Girls Gone Wild...well...to Disneyland at least

So each year 4 ladies get together and head to Disneyland...those 4 ladies are myself, my mom, my mother in law and a wonderful woman named Marsha, who we lovingly call Mom #3.

We spend 3-4 days away from the men of our lives, the children and everyone else around us...however lets be honest...I am spending the entire time that I am down there shopping for my kids most of the time.

When I am not busy shopping for my children I am running around like a 12 year old with my mother in law trying to get on all the rides that we can in the short amount of time that we are there. It really is a great time.

This year was really fun and exciting because of many reason...two of the main ones being that all of the Christmas decorations would still be up, but also that Radiator Springs was going to be open.  This is the new Cars land that Disney spent years building...and we had scene much of the progress, however didn't know what to expect.

So the day that we arrived was a very long day for me because the night before was my birthday party and to say that there was a lack of sleep would be an over statement -- I was still intoxicated when I arrived at the airport, and spent the entire wait at the airport and the flight to California asleep.  This didn't help all that much -- what would have really helped was a shower but we got to our hotel about 7 hours prior to being able to check in...I wanted to cry. But alas, I put on my big girl pants and headed on out to Disneyland for a day of fun.

=We started out at California Adventure and went to Screaming Mickey and Toy Story Mania...lines weren't all that bad so we decided to do them a couple of times.  Screaming Mickey is defiantly one of my favorite rides there -- which says something because up until about a three years ago I HATED roller coasters.  But I think that you can tell from the picture that I having a pretty good time.

After hitting up the boardwalk areas in California Adventure we went a did a little shopping, and then headed down to Cars Land.  Cars land is defiantly gauged for children, fun for adults -- but in all of this entire new land that was build there were only 3 new rides!!!  The Flying Tires, Maders something rather...and the Racers ride which was a ton of fun.  However show me a ride that you can go tractor tipping in and I will show you a good time.


After we had all the fun that we could take we headed back to the room for some cleaning up and what not -- and then it was to Disneyland for us.  Since all of the Christmas stuff was still up that meant that the Christmas parade was still happening and of course we had to go.  We generally miss the holiday festivities but 1 or 2 days, but no not this year we were all about being there!

There were dancing trees, tin solders marching about, Mickey and Minnie ice skating -- every child's dream...yet all i could think of was "why are we standing here watching a parade when the lines are short right now -- lets get to some RIDES!"  Oh and boy did we.

So my mother in law and I share a love for Big Thunder Mountain in the night time along with sitting in the last row -- it is a must.  You get such a better ride of you are in the back row vs. anywhere else on that ride.  It was a good think that we did because the next day they closed down a ton of the rides because they are going to be giving them a make over for the next year! Why are they toying with perfection?!  Why are they messing with BTM?!

Day two left me feeling awful with a migraine but I did manage to get out of the room and attach some more rides.  We mostly hit it at night seeing as very few people were in the park. I think that we did ever ride 2 times at least -- except for space mountian.  I can't even tell you how close we got to being on the ride and then it broke down.  UGH! 


Out side of the park we did do a few other things.  We hit an outlet mall where I got my 4th ear piercing!  I love it -- it is at a strange spot on my ear, and with the little diamond that it has it is so cute!  After that we headed to our favorite little eatery in Anaheim out side of the New Orleans Cafe -- We went to Joe's Crab Shack.

Not much else to say about Disneyland in general -- except I don't think that I will be going back next year...I find that while I love Disneyland, the magic is lost on me when I go each and every year.  I am thinking that it is time for me to go somewhere new -- where you might ask?!  I'm thinking New York or New Orleans! Who knows tho...

Till next time,
xoxo -- Meg

Here are some additional pictures from our trip!

And The Bronze Medal Goes Too....

Over this last weekend Kouper, Ryan and I made the 30 minute drive to Gig Harbor, WA for the "Rumble in Gig Harbor".  Kouper is proving to be a great little wrestler, however we still need some additional lessons -- but that is a post for another time -- this post of about his first success.

