Jennifer

Good Bye 20s and Hello 30s

May 10, 2011 by Jennifer 7 Comments

It all started 30 years ago today. A baby with a head full of hair and blue eyes who adored being in her mommy’s arms.

One Moms World — The evening I was born 30 Years Ago

My 20’s

– Ended a marriage in divorce

– Gave birth to two beautiful little girls – the best part of my 20s

– Married my best friend

– Moved out of state to Florida

– Went back to school

– Landed an awesome job

– Rode on an airplane for the first time

– Visited the West Coast for the first time

– Renewed my relationship with God

– Lost my hero (My grandmother) but we will meet again

– Got my first full body massage

– Got my first pedicure

– Made my first TV debut

As you can see it has been one more ride. If I did all that in my 20s, my 30s are going to rock even more. Did you hear that 30s? You have a lot to live up too. Let’s get it started.

I go from wearing this as a baby:

to wearing this in the last week of my 20s:

National Moms Nite Out May 2011 - Raleigh, NC

Times have changed right? 🙂

Let the good times continue and I cannot wait for what path the Good Lord is going to guide me on.

Proverbs 3:5, 6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Best Mother’s Day Gift of All Time

May 8, 2011 by Jennifer 2 Comments

I will go ahead and say it, my husband does not ever celebrate Mother’s Day, My Birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Our Anniversary, it hurts but I have just come to realize that is how he is and keep moving forward.

I do have two little girls that help me celebrate each and every one of these holidays. M and L light up my life so much and I truly thank God for giving me two precious girls.

This past Friday I was greeted with a big hug from L to wake me up and she had a smile on her face that would light up the room. She said: “Mommy, the special day is here. It is Mother’s Day muffins time”

I awaited all day because I knew this was going to be one special day. I walked into the classroom at 2:00pm and L guided me to my seat, pushed me in and then immediately came to greet me with two muffins and a cup of lemonade.

Is that smile not priceless? As I was eating, she was so excited to share her goodies that she made me.

The purple card read:

“Derr Mommy,

I like to help mommy and my mommy like to help me and happy Mother Day and Happy Mother Day.

Love,

The beautiful flower bouquet read:

I will love you forever
And forever you will be
The most wonderful mother
You mean everything to me.

I thought of buying you flowers
In the usual way
But I knew you would prefer
A FOREVER bouquet!

This Mother’s Day was just starting and I was already over-joyed. These are gifts I will cherish forever and ever.

M surprised me last night in the kitchen with this beautiful card!

It caught me by surprise and I cried so hard.

Dear Mommy

You’re the best mommy ever. I think that no other Mom could replace you. I think your amazing just the way you are because you were made the way I wanted you to be because I love how you have glasses and my favorite part about you is you have the same color hair as me. I love you from the heart and I think you are the best m other ever because you give me whatever I need, like, love and me a birthday and thank you for signing me up for softball. I love you Mommy.

We hugged each other so tightly and would not let each other go for what seemed like a good five minutes. Tears were just streaming down my face. This is my child, my beautiful child that I am raising, and the card just shows how close of a bond we do have.

L and M had already truly made my Mother’s Day. The best Mother’s Day gifts of all time. I wouldn’t even think of wanting anything else.

Today we started the day in church and then spent time outdoors with no technology attached to us at all. We explored the Natural Science Center

and the Greensboro Children’s Museum.

Seeing the extra bounce in the girls steps, the glee that would escape their mouths and the non-stop smiles as we went about our day. I could not have asked for a better day and it was all because of my girls. They yet again made sure mommy was given the best day. I am truly blessed!

Like Mother Like Daughter – Happy Mothers Day

May 5, 2011 by Jennifer 2 Comments

My mom played a huge role in my schooling growing up. I am passing the same tradition onto my girls. As an adult now, I realize what part my mom played in my life. As kids, we may not realize that our parents have the best interests for us at heart, but they really do.

I love that my girls look up to me and I am such a role model for them. They are watching my every little step and taking mental notes. I did the same with my mom growing up. I have a special video that I want to share today that is dedicated to my mom.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

Movies Moms Love From Warner Bros

May 5, 2011 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

Moms, take time for yourself this weekend and watch a movie and help a good cause “Save the Children”

Throughout the month of May, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution celebrates Mother’s Day with its Movies Moms Love promotion by donating a portion of all sales to SAVE THE CHILDREN from every Cable/ Satellite Video On Demand rental of 15 unforgettable films. The movies include LIFE AS YOU KNOW IT, YOU’VE GOT MAIL, HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU, NO RESERVATIONS, HAIRSPRAY, and more.

Please visit the official site for more: http://on.wb.com/MoviesMomsLove

Family Friendly Hotel Near Disney World

May 4, 2011 by Jennifer 1 Comment

It is time to start planning your Disney World trip. I do recommend and consider it a real treat to stay on property at the Disney World Resort, but that is not always realistic and the most cost effective for families.

We were able to experience a hotel that is really close to the main gate entrance of Disney World. This would be the Seralago Hotel and Suites at Main Gate East.

Seralago really makes it a fun family experience with their kid suites. They even mention right on their site: “The Kid’s Suite concept was pioneered by us, and no Orlando, Florida hotel does it better.”

As we walked in our room for the first time, we were greeted with a fun circus theme. The girls eyes got so big.

The kids room was separate from the rest of the room with its own door. The room was complete with a tv/remote and a Xbox gaming system. The room could sleep 3 to 4 children easily as there is a set of bunk beds and a separate twin bed. The room was very roomy as well.

The parents had their own bed right beside the kids room. A parents TV is also included so there are no fights on what show to watch. I will be honest though, the whole time we were there, the TVs’ did not come on at all. It is a great option to have though on those unpredictable rainy/stormy days.

Another huge plus was how large the bathroom was in the room. Bathrooms as you know can be so small in hotels to where you hardly have any room to move . This was not the case at Seralago.

Going along the lines of a cost effective disney world trip, the kids suite is complete with a mini kitchenette.

The room was very clean as you can see in the pictures. These pictures were taken as soon as we checked in and the housekeeping kept it clean each day we were there.

Seralago gives you many options to get outside of the hotel room as well. A huge pool with a fun tiki bar.

A very fun and colorful playground.

An indoor game room that is filled with so many games that are designed for all ages.

Last but definitely not least, a store that is packed full. If you are like me, there is always that one thing you forgot to pack, never fear as the store will have it for you. Also, the souveniers in the store were very well priced.

There is also a restaurant on-site that kids eat free, but we were so busy the entire trip, that we were not able to enjoy the restaurant. I will be honest and say we did a lot of packing of our lunches and snacks daily as we went into the parks. I do wish we would have taken advantage of the breakfast each morning.

Overall, I do recommend the Seralago as a cost effective and family friendly hotel near Disney World. You are at the parks within 10 minutes. The hotel is an older hotel, so keep that in mind. The hotel has a lot of older features but that did not compromise our time there or enjoying the room.

Disclosure: I was provided 3 nights by Seralago to facilitate this review. No compensation was given and all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Jennifer

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