Happiest Place on Earth- Survival
I survived. Being at the happiest place on earth, also known as Disney World… I survived.
First, I didn’t mean to take a 4 day break from work but then again it served me well. I had every intention on working during my down time while we were in Orlando and even brought the computer. The truth is, there is no downtime when you are at the happiest place on earth. You are constantly on the go go go, just ask my legs that can barely move.
Although we were in Orlando for Alexis’ gymnastics meet it would have been shameful not to pay Mickey a visit. Alexis had a great meet and even taught her mama a very valuable lesson this weekend. Her scores were not her best but we knew going into this meet that her scores would be lower as this was the first meet competing at a Level 7 gymnast. This was a huge jump for her because now her routines are “her own” instead of compulsory (made up for her). It’s a little more fun for her as she can choose her music for her floor routine. Overall she did pretty darn good on all events. Her bar routine was a MESS and the score she received definitely proved it. BUT… it’s something her coach will be fixing as there was a missing element that Alexis had no idea about.
Directly after her bar routine she went to beam. Already a little spooked over the bar scores she went to beam with a smile on her face. Her beam routine was not her finest, but it’s what she did that made my heart swell with pride and truly a lesson for all of us.
Her mount onto the beam didn’t start off well and she ended up back on the ground. Then a turn on the beam went south as well. She fell. It was at this moment I thought for sure she was going to say, forget it. I could see from afar that the tears were coming. She back away from the beam and puts her hands on her head, takes a deep breath and without blinking an eye she is back on that skinny stick they call a beam. I couldn’t believe it. She then does her back handspring but fell again. I noticed however at this point she was moving like normal, very graceful. She ends with her two back walkovers and dismounts and smiles.
Friends, she fell off 3 times. THREE. At the end she was smiling. She came running over to me afterwards (kinda a no no) to tell me she was so excited that she did her back handspring. Even though her coach was there to spot her she said she didn’t need her. Yes, she fell but she did it.
She never mentions the other falls….
It was determination to not give up. To look defeat in the face and move forward. What I learned? Remember that moment that I said she stepped away from the beam and took a deep breath? That’s the moment. Stepping away and taking a deep breath. Regrouping- gathering your thoughts knowing that what she was doing was not working but getting back up there and trying again.
So many times I have thrown a hissy fit instead of “regrouping!” It’s never helped. It’s defeat. I learned to step back and regroup. In the end she shined and the best part was the score. Although it wasn’t amazing, it wasn’t bad either considering the 3 falls.
Yes, my heart was GINORMOUS. I hate to see my kids have to deal with things like this but I know how much they grow when they do. We do too. It’s never easy.
Sunday was our free day and we chose to spend it at the Animal Kingdom Park. I hate to admit this but I’m not a huge Disney Park fan. I love the magic of the place. I love the rides. I love everything there except the crazy crowds. The poor children look overwhelmed and by 3pm they are a crying mess. The parents faces by this time are crinkled up and angry looking. Seriously, after 3pm it’s all downhill for these people. Meanwhile, mom of the year here didn’t get Fast Passes because of our spur of the moment decision to go to the Animal Kingdom and we were left watching the human safari of people walking around. Entertaining to say the least.
Overall it was a fantastic time and I loved being with Alexis the entire time. What a fun age this is for her.
We traveled home yesterday in some pretty nasty weather. I drove my dads car to Orlando since Russ had a fender bender with my car last week. My car needs a little surgery.
Our ride home was pretty uneventful until 2 miles from home. There were tornadoes in the area that we kept hearing about but everything seemed fine. Then all of a sudden the rain was coming down side ways and the car was rocking back and forth. I was at a complete stop and debris was flying everywhere. I heard a loud thud and just knew something had hit my dad’s car. All of a sudden this 45 year old felt 16 again. What was my dad going to say??
I believe we came into some straight line winds and it felt like a tornado. Scared doesn’t even touch how I was feeling. While there is no damage to my dads car (thank you Jesus!) I am pretty sure I wet my pants during the moment.
We made it home safely and our weekend is complete. 4 days of fun, and entertaining all the way home.
Now, I do have something pretty to share as well. And a HUGE thank you to all of you for the kindest comments EVER. I love you guys. Seriously, I am so grateful for all of you.
Botanical Blooms as you know has been a hard set for me to use but guess what? The more I play with it the more I’m loving it. I’m becoming a “flower” girl. WHOA!
My favorite part of this card is the vellum overlay. I used the Botanical Gardens Designer Vellum Stack and it’s SO pretty. So delicate and SO free with every $50 order. LOVE THAT!
I love the look of the layered Lots of Labels Framelits. Simple but elegant.
The leaves that I die cut remind me of feathers. You know how much I love feathers? They are so delicate looking.
You can find all of the products I used below in the clickable links.
Don’t forget to check out the new Sale-a-Bration items added today. They are dynamo! Hello Glitter Tape! WOWSA.
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Okay, time for me to get stampin’. I have a bit of catching up to do and I’m a little bit excited. YAY YAY YAY!!
10 thoughts on “Happiest Place on Earth- Survival”
I know exactly how you feel. My granddaughter is a gymnast and I cringe every time she gets on that balance beam! In fact we just got back from a gymnastic competition in Greensboro, NC! Your daughter is a real trooper and I know you are proud of her.
Thanks for sharing your talent of card making with all of us!
I am just proud for you. Because getting back up there takes more courage than most people can even think about having. She has had fine examples of getting back up and holding one’s head high (um, that would be you, missy, and of course her fabulous dad). Thanks for sharing…one mom reminding another of what these falls actually accomplish in the big picture.
Hi Kimberly, Thanks for filling us in about Alexis’ meet, and your girls’ trip to Disney! So glad you made it home safely. What a wonderful girl Alexis is! No surprise there, we have watched her grow up through your blog posts. I hope she is as proud of herself for showing such grace and courage as you are!
I think this card is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Your post today about your daughter was touching and beautiful and she has inspired me today!! To look at difficulty in the eye and conquer it! Way to go!!
Thank you Amy. XO
Thank you for stopping by Susan. XO
She definitely showed courage out there. It was a fantastic day for this mama. XO
Isn’t that the truth Jen? I get so busy with “life” and forget to take the time to acknowledge moments like these. It was really awesome to see how the day played out and how she handled it. XO
I hope she did great Dee. Gymnastics is a tough sport and I do the same thing… cringe when I watch. Usually with one eye open. LOL.
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