So for those of you who are not familiar with the process of going to a wrestling match I am going to go over a few things...first of all -- wrestling matches are not like those that you see at your local high school that last for a few hours in the evening...these wrestling matches are ALL day events...and can seem even longer when you have to travel great distances to get to them.  Thankfully for us this weekends match was pretty local. We had to arrive at Peninsula High School at 0700 for weigh-ins  meaning we had to leave our house that morning at 0615 to get there in time...not horrid, however after the three minutes that it takes for you to get weighted in, you then have a multiple hour wait.  The tournament didn't start until 1000, however Kouper didn't actually wrestle until the 3rd round.

His first match today didn't start until 1130ish...he did really well and didn't get pinned...but he lost by not having as many points as the other person.  Which was okay with me, I was proud of him for making it through all three rounds with out getting pinned...that was a first for him.  I think it was a little extra special for him because he had a special visitor who happened to live close by that stopped by to support him and cheer him on.  Uncle Scott didn't realize that he was wrestling until the third round and couldn't stay for the entire match -- but it still ment the world to Kouper that he came and supported him! 

After goodbyes and photo ops with Uncle Scott (yes...mama is a tad of a camera pusher) Kouper was able to relax for a little while.  I left to go get lunch because Ryan and I were not keen on the idea of eating cafeteria pizza...and I made it back just in time for  his second match.  He did amazing!  Lacking a little when attempting to get control of his opponent on the mat, but amazing over all.  He didn't get the pin but did win in the over all points after the three rounds were completed.  HIS FIRST WIN AT A WRESTLING TOURNAMENT!!!!


His third match went pretty much as the first one only he got pinned in the third round.  He was a little bummed but came of the matt telling me exactly what he needed to do differently next time to not get pinned and/or get more take downs and points next time.

After all was said and done, Kouper won the bronze medal!  When they put the medal around his next I slightly wanted to cry because I was so proud of him.  Kouper has ADD and doesn't take loss all that well, however, for the first time in all of the different activities we have tried...Kouper isn't quitting or getting defeated when he loses.  He sincerely wants to do better and tried harder each and every week.   


I have to put a huge thank you out there to every one who supports Kouper!  I know that everyone can't be there when he wrestles nor can everyone travel long distances with everything they have going on in their lives -- but the support is overwhelming and loved.  

Till next time! 
-- xoxo Meg --

Below is a video from him wrestling...round 3!!

They call me Meg...err...Auntie Megan

When you have a small family and you don't grow up with siblings it is fun to watch how your life will grow as you get older.  I have made no secret that when Ryan and I got married the extended family started to from.  The people that we chose to spend our time with are the people that we consider family...and their kids (and sometimes animals) are no exception.  I love being Auntie Megan!!!

However, while I love being Auntie Megan, there are those times when friendship fizzles...falls apart...or moves away that being an Auntie is hard.  I respect the boundaries that are set because I'm not an actual Auntie...but I still love the babies none the less.
  

 When I talk about boundaries I am talking about the fact that I am not actually family -- and while that makes no bearing in my life, others are not as open as I am.  Christmas, Easter, Birthdays and etc...I have to remember that I am just the suto Auntie. 

I may not get to see my favorite babies on Christmas, Easter or other major holidays -- they know that I am thinking about them.  Wrapping presents and Birthdays are so much fun because after wrapping presents, making extra Easter baskets and stockings...makes it all worth it at the end of the day when they open everything and they get excited and hug you and love you...there is nothing better than that.

The other benefit having friends so close to you that you can be considered Auntie Megan is for my babies...having people that we love and other children around is always a good time.  Kouper and Mak love every on of the babies in our life...Pizza parties, sleep overs, Easter Egg hunts, camping trips, and etc...surrounding yourself and having your children create relationships young that could last a life time, is the hope really!

I could feel more blessed in my life...not only for the family that i have...the amazing babies that call me Mama, and for the husband who is so amazing that he could have picked anyone he wants, but he picked me.  Overwhelming how much love I have around me..


