Champagne Kisses by Chelsea
Meet Chelsea! I cannot even believe I am back in touch with Chelsea. I have known Chelsea for almost 20 years, but lost touch with her about 18 years ago. Why you might ask? Because she was just a sweet little girl I would play with, but look at her now! Still so sweet, but all grown up with a little girl and a side hustle! One I believe in firmly! I love when I see women like myself doing what they can to stay home with their munchkins, but still finding a way to contribute and have something for themselves. I believe this is so important ESPECIALLY if you are the type of woman who needs that and wants that. When Chelsea and I reconnected this past weekend and she shared what she was doing I offered to share her gig on my blog. Why? Because it is Christmas and this stuff makes an amazing gift of beauty and because I would love to see my sweet friend succeed at making her dreams come true! I LOVE the make up and the skin care line. I have to be honest though Chelsea….I don’t really like the eye cream (sigh)….don’t hate me! But I do use the facial wash, the climate control (which that stuff is the bomb.com), and the SeneSerum-C. I promise you I love it all. I do use other lines as well, but this line is amazing and the price point is great!!!!! So take a moment and read about my sweet friend Chelsea and if you are in the market for amazing lipstick, lipgloss, eye shadow, or skin care, send her an email. Her contact information is below. I promise if you try it, you will be hooked! I am and I have been using it for over a year now! So take a look and maybe even get ya some! I promise you will love it! Heck give it as a gift and I promise they will love it!
My name is Chelsea and I am so happy to share a little about my life, my job and my future. I have a beautiful daughter named Kate. She is full of adventure, sass and so much love! I am engaged to my best friend from college and will be married in October 2019. I have worked in many different fields from law, construction and the service industry. But my true passion is one that came to me without even searching for it. In August 2017 I joined an amazing company in hopes to make a little extra cash. Even if it was just an extra $100 for Target trips once a month. Boy was I surprised when I realized how much I love working and learning this new business! Yes, I am the girl on Facebook and Instagram sharing amazing makeup, skin care and hair care products! I have found a passion in helping others feel beautiful in their own skin! There are infinite opportunities to meet new friends and develop new relationships! The women within the organization have been so inspiring and helpful! There is a powerful vibe of support and encouragement which has helped me during those tough days in life. Not only have I been able to cultivate these new friendships but I have found financial support by running this business! It started out as a few bucks here and there...enough for a mani pedi or new shirt from Target (yes..I still use profits for that Target trip once a month). Then it really started growing!!! I started making 50% profits on my orders. Strong, amazing women saw this opportunity and joined me (and they are seeing the financial growth too!). I started receiving commission come in...it started super small like $5 the first month, the next month was $100, the next month was more than that! Another bonus of working this business is that I get all these amazing products for a huge discount and sometimes free! After just a few weeks of using the skin care line and products my skin had never looked better! I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin now. The nights I want to get all dolled up for events or date nights I know 100% I never have to worry about my makeup coming off or smearing..seems mundane but we all know that makes us super happy! It's hard to believe the growth I am experiencing withing my business and on a personal level. I feel less stress and anxiety which makes me a happier and stronger mama for my baby girl. I could not be happier with my decision to join the Senegence crazy train! I love training new women to be successful and watch them bloom! I love seeing that commission check post and I've only just scratched the surface! My fiance and I have big plans for our future like buying a home, starting another business, traveling the world and so much more! My business is going to help us achieve all of those goals and MORE! I would love to talk to anyone who is ready to take their life into their own hands! Find financial freedom, stress relief and support! I want to also open the door for anyone who needs a sound board, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to vent to! I've always been an open book and love sharing and listening with others. As the founder of Senegence said - Choose to live life in love and abundance, then work for it! I can't wait to see where this journey takes me! With love,Chelsea @champagnekissbeauty
Check out her video here!
As a distributor, she produced her own health and beauty commercial for SeneGence. If selected, it goes up in Times Square!
Checkout her video and please share
The Teens and Kids Gift Guide.....Something for Everyone
Today I decided to focus on the kids in my life, but don’t let that sway you….alot of the stuff they want are things we could all enjoy!
Now my kids are boys, but a lot of my ideas can go either way and I have thrown in a few ideas for girls! However, I know girls who would love most of this stuff! Heck I do!!!! So all good! Take a peek and see if anything interest you. Maybe you can start crossing things off your list with just one click of the button!
For starters, all of my boys are asking for these….even Trey so this is a gift that I think anyone can use! Air pods! If you have a kiddo or a person in your life who lives for their ear buds these are a must have!
For the teen girl in your life or the lady who does not like to carry a purse this little ID holder is adorable.
If you are looking for a game other than a video game this little game has given our family so much pleasure! It is easy to break down and take on beach trips or to the lake and it provides hours of entertainment and exercise minus the tube time!
This next game would be a great gift for any teen in your life, but I personally think it would be an amazing hostess gift too. It is so fun and yet another game to provide hours of entertainment minus the all the screen time!
My little guy is asking for either an Xbox or a Nintendo Switch and I am honestly having a tough time agreeing to either due to all the screen time already, but if I do get one it will more than likely be the Nintendo Switch as it can go on the road easy with you. Kind of goes against my points above about being worried about all the screen time, but hey I am just being honest with why! But I have included a link to both in the event you want to research them for yourself and for what is best for your family.
My big boys have turned our back house into a quasi studio/gameroom so I am trying to fill it with fun stuff and I saw this game and got it. Looks like it is a lot of fun!!!!
Another gift Graeme had inquired about a while back was a punching bag….I decided to go for the man! It will be a great addition to the Backhouse as well! We can even name him!!!!
Graeme is asking for a motorcycle but not sure I am keen on that….however, I know he loves this toy that his friend has and I am really thinking about getting him one of these! It does 360’s so fast! I think I might even like it!
Both of my big boys are into photography and I really need to learn to be! But they both would like a light for the phone and I know any teenage girl would too!
Speaking of photography and using your phone any teen would love this nifty device! You can virtually take pictures whenever, wherever, all by yourself!
The biggest boy in my life, Trey, is totally jonesing for one of these bad boys! So guess what! He is getting it!
That pretty much sums up all I have come up with thus far for the teens/kids in my life! So I would love any other ideas you might have! Especially when it comes to the girl side of the equation. I have a lot of adorable nieces that I would sure like to get the perfect gift for. So while you are shopping, if you come up with something not on any of my ideas, please share!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Gift Ideas for Him, Her, and Them!
Christmas is such a magical time of year and if you are anything like me you love to find the PERFECT gift for each person in your life. I honestly hate the idea of giving a gift card or cash, but my teenagers seem to think the latter is the perfect gift. I still however, strive to find the PERFECT gift even for the not so fun at times beast we know as a teenager.
Today I have put together a few things I am giving this year to the adults in my life and maybe just maybe this will make your life easier as you are putting together your Christmas list. By next week I will put together a gift guide for all the teenagers/kids in your world, but for now here are some ideas for the adults.
FOR THE RENTS:
Parents and Grandparents are so hard to buy for. Let's face it....nine times out of ten if they want something, they just go out and buy it. Last year I gave a gift that will last for ages and will bring joy, laughter, and maybe some tears to the entire family. It is a book that ask questions so you can learn who they were as a kid, teenager, young adult, etc. I did this book with my father and I so wish I had it when my mother was alive. I have learned so many fun, interesting facts about who he is was and how he came to be the man I love and adore. The book title is: Tell Me So I Know and you can find it here:
For my mother in law I am going to get her a cozy blanket. I am pretty sure the Farmers Almanac is saying it is going to be a cold winter and I know my mother in law…..she loves soft, cozy, and warm.
And while I am at it, I might get her the Barefoot Dreams socks to wrap on top of the package! How cute would that be?
For the grandpas in our lives, Grubba and my father, I got an adorably funny book on how not to be a croctchety old man! I know they will both get a kick out of it! At least I think they will!
To add to their book I got them both a pair of comfy cozy slippers! What crochety old man does not like a comfy slipper!!!!!
SPOUSES
Now for Trey…..I have all kinds of ideas and I am not sure what I am going to do so I will just share them all with! Why not? And if you have any awesome ideas, please do share! I am all ears! But first up I am thinking about something to help him sleep. I found these bad boys and I think he will really like them.
Another cool idea I had was a bluetooth speaker system that is virtually indestructible. This bad boy seems to be the one and I love that it is 100% waterproof and it can last up to 50 hours between charges! Can I get a what what?!?
Another bluetooth speaker option I found that is a lot cheaper and a lot smaller is the Bose Micro. This would be a great gift for a dad or a teen or anyone really!
Ok every man needs a softy! What do I mean by that? A soft tee that they look good in, but can lounge in! I found one that looks so good on all my boys!
Want to talk about comfy and soft! These bad boys! I know all my big boys will LOVE these!!!!!
Now for the ladies!!!!!!!! I may or may not have gone crazy…….but…..I could not help myself!!!!!
So I only wash my hair two MAYBE three times a week and it is because I swear by dry shampoo! I talked about it in my post for ideas for hostess gifts and you can see that here….but another secret is a Silk Pillow Case! SWEAR! I know my girlfriend Dresha is laughing at me right about now, but yes! I use them too!!!!!! Here is the BEST one!
So my next two ideas are more practical….not sure I want them for Christmas, but I do think they would be a game changer for me! First up is the Roomba! I hear amazing things about this bad boy and with two dogs it might just change my life….
And the kitchen aid mixer! I borrowed my friend, Leigh’s, and it was AMAZING! So thinking this could be another game changer for me!
I too want something warm and cozy so why not an UGG robe?
Every woman needs an amazing Rain Boot! So why not Hunter?
Speaking of boots and winter….you know it is going to be cold and you might could use some snow boots too!
And since it is going to be so cold you might as well ask for some amazing gloves!
And anyone who knows me knows I LOVE my pajamas and my absolute FAVORITE are these!
