Utah Mom Blog & Mommy Blogger | Life Elevated Mom

Disneyland: If the VIP Badge Fits…

April 25, 2014 by Amber

I am fully aware and so grateful for the travel opportunities I have had in my life. My parents taught me that it doesn’t matter how much money you have–you can always travel. My childhood was spent exploring the most glorious lakes, mountains and campgrounds and I have wonderful memories.

Well, mostly. Except for the time Mom and I were so badly sunburned at Priest Lake, ID we blistered and spent the rest of the trip cursing the boys’ olive skin.

Travel isn’t just a part of my kids’ life, it has become an important part of who they are. Always in question is “where are we going next?” and an adventure, even if it’s in our own backyard, is always on the horizon. About 95 percent of our life is pretty normal; that 5 percent is awesome and we get special access to some really cool things. I’ve found out this can be good and bad.

A couple of years ago, we were invited to Keystone’s Kidtopia and the kids wore “VIK” (Very Important Kid) badges. Apparently, that left an indelible imprint on normally-humble Bode.

When we were at Disneyland for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, families were given “guest” badges to wear, which gave them access to the special events. When we were waiting in line for the Jungle Cruise, someone asked Bode about it.

“Oh, it just says ‘guest’ but I really wish it said ‘VIP.'”

Big head much?

Whether he was VIP or a guest, this kid had the time of his life at Disneyland as was evidenced at the end of each night.

P.S. Just pretend Luigi is Mickey.

Disclaimer: I was invited to attend the 2014 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. The conference fee I paid included discounted lodging and park tickets for my family and sponsor swag. The runDisney fun run was included as a part of the conference and I was not required to blog about it or any sponsors.

Filed Under: Bode, Family travel, Humor, travel

Run Forest…errr…Amber, RunDisney!

April 23, 2014 by Amber

Once upon a time, I was a runner and a pretty good one. I was the fastest on the soccer field, kicked butt in track and cross-country and ran up mountains for fun. Then I got old and my body started hurting so I stopped running more than a few miles at a time.

But deep within me, I’ve yearned to do a runDisney event. Several times a year, my Instagram feed is filled with fun friends decked out in darling running costumes at these endurance events at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-miler. Tinker Bell Half Marathon.

Too bad I no longer do endurance, I just endure.

However, runDisney also does plenty of less extreme events such as children’s races and the 5K Expedition Everest Challenge obstacle course in Disney World. I was thrilled when the Disney Social Media Mom Celebration also offered an optional 2-mile fun run for the first 100 people to sign up. As a bonus, New Balance shoes was the sponsor and gave each runner our own pair of shoes.
Sadly, they weren’t these ultra-cool limited edition New Balance runDisney running shoes. But I wasn’t complaining about my new pair that I wore around Disneyland all weekend that took zero time to break-in.

My friend Kelly just completed the Boston Marathon and is an overachiever when it comes to dressing up for these runDisney events (you should totally check-out her company Sparkle Athletic‘s darling and comfy running skirts). But I’m domestically challenged and knew there was no way I could sew an outfit like her. So, I tapped into my goddess neighbor Meredith for some crafting inspiration and she was able to help me whip up a quick and easy Snow White costume.

I didn’t sweat my training too much. I can hike for miles and though I’m no longer fast, boot camp has made me strong. It was only 2 miles so what could go wrong?

Getting ill could go very, very wrong.

The night before the race, I started feeling really sick in the head (think: sinusitis, not mental illness). I debated canceling but decided to just wait and see how I was feeling the next day. And so I tossed and turned all night long fretting that I’d feel crummy in the morning so not only was I sick, I was exhausted.

But I went anyway.

Colorado girls representin’

“Elsa” Kelly on the right, with Julie a.k.a. “Anna”

We met in Downtown Disney at 5:30 a.m. for check-in and for a New Balance pep talk. They walked the moms (most of whom were not seasoned runners) through running form and basics. I fully expected them to do a group stretch but before I knew it, we were getting divided into two groups: those who wanted to run the entire time and the second group who would alternately walk and run.

I debated my fate. I was perfectly capable of running two miles straight so for me, the walk-run seemed like a cop-out. But would my body be able to handle it?