But I wanted to let those babies out there who call me Auntie Megan just how much I love them!

Rihanna, Charlie, Olivia, Karly, Zack, Jace, Brett, Colby and Riley too...Auntie Megan loves you all so so much!

Bittersweet Changes and Temporary Goodbyes...err See You Later's

bit‧ter‧sweet Noun \ˈbi-tər-ˌswēt\: something that is bittersweet; especially : pleasure alloyed with pain

1.Goodbye "The second worst word in the human dictionary."

Means leaving someone or something, and sometimes never seeing them again. 

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American author Richard Bach once said "Don't be dismayed at goodbyes.  A farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."  Big words sir...

Scotty @ Work

I have never been one who becomes friends...or really close friends with those who I work with before coming to Harrison.  I believed that work is work and home is home...those lines shouldn't cross.  Well that seems to have changed for me.  I have meet so many amazing people her at Harrison...some have even become like family.

One of those people, Scott, had his last day at Harrison yesterday.  Scott is one of those "one in a lifetime" people as Ryan (husband) likes to call them.  Moi describes friendship as being "like standing on wet cement. The longer you stay, the harder it's to leave, and you can never go without leaving your footprints behind." ...and boy is this accurate

Scott & Ryan at the Car Place in Tacoma

For not wanting to make friends at work, I have managed to gain a best friend.  Someone who changed not just me but my entire family. Working with someone that you are that close with is different because you don't realize that you become depending on seeing your friend each and everyday (excluding weekends unless other plans are made of course)...someone who I could vent to in confidence, someone who was able break up the redundancy of what I do...and someone who I appreciate so much because of that.

It was never a surprise that he wouldn't be working here after January because he had much better adventures waiting for him including becoming a daddy.  But there were conversations about pro's and con's, there was contemplation  it wasn't a secret...but as I was going through the daily motions of day to day life I think that I blocked that out of my head a little bit.  It didn't hit me until I went to visit them in the hospital after their baby was born when I realized that my person didn't work with me any more! :(  

Scott & I at a VFW Ride

I was talking to Ryan yesterday and I was telling him how work is gunna change with out my person at work, and while he understood he also reminded me that it isn't goodbye...it is see you later; which was soon follow by a "get over it woman" (Typical Palmer :p).  Why say goodbye when our families do so much together?!  Our babies are going to grow up together, superbowls are going to be watched, dinners are going to be had...it is inevitable that this friendship isn't going to end here.  

While my person may no longer work within the walls of Harrison...he is my person none the less...and I have to keep reminding myself that when you have someone in your life that you can consider such a good friend that they are part of your family it is rare and someone wise one said that it isn't goodbye it is see you later and that.

Scott and Olivia

Change is hard, and this one is defiantly bittersweet...but nothing but happiness is going to come out of this change....and that is what matters most!

(Below is a quote that my husband told me to try and make me feel better about everything...I believe it is totally fitting!  Thank you Palmer for always being there for me...I <3 you!!!!!!)

"Never say goodbye, because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting." -Peter Pan

We Call Her Mak...

When we had Kouper I thought that someone had heard my worry, and answered what ever prayer I might have put out there -- I was afraid to be a mom to a little girl.  I myself am not the most girly.  Don't get me wrong I love fashion  make up, shoes and most things girly...I myself am not the most girly tho.  So I thought that it would be easier with a boy. 

Kouper was easy...however I longed for a girl. Tutu's, dresses, watching my husband snuggle with a little lady.  Well someone out there heard my want because on 11/11/2013 we were blessed with Makenzie "Mak" Palmer...and it has been more amazing that I could have ever imagined.  ..Skipping forward a few years later...I have to share a moment that happened that made me fall in love with her all over again.  We are getting vocal and copying everything mama, daddy and brother say. Frequent words from her include:

"Are you kidding me?

"I want chocho" (chocolate milk)

"My Butt!"