So there you have it! A little bit of inspiration to get you started on your holiday shopping for the big people in your life! I will be working on the teens and kids in your life next followed by some stocking stuffer ideas! Let me know if you have any ideas and together we can make this one of the easiest gift giving holidays yet!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
It's That Time of Year Again....
Feliz Navidad Y’all! I LOVE this time of year! I really think it is because I THINK my love language is gift giving, but I am not 100 percent sure so maybe I should ask Santa for just that! The book-The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Last….hmmmm……Just in case anyone else is curious about their love language I will attach it at the bottom! We could all read it together and discover our love languages along with the people who mean the most to us! BUT….back to the point of this post…
Christmas is a time for giving, but sometimes we get so stressed out about the point of it that we lose the joy. So this week I hope to alleviate some of your burden and make it a little easier for you. I am no expert by any means, but what I do know is that for me personally if I have some ideas in mind and I get on it now and do not wait until the 12th or so of December, life seems to go a little more smoothly……Just saying….
Today, I have put together a few ideas for hostess gifts along with those special friendships in your life where you just want to give them something little to let them know they mean the world to you. Nothing huge, just a small sign of love.
Chocolate! Anytime we go to a Holiday Gathering I bring Chocolate and not just any Chocolate! I bring Sanders! Y’all it is so good it is sick!!!!!!!! The Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and Caramel is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! You cannot go wrong putting this bad boy in a bag with a bow! I promise! I even use this for stocking stuffers with the adults and teens in my life!
For the Wine/Coffee lover in your life this is such a unique fun gift. You can pair it with an adorable coffee mug or alone and it is perfect! This set comes with 3 types so you technically have 3 hostess gifts in one right there! Again this is a perfect stocking stuffer for the adults in your life!
Y’all may think I am crazy, but I swear by this stuff for my sweaters! And as a hostess I ALWAYS appreciate getting gifts I can use! I mean why use the dry cleaners when you can wash your own wool and cashmere and take better care of it! If you have a holiday event that is for just the ladies this is the perfect hostess gift! I promise! Trust me and try thinking out of the box! They will love you for it! And if you are in charge of stocking stuffers this is perfect or a white elephant gift exchange! I promise the ladies will love you for it!
Give the gift of talk! Help your friends and family turn off their cell phones and really engage with one another. I LOVE this gift! Especially in todays day world of technology! We all need to unplug and engage and why not be part of the movement to see this happen! Again this is an incredible stocking stuffer or gift to give to your entire family!
If your hostess loves to work out, but hates to wash her hair like me….TRUST ME ON THIS! Give the gift of dry shampoo! And this stuff smells soooooooo good! I am not kidding! If you have a friend you want to give a small token of love to, give this! You cannot go wrong! I swear! I wash my hair MAYBE three times a week SOMETIMES once and it is because of this glorious concoction! Try it on yourself! I promise you will thank me! This one if for light hair, but they have a dark hair formula too…I will put that below!
A candle is always a good go to….wrap it up in cellophane with a pretty bow and this candle is so clean smelling…..you just can’t go wrong…
These adorable trinket dish set is a perfect hostess gift for the holidays as well as a perfect reminder that He is the reason for the season!
A sweet ornament is always a nice thank you and reminder as well.
So there are just a few ideas for you to choose from and I promise if you just stock up on some of this stuff and wrap it really cute in cellophane or a gift bag your hostess or friend will love that it is a gift they can use! And as promised above here is the book I will be asking Santa to place under the tree so I can learn a little more about my love language! Maybe just maybe it will help me understand my relationships in a whole new light!
Holy Cow Y’all! There is a book for darn near everyone in your family! Check it out! I assure you Santa will be bringing my family their own book!!!!!!!
I know this is digressing from the hostess gift, but I swear if your hostess has a teen this might be good! Santa will be bringing this to me as well!!!!!!
This girl is getting excited about the book collection Santa will be bringing!!!!!
So I digressed a bit, but I got so excited!!!!!! Let me know if you have read any or all!!!!! I am giddy about it!!!!
As I close calmly, I really hope that you all have found something to help alleviate some of the stress that the holidays can bring. I hope I have inspired you to think out of the box of your typical bottle of wine for your hostess to a gift that they will love!!!! Not that they won’t love the wine, just something different!
Later this week look for gift guides for him, her, and them!!!!!
Until Next Time!
XO,
Amy
The Seasons are Changing and I am Changing
Change...it can be risky. It can be difficult. It can also be beautiful. And it will always show you more about yourself....The good, the bad, the really ugly, but the really strong and courageous too if you open up your heart to it.
I have been doing a lot of changing lately. It has been painful, but it has been beautiful. I saw this tree the other day and thought to myself can the tree feel the change that is happening? The new season of life? Lord knows I am feeling the change….and no I am not talking hormones here, however, that is happening too if I am being honest. I am 48 after all! LIFE!
I digress….back to the tree. I drive past this tree daily and for some reason the beauty caught me and I started thinking about all the changes and how beautiful they are. I actually thought to myself, “Man wouldn’t it be nice for the changes my family and I are going through to be beautiful like this tree?” I remember stopping right there and taking the picture and thinking, “UM, hello Amy!!!! It’s all how you perceive these changes. If you perceive them as work and negative that is how they will be or you can change your perspective and see what that does for ya!”
Beautiful colors….beautiful change…..
I decided on Saturday, November 10, 2018 to open my heart and mind the potential these changes could bring. Do you know what happened? A weight was lifted from my shoulders. I am not kidding. The weight of the what if’s is slowly leaving. The weight of the what could have been is slowly disappearing, and the weight of trying to control the change and the outcome is slowly diminishing. It was so freeing! It was like the leaves were falling and the new me is being pruned to really bloom.
So yes, change is hard, but if you are going through a change in your life like me and it is uncomfortable try looking at it with an open heart and a different perspective. You might be amazed at what that does for you and you will really be amazed at how free you feel. Do you know what happens when you feel free? You project love and couldn’t the world use more love?
Until next time…..
XO,
Amy
How we Met
It was a rainy day in August- way back in 1991. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my first day on the job at the Physical Education Building at the University of North Texas. Julie Lane and I were working the door, checking student ID's, and making sure each person who came through was a legit student at the University. I remember looking down the long hall and watching the most handsome guy I had ever seen coming towards us. I looked at Julie and literally said that day, "I am going to marry that guy!"
Would you believe when Trey got to the door he did not have his student I.D. on him! I was so upset because I fell in love right there and I had to tell this hunk of a guy, "I am so sorry, but you have to have your I.D.?" I remember he was very kind, but he did ask us to please let him in, not to mention it was storming outside so he was going to have to walk all the way back to his dorm. I felt horrible, as did Julie, but we were new to the job and we just couldn't do it.
As luck would have it, Trey figured out real quick that the dorm I lived in was the sorority dorm full of women and our cafeteria was the best! For the next three months we would see each other at the gym or in the cafeteria and EVERY time I saw him my heart would skip a beat or two! Not kidding. Slowly but surely we started talking and in December I finally got the guts to invite him out on the town with my friends and I. It was December 13, 1991 and I remember it like it was yesterday.
Circa 1992….Trey, Hogan, and I
I found this dog and wanted him to meet her. He probably thought I was crazy because I snuck her into my dorm for the next few days until we broke for Christmas break, but he came over, we went out on the town, ate pizza and returned back to the dorm to let my adorably ugly pooch out. It was there that we had our first kiss. I remember that like it was yesterday! I was holding Hogan, my dog, and he said, “Have you ever had a Hogan Bologna sandwich?” I turned to look at him confused and right there with Hogan between us I had my first of many Hogan Bologna sandwiches and I saw and felt fireworks in my heart and in my veins. I knew that day he was mine….but as with anything else in life it was a long hard road to get to where we are today.
NINE YEARS to be exact! I won’t bore you with all the details and maybe someday I will share more of the powerful stories that shaped us into the couple we are today, but yes NINE years! We were together from 1991-1994 when we broke up for many reasons. Trey then went into the US NAVY and I was out on that! I still remember my dad saying, “Amy he is going to land planes on a moving ship in the middle of the ocean!” Want to know what my ignorant response was? I am embarrassed to tell ya, but here ya go: “Dad, Top Gun was in the 80’s! It is not cool anymore and not part of my plan!” WHAT THE WHAT! Yep pure ignorance because I do understand today what a badd ass my husband is and was…..sorry for the curse word, but I had to get my emphasis across because he truly is remarkable!
During the next 5 years we did a little dance of get back together, break up, make up, break up, meet other people and get involved, call one or the other, get back together, break up….you get the picture. Bottom line we had a lot of growing to do individually and spiritually and every person we met along that road was not in vain. We both became better for ourselves and for each other. I truly believe that.
FINALLY in November of 1999 Trey asked me to meet him at his Fly In, which is when the guys who have been overseas come back and fly off the ship back into the squadron. Pretty neat experience. I basically said, “Um, we are not dating and I have plans!” Cold blooded I know! I was scared and fear makes us do things that are not healthy, but fear can also push us in a good direction if we just embrace it. I am happy to say I did and guess what….I surprised him at the fly in!
Y’all, I remember walking into that hanger with my now mother in law and her parents and sister and thinking, “What the hell have I done! I bet one of these pretty chicks are here for him! I bet he called the next gal in line!” What was I thinking? There it is again….irrational fear!
I assure you it was irrational because there was no other woman there for him, but me and what a reunion we had! I remember his Grandpa at dinner the next night kept saying, “This is going to be THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!” At the time I just thought he meant because “his Trey” was back. NOPE! It was because he knew Trey would be proposing…..
