Magically Speaking...

"If I can dream it, I can do it."

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Those two quotes have been my mantra for much of my life. As I dream of the next few weeks, and the very real possibility that one of my big dreams may come true...I remind myself of two other quotes:

"If it's meant to be, it'll be."

"Everything happens for a reason."

Hard as that is to swallow, I know it to be true. God already knows the outcome of this Moms Panel contest. He knows if my dream is about to become a reality, or if I am about to be crushed once again. I know that in the end, I am very blessed with an amazing husband and 5 incredible children. I will continue to help people with their Disney planning, and assist them in making magical memories. It just might not be on a grand scale, where I am helping the world. I've resigned myself to that fact, which is what makes this wait tolerable.

I think for now, though, I'll keep telling myself that "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"...and this dream is so very beautiful to me :)

Speechless...

I received this email today :)

On behalf of Disney Destinations, LLC, we would like to congratulate you on making it to the final phase of the selection process for the 2010 Walt Disney World® Moms Panel!
As you know, we received thousands of applications, and you are among the top candidates whose knowledge of - and passion for - Walt Disney World® continues to make a lasting impression on the judging panel. Your expertise and willingness to share the Disney magic is inspirational!
Once again, we truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to complete the previous stages of the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel application process.
For this final phase, we are asking that you participate in a phone interview with Walt Disney World® representatives. Your phone interview will be scheduled for one of three days: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, Wednesday, November 4, 2009, or Thursday, November 5, 2009, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Daylight Time. The phone interview will be a mandatory requirement for final consideration as a Walt Disney World® Moms Panel member.
You will receive an email in the next few days from a Disney representative asking for your contact information (including phone and home address) in order to schedule your interview.
Once all phone interviews are completed, the judges will be making final selections. You will receive notification on or about November 10, 2009.
As a reminder, please continue to save the dates of December 4 - 8, 2009 for training at Walt Disney World® Resort, should you be selected to serve on the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel. All finalists must be able to attend this important training session.
We wish you the best of luck in the final stage of the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel selection process.
Congratulations again! We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Leanne & Laura

**** I am speechless, ecstatic, hesitant, nervous, delighted, excited and cautiously optimistic :)

Porch Full of Pumpkins

Kasi and I bought some pumpkins today. We searched high and low to find 5 perfect ones to add to the one that we had bought 3 weeks ago. I carved our last name in that one a few nights ago, and the kids still each needed their own to make jack-o-lanterns out of. The ideal pumpkins had to be fat enough and HAD to have stems. Then we brought them home and hosed them off before placing them lovingly on the porch steps. As you can see, at one point, I had 7 pumpkins on my porch...my favorite little pumpkin was sitting in the center ;) What a cutie pie my Kasi girl is.

She insisted on giving HUGS to the "Jablecki" one and the one that she will be carving next week :)

My models :)

GAP Kids and Disney are doing a casting call for cutie patooties ages 0-10 who could model their clothing for next year. Naturally, I think I have some pretty gorgeous kids...so I snapped a few photos of them to submit ;) I'm always hearing compliments on how beautiful their red hair is. I figure if nothing else, I've captured their smiles for my own enjoyment. :)

Here's Shawn:

Kassia:

Malia :

These two, I didn't submit, I just like them :) The first one totally captures Malia's sassy side and the second, Kasi's sweet smile :)

Trina's Prayer <3

I was sharing my excitement over making it to the next round in the Disney Moms Panel search with my best friend Trina. She witnessed my heartbreak last year when I didn't quite make it. :( I asked her to say a prayer for me...that I will be content with whatever the outcome is. Her prayer brought tears to my eyes, so I am posting it here to remember always. Love you, Trinie

"Dear Lord,

Thank you Lord for this opportunity for Kayl to come again. We ask that you please help Kayl through this very exciting time. Please give her the words to put down as answers to these questions she has been given - help her to speak from the heart. Let the words come to her with ease. I pray that you help her to feel at peace and have comfort to know that the words she chooses are words from her heart. I pray the peace is strong so that she won't second guess her answers or the words she chooses I pray that she will not analyze or doubt but know that you are there helping her through this.