"Koup...Where are you?"

"Sup"

She has the cutest little attitude...and is a great over all baby, with just a little stubborn stuck in there...but the picture above is a great example of Makenzie.  I had to run upstairs for 2 minutes to help Kouper with something, I left Mak watching "Ickey Moufe" (or to the rest of us Mickey Mouse)...I come back and she isn't on the couch...I look over in the Kitchen and she is standing there with her hand in the Peanut Butter Jar?!?!?!?!  I look over and say "Mak, What are you doing?" (while I am making my way towards the package of Costco wipes  because I assume we are going to need a few for this one) and she looks at me and says "Want some" and pulls out a glob.  Now at this point I know I should be upset, but LOOK AT HER!!!!  I had to get my camera.  Lets just say that when all was said and done, that is now HER jar of Jif All Natural Peanut Butter...and it is being stored on a higher shelf.

That's all for now... xoxo Meg

Family Isn't Always Who You Thought It Would Be

Ryan & Megan 2012

So 11 years ago now I fell in love and started our family.  Our family that is made up of us -- a little man named Kouper how is 8 now (OMG how did that happen?!?) and a sassy little lady named Makenzie (who is already 2).

my family is precious to me...I protect my family and hold on to it like it is a bubble that could pop at any moment!  You never know what is going to happen through out your life...so you have to protect what you have.  

Kouper (8) & Makenzie(2) 2012

Protection comes with a lot of work for a family, especially when Ryan and I started our family when we were 18 and 19.  11 years later there is so much to look back on and learn from, and be nostalgic about...but where we are today is so much better than were we were 11 years go...regardless of the quiet that is sometimes missing in our lives that wasn't there when children weren't present.  However, a quite house is only enjoyable in small quantities these days!

However when we talk about protection and family in our lives there is so much more to look at other than just the four of us.  I was an only child growing up so I always loved to surround myself with people...extended family if you might; however I have a hard time letting people in because I was always afraid of getting hurt -- and while I hate to admit it I feel like I am understand where Payton from One Tree Hill when she says that "People Always Leave"  I feel like there are so many people in my life that come in and make a huge impact on me, my kids, and my life...but then I make a personal decision that they don't enjoy and they chose to leave my life all together.

The Crazy 5 @ Beer Fest

But...over the last 2 years Ryan and I have really found a family in those people who we surround ourselves by.  We have found people who even tho they don't hear from me every day they know I love them...they would do anything for my children and would do with with out expecting anything in return.

Candice & Megan 2012

They are friends who might have lived only 1 mile away and because brothers and sisters to you but because of the (stupid) military are not living in the middle of no where with a tone of snow...but they are still there for you.  They still talk, text, video chat and do what ever needs to be done to keep the relationship alive...but each and everyday that they are gone they are missed and loved completely.

Chad - A Missed Friend

They are friends what you have known for all of your life...so long that you don't remember the first time that you met them.  And you went 10 years without talking to them, but once you started -- you can't imagine them not in your life for another 10 year period.  They don't know everything about you...but they know that they love you and your family.  They are Auntie and Uncle because they might as well be...They live 1/2 way across the US but thank god for texting and Facebook...it is like they are next door neighbors!

Ugly Sweater Party B-Day Fun  2012

But most of all they are the friends that change you and hit you fast.  This year someone that I wouldn't have expected not only because best friend but i love him like an older brother!   Today has reminded me that life is dynamic and changes daily...and when family grow there is nothing greater than that!  These are the friendships that you hold on to and never let go -- you know that there is mutual respect and love and as time goes by it really is more like extended family than friends!  But, these are the people that you know you don't want to live with out because life would suck!

I love each of the people that I hold in my heart as part of my extended family -- despite if they live 10 minutes or 10000 miles from.

You all know who you are...pictures help too lol...thank you for the memories that we share, and the ones that we have yet make!

(Candice & Jason, Scott & Miranda, Mer & Joe, Chad, and so many more...I love you!)