Thursday, January 28, 2010

Monday, January 25, 2010

Pure Talent...

Sierra's latest project for AP Art required her to paint a landscape. She found this photo on google. It's Key Largo, Florida at Sunset. Beautiful isn't it?!


Then, using her God given talent, she painted it in 2 hours, starting with a blank canvas. Breathtaking, just like my daughter.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Starting Now...

Earlier today I purchased myself a pair of Asics. Then, this evening I downloaded the "Couch to 5K podcast" onto my iPod. Before I could lose my determination, I jumped onto my treadmill...and I DID IT! Day 1 of week 1...done. A small step, and yet for me...a very big one. I am aiming to be able to complete the 5K at Disney in October with ease. When I set my mind to something, nothing can get in my way. Well, OK, maybe my bad knees and shin splits...but I will take the "slow and steady" approach to this so I don't overdo it the first week. This is going to be SO worth all of the effort that I'll be putting into it. :)

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Daddy's Girl

I looked over in the playroom at lunch today and saw this:


Steve was hanging out on the rug, brushing the hair on a pile of "My Little Pony's" with Kassia.

♥ There's nothing in life more attractive than a man who is a wonderful Daddy to his children...and our family is blessed with the very best Daddy in the world. ♥

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Sweetening My Day...

Life's a little sweeter when you have a little girl to bake brownies with :)

Here's my "Kasi-Girl" cracking the eggs all by herself...she did it without getting any shells in the bowl!!


Kassia loves baking with Mommy...the feeling is QUITE mutual. :)

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Happy 18th Birthday, Sierra Marie!

18 Years Ago today my life was forever changed.

18 Years Ago today I instantly learned the meaning of unconditional love and an indescribable bond that nothing in the world can ever sever.

You see, 18 Years ago today I became a Mom.

Sierra Marie was born at 5:59am weighing only 5 lbs, 6.5 oz. So tiny and sweet with a head full of red hair...she was stunning from the beginning.


Sierra is one of life's greatest gifts. My first-born daughter, she is like her Mom is many, many ways. Fiesty, full of determination, stubborness and passion...with a caring soul, deep love and fierce loyalty for those she loves.
Sierra has taught me many lessons about life. Unknowingly, over and over again, she has reaffirmed what I learned the day she was born...nothing can or will ever change the way a Mom feels about her precious child.
As Sierra matures, and becomes a young lady...our relationship slowly is changing. We're becoming friends.
I am so very proud of my beautiful daughter. She has strong morals and values and she holds firm to her beliefs. As much as I sometimes wish I could freeze time, in many ways I am looking forward with anticipation to see where life leads my little girl. She has such a promising future ahead of her. She has the power to make every dream come true.
She has something else too...a Mom who is behind her and beside her every step of the way.
Happy, Happy Birthday Sweet Sierra Marie. You are loved more than words could ever say.
Love you Forever, Mom

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

"Walt Disney World Moms Panel Welcomes New Members"

On the Disney Parks Blog, Laura Spencer wrote the following Blog about the New Moms Panel Members:

WALT DISNEY WORLD MOMS PANEL WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

"Hi everyone! Due to the increasing popularity of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel web site, we’re welcoming back 22 panelists from 2008 and 2009 and adding 21 more new panelists for the largest ever group of Disney-savvy vacation gurus. And they begin answering your questions today!

“Walt Disney World is so much more than a theme park and being on the Moms Panel allows me to help people discover all that Disney has to offer. I’ve been traveling to Walt Disney World for over 35 years and even after making countless trips there, my family still finds something new to experience,” said 2010 panelist Amanda Allen of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Chris Gildea a teacher from Boston, Massachusetts feels that planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort can be a once in a lifetime event and he has been helping people plan those kinds of trips for years. “Being a part of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel allows me a greater platform to expand the magic to others!”

The panelists work from home helping answer guest’s vacation planning questions. Many panelists feel that in some ways they are helping spread Disney pixie dust all over the world. Florida resident Maria Marquez says, “I love knowing I help other families relax and take in the Disney magic and joy on their trips. I get to share my own perspective and it brings me that much more happiness!”