Funny story on that-It was around December 20th or so and Trey drove to my hometown of Graham, Texas to ask my father for my hand in marriage. I had no idea mind you and we were not dating technically. As a matter of fact if memory serves me right I was dating like 3 guys! No lie! Not seriously, just having fun, but still!!!!!! So, when Trey ask my father of course my father gave him his blessing, but when Trey asked him about jewelers in Graham my dad choked and said, “Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse…shouldn’t you ask her first?” When I asked my father later why he literally said, “Amy you were a loose cannon at that time and I had no idea what you would say!” Ha! I love that story! Lucky for me my dad advised him to talk to my sister Robin and she helped him with the ring and I have to say Trey did an AMAZING job!
So the day came for Trey to ask me. It was December 24, I was on a sales call and my sister kept calling me and asking me when I was going to be back to the office. I kept thinking why is she rushing me? NO CLUE NELLY HERE! I remember walking through our offices front doors and seeing my sister and brother Paul at the front counter smiling these huge cheesy smiles and I was like what is wrong with them? I walked into my office and there were candles lit. If I could just describe my office to y’all for a moment-it was a DUMP! I am not one for organization, but I know where EVERYTHING of mine is! Seriously if you ask me where the post it note that is orange is on my desk at home right now I could tell you it is under my book Hope below which has the water bill on top of it! For real! Anyway….I see these candles and then this man stands up from my chair. It was Trey! He gently grabbed my hand, I still remember that so clearly, walked me around my desk to the chair and sat me down and took a knee….Now….confession time….I don’t remember what all he said to me because my mind was racing, but when he asked, “Will you marry me?” Want to just take a guess as to what my response was? I dare you! My response was, “BUT, we are not even dating!” Are you kidding me AMY IRENE!? No, friends I am not kidding you! Trey gently and quietly said with the most beautiful tears in his eyes, “I am not asking you to date me, I am asking you to be my wife.” Well….you know what came next! A resounding, “YES! YES! I want to be your wife!”
So almost nine years to the day our first kiss, my best friend, the man of my dreams, my knight, my protector, the father of my children, and my forever love asked me to marry him and so began our journey. A beautiful journey one that I hope to continue to share with you all.
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Gratefulness Even in the Storm
Most of you know by now The Berry house is in the midst of a storm. It has been a while since I have blogged, but it does not mean I am giving up. For now it just means that as of late my energy is being spent taking care of my kids and myself first. #priorities
My number one priority right here!
The one post I was able to crank out talked a little bit about our storm and how honestly even though this storm is Ugly, Fierce, Big, and STILL thundering down on us, I am able to find gratitude. You guys I cannot tell you how much just changing my perspective and looking for something to be grateful for each day has helped me in the midst of this hurricane. Truly!
There are days where I feel like I am being kicked when I am down, there are days that start off feeling “quasi normal” and then I get slugged, and there are days where everything is “not too bad” all things considered. -Every one of those days though I have found something to be grateful for. Even the bloodiest of days!
I can’t begin to tell you how this little change has been so good for my soul and for my family’s livelihood. I am learning a lot about myself and my kids resiliency, but I am learning a HUGE THING.....gratefulness even in the storm.
I know there are people out there fighting through their own storms right now. I also know that EVERYONES storm, no matter what that storm looks like, is big to YOUR heart and YOUR family. I know this. PAIN IS REAL. If there is one thing that I can offer you today besides a virtual hug it is find something-ANYTHING-to be grateful for today, then tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day.
Trust me when I say I understand if you can’t and I understand if you don’t believe me when I say this helps. I did not believe myself when I started this. I actually started with little notes in my journals of what I was thankful for. It started out like this, “Today I am grateful my kids got fed and to school.” The next day it looked like, “Today I am grateful the kids got fed, to school, and I moved from my bed to the leather chair downstairs.” NOT KIDDING! One time it read, “I am grateful Graeme got something other than Captain Crunch Donuts Cereal today to eat!” I will digress for a moment and say that cereal is the bomb.com!
Slowly my gratitudes turned into something more meaningful. Just this weekend I wrote, “Today I am grateful of my new mindset and I am grateful for Will and his friends and their imaginations.” You see, Will came to me asking if he could change our Backhouse into an art studio. Folks, let me tell you the old Amy would of said, “UM not just no, but Heck NO! That Backhouse is for guests and I want it cute!” What the What! With my new mindset I am learning what is important. Right now in our Storm it is important for Will to have something that is his. Not the entire Backhouse. I am making him keep the bed and TV up their for guests, but he has a dream and a vision and the space is only used for guests, so why not? No it might not be cute and quaint! But let me tell you what I saw unfold. Will and about 7 of his friends started building furniture, discussing what they could do with the space for their dreams and desires, THEY PUT DOWN THEIR DEVICES, and they worked together! Like good old fashion work and they are proud! It was amazing! Something that I assure would have not of happened before my storm because I would have blocked it with my worldly thoughts.
So yes, this storm is powerful! It is powerful in more ways than destruction. It is powerful in that it is bringing in a tide and the tide is rising and so is my family! No, I am not sure what the outcome will be, but I trust in God and I know He is faithful and I am still hoping for my double rainbow!
The Tide will Rise…the boats will rise with the tide…..my family will rise!
So I want to challenge all my readers who are in the midst of their own storm-start writing down one thing each night you are grateful for, EVEN if it is you brushed your teeth, write it down, keep doing it nightly, and watch what happens! I dare you!
XO,
Amy
Need an idea for a journal here is one! Try it! Tell her Worthy Heart sent you! XO
Hurricanes, Rainbows, and Hope
Have you ever been in the middle of a crisis and stopped to think what you could learn? I know I personally have not stopped-while smack dab in the middle- and thought, “what could I learn from this?” That is until now…..
You see, the Berry family is in the middle of what I would describe as a hurricane. I actually want to call it a typhoon, but if I am being honest with you all, a typhoon would be a worst case situation ever and I don’t believe that is the case. It is bad and it is a story I may or may not tell you someday, but today I will tell you it is rough.
While sitting here this early morning I am honestly starting to feel the heavy weight of this storm slowly lifting. I am starting to see the clouds lift and I am thinking their is hope. I also find myself comparing my situation to Noah. Who is Noah some of you might ask? Noah is a pretty famous dude who has a really cool story. One that I find myself living in. I might get some backlash for comparing myself to this guy, but just go with it. I promise you will see what I mean.
If you don’t know who Noah is, look up in the Bible, Genesis Chapters 5-9. This will help you understand my analogy a bit. And when I say I am comparing myself to Noah I am by NO means comparing my character to Noah’s character….again, just go with it.
You see for this past couple of weeks I did not feel like I had the protection of the ark. Honestly, I felt like I was up to my neck in deep deep waters, paddling like a mad woman, all the while my head was cocked back and I was gasping for air- while the waves lapped water over my face and the rain kept pelting down on me. Then…I got smart and flipped on my back… and this past week I felt like I was entering the protection of the ark, but let me tell ya, the ark provides me a safe place and I don’t feel like I could drown, but it ain’t no party.
The ark is cramped. It is humid and muggy. It is smelly, loud, and the animals are going crazy in their cages throwing their poop at me! It is not fun and I am scared, sad, irritated, impatient and confused. It is however the place I find myself and I, like Noah, keep sending the dove out in hopes for some sign of life. I will say I am not seeing it yet, but I have the beautiful story of Noah and I know there is a rainbow for me and my family- selfishly I hope there is a double rainbow. I mean after all God does say the rainbow is the sign of his promise to never send a flood to destroy all life on earth again so I am asking for TWO rainbows in hopes that this hurricane we are in will never happen again. I mean come on….it never hurts to ask!
Did you know that a rainbow is a mixture of light-a perfect harmonic combination which produces a symbol of beauty, promise, and enlightenment.
Some Symbolic Meanings of Rainbows:
Life, hope, promise, potential, provision, harmony, connection, transformation
So as I wait for my double rainbow and I think about all the different meanings above, I find myself pondering the following:
What am I suppose to be learning from this storm? I think it is to breath. Don’t react. I cannot control anyone or anything, I can only control myself and my responses. Be grateful even in this storm-Transformation of Self.
Am I prepared to move into these circumstances with an open heart, forgiving and letting go where and when I need to? I don’t know, but I do know I have God in my corner and all I can do is lean on him and remember I have four humans counting on me. Their names are Trey, Will, JP, and Graeme.-This falls under life, hope, promises, provisions, and harmony.
What kind of promises have I made to the four individuals above and to myself and am I honoring them? I can honestly say yes to my family, but I need to remember my promise to myself and take care of me too. I need to put my oxygen mask on first to be able to take care of them and others. If that means I don’t respond to text messages or phone calls because I have zero energy then so be it. People will understand. If that means I need to take a nap and the house will suffer….oh well. If that means sometimes I need to go “dark” as I put it to get my footing then I shall go dark. This falls under hope and transformation.
Am I ready to be open to the new life in front of me once the dove comes back with signs of it? I don’t know, but what I do know is that it is okay and for now I will live my life one day at a time, some days one hour at a time and that is ok. Again hope.
My little words project bracelet for my daily reminder. I love it so much!
So as I sit on this stinky ark in the middle of our storm I will wait patiently for the signs of life and the rainbows. While I do that, I will take this time to grow in my relationship with my Lord, I will relish my times with my family, and I will learn to let go and let God and I will do it with a grateful heart. From here on out I will announce how grateful I am for this storm.
XO,
Amy
In the beginning....
When it began and where we are today and why……
October 22 will mark a year since I started this blog and it will mark the 48th year I have been on this earth. A lot has happened in that one year and in those 48 years! But when I look back I would not change any of it! Funny to say that too, because Lord knows there have been a lot of ups and downs, but those ups and downs have molded me and shaped me into the woman I am today, a woman I am proud of. I have a long way to go, but I like what I see and that is enough for me!
When I started thinking about October and the blog I honestly filled with joy. Joy because I NEVER really knew where it would go or if I would still be writing- I am and I love it! I love it so much I decided to start October with an idea.
