We're having such a GREAT time...

So everyone's here... Sister-in-Law, 'Kiki', nephew 'Kea', Sister 'Cyn', Brother-in-Law 'G-O', nephews M, J, & niece AE. It is soooooooooooo wonderful!!!
The last few days in review...We are having such a great time!
~ Friday Family got to see BooBoo and SweetPea in school. The girls were so proud to show off their school.
We got home and immediately started getting ready for the Open house I had planned for my friends to meet my family. The open house was fun and it was really nice to see my sisters interact with all my family. Everyone here has been soooo supportive and praying for my family. It was wonderful to see them together and get to meet the people they've been praying for...

~ Saturday we had to get ready to help my wonderful friend get to the airport for her move to South Africa. Unfortunately her flight to London was canceled so we had figure how to get her back there... it was very stressful for her and therefore for me too. Then off to Orlando to the hotel to meet up with Mr Safety-Man, our girls, G-O, nieces, nephews, and S-i-L Kiki whom had traveled to the hotel earlier that afternoon!! Had a GREAT ride over with just my sis and me! It was really nice to get to spend some alone time together.

~ Sunday we got up EARLY and headed to Magic Kingdom in time for the opening of the park! It was FANTASTIC and everyone worked together so well to get there on time! We had a BLAST at the park! It was a bit cold and dreary but there were ABSOLUTELY NO LINES until at least 2ish. We couldn't believe it! It was (beware some cheesiness here...) MAGICAL to watch the kiddos who have never been to Disney experience it! I cannot even begin to portray how we all felt. It was definitely a spectacular day/evening. I will have to post some photos of our day. It was just WONDERFUL. I cannot say enough of this day.

~ Sunday eve me, my sister, & her family drove home while Mr Safety Man, Aunt Kiki, her son, and my girls stayed for another day to go to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

~ Monday we just totally CHILLED and hung out. It was great.

~ Tuesday we went to see the Manatees in the afternoon - it was AMAZING. There were EASILY 50 of them there!! And the boys REALLY got a lot out of learning about Florida's coasts and manatees. Then to Hungry Howies Buffet! (HEY! For 11 people... it was the easiest and quickest thing!) Mr Safety-Man and I got to go out that evening and finish some secret gift missions!!

~ Wednesday BooBooBear got to go with Aunt Kiki to the zoo with her cousin, while the rest of us went to the outlet mall to finish up some much needed shopping... gotta get those lists done!!!

~ And today Thursday - Sweetpea is going to the Science museum and iMax with her Aunt Kiki and cousin while we head over to Emerson Point to explore!

Every night - it's been rather late ones for me. We've watched movies, worked on projects, cleaned up, did laundry, and I try to finish presents that no one can see after everybody is asleep. I am trying desperately to finish all the handmade things I need to get done. I have to sew 2 things for 2 friends... I have 4 things to sew for my friend in Dallas. I have had to hand make 4 things for 'the sisters'. It's been rather crazy... all the while realizing I hadn't finished shopping for family afar and it's THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS! Hellllllloooo Kymmie...procrastinate much?! Or just plain forgetful!?

So more photos to follow... but the week at a glance!!!  It's been soooooo wonderful to have everyone here... I am really getting a lot out of my family here - it means more than I can ever say.

They're HERE! They're HERE!!!! They're HERE!!!!!!!

The day has finally come... we've been counting down the days since September... EVERYONE IS HERE for Christmas... well almost everyone. There are some that are missing and it will be hard.

The sisters have arrived!

Our families have ARRIVED!!!

They're HERE! They're HERE!!!! They're HERE!!!!!!!

The day has finally come... we've been counting down the days since September... EVERYONE IS HERE for Christmas... well almost everyone. There are some that are missing and it will be hard.

The sisters have arrived!

Our families have ARRIVED!!!

My S-i-L & her son - couldn't wait for his hug!

My nieces and nephews (my girls couldn't wait!!)

My family

My SISTER!!!!!! So strong, so wonderful, so special!!!

~~~~THEY ARE FINALLY HERE~~~~

PROUD & Locks of Love

proud  (proud)

adj. proud·er, proud·est

1. Feeling pleasurable satisfaction over an act, possession, quality, or relationship by which one measures one's stature or self-worth: proud of one's child; proud to serve one's country.

2. Occasioning or being a reason for pride

3. Feeling or showing justifiable self-respect.

4. Filled with or showing excessive self-esteem.

5. Of great dignity; honored: a proud name.

6. Majestic; magnificent: proud alpine peaks.

7. Spirited. Used of an animal: proud steeds.

 

I am so very excited for my daughter... I am so proud of her and she is proud of herself... and to me that means more than ANYTHING!!!  You see Sweetpea decided to grow out her hair... except she decided to grow it out - not for vain reasons but to donate it to such a WORTHY cause.... She decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love... and she did! Her appointment was at the end of November. She was excited and a bit nervous... but WOW what a cute "do" she has! 

Did you know that 80% of the donations of hair are from little girls to help other little girls!?! Can you believe that!!!?! I cried when I found this out...How truly remarkable.

I am proud of my Sweetpea. I am touched that she would do this for another person. She feels a great accomplishment... It's just a great time to have such a warm feeling... and so needed!!!

Before! Getting ready to go...

It's TIME!!!

"I get my hair washed too?!?!"

Brought one of her BFFs to give her moral support!

And HERE WE GOoooooooooo... snip snip snip

She's holding her hair! IT IS OFFICIAL!!!

WOW she is AMAZED about holding her own ponytail!!!

Now to start the "beautifying" process...

Add a bit of a fringe... (are you tired of these photos yet?)

Teaching her how to style her bangs (POOR Sweetpea has MY hair/hairline!

More styling and teaching...

Look at that dimple!!! SO SWEET! I don't know about her... but I LOVE IT!!!!

Checking it all out in the mirror! SHE LOVES IT!!!!

There's my baby!!!!! So beautiful!!

We love this little girl and what she did... so. very. much.

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling...

...like a clock... tick-tocking my time to get things done... T'is the Season everybody!

I am doing  it again... I am totally just stressing myself out and getting myself all worked up... but for good reason! I can tell myself that right?! My sweet sister and her family and my sister-in-law and her son are coming THIS coming THURSDAY (six days people). It will be a very busy and chaotic time all together - but I think it will be just what we all need. I want this to be as perfect as I can make it... with all our loss and people missing this season... however... I know deep in my heart nothing will erase the sadness. I just hope I can ease it a bit and just spread love and peace. I am very excited for my family to arrive.

And to add just a little bit of pressure... my sister's birthday is Friday (day after she arrives) and I have invited all my wonderful friends here to meet the sisters and their families in an Open House!!! OH I am a glutton for punishment aren't I? But I LOVE throwing little parties and I can finally do it... physically and mentally! It's been a LONG time since I have had one here!

There's so much to do... and I am slowly working on things... I just hope I can make the deadlines... I am really pushing things...but feel like i am on a sleigh to nowhere fast...

and I am so. very. tired.