Family Vacation (part two) Disneyland Day #1

I just have to start with an apology for the insane amount of pictures you're about to see. Not only in this post, but in the posts to come. Disneyland was so much fun. We looked forward to it for months. I was kind of obsessed, just ask Adam. I looked up every website I could to get tips and tricks of the in and outs of Disneyland. Pinterest was my best friend as I found homemade Disney things.

#1- Autograph Books 

My girls loved getting autographs

#2- Disney shirts

A huge thank you to my friend Brittney who helped me make these

#3- Minnie Ears

These were my favorite to make

#4- Mickey hair clips

They didn't even wear these :(

This was the morning leaving from Grandpa's house.          YAY....we're finally here!!!

Dropping all of our stuff of in our hotel before we head over to Disneyland

The first character we saw was Pluto. When we walked into the front entrance there were characters everywhere. I wasn't sure how my kids were going to react to them, but they loved them.

When we got in the gate, I made the girls stop for a second and take it all in. They were ready to see and do everything. 

The first ride we went on was It's a Small World. It wasn't the girls favorite ride, but it's Grandpa's favorite.  

I had to take a picture of "stroller parking" 

Just sitting with Grandpa and Nana getting ready to see It's a Small World.

After we went on that ride, we headed over to Toon Town to meet Mickey and Minnie. Thats all the girls wanted to do so we thought we would get that out of the way.

The line to get into see Minnie wasn't that bad. Plus, we got to walk though her house before meeting her. 

The girls loved seeing her house and touching everything. It was a great distraction while we waited in line.

We finally got to Minnie's backyard where we were able to see her. She was so sweet and Addison LOVED her. I didn't think she would be all that interested but I couldn't be more wrong. She grabbed onto Minnie and wouldn't let go. 

Minnie really was sweet and let Addison take her time. This picture is one of my favorites.

Right next door was Mickey's house. As soon as we were done with Minnie we headed on over.

Way longer lines to see Mickey!

Meeting Jessie

Astro Orbitor 

That night we stopped to watch the parade. I love parades, and I LOVED this one. The Disney Soundsational Parade. The girls loved it too, especially Addison.

Our friend Pulto

Cinderella.....love her!

After the parade the girls were tired. Early morning, long drive, excitement of Disneyland. We should of called it a night, instead....we pushed them. We ended up going to Fantasyland and went on a lot of rides.

The girls had seen Autopia on the Disney website and they really wanted to go on the cars they could drive themselves.  

This was the last ride of the night!

As we walked back to the hotel we watched the fireworks. They were amazing. I wish the girls had been more into them, but by the time it was firework time, they were done for the day.

Mother's Day

I have a tender spot in my heart for Mother's Day. It hasn't always been that way. For 25 years Mother's Day was a normal day I spent celebrating my mom. Today marks 6 years where I celebrate Mother's Day as a motherless mother. I don't pretend it's not sad, or that I don't have moments during this day where I wish I could call her, send her a card, or post a picture of the most resent picture of us on Facebook. I wish I could declare how much I love spending time with her, and love to see her being a grandma to my girls.

I love this picture. It reminds me that because of the temple and the priesthood power we have here on earth, I can see my mom again, and we can be a family forever.

I sat in church today and listened to an older mother in RS declare that she hated Mother's Day and has always asked her kids not to get her anything. Mother's Day was a joke where kids pretended to be good or love their mother's on just one day of the year. My soul ached. My soul ached because my mother isn't here on earth and I would give anything to share this one special day with her by giving her gifts and showing her how much I love her with hugs, kisses and words of love. It mostly ached for this mother's children. Mother's Day isn't just for moms you know! It's a chance for our children to show us they love us in ways they don't all the other days of the year. Its a chance for us to teach our kids that motherhood is AMAZING and such a special blessing that one day each year is dedicated to them. And for me, its a chance to teach my girls that motherhood is a sacred calling that one day they will hold.

Mother's Day is special to me, a sacred day in which we honor ALL mothers both here on earth and those who have completed the work they had here to do.

Mother's Day is not just for me, but for my children.

I hope they know how much I love them and how proud I am to be their mother. I am who I am because of Elley, Molly, and Addison. I will let them spoil me ALL day long. I will love the homemade cards, the pictures, the way Elley set the table all special for me, the kisses, the hugs, the foot rubs, the snuggles, EVERYTHING!!!

To my children: I will love and cherish every Mother's Day that I am blessed to share with you.