My redheaded angel and the reason I started this blog. “Thank you Mom….I love and miss you dearly.”
I have been taking some online blogging courses and speaking with bloggers and speakers and the common theme is trust. Well, my thoughts are how can my readers trust me if they do not know me? So I have decided to start from the beginning. No I will not bore you with it all today nor will I bore you with it post after post, but every once in a while I will sprinkle in a little “Get to Know Me.” I figure if you know me you will understand me and my heart. You will understand my passion and dream for motivating others and showing them they are loved and they are worthy. No matter what color, what sex, what gender identity, what height, what weight, what background, what you have or have not done, gay, straight, bi, who your mom or dad was or is, how much money you have or don’t have, if you are alone or surrounded by millions of people but really alone, my goal is to show you are loved and you are worthy. Not by me either! I mean I do love you all, but Jesus- that is who really loves you. That is who will NEVER let you down. That is who will ALWAYS be with you, even when you think He is not. People let us down, we let ourselves down, but Jesus will not let you or me down. How do I know this? Well, once you get to know me and hear some of my many stories you will see a common thread, the thread of the Glory of God and you know what else, if you were to take time to look at your past you will see the same thread! I just know it! So won’t you join me on my journey of getting to know me! Who knows-maybe I will get to know me even more….stranger things have happened!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
This journal started my journey….maybe it can help start your journey.
Room Mom! What!
Do you guys remember my book review in November? If you don't let me give you a little refresher on one book in particular.
I am living the book! The only difference between Jen Dixon and I is that I have an amazing partner in crime! Karen! But, I am almost 48 years old with a first grader and finding myself in the roll of class mom again! I mean Will is 16 and JP is 15 and I think it has been almost 8 years since I had this job! Yall I just had to get this book out again and read it to remind myself everything will be O.K. The old lady can and is up for the task of the job as room mom! Now that I have read the book for the SECOND time I give it more than 10 STARS! If you have not read this book you must order it right now off of the link above! But only if you want a good laugh and only if you want to see the life I will be leading this school year! Just kidding.....kind of! I mean I don't see any old flames showing up in my future and I promise not to use some of the method's Jen Dixon does in the book, although they would make for juicy gossip in my neighborhood and fun curriculum nights!
What I do promise is to get the job done. I may or may not cross the line at times with my sarcasm, but I promise to do it with love and humility and all for the good of the class! And if there is anything I have learned from this hilarious book- it is that as an older mom I might see through the lens of a first graders life a little differently. This might come in handy when things seem bigger than they are so I hope that I along with my Co-Parent Karen can make this first grade year the most relaxed, fun year yet for these kids. I hope we can help them and their parents really relish and enjoy these precious times. Not stress about the stupid stuff. Because trust me, there is a lot of that happening with our poor kids these days.
So if you are looking for a great read, one where you will find yourself laughing hysterically out loud get this book! You will not be disappointed especially if you find yourself walking in the same shoes I am in now! Shoes of the Room Mom!
Enjoy!
XO,
Amy
Finding Hope
What would people say is typical of you? How do you find hope when life is throwing curve balls or just plain being mean?
Have you ever felt like your family is being attacked? Like truly attacked by the devil. Maybe you are single and it comes in forms of personal attacks on you. Maybe it is with your work and nothing seems to be going right even though you are doing everything you can that is right. Have you ever felt this way?
I know I have, just recently actually. Raising teens is no easy task and I really think the devil likes to mess with parents of teens. No I don't think it..... I am actually convinced of it! But, I can honestly say I know God is fighting for me and I know He has me-Truly has me and I know He has you too.
Last Sunday morning was awful-ever notice how it is on Sunday mornings when that idiot attacks? Just an observation. Anyways, it was a terrible morning and I LITERALLY remember saying to the boys, "EVERYONE is going to church and EVERYONE is going to LOVE it!" Funny thing looking back they were not even pushing back on going to Church, but I just HAD to make sure they knew who was in charge. Silly me! It happens!
Will and JP were sick of me and they left early and it was just Graeme and I driving to church. I literally told him, "G, mom is in a horrible mood! No whining, no complaining, no nothing or else you are grounded! Your brothers have pushed me to my limit!" Poor thing just nodded and asked when daddy was coming home.
As we were walking up to the church Graeme quietly grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze, first sign God was with me. How sweet is that? After I just yelled at him for sitting quietly in the back seat and threatened to ground him-grabs my hand and squeezes? Melt my heart just thinking about it.
Next, it was as if the sea of people parted and out walked Pastor Elizabeth Mosley who a number of people have been telling me to contact about some situations we are working through here in the Berry household. As God as my witness yall I started to cry and she looked me right in the eyes and said "Welcome." I swear I felt like it was Jesus looking at me. Our church is huge and I do not go to the services she attends so she really had no idea at that moment we were members, but she knew I needed her at that moment. She quickly helped me pull myself together and let me know to contact her. Sign number two God had me.
I proceeded into to Church and that day in worship the Holy Spirit was filling me up fiercely! I am not kidding. EVERY song, EVERY word spoke to me like never before. Basically telling me what I knew, but needed to hear for real. God has me! When I am feeling I can't anymore He has me. Let me tell you friends, Sunday, August 26 I was feeling like I couldn't anymore, but I got up, washed my face, went to church, and was filled with nourishment that this world just cannot give. Nourishment for my soul. That worship team was Sign number 3.
I was starting to feel better and then Reverend Matt Tuggel got up and delivered a message that did not fall on deaf ears. He asked the question, "What for me is usual? What is typical about me? Who am I? What would the kids say is typical about me?"
I pondered on that a lot this week. I personally think the usual for me is why even when the devil was attacking my family fiercely this weekend, I still got up, washed my face, and made it to Church. Maybe with my jaw clinched, a few curse words screamed, and my mind racing, but by God we were there and did you hear the signs I talked about? I really think that was God saying, "Well done Amy. You are getting it!" He was holding me up by using others and showing me I am not alone even when I feel like my life is unraveling. He was speaking to me in the songs. I swear there was a moment this week when I realized what is typical of me.
My kids see me get up everyone morning and do my quiet time. Some mornings with a joyful heart, some with a heavy heart, some with an exhausted heart, and others just going through the motion. BUT, I am there every morning and I am giving my first 15 to God every day trying desperately to get to know Him more and to be a better version of me. To be the version He wants me to be and the version when people are in front of me see Jesus. That is what I want my typical to be.
I realized that we all have our lives and in our own personal lives we have anything and everything from PTA, meetings, dance classes, taking care of others, school projects, picking up kids for sports, teen issues, health issues, behavior issues, organizing groups, social events, you name it, there is a lot going on. When we find the time to carve out those 15 precious minutes...miracles happen. Do you know why? Not because you did your 15 and you got your check in the block, but because when you do your 15 you grow closer to our Heavenly Father so you can see Him, feel Him, and find Him in the moments you need Him most. Doing 15 minutes a day forms a relationship. A relationship that is real. You don't call your friend only when you need something and it is the same by doing your first 15. I don't ask God for something everyday. Some days I read my devotional, think on it, talk about it with God and that is it. It is not always a conversation of need and that my friends is how I am getting to know Him. If I am being 100 percent honest I have gone to God in my first 15 minutes and literally said these words, "Dude, I got nothing today. I am blank, I am exhausted, hell I don't know what to ask for, so here I am." I then just sit there in the silence and I think God is o.k. with this. You know why I think that? Because if I called my girlfriend down the street and said, "Tram, I am so exhausted and sick of the world I just want to sit! I got nothing to say." You know what she would say? "Want a glass of wine while we sit?" Ha! True story, but we would just sit! That is a relationship and that is what God wants!
I want that too for you my friends. I want you to find what I find in this quiet space with God. I find hope-a hope I never seem to find in the external world. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring or even what the afternoon will bring, but when I go and retreat for 15 minutes in this holy space, I know I have hope. A hope so that on days when I feel like I just can't go on-like last Sunday-I do! I do go on because my father in Heaven is cheering for me and sending me all kinds of signs and whispering, "You got this Amy."
So let me ask you-What would people say is typical of you? What do you do when you are losing hope? Might I suggest you implement your first 15? Try it for a week. Let yourself get up and spend 15 minutes in a quiet Holy Space-alone with God-and watch what happens in your life. I would love to hear because I know it will be beautiful!
Until next time.
XO,
Amy
Need a little help getting started on your first 15? This book has been a God send for me! Every day there is a devotional to help me along. Some days I need it and other days I think I don't, I dive in, and guess what, it speaks to me! Get it and see for yourself!
Dear Graeme
Dear Graeme,
So you have one day in the books as a first grader! How does it feel? Can you almost taste the guacamole and chips? Second grade will be here before you know it son and you too can order guacamole and chips. I promise!
Until then I want you to know how proud of you Dad and I are! We thank Jesus every day for our caboose as our family would not be complete without you Graemebear! It just would not! So this year I want you to do your best, be a leader, not a follower, listen closely, and have fun! That is one of the most important things! Have fun! Life is too short and you need to know we love you just as you are! Kind, sweet, funny, and smart!
The horseshoe I used to illustrate the story. He is keeping it by his bed now to have a constant reminder. Love this kid!
Remember to always be a horseshoe maker! Always leave an opening for anyone who is alone and ask them into your group of buddies. Don't just be a circle maker that closes your group. Keep it open! Because then you leave room for someone Jesus wants you to love and needs you to love! I know you can do this and I know you will! Your heart is so beautiful and you have such a sweet spirit just like your big brothers! Man did I hit the jackpot from Heaven when God gave me you all!
So as you continue on in your first grade endeavors remember this: Be a leader, not a follower, always do your best, AND BERRY'S NEVER QUIT!
Love you big my beautiful Graeme!
Mom
Hello, World!
We are walking the little man to school and encouraging healthy lifestyles! This watch has helped him to see how much he moves or does not move!