Snow White is nothing if not resilient (think: jealous queen and juggling 7 silly dwarfs) so I went for it.

I’m really glad I did. The running group kept a mild 9-minute-mile pace so I was easily able to keep up. And let me tell you, running through Disneyland and then California Adventure before the park’s opening was exhilarating and surreal.

Running through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

I felt fairly strong through most of it, likely in part because running at sea level is exponentially easier than running at 5,280 feet (Denver’s elevation). Around the last 1/2-mile, my sick body started feeling it but was I fortunate to run beside three fabulous ladies “The Fab 4” and we ecstatically crossed the finish line in Cars Land together. We finished closely behind the lead group and flush with excitement, we celebrated with our friends and families.

The conference organizers had closed off Cars Land until 9 a.m., giving us the unprecedented opportunity to ride the popular attractions over and over again.

Zero lines at the popular Radiator Springs Racers

Competitive much? Taking me out on Luigi’s Flying Tires

Cars Land Cuties

We had a fantastic morning and here’s the photograph to prove it. Kind of. Can’t spot me? It’s because I was in the bathroom when they shot it. You win some, you lose some.

Photo: Josh Hallett

Better luck (on many levels) next year.

Just tuning in? Be sure to read my introductory post Disney Social Media Moms Celebration: A Glimpse Behind Mickey’s Magic Curtain and also Disneyland: The Old, New, Tried and True Favorites and Elsa + Amber = BFFs “Frozen” in Time.

Filed Under: Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With: Disneyland, rundisney

Disneyland: The Old, New, Tried and True Favorites!

April 22, 2014 by Amber

Just tuning in? Be sure to read my introductory post Disney Social Media Moms Celebration: A Glimpse Behind Mickey’s Magic Curtain.

During my kids’ future therapy sessions, there is one thing they’ll never be able to accuse me: “we didn’t travel very much.”

Jamie and I kept our trip to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration a secret from them, which is tough when you’re a blabbermouth like me. But there is nothing more awesome than waking them up at 4:30 a.m. for school, only to announce in the dark–while wearing your Mickey ears–that “we’re going to Disneyland today!”

And also just a wee bit creepy.

Requisite family photo in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

Disneyland Hotel

This is my third time to Disneyland with the kids and one of my favorites, primarily because we had four days in the park. Usually we’re rushing from ride to ride but this gave us the opportunity to visit our favorite attractions at a more leisurely pace, take breaks and keep going back for more.

There were our old favorites:

Radiator Springs Racers and big hair do not mix

Flying on Silly Symphony Swings

Minnie and Mini-Minnie

Gadget Go Coaster by day

Our favorite Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night

California Adventure’s charming Buena Vista Street

There were some not-so favorites:

Terrified Bode on Splash Mountain

Bode will also attest there is nothing fun about Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

Mickey’s Fun Wheel

You can ride one of the traditional gondolas mounted to the outer rim -or- board one of the 16-inch “free-mounted” gondolas that slip and slide back and forth along the inside spokes. A couple of years ago, we chose the more adventurous free-sliding gondolas and oh, the look on Bode’s face when that thing started rocking. We figured we’d give it another try and his coping mechanism (or lack thereof) was about the same. Think: spread eagle on the bench.

Do you see my smile below? I am faking it and have vowed never to teach my daughter how to drive. I had just endured her taking the wheel of a gas-powered car and speeding her way through a winding track, knocking into the guide rail hundreds of times.

Autotopia

Autopia does not equal utopia for nervous parents but she sure had a blast!

Also not pictured: Me on Space Mountain. Any roller-coaster that races through the cosmos to the edge of the galaxy and back–in the DARK–is no friend of mine.

There were some new-to-us favorites:

Dole Whip Virgins no more

The Jungle Cruise’s tour of rivers in Asia, Africa and South America

Riding the Matterhorn

Disneyland Hotel’s headboards that magically lit up

Making and racing cars at The LEGO Store in Downtown Disney

The kids listened to a celebrity storytime by Disney Junior stars Ariel Winter and Tim Gunn (of “Sofia the First”) and David Arquette (of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”) following the announcement of their “Give a Book, Get a Book” where Disney Junior will donate up to one million books to U.S. communities in need (see how you can donate a book).

