Travel Log

DAY 1: We left Sunday morning at around 9:30 to head out the airport. I was so excited I had a stomach ache. The girls were ready with their backpacks and I had my pack that weighed more than Madalynn just chuck full of things for the girls to do on the plane. My mother in-law drove us to the airport and when we arrived at the drop off...that's when the games began. I managed to have one suitcase for both Jason and I and one suitcase for the girls, one bag for Nathan and one suitcase with beach stuff. I forgot that we also had three car seats and a stroller to take along as well. So, that's 7 pieces of luggage and that didn't include the backpacks that we each had. So, picture this in your mind...I've got my pack slung diagonally across my body, I'm pushing Nathan sitting in his carseat in the stroller while pulling the largest suitcase behind me; Jason has his backpack on and brother's bag on one shoulder while pulling two suitcases behind him; Maddie has her backpack on (whose straps kept breaking and dragging) and is carrying her booster seat; Em has her backpack on (whose straps were also breaking and dragging) and is carrying her booster seat. Now, all this is not too bad because it's not too far to the luggage check on, but waiting in line where you set everything down so you can feel your limbs again and then picking them back up to move a few feet and then setting them down and picking them back up...well you get the idea. It was crazy! I could tell the airport people were pulling straws or playing rock, paper, scissor to see who was going to yell "NEXT!" when we were the next ones in line. I'm glad to say that everything got safely on and safely off the plane. But our troubles were not over yet. Next came the security. Now, I completely understand the reasoning behind the security but they could make it a little easier for those of us who are flying with small children. A separate line perhaps? You pretty much strip down and pray that the underwire in your bra doesn't set the thing off and then put all of your stuff back on and the whole time you feel like you have to do this in Olympic record time because you don't want the people waiting behind you to start tapping their foot and giving you little huffs of impatience. Try doing that with yourself and three little kids who also have to strip down and remove their shoes, then put them on AND we had to take Nathan OUT of the stroller FOLD it down, TAKE OFF his shoes, then PUT them back ON and UNFOLD the stroller, STRAP him back IN and then help the girls do the same thing who, by the way, were each wearing necklaces and bracelets that had to be removed and then put back on. Again, all in Olympian time. I don't think it would stress me out as much if there was a separate line for families because then you understand that everyone has to go through the hassle. I kept thinking that there were all these people who would be in and out in 10 seconds, whereas, it was taking us 10 minutes. I do have to say, that despite my description of this slight little hiccup, I felt pretty organized and fast considering it was my first time doing this with three children. Ok, so we are there in plenty of time and we sit and wait. The girls have started with their "Why aren't we getting on the plane yet? Is that our plane? Why do we have to wait for everyone to get off? Is it time to go yet?" I quickly distract them with a fun sticker book (thank you mom and dad!) and finally it's our turn to get on. Now we are on the plane. I help the girls strap in and Jason is across the aisle with Nathan getting his bottle ready for take-off. I get out the chewing gum for the girls and I for our ears so they don't hurt during take-off...worked like a charm! Before we left I gave the girls some fun things to have in their backpacks for the plane ride. One of them was a coloring book of The Incredibles that had colored pencils already with it. I also recorded myself reading a few of their favorite books and then transferring that to a CD so they could listen to some books without me having to disturb everyone with my reading them. So, while one listened to the CD the other one colored in their book. And then they traded. Took up the whole time and it was fabulous! I'll admit it- I was giving myself a pat on the back for how smooth the ride went. The girls thought that they were pretty hot stuff to have their very own table and then a little snack and drink to boot. Nathan slept most of the way there and the pilot got us there 30 minutes early. Who could ask for anything more? Now it's time to find the luggage. I decide that now is a good time for the restrooms because we will be getting on a bus for a 45 minute ride to our hotel. Maddie and I go in...Emma freaks out and refuses to go. She is afraid of the automatic flushers because one flushed while she was still on it and scared to death. There was nothing I could do to get her to go. She wouldn't even go with Jason. I'm starting to stress out again about the luggage situation, but this time the 3 carseats are all in one bag and easier (sort of) to carry. We gave the girls each a suitcase to pull behind them and we head out to find the bus. We found the bus, got on and enjoyed the ride. Emma conked out. Nathan, having been refreshed from his nap, was all over the place and hungry. Because you can't carry liquids with you on the plane I had nothing for him but snacks and he enjoyed throwing those on the floor more than eating them. Maddie was just elated to be a "bus rider." AAHH, we made it to the hotel. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and while I was checking us in Goofy came! Maddies was so excited...Emma hid behind dad. There were two bronze statues of Mickey and Minnie on either side of the painting of Cinderella's Castle. We did some quick pics and then headed up to our room. Honestly, nothing to write home about. It has some Disney decor and that's about it. They did have princess bed time stories on the tv that the girls loved, but all in all, just another hotel. The best part was that we were within walking distance to all the attractions and some restaurants. So we headed out to find some grub. When we came back we went swimming in the pool which was called the Neverland Pool. So you can guess what the theme was. They had a small water slide for the youngun's and then a large waterslide for the biggun's. Emma loved the waterslide and went on it over and over. Maddie is just a Mermaid so she swam all over the place. This was brother's first time swimming! He just chilled in his floatie and loved splashing in the water. Then it was off to bed for an early rise in the morning for...TO BE CONTINUED. Where does the Childs Family go for their next adventure? Find out tomorrow! The pics in the slide show are of the airport, plane ride and the hotel. I forgot to put in the swimming ones and it's too late. I'm missing Parry Mason right now. They'll be there tomorrow.