Dear JP
Dear JP!
Today is your day! You're off to great places you are off and away! That always was and always will be our book! Do you agree? I cannot believe that today you start your Sophomore Year! Where has the time gone?
Seems like only yesterday you had cracked your hard skull and you were in the MRI machine and I was reciting our book by memory to you! Do you remember that!? And look at you now kid! You have been and will continue to go off to great places! I truly believe that with my whole heart!
Big things are happening to you JP and will continue to happen! You have the "IT" factor. I see it and the world will too! Just remember to always stay true to yourself and your beliefs. Remember Jesus always. God gave you this gift of talent son! Treat it with the upmost respect and love and you will go far. I just know it! Use this talent and be a light to the world. The world needs more light and could sure use JP Berry's smile! That smile lights up a building! Not just a room!
Remember to do your best in your studies as I know the stage is your passion, but study hard and the stage will come to you. I promise. Like I told your brother Will, peer pressure is real and it is present and it is big, don't succumb to it. Be you! Don't let anyone push you into something you don't want or out of something you want just because it is not cool or they will not like you. Trust me JP, everyone will not only like you, they will love you! So you be you and shine bright my boy!
Your very first playbill add! Look at the book I recited!
This year will be the best yet and I can't wait to see what God has in store! Remember-be a leader not a follower and Berry's NEVER quit!
Happy First Day of School my JP!
All my love,
Mom
Hello, World!
Need a high tech backpack for your teen? Check these bad boys out!
Dear Will
Dear Will,
Tomorrow you start your junior year of high school! Are you kidding me? I cannot believe this! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone and I really cannot believe in two short years you will be off to college! That is just insane and this mama is having a hard time wrapping her head around that fact. I will get there, it will just take me some time!
In the meantime, I wanted to take a moment today to tell you and the world how proud I am of the young man you are becoming. You have such a kind spirit and your soul is so pure. I learn so much about compassion from you. Thank you for this son! I will never forget the day you made sandwiches and took them to hand out to the homeless. I had no idea where that came from and I still don't, but I know I like what I see. I see Jesus in you. I hope that never changes.
Summer of 2018 mission trip
I also see fire in you. Whatever your interests are you go at them with passion. I know you hate when I say this to you son, but you cannot coach that into someone. You cannot coach your passion towards peoples feelings into someone, you cannot coach your love of soccer and the game into someone, you cannot coach your protective nature towards your brothers into someone. Son you are amazing! I hope you never let anyone or anything squelch your fire. You are beautiful!
As you enter into your junior year son, I hope you enter into it knowing how proud your father and I are of you. I hope you enter into it with an open mind and open eyes and I hope you enter into with a desire to continue to keep your fire burning and continue to do good. Peer pressure is real and peer pressure is hard, I know I succumbed to it once or twice. Just remain true to yourself Will and to Jesus and you will achieve more things than you ever imagined! I know because I see it in you! I cannot wait to watch your story unfold. God has big plans for you! I just know it!
I hope this year is the best year yet son! I can't wait to see what God has in store! Remember-be a leader not a follower and Berry's NEVER quit!
All my love,
Mom
Hello, World!
Are you missing any back to school essentials! I have them for you here! Just click the link!
Dear Future Kindergartner-A letter from my son Graeme
Even if your Kid did not go to the same school Graeme thinks his advice is sound! Have to say it is not bad advice being he is only a future first grader!
With school about to begin I thought it would be fun to interview my kids on what their experiences were like last year and what they hoped to learn this year. Well, the teens were having no part of it, but the little guy jumped right on it and had a lot to say actually! I so wish I had done this with the first two so I could watch their brains grow. I guess 1 out of the 3 is not bad!
Dear future Kindergartner,
Hi! My name is Graeme and I was in Miss Rumsey's Kindergarten class last year. Here are a few things you should know about Miss Rumsey.
Three things that made Miss Rumsey smile:
Miss Rumsey smiles with all her kids because she was born to be a teacher! What a gift she was to our family and still is!
When I was encouraging to my friends. Miss Rumsey really likes it when you encourage others so always think about that. Especially if someone has a bad day and drops their tray in the lunch line. She likes to see you help pick it up and make them smile.
Being Self Kind-What I mean here is not being selfish. Show others what is the right thing to do especially if something is wrong.
Being Self Respect-Show others how you will treat them and yourself and then they will know how to treat you.
Three classroom rules to remember are:
Whole body listening. Basically sit still and don't move. Don't touch others and keep your eyes on the person speaking.
Be safe. No running in the halls. That can be unsafe.
Be respectful of things you use everyday like glue, books, pencils, notebook, you know stuff you need to learn.
Three things you will learn if you are going into Kindergarten.
Subtraction
How to divide
Respect. That is a big one. One my mom and dad teach too, but you will learn that at school I promise.
My favorite thing about being a Kindergartner.
Head person of the whole school. Meaning first goes last because in my school the Kindergartners always went first and the fourth graders were last.
Gym and Music. They were so fun.
Spanish and art! I don't want to forget art. I created a lot of master pieces and my mom framed them and put them around the house.
My advice to you if you are going in to Kindergarten:
Have fun! Do what you are suppose to do! Be a leader. Not a follower! Because Berry's never quit! That is what my mom and dad say to us everyday before school.
Things I will be looking forward to as a first grader.
The Boy Loves his food so he is so not kidding about the chips and guac!
Getting closer to being able to order chips and guacamole. You get to do that at my school starting in second grade.
Finding out who my teacher is! I really want Mrs. Savage, but my mom says I will be happy with whoever I get! I guess she is right! I have always loved all my teachers! And that is what I will miss most about Kindergarten. My teacher Miss Rumsey! If you are lucky enough to get her please give her a hug from me!
Your friend,
Graeme
Hello, World!
If you have sweaty feet like I do you really need these shoes for school! My mom found them and they are AMAZING! Get your mom to get you a pair and be like me and have dry feet at the end of the day!
Thinking of Cruising? Tips to Help You Have an Amazing Experience
If you read my blog this week you learned that The Berry family LOVES cruising! Now with that being said I know cruising is not for everyone, but I promise if you have not tried it you really should! It is a really neat way to go to some really cool places and all you have to do is relax!
We have been on a total of 5 cruises as a family and I went on one with my family as a teenager so I have some tips, but I am no means a pro as every time I go I seem to learn something new. With all that I would love to share with you the tips that have helped us.
MOTION SICKNESS
First, the number one question I always get or concern is motion sickness. Honest to God I have NEVER had an issue and I do get carsick and I do NOT ride round and round rides because of this. I know people really worry about this and I get it, but MOST of the ships are so big you really do not feel it. I will not lie and say you never feel it, but I promise it is rare. There are things you can do to prevent motion sickness as well. Here are a few options that I asked people about, but have never used as it has never been an issue for us.
Again I have never had to use these but I did take the time to ask people who I saw wearing them on the ship and they swore by them. I would also say the majority of people I talked to liked the patch over the bracelet and again not real sure why.
Now that we have that out of the way let's talk packing! We have only been on 7 day, 7 night cruises so here is exactly how I pack.
PACKING
Water shoes were definitely needed on this tour!
I NEVER bring a purse on a cruise. You do not need it unless you want a tiny purse for nighttime for lipstick and powder. I always have a back pack with our swim suits, sunscreen, and cover up so once we board the ship we can change and get to the pools and lunch! The minute we are on the ship we get to our room, lock up our billfolds in the safe, change and let the fun begin! I make sure everyone has a reusable water bottle and pack as many of those in my backpack so we have them once we board as your luggage does not get to your room right away. In my luggage I pack a sundress for each night (pretty much same ones I wore in New York and you can see those here )so 7 dresses, 3 bathing suits, 2 sets of work out clothes, 2 cover ups, depending on my excursions maybe shorts and t shirt for that, a pair of shoes that will go with all of my dresses at night, tennis shoes, walking/water sandals for excursions that are rocky and wet, and flip flops. On excursions if we are going to the beach I just wear my swimsuit and cover up off the ship and shop or play and explore in them as every cruise I have been on is in the Caribbean and that is dress code! If we have an adventure like zip lining or tubing I wear my bathing suit with cut offs and a tank and bring in my backpack a dry bathing suit and cover up to change into. That is pretty much all you need. They talk about dining room dress code and two nights are "formal" and yes you see everything from sequins to a sundresses like mine so if you want to dress up then pack two formal or semi formal outfits. Me, I like to just stick to the sundress and dress it up with some jewelry. I am on vacation for crying out loud. Men do have to wear pants to dinner but khakis are fine, jeans even. My teenagers do get away with khaki shorts, but not sure that would fly with an adult male. Have not tried it. I also bring a fold-able bag for the pool and excursions that I can put in my backpack in the event I need it. Toiletries-I always bring my own, but I will tell you it has been my experience on a cruise all they supply you with is a cheap bar of soap and shampoo so I just bring it all! Besides you can get anything travel size now so I just am happier with my own toiletries. I always pack an umbrella in the event it is rainy, ziplock bags to keep our phones safe from the sand and water, or a waterproof pouch for your phone, sunscreen, and everyone should have a lanyard. You can get these on Amazon, but we always get them on the ship or as we board and everyone gets whatever design they want. Seems like a lot, but I have a secret that helped me out!
My girlfriend Corrine loaned me her cubes and I already bought my own for our next trip! These bad boys are amazing for packing and it kept everything organized and neat and I packed everything above and still had room! So I HIGHLY suggest these and I promise you I will be using them on ALL our trips in the future!
WIFI
In the past we never got Wifi, but these past two cruises we did for a number of reasons and I have to say I just went with the package on board. I am not sure if there is really a way around this and I assure you if you do not do this your bill will be stupid high! Something I did learn though is if you do not want to purchase the Wifi just ask your room steward or waiters or any crew member when you are at port where is the free Wifi. They all know trust me! If you choose to unplug from the world like most of our family does, MAKE sure your phone is in airplane mode!
