Jennifer

Animal Planet’s AMERICA’S CUTEST: DISNEY SIDE HOWL-O-WEEN special

September 14, 2014 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

Walt Disney World went to the dogs, literally! Our sweet L is such a huge animal lover. She would have been in dog heaven surrounded by dogs at the most magical place on Earth. How cool would it have been to show-up and see dogs taking over Main Street?

101 dogs joined their owners and pranced through Magic Kingdom as part of a Disney Side Dog’s Day at Magic Kingdom today before park hours at Walt Disney World Resort.

The tail-wagging morning featured a doggie dance party, a walk in the park through Cinderella Castle, a costume contest, doggie treats and more.

While Disney has a special allegiance to dogs, the event was private. Dog owners participated in a special “Show Your Disney Side” online photo contest, showing their pets dressed whimsically as Disney pirates and princesses, heroes and villains.

Pooches walked the green carpet and joined in a dog jam dance party with beloved Disney dogs like Pluto and Bolt.

The production was part of Animal Planet’s AMERICA’S CUTEST: DISNEY SIDE HOWL-O-WEEN special scheduled to premiere October 18. The hour-long special hosted by actor and pet lover John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Family Feud) will feature humorous video clips celebrating the Disney Side of pets and their owners.

Check out this sneak peek!

A New School Year Brings Changes

September 14, 2014 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Life comes at you fast. We are finally settling into a good routine with this new school year. I will not be as quiet on the blog any more. We have been praying about this decision for the past few months. Several one-on-one conversations between our sweet family of four and prayer, the decision was made. The girls will not be going to public school this year. They are now being home schooled. Two weeks of schooling have past, and the smiles on our faces will show how it is going thus far.

Individualized learning is proving to be highly successful. My girls are not from a cookie cutter. They were handmade from God. Each one has their own personality and learning style. Unfortunately, the public school system has to teach them as if they were from a cookie cutter.

Obviously, we are doing a trial and learn basis here but I do love the routine we have in place. M and L both have their own different curriculum and are sailing through the studies so well. No tears have been shown, no “I don’t want to get up”, and no meltdowns. L rise and shines on her own each morning and ready to dive into her books. She is like a sponge. Her brain is continuously wanting to soak up the curriculum. My heart just swells with love. So different from last school year.

I am thankful we listened to our hearts and God’s direction on this new school year. As we go through the year, I will share what is working for us and what isn’t working for us. Each week they go to our local University campus for PE with other home school students, and one day a week they attend home school co-op classes. Obviously, this means they are still getting to fellowship and be with other children their ages.

It’s going to be a great year. What I want to know is how are my girls growing up so fast? They are going to over-take me on height pretty soon!

Great News! NC’s First Vera Bradley Outlet is Coming this Fall

August 27, 2014 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

NC Vera Bradley Fans! Go ahead and sit down. I have great news that will make you smile ear to ear.

The first-in-state location of Vera Bradley Outlet will join the already unparalleled mix of more than 200 stores at Concord Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in North Carolina. When it opens this fall, Vera Bradley Outlet will further enhance Concord Mills’ appeal to brand-savvy and budget-conscious shoppers from near and far.

Concord Mills continues to welcome new in-demand retailers, maintaining its iconic reputation as the state’s top outlet shopping destination,” said Ray Soporowski, general manager of Concord Mills. “With the addition of Vera Bradley Outlet, shoppers will continue to cash in on Concord Mills’ unique brand of shopping, which features an ever-growing fashion-forward retail mix and unmatched savings.

Providing new fabrics and styles each season for more than 20 years, Vera Bradley creates colorful and feminine quilted cotton luggage, handbags and accessories to fit each woman’s personality and style. The iconic fashionable products will be available at affordable prices at Vera Bradley Outlet, which will be located in Concord Mills’ Neighborhood 2 near Guess Factory Store.

This new retail option follows other recent additions now open at Concord Mills, including Pepper Palace, Five Below, Buckle, J.Crew Factory and a first-in-market location for Lucky Brand Outlet. Other popular stores include Coach Factory Store, Michael Kors Outlet, Nike Factory Store and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH.

Please hold my hand…

August 27, 2014 by Jennifer 1 Comment

On our recent vacation, tears started streaming down my face. After a few minutes, I felt like I was a sobbing mess. Why were tears flowing on our vacation? It should be a happy time.

I was standing there on the beach with the sand between my toes thinking about my girls first beach trip. I had to hold their hand and not let go. My hands had to protect the girls from the huge waves crashing right at their thighs. Fast forward a few years later and my hands no longer have the job of protecting the girls. They are able to swim freely and jump the waves as they crashed at their feet. This yearning feeling would not go away. The words please hold my hand kept wanting to leap from my mouth.

As a mom, we spend the early years meeting every need and demand of our children, but as the years fly by, our children eventually no longer need us to meet their every need and demand. The “will you get me a bowl of cereal?” turns into, I am going to go pour me a bowl of cereal. The dependency fades into independency.

I know M and L are spreading their wings. Their wings are beginning to flap but are not quite ready to take off from the ground. I still want them to need me. I want them to ask for my hand. Thankfully, M still loves to sit beside me on the couch and we will hold each other tight. L still loves to walk into a store with her arms wrapped around me. In fact, once we get out of the car, she is wrapping my arm around her arm. She may not ask for my hand, but she will reach for my arm.

My heart yet is still heavy because I know they don’t need me to do every little thing for them. I want to do every little thing for them. My heart aches for them to be more dependent on me.

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As they look into the future and hold their sister conversations, I will continue to cherish each and every moment. They will both always be my babies. My hands and arms will always be available to pick them up when they fall. My prayer is they will continuously ask God for guidance and direction for their future. Even though I cannot walk and hold their hand to protect them, I do feel a sense of peace knowing our almighty God can.

M and L, please hold me hand…

Don’t Forget About Your Friends!

August 25, 2014 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Life is busy. I know. I get it. But, can’t we put down the phone and laptop and enjoy our friends?! When is the last time you called or dropped by your friends house to just say hey?

Carolina Mama and I don’t get a lot of friend time in, but we both decided it would be good to make a date in our calendar books to bring our families together. As the clock turned 4:30pm last Friday, I turned off my work computer and walked a fast pace for the door to meet my family for a three hour journey to the west.

The three hour journey was filled with laughs, singing and one-on-one conversations with my Hubby. It was time to pull into Carolina Mama’s driveway and join in a heart-felt hug with my bestie. Our phones went straight to the counter and we enjoyed a two-hour conversation with our voices, no technology. It felt so good.

We both have been through different journey’s this year, but it was so nice to have that real-life shoulder to lean on and enjoy each other. Time could have stood still and not one time did I want to pick up my phone. Conversations included life, parenting, Christ Jesus our Lord, and our new homeschooling journey. Encouraging one another, giving each other tips and just being a friend. Being that listening ear in person. It was so nice.

The next day our families gathered around the breakfast table, joined hands and bowed our heads in prayer. Friends are family. At that moment in time, we were one big family. Laughs and beautiful conversations flowed all across the room. No technology in sight. I had missed this very important aspect of life. Breakfast clean-up was fast and we headed to a downtown festival.

Life included smiles all across our faces. I didn’t want to say goodbye that afternoon, so I said until next time. Friendship dates are much needed in life. When is the last time you had a friendship date? It will do your body good… Right Carolina Mama?

Jennifer

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