Ode to Maddie

Hey Folks! Just got back from Sunny California and I'm trying to get back in to the swing of things. Before I left I had typed up a little "Ode to Maddie" for her birthday and thought that it was set on the prepublished post...but it wasn't. So, it's down a few posts on April 4th because that's the day I typed it up. The post is titled A New Day. If any of you care to read it- it's nothing special...just a little shout out to my girl on her birthday. Oh and ya, there will be a travel log complete with pictures as soon as I get the blasted things to transfer. I may just have to blow-up my computer and start all over. But when it happens there will be a slide show because I took a GAZILLION pictures! So gird up your loins!

Hosanna

Before I get into my shpeel I just have a little side note. I have a lot of pictures on my camera that I am trying to transfer on to my computer and, darn it all, this computer is giving me fits. So, that's the reason for my sparse blogging lately. Ok, so, this Easter weekend was a crazy busy time. Back in February I committed to singing with the Antiphonal Choir for Lex De Azevedo's Easter production of Hosanna. It's a beautiful Oritorio of The Easter story as told in the the Four Gospels of the King James Version of the Bible. Every word sung came from the Bible and nothing was added or changed. As the time drew closer for performance, Satan really worked hard and me and I had every excuse in the book (and some not in the book) to just throw in the towel and not do it. I was exhausted with the constant pull not to do it and the quiet "nagging" that I should do it. In the end, I gave in and decided to do it. Grumbling and mumbling the whole way through. Being in the Antiphonal Choir, we had the delightful task of being the "bad guys"...the ones who sang out "Crucify Him!" And we were the bad guys during the trial. It was hard to sing that with the emotion that we had to mean it. I got choked up a bit sometimes but made it through. I've been singing the whole production since then around the house and I'm ashamed to admit that it was the "background music" in my dreams Friday night. I kept singing it in my head the whole night! Anyway, on a personal side note, I have been struggling a little with...well, let's just say that I felt like I hit a "Spiritual Brick Wall." I just haven't been FEELING lately, if you know what I mean. Constantly negative and just thinking that maybe I was on hold for a minute. Which was fine. I had other things to do. So, sitting there listening to the beautiful Male Tenor (George Dyer for any of you who know him) sing the Words of Jesus I realized the reason why I had that nagging feeling to come and participate. Those of you that know me, know that I have a PASSION for music. Music speaks to me in ways that others cannot. I can always find a song, with or without words, to convey my feelings. And if it wouldn't be annoying, I would just sing every word that came out of my mouth. So, when this realization came to me it was like a "Duh" moment. Why wouldn't the Lord speak to me through song? It's the only way I will truly listen. My testimony of the Atonement grew ten fold in those two nights that we performed and I am so glad that I participated. Every time I read that part of the Bible now, it will be with those songs in mind. I do that with the scripture in D&C section 123 I think it is (or maybe it's 121). The section about Joseph being in the Liberty Jail and his cry out to Father saying "Oh God, where art though? And where is the pavilion, that covereth thy hiding place from my face?" and so on and so on. Even now, typing it, I was singing it in my head. I recently purchased a Book of Mormon CD done by Janeen Brady (she's the one who did all those Safety Kid tapes. You know, the ones I auditioned for but didn't make it because my voice sounded "too grown-up." Ya, those tapes) Anyway, they sing songs about the story of Nephi from the time they left Jerusalem to the time they reach the Promised Land. And so now...yep you guessed it, I sing those songs when I think of that story. Music brings things to life for me and helps me to understand them in ways I never thought possible. If you ever get a chance to listen to or attend a production of Hosanna, I strongly encourage you to do so. Jenny Oaks Baker performed on the violin and it just made my heart ache and my arms ache to play the violin again. I'm sorry that I didn't invite anyone to it. At first I didn't think it was worth the $10 a ticket to attend, and now I ask for forgiveness because you truly missed out on a wonderful experience and opportunity to understand the Atonement and appreciate what really happened during that time. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think one of the reasons why I have somewhat of a talent in music is because this is the way that Heavenly Father can communicate with me and know that I will listen and understand what it is he wants me to learn. I'm greatful for my talents and I try to improve upon them everyday. Maybe Father uses our talents as a means of communicating when we aren't listening otherwise? Which brings me to my other musical dilemma. It's always been a goal of mine to audition for the MOTAB and so I had planned on doing that next year when I turn 30. Kind of a mid-life crisis thing for me. So, in order to prepare for that I was going to take voice lessons again to polish this rusty voice of mine and get back into the nitty-gritty of things again. But man, those things are expensive!! I'm talkin' I'd have to get a part time job just to pay for them expensive. I feel very strongly that me getting a part time job is not the best thing for my children right now and so I've decided to put the voice lessons on hold for a while. I still have that nagging feeling though, so I wonder what musical Father will use to help me understand which direction I need to go. Anyway...Music. I love it! It truly is the voice of angels for me and I guess I'm just trying to share that with you. It would be so much easier if I could sing it too you!