Celebrity storytime

Yes, she is chomping at his knee.

Because nothing helps you wait for celebrity storytime quite like a bean bag mosh pit in the Disneyland Hotel ballroom.

Tomorrow: Stay tuned tomorrow for the sordid details of my runDisney. Think sick deathbed but it was very much worth it. Note: I was invited to attend the 2014 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. The conference fee I paid included discounted lodging and park tickets for my family and sponsor swag.

Filed Under: Family travel, travel Tagged With: Disneyland

Let’s get this (Disney Social Media Moms Celebration) party started!

April 21, 2014 by Amber

The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is undeniably one of the most sought-after conferences in the mom blogger world. And for good reason. This invitation-only event pulls in some of the blogosphere’s most influential moms and offers three days of inspiring world-class speakers, exclusive access to Disneyland and celebrity encounters that will make you feel like a crazed groupie.

In 2013, I was honored to be invited and I did the unthinkable: reluctantly turned it down due to finances. In my (insanity) defense, though there are amazing sponsors, you still need to pay airfare and for the conference.

I was delighted to be invited this year but we had just returned from Maui and once again, our budget was stretched. “You won’t be invited back if we don’t do it,” my husband begged and I suspected he was right. So, I put the question out to a man with far great influence and wisdom and asked WWMD (What Would Mickey Do?)

CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING

Filed Under: Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With: Disney, Disneyland

The Second Grade Pumpkin Expert

April 19, 2014 by Amber

The school year is winding down (or would that be up?) at a frenetic pace and these next weeks will be chock full of piano recitals, school plays, violin concerts, chaperoning Hadley’s three-day class camping trip and so much more.

On Thursday we had Bode’s final parent-teacher conference of second grade and he proudly escorted us around the classroom playing math games and showing off his Power-Point-knock-off slideshow presentation about cobras (the horror). Though we weren’t thrilled about his teacher at the beginning of the year, Bode liked her and thrived in her strict classroom. It’s called brown nosing and he’s really good at it. Case in point: when we walked in, a little girl was sitting there with her dad and raved, “That Bode, he’s the best boy in class!”

Guess he’s been sucking up to the ladies, too.

I was feeling pretty good about Bode’s year until he brought out his conference portfolio and showed us his first published book: “How to grow pumpkins.”

Jamie, of course, was thrilled.

I, on the other hand, want my (public school) money back.

Filed Under: Bode, Humor, pumpkins

Because of Him, Sunday Will Come

April 18, 2014 by Amber

After being really sick all week, my friend Lisa called me to go hiking today. We went to Matthews-Winters Park near Red Rocks and it was a glorious spring day. We had a long talk overlooking this vista that put life into perspective again.

When we were driving, we saw a bunch of teenagers walking along the mountain road. I started tearing up when I realized they were carrying a huge wooden cross. This wonderful group of Christian youth were dedicating Good Friday to their Savior.

I have had many, many people post this beautiful Easter video and wanted to share in case you have not already taken a couple of minutes to watch it. It has received almost 2 million views in a week and for good reason.

My friend also posted this beautiful video of a former addict and repeat convict who shared his experiences with the Savior’s ability and willingness to forgive him again and again, even when he felt undeserving and the powerful message “I’m still here.”

“Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.”

-“Sunday Will Come” -Joseph B. Wirthlin

Filed Under: LDS

Kicking off another pumpkin season

April 18, 2014 by Amber

On Tuesday for our 10-year anniversary in our house, I was planning to make a fancy dinner to celebrate. But then I got the worst sinus infection ever and couldn’t get out of bed for a few days. So, Jamie took celebrations into his own hands and dedicated the evening to all-things-pumpkin.

Do you see what happens when I get sick? The whole world pretty much ends.

For normal people, planting would involve taking a seed and putting it in soil. Not us. The seeds needed to be filed, soaked in humic acid and liquid seaweed, followed by the paper towel method. This year, they started with 11 seeds. Eventually they’ll find their way into Jamie’s makeshift growroom in our basement and then the strongest few will be transferred into the hoop houses outside. The kids will each grown their own giant pumpkin and Jamie will grow two of his own.

