Greetings, Amazing Blog Readers!
I hope you don’t feel too neglected lately as the YouTube channel has definitely been getting more attention but you all were my original followers and I don’t want to forget where I started;).
So much has gone on in the last few weeks it’s difficult to know where to start! My mom has been here for an amazing visit, my last son to graduate high school crossed that stage and got his diploma, we got a new car (due to a hit and run that totaled our old car but we’re fine so don’t worry), our dishwasher broke and we got a new one, and I bought tickets to PARIS, FRANCE!
I WISH I was exaggerating when I say all of that was in the last 14 days but NOPE.
There are 3 big Gap Year trips coming up. One to Scottsdale, AZ to see some old friends, one to Disney World (in July!!) for my birthday and then, in September, I am off to Paris, officially, to run the Paris Disneyland Half.I registered a while ago and mentioned it here but until the air fare was confirmed I didn’t really feel like it was official official.
Life has been a blur. The next 3 weeks should calm down somewhat and I’m really going to try to lean into the summer vibe around here. Lazy days filled with pool time, afternoon movies and cooking out with my kids. This most likely is the last summer we will all be living under this roof and I want to soak up every last minute of it, especially since it’s been many years since I’ve had a summer completely off work.
I know so many of us have had major milestones lately as our kids have graduated or are moving to a new phase. It’s exiting but can also be sad, so making time to appreciate the moments and let myself feel that little catch in my throat is vital. Because it’s normal to grieve the end of one chapter even as we celebrate the beginning of the next one!
I hope you’ll be here for all the adventures that lie ahead and thank you for reading and being part of my journey!
Jennifer, we’re going to Paris (well Normandy first for a few days) September 24!
Signed,
The Old House Owner Jane
AWESOME!! Hoping we both have fantastic weather.
Hi, Jen! I am just learning about and reading your blog after finding your terrific MVMCP video on Youtube this weekend. I love finding new Disney fans to share my joy with, and while I am not a runner (really poor cartilage in both knees) I have recently discovered the pleasure of self-improvement via walking. I’m up to 4 miles a day and loving it! Okay, so you mentioned an upcoming Disney trip in July, for your birthday. This is going to sound stalker-ish, but what day is your birthday? Mine in July 20 and I have NEVER met anyone with this same birthday. Maybe are we birthday twins? 😉 My eldest child just graduated high school this past May and my youngest is three years from it but driving. This whole kids growing up and doing adult things is WEIRD , isn’t it? Amazing, but weird. Anyway, just another fan, saying hello and how much I enjoy what you’re doing! Take care! ~ Laurel
Laurel, thank you for reaching out! I’m close to you – July 17th! And YES to it being so weird with the kids being older! Just now we were all 5 home for a few minutes and I was like, wait, what is going on?? Rarely happens anymore!! I so appreciate your kind words and yes to the joy of walking! Walking is my second favorite activity and I go for a long walk pretty much every day so I so get it!!
I discovered your blog after watching your You Tube videos, which I have really been enjoying. We’re considering starting something, as a Disney loving family, to talk about Disney. We just wrapped up a trip (in the planning stage I discovered your videos), but don’t currently have a countdown:-(. We are all mouse nuts here, and my tween and teen would enjoy helping me put something together (who am I kidding they are MUCH more tech savvy than me!)…however, this was my favorite article thus far, because much of your stuff has resonated with me. I feel my oldest (who also has learning differences by the way) slipping through HS so fast, and I worry too if they will always want to go to Disney with us–but so agree with all your points here about how wonderful it is to go with your older kids. We just had the best July trip ever! It was nice to relax. So nice. Less stress than when they were little.
Gentry, I’m so glad you found the blog! It’s funny, I’ve had this for almost 8 years now but it’s never gotten the traction that the YouTube channel has. I do love to write so that will continue to happen but there’s only so many hours in the day and the channel is much more fruitful right now:). I LOVE that you want to start a channel with your family!! Do you follow Thomas Ever After? She gets her kids super involved in their videos and you would love her stuff. And yes, every stage has it’s pros and cons, but there are A LOT of prose to the teenage years!!
Thank you for the recommendation! I have not heard of her videos and will most certainly check it out! Thanks so much!!!