Our Mini Disney Vacation

Dave and I had a wonderful mini vacation in Disney!

Thursday night we arrived tired and in need of some relaxation. Thankfully our hotel room ( a discounted luxury room we found by chance online) was a mini paradise. We ordered room service and slept very soundly.

Unlike most Disney tourists, we didn't get an early start Friday morning. In fact, we didn't want to get out of bed and almost skipped out on seeing a park. We finally talked ourselves into going and dragged ourselves out of bed.

It was freezing thanks to the cold front that had just come through, so we were actually thankful we didn't arrive till noon at Magic Kingdom. We got our picture with the castle and walked around for a few hours. While we enjoyed seeing the park, it will probably be more exciting someday when we bring children (ahh!) who will appreciate the more age appropriate rides. We were absolutely exhausted after  4 hours and  went back to nap. The highlight of Friday was going to visit my college friend for dinner and catching up at her place. I can't help feeling grown up visiting college friends in the real world haha.

Saturday we met my parents and went to Epcot. We walked around and went on the rides that had short wait times. It was sad that the rides were a lot less exciting than I remember. I don't think we are real "Disney People", and by that I mean that we definitely aren't the die hard fans that go all day, every day for a week and do every single attraction. We walked around, looked at the cool buildings, did some people watching,  and eventually decided we were too tired to continue.  Dave and I ordered room service for the four of us and we watched a movie- barely able to stay awake.

Sunday was my favorite day. After a room service breakfast ( our new favorite thing), we walked around an outdoor mall for a bit. Then we went for the traditional German "coffee and cake" with my father's aunt, Tante Maria and family. Tante (aunt) Maria is my Opa's sister. She looked so similar and reminded me so much of him I got a little teary-eyed missing my deceased Opa. Her daughters and their families joined us. I hadn't seen them all for maybe ten years but it could have been just yesterday! We felt so welcome and loved, and Dave and I were honored by the toast they did for us because they couldn't make the wedding. Family is such a precious thing; I didn't want to leave.

Mom and Dad took us out for dinner and we had a great time catching up. Last time they saw Dave was our wedding, and I know they were happy to see their beloved son-in-law. It's so different being married and going out with my parents as two couples- i love it! We did a mini Christmas celebration before bed.

We said our goodbyes Monday morning and started our long ride home. The Jeep is definitely not the car of choice for road trips. It was so loud I could literally sing to myself and not hear anything. After a day of sitting in silence we were psyched to be home! So long Disney! See you in about 15 years!

12/20/12

MapQuest is my new worst enemy...it said 5 hours to drive to Orlando. Well it took us almost EIGHT!! And Dave was driving fast! The Jeep is fun...but for long car rides it gets old because you cant hear each other or any music over the flapping of the canvas roof and windows. So we pretty much had to sit in silence listening to the wind howl. It was nice to spend the whole day at each other's side.

After what felt like the longest day ever, we are here! I have never seen so much traffic or congestion on the roads!

Getting to our room felt like entering heaven. There's a big Jacuzzi tub...needless to say we are not going back out for food. We are ordering room service, some drinks and getting in that tub!

Outrunning a Tornado!

Since I will be sitting in the car for the rest of the day, I might as well blog about our adventurous morning.

Today is Dave's first official day of leave. We celebrated the start of his break last night with steaks and staying up way too late. This morning we were super lazy and didn't want to leave our cozy bed. I was a little disappointed that we would be getting a late start and likely be driving in the dark on our way to Disney World.

When I checked my phone, I found a text from my cousin asking if we were okay because there was a tornado in our area. We checked the radar and decided it looked serious enough that we should get out quickly. I panicked a little at first because I am terrified of tornadoes, but Dave calmed me down and suddenly our lazy morning turned into a turbo charged race. We packed in a matter of minutes. I threw a bunch of food in a bag for our breakfast, we jumped into the Jeep, prayed, and hit the road!

Our first hour was really dicey, as the wind was blowing the Jeep around. Dave went through our emergency procedures that we would need to follow if the storm caught up to us. He is so good at knowing what to do in emergencies and keeping me prepared!