A New Day Has Come

**NOTE** This was supposed to have been a prepublished post...but it obviously didn't work. I've been at DisneyLand this whole week and left the laptop behind so that I spent time with my family instead of with the computer like I usually do. So, this post is a little late. Sorry Moops! BTW-Jason and I went to the Temple the Friday before we left and did sealings. The sealer was trying to educate us about sealings and what they mean and so forth. He said that children who are BIC and then get adopted by a stepfather or stepmother are not sealed to those parents because they don't need it. Jason and I just smiled at one another and he said that I had a smirk on my face which is not true! I just know that it was meant to be this way. Anyway, back to the post.** Those that know me know that I am a huge Celine Dion fan. When I was expecting Maddie this CD came out and I loved it!! This song became the theme song for my life at that time and I was thinking about it when she was born. That was a difficult and strengthening time in my life and I found comfort in the eyes of my baby girl and family and friends around me. I call Maddie my "Special Angel" because of a spiritual experience I had with her before she was born and during a time when I was down on my knees praying to the Lord asking him why things were happening. My divorce, things going on with my sick grandfather, bringing this sweet baby girl into the world by myself, (I didn't know she was a girl through an ultrasound yet, I knew because I could "feel her spirit" with me constantly). I just kept asking the Lord "What about my baby? What about her? Why are you doing this to her?" Then suddenly she came to me and I could see her. She was a little older and she was with my Grandma Newbold who had passed on several years before. She spoke to me and told me that she was fine and that she already "knew" and that when the time came she would be fine and we would be fine together. She brought me great comfort and strength in that moment and from then on I knew that I could face whatever challenges would be coming from the experiences I was having at that time. A day or two later my grandfather died while I was there with him and my divorce was no longer just a thought but a for sure thing. I was surrounded by family at that time and I was as solid as a rock. While things were falling apart and changing around me I had the comfort of the little spirit of Maddie to help me through. I had the easiest pregnancy ever and I got to make all the decisions about the nursery and her name by myself (which was great!) She is named Madalynn because I love the French Language and I've sung at the Cathedral Madeleine and thought that it was so beautiful. Her middle name is Dianne after my Grandma Newbold whom I spoke of earlier. I felt my Grandma's presence with me through that whole ordeal as well and I knew that there was a special connection between Maddie and my Grandma. In fact, when I was in labor with Maddie and getting ready to deliver we were joking around saying that it was taking so long for Maddie to get here because Grandma Newbold was still holding her and wouldn't let her go. I spelled Madalynn the way I did after a perfect suggestion from my Aunt Eva. My Grandma always said that her name was Dianne with two "N's because I am twice as nice." We thought that was fitting and it could also work for twice as naughty! 