When we arrived in Florida, it was the last day of a cold spell and it was really crowded at Universal. The new Harry Potter attraction was open and maybe they underestimated how many people would come to check it out. We saw comic book heroes, rode water rides (whose idea was that- Garrett!), and enjoyed some neat attractions. We were tired and I was looking forward to having a little personal space back at the end of the day, but it was fun.
The next day, I had scheduled a lighter day for us. We enjoyed a Character Breakfast in our hotel and then strolled around Downtown Disney, window shopping and eating lunch at Planet Hollywood. By late afternoon we were getting on each others nerves a bit and Louie decided we needed to go back to the hotel which was right next door to chill out before having dinner. Well... I was sitting on the bed reading a book when I started getting an uncomfortable feeling. Then before long, I was in pain. A LOT of pain. I called my brother-in-law who is a physician's assistant and he suggested it may be kidney stones. Louie gave the kids authority to order room service and promised to call from the hospital, then whisked me away in a cab to the ER.
Now, I'd like to say that I handled it with grace and was altogether ladylike. But that would be a lie. It was rough and I was beside myself. But after what seemed like an eternity (less than 10 minutes) we were in the ER and I was diagnosed with, yes, kidney stones which I was passing. I got some amazing meds and finally some relief. Truly, God was so merciful. I passed the kidney stone(s) rather quickly (in comparison to other people) and I was close to the hospital. It was yet another "gentle"reminder that I am not actually in control of my life. (PS- I spoke to Hannah on the phone while very heavily medicated... I don't think I'm ever going to live it down! Apparently, I was funny.)
The next day was New Years Eve. We were all exhausted from the previous night's excitement, so we slept in. We had tickets to Magic Kingdom so we went in the afternoon and stayed until midnight. Louie said I was "a trooper". I was really feeling run down but there was no way we were going to miss out! Because I ended up sitting a lot, he taught me the fine art of 'people-watching'. Louie is definitely a 'people-watcher' and Disney is the perfect place. The kids had fun- the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain. On the Tea Cups, all the other families were spinning slowly. But not my bunch! Louie was spinning that Tea Cups as fast as it would go while my innocent children were screaming wildly. (People were beginning to stare) When the ride ended... they didn't get off! They hid in the Tea Cup and rode it again... (sigh) That's my family. Then at midnight, we watched the fireworks and blew horns that had been handed out earlier in the day. (Any idea what 500,000 horns sound like? I DO!)
New Years Day, we went to Epcot and had more fun. There were rides, we met some characters, ate ice cream, and then my favorite part- strolled around World Showcase. This section of the park was created to look like 9 different countries. Each country has shops, restaurants and a few attractions. They hire people from those countries to work there. I am particularly fond of France, England and Italy. (Ask the kids about Norway... it was their favorite!) Unfortunately, my family doesn't know how to "stroll". Becca and Hannah were on a mission-to get the autographs of as many Disney princesses as possible. (I secretly loved it- after all, most days of the year they're in a hurry to do "grown up" things)
The next day, we shifted gears from imaginary animals to real ones and went to Sea World. When we planned this trip, they really wanted to go there. It was probably our most fun day. I was feeling better, the weather was good and it was a smaller and more manageable park. They have 2 big roller coasters there- Becca rode both with Garrett! They got me on one and it was pretty fun. We took in a few shows including Shamu- a killer whale had recently had a baby so it was cool to see a baby! We fed sea lions, petted a sting ray, and laughed at some of the crazy critters. I surprised the kids with a behind the scenes encounter with the penguins. It didn't thrill Becca, but I took Garrett and Hannah and we got to see how they raise the penguins and care for them. Then we got to meet them up close and personal, petting them. By the time we were done and headed to the dolphins which Hannah wanted to see, they were done for the day.
For our last day in Florida, I told Hannah (after much begging) that I'd take her back to Sea World. We arrived early and paid a fee so she could get up close with a dolphin. She got to feed them, learn about their care and then she was one on one with a trainer and 3 dolphins for about 20 minutes or so. She was in heaven. The trainer taught her some commands and she was able to make the dolphins wave, and even jump in the air. I was shocked at how personable they were. Meanwhile, Louie took Becca and Garrett to DisneyQuest, a 5 story video game arcade. Yep, they were in their own virtual heaven. We met up for a seafood dinner (no one saw the irony) and I swear at one point Hannah was laughing so hard she couldn't breath! Those are the moments I love.
It hasn't been an easy transition back into the everyday. Maybe it's because we transitioned right from Christmas into a busy vacation and then back to school the next morning. But our vacation accomplished its purpose- even with a little "detour". The five of us spent 7 days together. Almost the entire time, our cell phone were off which meant we were left to talk to each other. Sure, that meant we got on each others nerves from time to time. But we also bonded and have inside jokes and made memories. I have a tendency to get nostalgic when the new year rolls around... its 2011 now. I don't know all God has in store for our family this year. I know that Garrett will graduate from high school on May 21st and move onto the college he chooses. I know Hannah will start her senior year of high school and Becca will go onto 7th grade. Also, Louie and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage- woo-hoo!
And more than anything, I know God's got it all covered. "'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you a hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11.