Right now the worst is behind us. The wind is still fighting against Dave's control of the Jeep, but the sky is clear ahead. The most interesting sight I've seen on our trip was the little cotton balls that flew off their plants and lined the road.

I'm actually navigating! Usually I stick to a GPS, but Dave is making me use the map to get us east of the storm, but still tracking towards our destination.

Besides the added adventure, I am really happy that we were forced to leave a few hours earlier than planned. I'd like to get this drive over with so we can enjoy our time in Orlando!

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

Tomorrow I am helping out at the Christmas party for the seniors at our local senior center. Everyone is supposed to bring a dessert or side dish. Since one of my goals has been to become more of a hostess (taking a lesson or two from all the hospitable Southerners)  I decided to bring a dish. So far the only dish I have made for a function has been my grandmother's "Fluffy Jello" recipe. It's usually a hit so I haven't had to go too far out of my kitchen comfort zone.  Today I decided to experiment with a new recipe : Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle.

Dave and I went a little crazy with the Christmas treats this year. I kid you not, we bought 5 different bags of various chocolate candies, 3 pounds of Gummie Bears, candy canes and the ingredients for cookies. We baked enough cookies for an army... even though our own little army of two would never be able to finish them off. The decorated sugar cookies are delicious, but I'm not sure we will be able to finish the two dozen gingerbread ones. This recipe gave me a reason to try two of my favorite holiday flavors,  as well as get rid of some cookies!

Here's the recipe:

Make 6oz  vanilla pudding and let cool.

Make gingerbread cookies or a gingerbread cake following instructions on the recipe

Also need a large tub of Cool Whip

Mix into pudding:
1 can pumpkin
1/3 tsp cinnamon

In a pretty, clear, dish crumble a layer of gingerbread cookies, or gingerbread cake. Pour a layer of pumpkin mixture. Spread on a layer of Cool Whip.

Repeat. The top layer should be Cool Whip and you can sprinkle ginger snap crumbs on top if you want.

Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.

I used the extra I had left over to make two tiny trifles for Dave and I to enjoy later:)

Observations from my first four months in Alabama

I've been in Alabama for almost four months now. Here are a few observations about my new life down here so far:

- I am exceedingly lucky to have this time to rest and take care of a home and husband, with no other real responsibilities.

- The dishwasher is such a wonderful invention - It completes a whole task while I work on other things!


- People take their college football SERIOUSLY down here. It's a big deal.

- A common way to describe someone who is funny is to say "she's a mess!" It's not an insult, though you'd think it would be. It just means they are a little silly or off their rocker...I think...

- No matter how many times I try to adjust my grocery list, we always seem to run out of something several different times before our main shopping trip. Of course none of these items run out at the same time! I also found out how much milk a grown man drinks - we run out just about every other day! Maybe I should just buy us a milk cow!

- A small apartment is a cozy apartment, and so easy to keep clean!

- I have grown to love the 5pm  sound of "Retreat" on base. From our apartment, I can hear the song played over the loud speaker. Everyone on base is required to stop what they are doing, pull over to the side of the road, and stand for a moment of silence as the flag is being lowered. It is a sign of respect for the flag, and for the many man and women who have fought and are still fighting for our freedom. It fills me with pride every time I hear it. There's a morning wake up at 5am where "Revielle" is played, "Retreat" at 5:30pm when the work day is over, and then "Taps" is played at 10pm before bed. When we leave, I will truly miss hearing them!

- The Commissary - Oh what an experience! It's like a regular grocery store except for two things. First, you have to have a military ID to buy anything. Second, the baggers are all "volunteers"- but the normal type of volunteer who does something out of the goodness of his or her heart, without wanting a reward. The baggers at the commissary EXPECT a tip for their services. It's always incredibly awkward because they bag your groceries and then insist on pushing your cart, unloading them into your car, and then waiting for you to fish out a few bills for a tip. If you insist that you are able to push our own cart, they will either be mad that you cheated them out of a tip, or they will follow you out to the car anyways and wait expectantly. OR if you do let them push your cart, you feel like a jerk because you are more than capable of pushing it yourself. The only solution that we have found is to buy what you can hold yourself and go through the self checkout.