4 months after Maddie was born this song became fitting for my life once again when I met Jason. I thought that I would give him the ultimate test and have him hold Maddie for me while I washed my hands after changing her diaper. I went to the sink and started washing my hands and I looked over at the two of them and they were both looking at each other so intently and I had this HUGE surge of electricity go right through me. I knew then and there that "crap! I'm going to marry this guy! Maddie knows it too." Jason has always been there for both Maddie and me and he has been her dad from the beginning. In fact (unbeknownst to Jason) we called him daddy secretly from that day on. Only when the engagement became "official" did we call him that out loud. Since then Maddie has been adopted by Jason and sealed to him on our Anniversary. We sent in a letter to the First Presidency and they very rarely have a child BIC sealed to another parent, but there was never any doubt in my mind that this was how it was meant to be. Everyone kept telling me that they don't do this kind of sealing and I proved them wrong. Even our Stake President at the time said that President Hinckley was a very busy man and he didn't want to bother him with things that he already knew the answer to. But something told him that this needed to go through. They were very quick to respond to us as well. Which was great because I knew that we would be sealed on our Anniversary. That year our anniversary was on Saturday and our Stake President called us early Sunday morning to read the letter to us. Talk about cutting it close! And the rest, as they say, is history!(disclaimer: we were told not to parade this around and because I know that only family and close friends read this blog I am sharing this part with you. But I want it made clear that they DO NOT normally do this!) And that is the story of my beautiful Special Angel who is turning 6 today! I can't believe how fast the time has just flown by. So much has happened in those 6 years and I have been able to get through it all with the strength from my little girl. We are at Disneyland today for Maddie's birthday!!! We will be having dinner with the princesses and going to Sea World and the Beach this week too. Maddie loves animals and the water and beach. So I thought that this would be perfect to celebrate her life and give her a secret big THANK YOU for all she has unknowingly done for me. One day, I hope to share this story with her and I know that she will be okay with ALL aspects of it. Because she already told me...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY MADDIE POO!

New Moon

Well, Jason and I finally watched Twilight together and let me tell you...it is definitely a movie to watch BY MYSELF while folding laundry or something. He certainly knew how to suck all the fun and romance out of it. He says that he was watching it with an open mind but I don't know how much of that I believe. Anyway, he didn't like Bella ( I don't either) and he said "I'm way better looking than Edward," and he thought it was a cheesy, corny, poorly acted movie. His favorite cheeseball line is the one where Edward rescues Bella from the guys in the alley and he asks her to distract him so doesn't go and rip those guys heads off and she says he should put on his seat belt and he laughs and says you put on your seat belt. Ya, Jason's been saying that for the past few days.

As we were watching it together I was realizing how cheesy it is and they did botch all of the best scenes and lines from the book but there's that underlying fire and romance that still gets to me. So, I was feeling a little deflated (which is a good thing. that way I don't obsess about it so much) and then my friend sent me an e-mail that helped my spirits soar.

Ok, feeling much better now. Wow! If that doesn't make your spirits soar (and sweat a little) I don't know what will! I'm looking forward to the new movie and I hope that they redeem themselves!