I pray that if it is your desire and will that she will receive this great opportunity to be a part of this Mom's Club. Lord you know her heart is full of Love and care for those all around her - regardless of how much she knows someone she is always first to show care and compassion and Love. Lord this is such a gift that you have given to her. Please let the people reading her answers feel this through her words. Lord I pray that you will Bless Kaylene and her family as she has been such a blessing to so many. I pray that you help her to see how special she is and what a gift she has. Help her to bless others. I pray Lord that if it is not your will Lord for her to receive this that you will give her peace and comfort to know that you have a special plan for her. Help her emotionally each day through this time of waiting and also through out her life. Continue to help her to be strong as she has done through out her life. Lord I ask a special blessing on her and her family - please bless them spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially.

Thank you Lord for all you have done.
We love and praise you.

IN JESUS NAME, AMEN

Kayl - THANKS FOR SHARING...I've been wondering. I am dying to talk w/you. Miss you & Love you - Best of Luck. I know that you will do well. I have Faith that God is with you. Keep me posted. Hopefully we can connect soon. "

Thanks, Trina. Love you so much...and I know whatever is meant to be, will be :)

Train of Thought...

Yesterday Steve and I took a ride aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad. Steve had been wanting to do that for several years, but it never seemed to fit into our schedules. This year, we used the Anniversary check Steve's parents gave us...and we set a date. We boarded in Hyannis, and rode the rails all the way to the Sagamore Bridge...then back again. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a private table. The view out the windows was simply beautiful...cranberry bogs and salt-marshes. It was wonderful to have some time together...just the 2 of us. I'm always saying that I lose my train of thought in this crazy life we lead. Yesterday, was a chance to reconnect with my Love. Just sitting in quiet, recapping the blessings that 10 years together have brought us was priceless. I realized how much I miss that "together time" that we used to share. We really need to start focusing on that, and planning more dates. :)

Mickey Mom...

Hmm...something seems almost like déjà vu. ;)

I received this in an email tonight:

"We would like to congratulate you on making it to the next phase of the selection process for the 2010 Walt Disney World® Moms Panel!

We truly appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to apply for the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel. It touched our hearts to see how much you do for your loved ones and the role Disney plays in your life! You are among a special group whose knowledge of and passion for the Walt Disney World® Resort made an incredible impression on the judging panel."

So, I found out that I had once-again made it to the semi-finalist round in the Moms Panel search. I made it to Semi-Finals in '08, Finals in '09...and I'm really hoping that the 3rd time is the charm this year.

I have until this Friday to submit my answers. I worked on them a lot today, and plan to give them a final work-over tomorrow before sending them in. I know that whatever is meant to be, will be. I also know that the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams...and this dream is so beautiful to me.

I think I want it so much because it would be "MINE". It's something that is just for ME. I spend my life doing for everyone else...running to kids activities, volunteering in schools, being Mom, being a wife...this is something for Kaylene. :) It would fulfill my passion and need to help everyone, yes...but it would also be so fun and rewarding for me. :)

Here's hoping for a sprinkling of faith, love and pixie dust :)

Disappointment...

Funny how quickly things change. Just the post before this, I was raving about how proud I am of Sierra...what wonderful choices she making, how she maturing...on and on.

Then WHAM...reality hits me like a 2 x 4 upside the head. :( *sigh* Late last night, I discovered some things that left me disappointed, angry, hurt...disenchanted all over again.

I know she won't be going up to NH with 2 of her friends on Sunday to see Pat. Whether she goes alone or not is still yet to be determined.

My heart hurts. Just when I feel like we've made great progress, I am reminded again of how very far we still have to go in our quest to raise people who make intelligent decisions. *sigh*

Good thing I don't give up on those I love...otherwise, there'd be no hope for a happy ending...

Sierra the Coordinator

Can I just share how proud I am of Sierra?! She was chosen as the "Gallery Coordinator" for her Falmouth High AP Art Honor's class this year. She'll be the Director in charge of setting up/coordinating all of the Art Showings/Galleries for the Seniors in AP Art this Spring :) This will be great for her College Resume, and wonderful experience for her.

In addition, she is heavily involved in the Psychology Outreach program at the school.

I am just really pleased with the maturing and growth in Sierra over the past few months. She is really coming into her own and making great choices. I find myself truly enjoying my daughter's company lately...and couldn't be happier about it. :)