Disney on a budget!

I have always been told to write what you know. I'm not a big expert on anything really, except one thing. I can stretch a dollar! Not something to really brag about because if you know how to do it, it usually means you've had to do it. But it's no secret...we don't have some overseas account that we are hiding and let face it, I am in college with three kids and my husband is the only one who works. So yeah, I'm right there with you if you are the bigger part of the nation on a budget. Anyways, this is one of my budgeting stories! Enjoy...

I have been asked by several friends to share our experience in Disney world. We had wanted to go for more than 5 years when we finally got to go. But instead of a honeymoon, it became a family trip with our three children. Joe 5, Lorelei 4, and Natalie 2 at the time. We packed up and left January of 2011. In case you are planning a trip for this time of year, pack some long pants and a warm jacket. Our first day in the park, the high was 48. I know, I thought Orlando was warm too. We actually used hats and gloves it was so cold.

So lets get to my point. The savings! If you have ever looked at Disney world vacations, you know that it can put quite a dent in your wallet. So here are a few tips to help decrease that dent.

1. Take a reusable water bottle. We filled these up every morning and they lasted us all day. However I was told by a friend that you could have them refilled for free by any vendor if you do run out.                                             
2. Take a cooler and pack a picnic lunch! It didn't use to be allowed, but rules have changed and you are allowed to pack a picnic lunch and take it in. We packed  things the kids would like and found a table each day. If you taking a stroller you might can find one that will fit on your stroller so you don't have to make a trip back to the car. As you will see in the pic below, we had a sit and stand stroller and put cooler on the stand part and our back pack on top of that.



    3. We were told not to try Disney with three small children, but it was a blast and the best part?         Our youngest got in free.

    4. Finally, we got our money's worth by getting six day hopper passes. We were not rushed, we saw everything, and if the youngest needed a nap we didn't feel like we were losing time.

 

I hope that this helps. Our Disney trip was the most amazing vacation our family has or probably ever will take. It was a week of memories we will never forget and we didn't break the bank doing it.  Thanks for listening.

A new chapter...

            A new chapter begins... I am sitting here on my couch, enjoying the quiet and looking at the storm clouds on the horizon. It's not so much a storm, but a change in the wind. This week I am back to school, my second semester, to finish up my last few classes before hopefully entering nursing school in January. I never imagined I would be working for my nursing degree while trying to keep up with three growing kids, but God had other plans for me. But as hard as school has been with three kids, I don't worry about it as much as I do about other things. My son starts his first year of school this year. It seems like yesterday I brought him home, only weighing 7lbs 1oz. He had the cutest little cry. But alas, he is well over 3 feet tall and growing taller everyday. He is so smart and ambitous. I thank God every day that He intrusted Joe to me. He on the other hand is excited about school and the challenges that lie ahead. My oldest daughter will also start 4K this fall, she's looking forward to it as well. She is such a social butterfly, making freinds whereever she goes. Her courage and confidence amazes me. I wish I had her strength. She is so sure of who she is. My prayer is that God gives them a confidence and a strength to stand up and keep true to who they are. My fear is that I won't be there as much as I want to so that I can support them. But I will give it my all.

           Then there is natalie, ahh the terrible threes are here! She totally skipped the terrible twos. I thought we lucked up, that's what I get for thinking I guess. But I can't pretend that I don't enjoy every minute with her. She is really coming into her own. She notices everything and is taking all she can in. She did not understand why she couldn't start school as well. I explained to her it would kill me. She laughed and said no it would not, I was silly. So I told her, she was right, but asked her to stay home with me for one more year, she said "ok mama" with that little grin on her face.

            Justin and I just celebrated our 6 year anniversary. The joke is, "we haven't killed each other yet".  It's just a joke. I am so amazed by what God has grown us. He is such a wonderful father and husband. I couldn't do it without him. He completely supports me in school and is great with the kids. I won't lie, no marriage is a fairy tale and we have definately seen the bottom of the pit, but what has made the difference in us is allowing God to guide us. The older we get the more we let go of controling everything and allow God to move. I never imagined one year ago that I would be where I am today, but God had such big plans for us and has shown his mighty power in our lives. Considering the changes God has made, I'm deciding not to sweat those clouds after all. If I have learned anything, it's that if God closes a door, it's because there is a better one down the hall.

Prayer for all and God bless!

Laura