- When you drive through the gate, the gate guards say "Above the best" as their greeting. Sometimes, without thinking, you find yourself replying with "you too" and then feeling embarrassed.

- Southern hospitality is not a myth! People a very friendly and welcoming down here. They are also quick to trust strangers. I was so surprised when a new friend offered that I could borrow her car while she was on vacation. Even more surprising, was being able to volunteer without an interview, background check or references.

- Army wives make good friends. We "get" each other in a way others can't, because we are experiencing the same things and feeling many of the same emotions. It is nice to feel like, right off the bat, I have something that I can relate with a new friend about. I know our friends down here with be forever friends.

- I will never get tired of folding camo and Army uniforms. It's a reminder of the honorable man I married who is serving his country and making me so proud.

- A loving husband is such a precious and dear thing to have. I don't know where I would be without Dave's love, concern, commitment and friendship. He truly is the best of the best.

"...I put childish ways behind me."

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11

I have been volunteering at the local senior center lately and sometimes I feel that I get more out of it than the seniors do. It's a nice chance for me to get out of the house and serve others. Last week, some women from a local church gave a small message and blessing for the seniors. I don't recall what the message was about because there was one part that really stuck to me and made me think. 

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child". 

Isn't that the truth!

I can't even count the number of silly things I have said or done as a child or young person. Just last night, Dave and I were sharing embarrassing moments, and I remembered a few that still make me cringe (For example: who tells their favorite teacher that she thinks her husband is "hott" because her friends dared her to?? Me. That's who. I still can't believe it to this day) We do silly things when we are young and can't see past the fun of the moment, or the desire to fit in with our peers, not thinking of the lasting harm to our reputations or others involved.  

"When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me"

This part really struck home. I am an adult now. I'm graduated, married, moved, and older than the young girl who did silly things. I have been thinking about the areas of life that change when you "grow up". Here are a few of my thoughts:

I had a great conversation with a friend several months ago who commiserated about the change that happens to a friendship when you grow up and get married. She had to stop letting a friend manipulate her as she had in their school days, and move into more "adult friendship".  Before then, I hadn't really put much thought into what it would mean to be friends when I became an adult, or if there would be any significant changes. I've decided that part of growing up is knowing that friendships are important, but not letting a friendship have control over your life. If it's a positive one, nurture it, but know when it's time to put distance in a relationship that isn't healthy.  It also means putting in the effort to keep up with friends, even when it's not easy or convenient. 

College ended. There's no more living a few feet away from a friend, and spending every free moment surrounded by others. I'm married now, and my husband comes first. That means sharing everything small detail with him, and not going into quite as much depth with my friends. Back in the day I remember sharing every detail of my boyfriend/girlfriend relationships with "the girls", but of course, mature husbands and wives are much more private out of respect for each other. Being an adult means also understanding that I may not get to see my friends as much as I used to. We have jobs, bills, husbands and someday children that need attention. That's why I remind myself to cherish a phone call, or thoughtful card, instead of wishing we had more time for each other. 

I've also come to the conclusion that an adult must be true to his or herself. This means that my convictions, opinions, and especially my faith, are not to be easily laid aside. There is no longer any excuse for not doing "the right thing", or saying what needs to be said. I'm past that stage where I didn't know myself and what I stood for, so it is time I stopped letting it bother me what others would say, and stick up for what is important. I remember when it was more crucial to have people like me than to do what I felt was right. Being an adult Christian means trying NOT to fit in with this sin filled world. Therefore, I am working on putting aside my childish ways and seeking approval from God.  

There is so much more I could write about this topic, but I think leaving this post on the briefer side (if I can really call it that) is better for my readers. I really love when a quote or a few lines of scripture creates in me an important inner turmoil. One that I grapple with and requires thought and growth on my part.