To meet the newest panelists, view their video here. To ask the panel your vacation planning questions, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.


The vacation planning “Fairy Godmothers” are,

2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panelists

Amanda Allen; Raleigh, N.C.
Suzannah DiMarzio; Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Dorothy Drakos; Dundas, ON
Bernie Edwards; Columbia, Md.
Kathie Flood; Greer, S.C.
Portia Gadson;Cleveland, Ohio
Chris Gildea; Boston, Mass.
Diane Gonzales; San Antonio, Texas
Kaylene Jablecki; Cape Cod, Mass.
Joel Kennedy; Milwaukee, Wis.
Jonas Lehmann-Karp; Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Marc Lorenzo; Corning, N.Y.
Maria Marquez; Doral, Fla.
Terry McKinney; Charleston, S.C.
Dannée Neal; Indianapolis, Ind.
Amanda Pursch; Austin, Texas
Amy Rueffert; Talking Rock, Ga.
Andi Sims; Birmingham, Ala.
Allison Valdes; Johns Creek, Ga.
Amanda White; Atlanta, Ga.
Maribel Zambrana Garcia; San Juan, PR

Alumni Walt Disney World Moms Panelists

Kara Bacon; Omaha, Neb.
Kay Belin; Valparaiso, IN
Bret Caldwell; Evanston, Ill.
Diane Campagna; Bristol, R.I.
Beth Choisez; Floral Park, N.Y.
Margaret Fries; Oak Lawn, Ill.
Jodi Grundig; Natick, Mass.
Doug Ingersoll; Carmel, IN
Diane Luba; Plymouth, Conn
Darcie Maranich; Vail, Ariz.
Tanya McNally; Basking Ridge, N.J.
Michelle May; Lebanon, N.J.
Joanne McCabe; Ottawa, ON
Heather Murry; Social Circle, Ga.
Brigitta Noer; Nanoose Bay, BC
Whitney Pickering; Laurel, Miss.
Karen Prince; Plymouth, N.H.
Heather Roberts-Nault; Louisville, Ky.
Cathy Schikowski; Richfield, Ohio
Anna Skamarakas; Bellmawr, N.J.
Jennifer Wilkes; Acworth, Ga.
Erin Foster; Scarsdale, N.Y.


Here is the link to this entry on the Disney Parks Blog: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/01/walt-disney-world-moms-panel-welcomes-new-members/

Monday, January 4, 2010

"The Walt Disney World Moms Panel Boasts 43 Panelists in 2010, Featuring 21 New Members!"

Today, was THE day I'd been waiting for...the official launch of the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel.

Here was the official Press Release from Walt Disney World:

New and Returning Mouse-Savvy Parents Offer 'Best-Of' Park Tips and Strategies

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- What do a ballet teacher from Alabama, a paralegal from North Carolina and a NASA rocket scientist from Maryland all have in common? An affinity for all-things Walt Disney World Resort! Announced today, 21 new panelists from the United States and Canada, hailing from different backgrounds, are named official members of the 2010 Walt Disney World® Moms Panel, www.disneyworldmoms.com. Additionally, due to the popularity of the site and an ever-growing number of questions, Disney welcomes back 22 panelists from 2008 and 2009 - totaling 43 members for 2010 to serve as online Disney-savvy vacation gurus, providing helpful tips to guests planning a Walt Disney World vacation.

The Walt Disney World® Moms Panel is an online question-and-answer venue that serves as a free resource for families looking for a touch of pixie dust to add to their Disney vacation. The Panel is led by everyday parents who have mastered the art of planning a vacation for their own families and are excited to share their pearls of wisdom with others. Through a comprehensive application process, the new panelists proved that they have the knowledge and desire to answer any and all questions that come their way.

Whether organizing multigenerational gatherings and large family reunions or navigating the parks with special needs children and adults, the panelists are accessible online with an abundance of their own Disney vacation experiences, memories and tips for making every moment magical. Additionally, the Moms Panel will include panelists who are skilled in Disney Cruise Line® and Adventures by Disney vacations.

