Happy Wednesday Everyone! It’s that time…. time for our weekly check in! I hope you’re ready because this might be a long one! Here we go….. School started today and it’s time to get back to our routine. As you know, I haven’t been happy about it, but just like the Grinch said about Christmas, back to school time comes no matter how much we don’t want it to. I’m not sure what it is exactly about this time a year that bugs me so much, but I think it’s a combination of things. Seeing our kids get older, knowing that another school year is here and things will change. Change is hard. I did my crying last night so that I’d be up and cheery for them this morning, and that’s exactly how it went. Pretty smooth I’d say. I hope they have a safe and happy year coming up, I always worry about them. And yes, they had to do the obligatory first day of school picture…. it’s a must.
Up until today, I really was hoping to do more family things and enjoy that last little bit of Summer. We tried. The weather has been hot and rainy, so last weekend we just did school shopping and things like that. On Monday night though, we figured it was our last chance so we spent the evening at the Magic Kingdom. That’s my favorite park, plus there’s more to do if you stay late. We tried to choose some of their favorite rides to get FastPasses for, got them a snack, and ended up staying until the park closed. We didn’t get home until after 1:00 in the morning, but the weather held out and a good time was had. It’s weird to be going back to school already, being that Summer really is still in fully swing here. Disney has been so busy, and there are a lot of kids getting in their vacations before September. Before we know it, we’ll be seeing Mickey Mouse pumpkins and such in the parks, I’m actually looking forward to that part. I mean, who doesn’t like Disney Halloween decorations? I know I do!
I was just saying yesterday, about how sometimes as parents, we worry that what we do for our kids isn’t enough. We’ve had a rough few months, but all in all, the kids are happy and to me that’s what’s most important. Last night at dinner they said they had a great Summer, and I can’t ask for more than that. I’m always second guessing myself, because things are so different down here. Last weekend we went out to eat, and got to talking to our server. She was from the Mid-West also and has lived here for 4 years. The conversation turned to how different Florida is from where we’re from, and she said something that made me think. We were talking about kids, and she said that this area is so transient, that people come and go and kids don’t hang out with each other like how things were up North. She’s right. Kids down here hang with their parents on the weekends, and it’s rare for them to have the same friends all through grade school, the way we did in Michigan. Same goes for adults I suppose. It’s so different here. One of the things I miss the most, besides my family, are my friends in Michigan, and how loyal and supportive they are. Up there, if a person messed with one of us, they messed with ALL of us, and they were off their Christmas list too, so to speak. I have this one friend who lives around the corner from me, she’s like that. If I’m upset, I get a text saying “who do I have to hurt?” LOL She’s kidding, but you get the idea. She’s from New York, it’s nice to have her in my corner. It feeds into my original thought, that because it’s such a huge adjustment here, I have to step it up for my kids. Friends come and go, and they sure do around here, but our family is strong. I get protective, I can’t help it. Yes, I put a lot of pressure on myself in that regard, but I’m their mom, it’s my job. All in all, it’s still and adjustment, even after two years. It was nice talking to someone out of the blue like that, who totally gets what it’s like to be someplace so opposite to where you’re used to.
It’s funny how certain things in life make us think. This Summer, we had some issues, my health wasn’t the best, and I don’t think I took as good of care of myself as I should have. But…. it is time. It’s time to get myself back on track. Time to be well, not just for me, but for my kiddos. Tragedies happen, yes, but there comes a time where we have no choice but to push forward. We can’t dwell forever. That’s where I’m at. It’s time to get those boys back in the swing of things with school, time to push to make TMSM even stronger, and push myself personally too. Better eating, exercise, more research for the site, more videos, just….. more. We stay in our own lane where the site is concerned, and mostly in our personal lives too, and there’s nothing wrong with that. When you have a strong family unit, you really have it all, and can deal with whatever comes your way. It will all come together. I guess my point in bearing my soul, is that yes, even though I live near my happy place, life still happens. We all struggle. But knowing that we aren’t alone in our struggles is a comfort because we can relate to each other. I wish life was all dole whips and Mickey balloons, but it’s not. Sharing stories and reaching out to others can really do wonders if we try, that’s the heart of our Wednesday night chats.
Well, if you made it this far, I thank you for reading. It’s like my weekly therapy, these blogs. I get to share not just Disney fun with you, but also how it is to relocate to someplace new, and all that goes with that. Boy oh boy, is there a LOT that goes with it too! The feedback I get each week keeps me going, wanting to do better, and I can’t thank you all enough for the support. It means more than I can say. And with that, until next week…. sending you lots of blessings, love and pixie dust. See ya real soon! ~M
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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