ATM
We always bring enough cash as there is a safe in your room, however, if you find you're in a bind and you need more DO NOT USE the ships ATM. You will be charged a min. of $5. There is a way around that. Use your sea pass card and go to the Casino. Find a slot machine, put your sea pass card in and deposit the amount you want to withdraw. Once the money is loaded into the slot machine hit the cash out button and take the ticket to the cashier as your sea pass card has now charged your onboard account the amount you wanted minus the extra fees.
CASH
Jeffery with Tree Top Canopy Adventrues in Roatan in 2016!
Speaking of cash we always make sure we have a lot of $1 and $5 so in port we have plenty of money to tip and shop. I found out the hard way in Mexico a lot of the shops did not want to use my credit card so I had to run back to the ship to get more money. I was not far from the ship, but now I know.
Jeffery this year! 2018 with Tree Top Canopy Adventures!!!!! Love this kid!
BOOZE
Our AMAZING cabin Steward from our 2017 Cruise
So here is the deal. If you are the kind of person who when you are on vacation you like a cocktail in your hand then I HIGHLY suggest you get the drink package. We do not drink soda pop and we are fine using our reusable water bottles and filling that with water, but they do have packages for Evian Water, Soda Pop, fancy coffee, and booze. I always tell people decide if you would like it and just get if you think you might be drinking anything from pop to special coffee to booze daily. It will save you money. With that being said each state room is allowed 2 bottle of wine and amazon has some amazing containers you can purchase to bring your own booze on if you are smart. Lucky for our family Trey does not drink and I do not drink that much so we really don't need them as we have two state rooms and 4 bottles of wine is plenty for me. But here are some ideas for you to bring your own in the event you want to, but remember to bring your mixer too as you will get charged for soda water or anything other than tea and lemonade. You can buy booze on the ship in their store and use it, but it cannot leave the ship. What do you do at the end of the cruise if it is not finished? You give it to your cabin steward with a note and his tip and say thanks for taking care of us! We had an amazing week and you played a role in that!
SNACKS
You really don't need snacks while on the ship as there is plenty! With that being said I like my gold fish and wine at 5 so I bring gold fish and I always have protein bars, peanut butter and crackers, cheese and crackers, and nuts for excursion days as sometimes those can be long or the kids do not like the locals food.
SHIPS TIME
This is huge! No matter what time it is at whatever port you are at, the minute you start your cruise until the minute you end it you are on ships time! This is very important as your phone will be in whatever time zone you are in so make sure you remember this! You don't want the ship to sail without ya because that would really cost ya!
DINNER TIME
See my rainbow laynard? That keeps my sea pass card safe and with me at all times.
There are two different times to go to dinner and like everything else in life there are pros and cons to both. You have to choose one or the other as you will sit at the same table every night and have the same wait staff which we always enjoy because you really get to know them. We choose the 5:30 seating for a number of reasons. Kids club is closed on the Royal Caribbean from 5-7, BUT some nights you can send your kid to eat at kids club during those hours which makes for a nice dinner if you have little ones in tow. The other seating is at 8 so yes you will have more pool time, but if you are eating at 8 you miss the 8 o clock show so you have to see the show at 6 unless you are still at the pool, which the shows are amazing so you really want to see them! So as you can see there are pros to 8, but cons and pros to 5:30 but you are leaving the pool early. Con! So decide what is best for your family and just go with it and enjoy! There is an option if you do not want a set reservation. It is called Anytime dining. The pro is you can go anytime. The con you do no get the same table and wait staff which my family always loves getting the same staff so we can really get to know them and learn about their country and families. With all that, however, my friend Ashley said they chose the anytime dining and she called the Royal Caribbean BEFORE they boarded and made a reservation for 7:00 every night and they got the same table and the same staff! So maybe you can and it my opinion it is worth a try if you don't like the 5:30 or 8:00 times because honestly you get the best of both worlds. Same staff and a time that fits your needs.
EXTRA STUFF OTHERS PACK BUT I NEVER HAVE
So if you google how to pack for a cruise you can get a ton of great tips. Things I always see people discuss are an extra power cord to plug in more electronics, an over the door shoe plastic shoe rack to keep things organized, a flashlight, and chip clips or towel clips for your towels to save chairs. Here is the deal. I did all of this on our first family cruise in 2012 and all this extra stuff did was take up space. The extra power cord was not used nor was the over the door shoe rack. Flashlight, well you have that on your phone now. Chip Clips-if you are weird about your towels flapping ok, but you will get a chair. In other words all this extra stuff does is take up space, but if you think you need it and you have the space by all means bring it if it makes you feel better, but I promise you will be fine without it.
WHO WE USE TO BOOK OUR CRUISES
There are all kinds of ways to travel, but I promise you if you have someone who knows what they are doing you get undivided attention for any and all questions and they handle most of the details! We use Brandon with Select Cruises for all of our cruises and we found him because he works with my husband at Southwest Airlines. Very patient, Very kind, and EXTREMELY knowledgeable in the area of travel and cruising! So if you would like to investigate cruising a little further you can find Brandon at cruisewithbrandon@gmail.com or call him at 407-374-9637. Tell him Amy Berry sent ya!
So there you have it! Some useful tips to help you out if you are thinking of cruising. I LOVE cruising and so does my family! Funny story-When Trey and I first got married he was a pilot in the US Navy and he literally said, "We will NEVER go on a cruise!" For those of you who do not know, being in the Navy requires most individuals to do six month tours over seas on a ship, unless of course you are a submariner, then you are on a submarine. So Trey had his share of cruising! But once he had been out of Active Duty for about 7 years we finally convinced him to give it a try and he has NEVER looked back! So we Berry's think you all should give a cruise a go! You might be surprised at what you discover!
Message me with any questions as I always love to help people thinking of taking a cruise! And if you are like me and love cruising and have other useful tips I don't know and could use and share, PLEASE let us know!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Hello, World!
Even if you are not going on a Cruise I highly suggesst packing cubes! I will NEVER travel without mine again! The secret is....Roll your clothes! You will be amazed how they look when you get to your destination and how organized you will be!
Salty Kisses, Jungle Adventures, and Cave Tubing on the Berry Family Summer Vacation
If you have ever thought about going on a cruise take a look at our 2018 Summer Cruise. You might decide to jump on it because I am telling you we had a ball! Lots of salty kisses, swimming, adventures, and great family time! Take a look!
If there is one thing you need to know about our family trips, it is that at least once a year we cruise. I am married to a pilot so the last thing Trey wants to do is get into an airplane to get to a destination so we do a lot of driving. Lucky for us we have a few ports within driving distance and we all win. There is no flying, which if you read my post earlier in the week you know I am way O.K. with that, AND we get to beautiful places and do amazing things! This past week was no different!
Royal Caribbean still caters to the young at heart! Graeme Loved all the characters! Especially King Julien!
Side note- we have graduated to the Royal Caribbean and I say this because we have done Disney Cruises in the past and they are WONDERFUL, but with two teenagers now they are past the Disney scene and Royal offers more activities for kiddos their age while still catering to the young. If you are reading this and you have kids that are younger and you are considering a cruise I highly suggest Disney and then you can graduate on to the Royal. However, if money is a factor Royal is probably half the cost of Disney and just as good so keep that in mind. Either way you go you will be happy!
Golden Ticket to Paradise! Your Sea Pass Card!
We set sail on Sunday on the Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas and I will tell you we kind of have this down to an art for our family until this time! We decided we would leave our house a little later and see how the boarding process went and let's just say that was not smart! With that being said I am not sure if it is always like this because I later learned they were having technical difficulties that day with getting everyone their sea pass card. Which speaking of, your sea pass card is as golden as your passport. You MUST have this card to get on and off the ship, it is the key to your room, you can use it to shop on the ship, order food that is not included, which there is plenty included, or for special drinks like Evian water up to booze. So this card is important and they issue it to every human on the ship and this particular day all of their systems on land were down so they only had 4 on board to work with. That was quite an ordeal considering there were 4000 of us! So that made for long lines in hot weather and that was not fun, but once we got through it the fun began! However, with that being said, I would still suggest getting to the port at 11 and then you get to enjoy the ship all day. Just pack a tiny bag with swimsuits, cover ups, sunscreen, and Yeti/waterbottles! Because remember that sea pass card I spoke of? Well it is the key to your room so you have access to your room immediately just not your entire luggage hence the reason behind a small bag with swim gear etc.
Once we finally boarded and got to our room we were all famished so we headed for some grub. Now food is never a problem on the Liberty as they have many options. At lunch the Wind Jammer is always open and they have all kinds of buffet style food from Chinese to hamburgers to salad to you name it they have it. They also have a pizza joint on Deck 5 that is out of this world and the pizza is FREE! There is a Johnny Rockets on Deck 11, however, that is not included in your meal plan so that will cost ya, but it is good. The milkshakes are on point! Once we had some grub it was time to get our cruise on and do what we came to do and that was to sit by the pool and REEEELAX!
Pretty much that is how our days at sea went. Get up, do our first 15, grab some breakfast. Next Trey and Graeme would hit the surf rider and I would hit the gym, all the while Will would sleep in because he stayed up way too late the night before with all the new and exciting friends he met from all over. We would all meet up around 10 or 11 for a check in, Graeme would go to kids club, Will we would not see again until dinner, and Trey and I would hit the pools and REEELAX! It is amazing! Dinner rolls around and some nights Graeme joins us and others he eats at kids club! On nights he would join us we would take him to kids club after dinner, Will again would split off, and Trey and I would have a date night! Yall 7 date nights in a row!!!!!!! It was so good for our marriage! We talked, we laughed, we cried, we dreamed, we danced, and we enjoyed each other. Some days we would even snag a nap or two! Cruising for our family truly is relationship building! We love it! Sea days on every 7 day cruise we have taken are the day you board and the next two days. After that you hit your ports.