Each panelist brings a unique perspective to the vacation planning process, providing personal answers to questions which remain online as a reference for future site visitors.

"This is the largest group of panelists we've ever had," said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "Because interest in the web site has grown so quickly, and we had so many highly qualified applicants, we started out searching for 10 knowledgeable parents, and eventually selected 21. Now we'll be able to share even more Disney park secrets and travel tips with families visiting the Moms Panel site."

The Moms Panel was created to answer the demand made by families going online to research vacation planning options. After only its second year the Panel touts nearly 45,000 original questions answered to-date.

Get to Know the New 2010 Walt Disney World® Moms Panelists:

* Amanda Allen; Raleigh, N.C.
* Suzannah DiMarzio; Wesley Chapel, Fla.
* Dorothy Drakos; Dundas, ON
* Bernie Edwards; Columbia, Md.
* Kathie Flood; Greer, S.C.
* Portia Gadson; Cleveland, Ohio
* Chris Gildea; Boston, Mass.
* Diane Gonzales; San Antonio, Texas
* Kaylene Jablecki; Cape Cod, Mass.
* Joel Kennedy; Milwaukee, Wis.
* Jonas Lehmann-Karp; Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
* Marc Lorenzo; Corning, N.Y.
* Maria Marquez; Doral, Fla.
* Terry McKinney; Charleston, S.C.
* Dannee Neal; Indianapolis, Ind.
* Amanda Pursch; Austin, Texas
* Amy Rueffert; Talking Rock, Ga.
* Andi Sims; Birmingham, Ala.
* Allison Valdes; Johns Creek, Ga.
* Amanda White; Atlanta, Ga.
* Maribel Zambrana-Garcia; San Juan, PR

Visit www.disneyworldmoms.com to catch-up on our returning alumni panelists:

* Kara Bacon; Omaha, Neb.
* Kay Belin; Valparaiso, Ind.
* Bret Caldwell; Evanston, Ill.
* Diane Campagna; Bristol, R.I.
* Beth Choisez; Floral Park, N.Y.
* Margaret Fries; Oak Lawn, Ill.
* Jodi Grundig; Natick, Mass.
* Doug Ingersoll; Carmel, Ind.
* Diane Luba; Plymouth, Conn.
* Darcie Maranich; Vail, Ariz.
* Tanya McNally; Basking Ridge, N.J.
* Michelle May; Lebanon, N.J.
* Joanne McCabe; Ottawa, ON
* Heather Murry; Social Circle, Ga.
* Brigitta Noer; Nanoose Bay, BC
* Whitney Pickering; Laurel, Miss.
* Karen Prince; Plymouth, N.H.
* Heather Roberts-Nault; Louisville, Ky.
* Cathy Schikowski; Richfield, Ohio
* Anna Skamarakas; Bellmawr, N.J.
* Jennifer Wilkes; Acworth, Ga.
* Erin Foster; Scarsdale, N.Y.

About the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel

Entering its third year, the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel is an online forum where guests can get insider tips and insights for vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort from real moms and dads who have mastered the art of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Each panelist was selected to share their vast knowledge of the resort and personal secrets of success with other families who are considering a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Guests can pose questions to the panelists, as well as gain access to other valuable park insights and vacation planning tools for booking a Walt Disney World vacation. Featuring just 12 members during its inaugural year in 2008, the Panel now boasts 43 park-savvy parents as a result of the popularity of the site and an ever-growing number of questions submitted by curious parents. For more information and to meet the moms and dads, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.

SOURCE Walt Disney World
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-walt-disney-worldr-moms-panel-boasts-43-panelists-in-2010-featuring-21-new-members-80594687.html

RELATED LINKS
http://www.disneyworldmoms.com

Sunday, January 3, 2010

My Dream Launches tomorrow...

My dream launches tomorrow. This entire experience has been indescribable already...it is hard to put into words what it is like to have a dream come true. I plan to thoroughly enjoy each and every moment of this magical year.