minute wait or we walked straight on - that part was awesome! A lot of the outdoor play areas were closed... but with no lines that just meant more rides!
The first ride we went on was Peter Pan and Oliver was unsure about the bar being pulled down across his lap - he was unhappy the whole ride - luckily he got used to the idea on only the 2nd or 3rd ride that was like that. He liked Dumbo, but didn't like the wind and rain in his face. The first thing he truly loved was the carousel (he didn't like the sea animal one in California Adventure though - funny) - we were able to stay on for a second ride because there were only a couple people in line - Oliver was happy about that (oh and he rode it again later in the day). We hit all of the rides we had planned on, and did some things we hadn't planned on like visiting Mickey and Minnie at their houses and playing in Toon Town which was way fun.
Everything was decorated for Christmas - which I had never seen before - and it was so fun. It's a Small World was totally Christmas and it was incredible. Speaking of which, Nathan and I both noticed the walls and ceiling on that ride for what we think was the first time - funny how your perception as a kid is so different.
We had a great day. We were sad we missed some things, but knew it wasn't that big of a deal because Oliver didn't know what he'd missed and he had a great day. It was a magical Disney day!
The first ride we went on was Peter Pan and Oliver was unsure about the bar being pulled down across his lap - he was unhappy the whole ride - luckily he got used to the idea on only the 2nd or 3rd ride that was like that. He liked Dumbo, but didn't like the wind and rain in his face. The first thing he truly loved was the carousel (he didn't like the sea animal one in California Adventure though - funny) - we were able to stay on for a second ride because there were only a couple people in line - Oliver was happy about that (oh and he rode it again later in the day). We hit all of the rides we had planned on, and did some things we hadn't planned on like visiting Mickey and Minnie at their houses and playing in Toon Town which was way fun.
Everything was decorated for Christmas - which I had never seen before - and it was so fun. It's a Small World was totally Christmas and it was incredible. Speaking of which, Nathan and I both noticed the walls and ceiling on that ride for what we think was the first time - funny how your perception as a kid is so different.
We had a great day. We were sad we missed some things, but knew it wasn't that big of a deal because Oliver didn't know what he'd missed and he had a great day. It was a magical Disney day!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Happy Birthday Nathan
This year Nathan got to celebrate his birthday at Mickey's house!
Yep, that's right, I'm finally posting about Disneyland!
A total loss of where to begin is the main thing that has delayed my Disneyland posts. I've finally decided to start with the family photos - the one's with all 3 of us in them. Enjoy!
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