Wednesday was our first port and it was beautiful! We were in the beautiful country of Honduras on the island of Roatan. This was my second time to the island and it is still as beautiful as the last and I felt very safe. We took the boys zip lining through the jungles with the group Tree Top Canopy Adventures. This was our second time with this group and I asked for our tour guide from our first experience and he was still there! IF you ever go and do this ask for Jeffery! He is AMAZING especially with the little kids! He is so funny and he makes you feel very safe! This excursion is something anyone who has dreamed of being in the tree tops or gliding through the air like a bird! You literally get to do just that through 28 acres of jungle and mountain terrain! It is so awesome! You cover about 2 miles above the trees and through the trees and it is a site to behold! Especially when you are zipping towards the ocean! By the end of the experience you truly feel exhilarated and on fire. After the zip lines they take you to a beach where you can grab a bite to eat and put your toes in the sand. The first time we went we were dropped at a quiet beach, this time we were dropped at a resort beach and yes it was nice, but there were a lot of people there pushing massages, hair braids, bracelets, blankets, etc on you. It was crazy! Before I knew it I was slammed onto a stool being lathered in oil where not one but THREE ladies were massaging me! I DID NOT even say yes! It was crazy and Trey just sat there watching and laughing because I TOTALLY got bamboozled! And listen people, while I love a good massage, sitting on a beach in the middle of the Caribbean, being slathered in oil, well, I just could not relax. All I kept thinking was this is a recipe for skin cancer! So my advice here, if you find yourself on a beach where you are being swarmed by pushy sales peeps, put your game face on and just say NO! Or else you too will find yourself being slathered in oil while your boys are getting Caribbeans braids in their gorgeous locks! Don't have SUCKER written all over you like I OBVIOUSLY did!
Our next port was Thursday and that was Belize City, Belize. I had never been to Belize and I was very excited about this stop. We decided to do the Cave Tubing Tour and we were with a group called VIV tour and our guide was Karim and he was so good. I cannot say enough about Karim! You start your tour in a car and he takes you on about an hour drive out to the jungles and the caves. All along the way he told us about his country and different sights etc. It was very interesting and even our seven year old was a part of the conversation. Once you arrive at the site you take about a 45 minute hike through the jungle and Karim was our guide and you learn about all kinds of things from trees, to bugs, to animals, to medicinal uses of leaves, and the list goes on. I was so amazed at everything we learned and Karim did such an amazing job of keeping even Graeme involved. It truly was a cool experience. Once we got to the caves we were all given a tube, a life jacked, and a hard hat with a light and we hit the sapphire blue water. You guys this was a very cool experience! You pretty much just get in your tube, lay back and relax as you float through the dark cave, but again Karim knew some very interesting information which just made our experience even cooler! Our float lasted about an hour maybe longer and we ended with the boys jumping from some rocks and just having a bang up time. We then grabbed some lunch from the little village there on site and it was delish! The beans and rice had an underlying taste that I could not put my finger on but I later learned from Karim was coconut milk! So cool! We then got back in the car and headed back to the ship. Our tour that day was amazing and Karim made it even more special. If you are ever in Belize you should look him up with VIV and take his tour. You will not be disappointed. You will learn things you never even imagined and experience the beauty of this beautiful country.
Our last port we hit Friday and it was Cozumel. This time we chose to go to Playa Mia I am not going to lie. If I have to do it again, I probably would not do this. It looks amazing and I am sure for kids it is, but it was more of a beat down for us. Our day in Cozumel there were 6 other ships so that meant 7 ships PLUS the normal tourist. If you did not arrive to this beach by 11 you were out of luck on getting a seat anywhere, luckily we did, and it was just stupid crowded. It was an O.K. time, but nothing spectacular and the food was awful. We probably stayed all of 2 hours total and decided we would have more fun shopping. Which we did so that was a good call on our part. If you go I have a few tips I think would of helped us.
Get there by 10
Great spot if you have multiple kids other than just siblings (Ie. cousins or friends) because Will and Graeme are too different in age to really play together on the water jungle gym which means I was doing it. It was fun, but you guys it is a full on work out in the ocean on that bad boy!
Maybe bring your own food unless you are just jonesing to try theirs, but I promise it is not good and I am not a picky eater.
Bring your own life vest if you have room for the water jungle gym otherwise you are waiting in line. Once you have one you can keep it as long as you are in the water, but once you get out you have to return it and if there are seven ships at port this makes for long lines.
Bring your own snorkel gear or goggles because you do see some cool stuff if you go a little out.
Bring Cash because there are extra activities you can do if you have the $$$$ Like jet ski or water tricycles.
So like I said, once we left there we took to the streets of Cozumel and had a ball. We bought all kinds of stuff and we had so much fun watching Will use his Spanish speaking skills and negotiate with all the people. I was very impressed on how well he speaks the language, but I guess when you have been playing Soccer for as many years as he has you learn things, Spanish being one of those things you learn.
Saturday we woke up to our last day at sea and we did not waste it! We hit the slides, the surf rider, the pools, the shows, the pizza parlor, anything we loved we did! We had a ball! So much of a ball as God as my Witness we have already booked our next cruise! This time we will be bringing JP as we had to leave him behind because he is in his school musical and had rehearsals, so we will have JP, our cousins, and Grandparents! So that will be a big time! It will allow for more intimate dinners and awesome talks, more family time, more date time, more awesome countries, and more vacation time, which all in all equals very blessed time! So there you have it! The Berry Summer Family Vacation! Soon I will share with you how I packed and some tips and tricks if you have never been on a cruise and are considering it! I have an amazing Contact who will set you up and once you step board on the ship your worries will disappear! I will share with you tips I have learned for excursions like what to bring etc. If you are considering a cruise don't miss it! I promise it will be huge because you do not need half the stuff you think you do!
Until then!
XO,
Amy
I have included some video to give you a feel of all the activities you get to do in seven days and this is just a taste! I am telling yall.....cruising is so fun if you are an active family like we are! I promise to send some tips this week and if you are interested but have questions you can message me and I will answer what I can. I even have a contact that can hook ya up! And no it is not me. It is my friend Brandon and I promise he will hook you up!
Hello, World!
Thinking of going on a trip soon? It is the end of the summer and you know what that means! Good deals on Swim Suits!
Things I Am Afraid To Tell You....
We all have things about ourselves we don’t want others to know don’t we? Today I share a few of mine…you might be surprised, ashamed, mad, or not interested at all, but for me it is freeing to admit I am not perfect and it is o.k.
Today I am turning the tables a bit. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and I am going to tell you a few things I am scared to tell you. Why would I do this? I mean after all my goal here is to get readers and a following, why would I do this? Because, I need you to see my life is real. It is not all roses and unicorns. There are some things about me that honestly I am ashamed of, but it is who I am and I make mistakes. A lot of mistakes. So today I will step out of my comfort zone and I will show you the ugly side. Not the pretty pictures where you see of all of us laughing, but the side where I am a human and I too make mistakes. This thing we do called motherhood is hard and it is so easy to feel judged, but what you need to know is you are not alone. We all make mistakes, in whatever season of life we are in, we make mistakes. So let's give ourselves some grace and love and remember no one is perfect. Unless we have walked in that persons shoes we really should not judge. We should just love.
So here we go! Things I am afraid to tell you about me....
I yell. I mean I straight up scream and it is embarrassing to admit. I mean who full on screams at their kids? I do. I lose complete control sometimes and I just can't stop. I have really been working hard on it, but it still do it sometimes and I know my older boys have just gotten to the point where they just ignore me because I am that crazy. Sure they say, "Yes mam" or acknowledge whatever I am going off about, but I know it is falling on deaf ears which is why I wish I could just get it under control. I try. I really do and I will say that since I have started this blog and really been consistent with my quiet time I am doing better, but I do slip sometimes still. When I do I ask for forgiveness and drop to my knees. Does not mean that makes it all better though because I still get sick to my stomach when I stop and realize what I am doing. Because after all if I was a "good mom" I would not do that right?
I am horrible with money! Yep! Just horrible! I don't pay any of our bills and I honestly do not pay attention to our accounts. This is horrible really and I know this. Money for whatever reason has always given me stress and anxiety. I don't know why either because I did not want for anything growing up, but for whatever reason when Trey wants to talk about the budget or look at our accounts I literally break out in hives. Really have no clue why, but I do and I hate paying bills and I hate talking money with ANYONE! Hate it!
I have a huge fear of flying and I am married to a pilot. Ya you heard me. Massive fear of flying. I do it, but I hate it and I dread it! Seriously dread it! Good news here is the last place Trey wants to be on a vacation is on a plane so we take a lot of cruises.
I cuss. It is terrible and as my father always says, "It shows a lack of vocabulary." I know this and I agree with it, but gosh darn it, for whatever reason I have a filthy mouth. I need to really work on this because yall, it is so bad! Not kidding! So yes, I love Jesus and I cuss a little.
So there you have it! Confessions of a yelling, poor money managing, scared to fly, filthy mouth mama who loves Jesus. No I am not perfect. I have good days and I have bad days and sometimes I have really bad days. What do I do on those really bad days, in those really bad moments?
We all need to remember with each new day is a new chance. A new chance to grow and a new chance to change habits about ourselves we don't like. I don't know what it is for you, but for me it is the screaming and the cussing I want to change the most so how am I going to go about it? I am going to do everything I can to get in my first 15! Don't know what I am talking about? Click here! First 15
First 15 is me turning to God! And in the heat of moments I turn to God and I remember I am worthy and you my friend are too! Don't ever forget that! No matter what the mistake is or bad habit is, you are worthy! So look up because we are loved even in the midst of imperfection.
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Hello, World!
Do you need help finding a daily devotional? Jesus Calling is INCREDIBLE and here are some more ideas!