Usually Jamie is chomping at the bit to start pumpkin season but he has been more subdued about it.

“I don’t know what the deal is,” he confessed to me. “Maybe it’s because I reached my goal of growing a pumpkin over 1,000 pounds. Or maybe it’s because I’m just so busy that I’m not as into this pumpkin season.”

Or maybe his uber-obsession has been knocked down several notches and is now only a more reasonable hobby-level of commitment?

We can only hope.

Filed Under: Jamie, pumpkins

A Lesson in Gratitude: Our Story of Easter, Cancer and Rebirth

April 16, 2014 by Amber

Jamie has been cancer-free for 15 years.

He had recently graduated from college and had started his own consulting firm when a lump starting forming on his neck. It disappeared after a week but night-sweats and flu-like symptoms emerged. And then the lump returned.

He tried a few home remedies to no avail and finally sought medical attention. After Jamie described his symptoms, the doctor said, “I think it could be either mono or cancer. And I don’t think it is cancer.”

He was wrong.

Jamie was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease, cancer of the lymph nodes. When detected early, the survival rate is 80 percent. Like all cancers, later-stage prognosis is deadly. He was single, without insurance and living in Utah, far away from his family.

His doctor told him to apply for Medicaid. He was initially denied. Miraculously, CLICK TO KEEP READING

Filed Under: Health, Jamie

Our Happy Neck of the Woods–A 10-year Anniversary

April 15, 2014 by Amber

I recently had an epiphany that I am truly in love with where we live. Not just Colorado because our state is undeniably awesome with world-class skiing, hiking and vistas. But our little corner of Denver’s suburbs. Though I’m constantly vying to move to the mountains, I love our location in the city.

We’re five minutes to each of the kids’ high-ranked schools, are a 15-minute jaunt to some of my favorite hiking trails in the foothills, are extremely close to a network of bike paths and open space parks, have beloved friends in a family-friendly neighborhood, are in an awesome ward, have Jamie’s brother and sister a few minutes away and live right above a huge sports complex that is the pulse of our community where they shoot off the Independence Day fireworks.

When Jamie and I were first married, we heard about our neighborhood that was under development and were excited when we were approved to build a house. Today marks our 10-year anniversary in our home. I still remember the day we took possession of it. Everything was squeaky-clean and untouched and I was really pregnant with Hadley. I had two thoughts: “We’ll never be able to fill all this space” (yeah, right) and “we will never be unhappy here.” One of these two is true.

A couple of weeks ago, I was reminded how much I love our area when Bode had his first soccer game on these fields near our house. It felt so great to cheer his team on to victory.Not so great: the yelling soccer dad next to me.

A couple of hours later, the kids and I walked down our hill to the community Easter egg hunt.Yes, Hadley is 9 years old. Don’t judge me (see the sign in the background).

On Saturday and Sunday, it was our church’s semi-annual General Conference, which always means lot of food and inspiration (President Uchtdorf’s talk Grateful in any Circumstance was my favorite). Conference always means lots of forts and messes. And I’m (kind of) grateful for them.

We took a break in between sessions to watch the kite festival at our nearby fields. Our failures in kite-flying have been regularly documented (in Kites of Death and Let’s NOT Go Fly a Kite) but it was a really windy day. We spotted our neighbors and figured maybe-just-maybe this was our day to actually fly a kite!

It was glorious to finally soar.

I have been trying to be grateful for everything little thing and it has greatly helped my attitude and enthusiasm for life. Tired of the constant messes from the kids? Someday they’ll sadly be gone and so will those messes. Sore from boot camp? Be grateful you have a strong, healthy body. Overwhelmed with work? I’m so glad I have work opportunities. I even find myself being grateful we can buy the bulk bins of laundry detergent at Costco because there was a time after college I was scraping by to even do that.

It is easy to be grateful for things when life seems to be going our way. But what then of those times when what we wish for seems to be far out of reach?

Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be. -President Uchtdorf “Grateful in Any Circumstances“

Filed Under: birthday, Family, Favorite Posts, LDS