We arrived at our bus stop around 6:30 am to catch the bus to Animal Kingdom!!! Yes, I did say 6:30!! You see, it was an early entry day and Lee is a huge Goofy fan. Well Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto open the park in the mornings, and we couldn’t miss that! Plus, you really need to allow about an hour for Disney transportation. We were the second people in line for the park…and we didn’t miss a thing! It was a stampede to get in that park! The characters opened the park right in front of the Tree of Life. It was great!

Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto welcoming us to the Animal Kingdom

Mickey, being introduced as our guide, surprised us at the Tree of Life

The Tree of Life

After the opening, we made a mad dash (literally…a stampede of people with the same idea we had) to the new Expedition Everest attraction. I, of course, was too scared to ride…but the rest of the family said that it was awesome!! We even went back so they could ride it again later in the week!!

Russ, me, Kristin, and Lee in front of Expedition Everest

We did EVERYTHING (and if we didn’t get to it that day, we did it later on in the week)! We rode Kali River Rapids, went on a safari, met the characters at Camp Minnie-Mickey, saw the Festival of the Lion King (amazing!), rode the Dino Whirl, and saw It’s Tough Being a Bug. It’s Tough Being a Bug is a 3-D animation with all kinds of fun effects. Here is a picture of Russ and me in our 3-D glasses (bug glasses). If you’re wondering why I’m soaking wet…I was in the lucky seat that got DRENCHED on Kali River Rapids!

Honorary bugs for a day

And of course, we met some of the characters in their safari outfits! However, when we were in line for Mickey, it started to rain. The characters had to go inside. So, we came back on our “extra day” to finish up pictures with characters.

Isn't Donald cute in his safari outfit!?

Disney World Day One - Downtown Disney

After checking in and getting settled, we couldn’t wait to start our Disney vacation. So, we freshened up and headed to Downtown Disney. We caught the bus at our bus stop in Aruba .

Mama, Kristin, me, and Russ on the bus

Right as we entered Downtown Disney, we spotted a photo op! Of course! This could be a possible family Christmas card. There were MANY variations of this photo…but I’m only putting one up.

We had a fun afternoon/evening shopping and looking around at all the FUN! Here are a few pictures to give you an idea.

Once Upon a Toy - toy store

Team Mickey - personalizing wooden baseball bats

Pirate of the Caribbean

Rainforest Cafe in the background

A Lego family....Can you find Dustin (the "non-Lego" figure)?

After exploring the area, we had reservations at Raglan Road , an Irish pub in Downtown Disney. It was so much fun!! There was live music, and Irish dancing on a center stage/table area. The food was FABULOUS!! We had a couple of friends in Disney World the same week, so they joined us for supper.

Adam and Becca

One of the Irish dancers

After our first day at Disney World, we met in Mama and Daddy’s room for “orientation” for the week. She went over the schedule for the week and explained our itineraries and money envelopes that were in our welcome baskets. Mama has a plan for EVERYTHING! She presented IN STYLE!!

After “orientation,” we settled in for our last full night’s rest before a busy and crazy week!!!

Disney World Day One - Arrival

After Russ’s test last Monday…I met him at the car with our luggage and we headed for Disney World. We got as far as Tallahassee before we had to turn in for the night. We woke up the next morning even more excited, and finished our trip. We arrived safely right as the rest of the family was checking in. Kristin, Dustin, and Lee met us in the parking lot, and we took a picture with all the “kids.” Upon our check-in, we learned that we had enough people in our party to be considered a “Magical Gathering” and had pins to wear all week.

We were welcomed with gifts!! Mama had welcome baskets made up for us filled with necessities for the trip: handheld fans, shout wipes, batteries, gum, razors, shampoo, Ibuprofen, Wet Ones, Kleenex, spending money, and the famous itineraries for each day (as well as the MASTER ITENERARY)!! She also gave me a
travel pillow, pj’s, and Kristin gave me a Disney towel wrap. What a welcome!! Thanks Mama and Kristin!!!

Our welcome baskets

The Smith 's Disney World Vacation 2008

The MASTER itinerary!

We still had some time to kill before check-in time…so we hung out around the resort. We looked around the stores, tried on our character hats, made a wish in the fountain, and checked out the beach outside our rooms.

Playing "dress-up"...

Making a wish as we tossed a penny in the fountain!

The beach outside our room

Dustin relaxing after a long drive...and we were still waiting on our room.

Around 3:00 or so, we were able to get in our rooms!! Yea!!

Happy Birthday Grace!!!