New York State of Mind Finale!
It’s here! Our final day in the city! It is a day to remember. It was amazing watching JP finish strong and we visited the 911 Memorial. Needless to say, all kinds of emotions. To see more read on.
We have done it! We have made it to the finish line in my recap of New York! Today I will share what we did on Sunday and Monday and I have to warn you parts of it are pretty somber as we visited the 911 Memorial and would you believe we did not make it half way through. I just couldn't. It was so emotional, so dark, and so real, and JP called saying he was done. Secretively I was so glad as my stomach was in knots and my head hurt. I will go back, but I will go back knowing I might not finish it yet again. It is that raw you guys. At least for me it was.
The dark hole
So, we woke up Sunday morning and got JP delivered to the studio safely, grabbed some breakfast and made our way over to the memorial. We started with the original spot of the Twin Towers. You guys, it is amazing what they have done. The hole and the way the water just flows down into the pit is peaceful yet eerie. Peaceful as you listen to the water and know there is life, yet eerie as you look down into this dark hole and you know there was tremendous loss of life. Yet the water keeps circulating and flowing which for me is a sign that those who were lost that fateful day are still with us. They are with us in spirit and the evil that created it is deep down in that pit. That was what I felt. It brought me chills and tears. It is very sobering.
The water flowing to the hole
We made our way inside and at first I was o.k. because it was honestly just pieces of metal and stuff that made it through the fires and collapses that day and for me I could not wrap my head around the pain from that. Everyone is different I know, but for me I could not grasp the gravity.
Metal from the Towers.
The different colors of blue fascinated me.
However, as we moved deeper into the museum that changed. We hit a wall where individuals were asked to paint a watercolor of what they remembered the sky looking like before the attack. This wall got to me. I really cannot answer why, but it moved me in a way that brought me to tears. Maybe it was because the sky was obviously a beautiful blue that morning, a blue that is so peaceful. You get that message loud and clear from the wall and I kept thinking, "Man, what happened that morning turned that beautiful peaceful sky to a dark and lonely color". A color I imagine hell or purgatory being. Not that I believe in purgatory, but I was raised Catholic, so the idea is in my head. That wall was changed from life to death in one hit. Tragic and senseless and that wall got me but good. I loved the quote, " No day shall erase you from the memory of time." I will remember that wall always.
Next we came to the "Survivor's Stairs". It is literally remnants of a staircase that connected the northern edge of the World Trade Center's Austin J. Tobin Plaza to the Vesey Street sidewalk below. These stairs along with an escalator provided an unobstructed exit for hundreds seeking to escape. The guide at the top of the stairs was telling people to literally go down the stairs and just run! "Run as fast as you can". He literally was repeating what a Police officer was saying that dreadful day to all the people trying to escape. It really was paralyzing thinking about what they must of been feeling and how scared they must of been.
The Survivor's Stairs
We then came to a part of the museum that had pictures of the deceased. It was very somber and just thinking about what each person left behind. A child, a spouse, a parent, friend, sibling, and the list goes on. I could not help but cry especially when I saw the children's faces who were lost. It made feelings of anger come up even.
The next area we hit I could not even finish. It was voice recordings of people saying good bye to loved ones on voice mails, stories of people witnessing individuals jumping to their death, and just more stories of death and evil. I could not take anymore. I had to leave. Thankfully JP called right about that time and we did have to leave. I honestly don't think I could take much more.
I am so glad we made it to the memorial and I do hope to go back someday and finish it. Mainly out of respect of all those who lost their lives that day or those who lost loved ones. I don't think I can EVER forget that day even if I wanted too, but I will say this Memorial is a great lesson for those who were not even alive of how good will always over come evil. How on September 11, 2001 we were all united. We saw incredible courage and amazing acts of heroism. We saw this country unite and stand in solidarity together that day and the days that followed. That is what we will remember.
Needless to say the cab ride to get JP was very quiet, but once we got to JP that all changed. Seeing these kids finishing up was an amazing site to see. They were all so happy and so proud and that was just what I needed. We got JP and started heading back to the hotel and on the way back we hit the Black Tap. Have you ever been to a Black Tap? Oh my! If you have not you must go! It is basically a hamburger joint, but the milkshakes! Oh the Milkshakes! These milkshakes can turn any sadness into pure joy! They look joyful and they taste GREAT! So this was just what the doctor ordered for us!
JP and "Asaka" one of the leads in Once on This Island! Yall....she is AMAZEBALLS!
Afterwards Gramzee was whipped so we took her to the room and for our last night, Ginger, JP, and I headed out to Time Square and decided to try our luck at the lottery for the Musical Once On This Island. Would yall believe we won! We scored 3 tickets for $59 each! For those of you who do not know, a Broadway ticket right now is going for about $250 plus! And that is the back row people! Not only did we score 3 seats at such a great deal, they were KILLER seats! We were so pumped!
While we waited for the show to start we headed to Time Square and had a little fun and made our way back. Here are some of our street shots! Ginger was not thrilled with me making her do this, but she played along and loosened up and enjoyed herself and having everyone stare at the "crazy tourist"!
After the show we were all hungry, so........we decided to go out with a bang and get more.......guess......PIZZA! We went back to the quaint restaurant by our hotel, Serafina, and got some more of that delicious black truffle pizza. Three pizzas to be exact and we ate every last bite! Oh yes we did which made for an incredible nights sleep! Ha!
This pizza is so stupid good! I can't even stop thinking about it! I might have to learn to make it!
Dylan's Candy Heaven!
We got up early Monday because JP still needed to hit one more stop. Dylans Candy Store and at first I was like what is the big deal? Well you guys, unless you go you will not understand. It is a kids haven! It is so fun and there is all kinds of fun candy and treats. Perfect place to stop for treats to bring home, but before we could leave the city we stopped at Rue 57 for lunch and I had the french onion soup in honor of my mom, because who in their right mind would order soup when it is 98 degrees outside in New York City! Me! That is who! And I loved every bite of it just like my mom would have! If you like French onion soup I highly suggest Rue 57! After our last meal in the city we headed to the airport and we were back in Dallas before we knew it!
Whew! We are done! I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip as much as I enjoyed reliving it and telling you all about it! I could not be more proud of what JP has accomplished and where it has brought him and I am so thankful I got to share it with my AMAZING Mother in Law and one of the most special people in my life, my childhood bestfriend! How blessed I am!
Me and my Star!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Hello, World!
Do you have one of these wonderful gadgets? If not you really should!
New York State of Mind-Part 3
To see more about our amazing adventure in the City read on! I hope you are enjoying it as much as we did!!!!!
Happy Monday, Friends!
Today I am recapping our third full day in New York and I think this might have been my favorite day by far! I mean it was all incredible, but today was almost magical! And I needed that after our emotional night seeing Dear Evan Hansen. If you missed that post you can catch that here: New York Part 2
And if you missed Day one that is here: New York Part 1
Back to day three! We woke up bright and early again and got JP delivered safely to the new studio! Yes they threw us a curve ball and we switched studios, but honestly we knew that would happen and it was a great thing for JP to see more awesome studios in the city. Luckily this studio was close enough we could walk and there was no subway involved. I like it that way! I mean the subway is fun, but let's just say I am happier walking.
JP and his friends!
Once we arrived at the studio everyone was congregating outside as it was still locked and I got to see JP interacting with all the kids. Nothing warms a mother's heart more than to see their child in his or her element and let me tell you he was! As we were about to leave a mom I had yet to meet arrived a little late with her son and I introduced myself to her and her daughter. I am so glad I did too! Her name was Tanya and her daughter was Kyra. I invited them to breakfast with Gramzee, Ginger, Chris and Trish (our other new friends) and I. I am happy to report they came and I had the BEST day with sweet Kyra. She was like my little shadow and being a boy mom let's just say I was in HEAVEN!
We started out getting breakfast at another cute New York diner which I have decided I am totally all about. You can get your eggs anyway you like them and the bacon oh man the bacon!
Our amazing Pedicab tour guide Z!
From there we all decided we wanted to see Central Park. The only problem was it was 98 degrees outside so we decided to do a pedicab. Best decision ever as our tour guide Z was amazing and as hot as it was, the wind in our face was very welcomed! If you ever find yourself in Central Park on a hot day I HIGHLY suggest this route. The horses are put up anyways when it is that hot so why not have someone else do the pedaling for you! IF you are lucky enough to get Z you are in for a real treat! Trust me! You can see him in the Saturday Night Live Video at the end of this post! He is the adorable Pedicab driver in the video! Look for him and if you are in Central Park find him and have him give you his tour. He knows the park inside and out and he is too cute and so funny!
Kyra running through the water at the park. Oh to be a kid and to be free!
Central Park is magical and experiencing it with new and old friends made it even more special. I will remember this day always. I had so much fun and I cannot wait to go back! Here are a few photos of what we saw and did.
JP and Maise! He was so happy to have her there!
We had to be back to the studios early that day as the kids were performing for us. I had some surprises up my sleeve as JP's bestfriend Maise happened to be in the city with her brother who was performing with iTheatrics on another project and JP's Uncle Frankie too! Both of them text saying they could make it to the performance and we got to surprise JP with his own little fan club!
VERY special to all of us to have Uncle Frankie there! Especially since he lives in California! The stars and the moon were aligned and we were all so happy!
I have to say we were all wowed by the show! What this group of kids accomplished in three short days was nothing short of amazing! I so wish I could show you video or pictures from it, but I can't because I was not allowed to video tape. What I can show you is a group photo we were allowed to take at the end of JP and the cast and I promise you EVERYONE of these kids was amazing! The talent was off the hook and I was over the moon proud of my kid! I am still beaming! Yet another experience I will cherish always!
The cast and directors! Everyone in this photo has AMAZING talent! EVERYONE!
I still laugh at how the water comes out of the ceiling!