Before I get started writing about our Disney trip, I have one "shout out" to make. Our niece, Grace, celebrated her birthday in May. We weren't able to be there for the big day, but we sent her a gift earlier this month. She emailed us some pictures of it while we were in Disney World.

"I love Aunt Megan."
This is definitely my favorite picture!!
I love you too, Grace!!

Movie Star!

Precious!!

Thanks Grace!! I'm glad you like your new outfit! I hope you had a fabulous birthday!!

Russ, What Will You Do Now That You've Finished Taking the Step??

I'M GOING TO....

We'll be gone for a while to the Wonderful World of Disney!! Ha! Russ is getting some well-deserved play time. The rest of my family will be going too! This should be fun! Eight travelers, NO kids! Have you ever heard of such!?

We'll be staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort. That's where I always stay. You can see the big ball at Epcot from our resort!


Hopefully, we'll have wireless internet and I can keep you posted!! Thanks for all your prayers as Russ prepared to take the Step 2.

Gone to finish packing!!

Let's Just Call It A "Pat and Felicia Weekend"

This morning we went to Sunday school with Pat and Felicia, and we attended The Link at FBC Jackson. The Link is a contemporary service offered as an alternative to the main service in the sanctuary. We really enjoyed it! After church, Pat and Felicia had us over for lunch and encouragement before Russ's 'BIG TEST' tomorrow! I helped (a little)!

Felicia is a wonderful cook! She reminds me, a little, of a modern day June Cleaver. Ha! Anyway, she cooked red beans & rice and cornbread. It was fantastic! Thanks girl, for a great weekend!!

Now, we are back home...and Russ is preparing for the Step2. Please keep him in your prayers tomorrow. The test runs from somewhere around 8:00 am to 3:00-4:00 pm. I know he'll appreciate all the prayers he can get!!

Shadowfeet

After dinner last night, Felicia let me listen to a song by Brooke Fraser. The video is so powerful - the lyrics too. I love the way it shows ALL Christians (none the same) singing out in thanksgiving,

"When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in You still standing.
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in You."

Mute my playlist and enjoy...really listen to the words and decide how it speaks to your heart.

My Summer Reading List

Sorry about the title...it's the school teacher in me, I guess.

If you're looking for a great summer read, may I give you a couple of suggestions?

The first book on my "Summer Reading List" was The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. This was so great!! It is set in small-town North Carolina (as are most of his books) on the waterfront. It is a great story of love, life, and choices. This book spans the years of new love, marriage, and family. The question Travis Parker has to ask himself is, "How far would you go to keep love alive?" The ending is so good - unexpected!!

I know - you're thinking that it sounds like a "sappy love story." Well, it kinda is. But, Nicholas Sparks writes them the best!!! His love stories are a deeper love - not all that silly, inappropriate stuff.



The second book on my list was Dear John - also by Nicholas Sparks, of course. I just finished this book last night, and I didn't want it to end. Dear John is about a young rebel who dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army. This proved to be the best thing for him! On his first leave, he meets a sweet college girl volunteering with Habitat for Humanity who gets him to church, and helps him to become an even better man. When John returns to base, her letters keep him going. They had their lives planned out...and then, 9/11 happened. Both their lives were changed forever.


In case you're not familiar with Nicholas Sparks, he wrote the original The Notebook. I read that book a couple of years before the movie came out and cried like crazy! It is even better than the movie, as most books are.

Let me make a disclaimer for my husband. The books listed above are NOT on his "Summer Reading List," and I assure you, will never be!

However, Russ does enjoy reading when he has time! A couple of his favorite books include: Crisis by Robin Cook and On Doctoring: Stories, Poems, and Essays edited by Richard Reynolds, M.D., and John Stone, M.D.

...And Still More Good News!!!

A good friend of mine from high school just got engaged!! Prentiss and Bo are finally tying the knot! CONGRATULATIONS, PK!! Love you!!!

Prentiss and Bo at our Wedding Day Brunch in 2005

You can check out thier blog to hear all about the engagement!

Night Out at P.F. Chang's

Tonight, Russ took a little study break to eat out with some great friends from medical school. I've written about them before - Pat and Felicia. We walked around Renaissance mall for a while, and then ate at P.F. Chang's. It was fabulous!! After P.F. Chang's we came back to our house for dessert - Fruit Pizza. *This is a recipe I got from Amanda Street, another med school wife. Her husband is in his fourth year of residency...so she always knows what I'm going through (and what comes next). She and Eric, her husband, have already signed a contract to practice pediatrics in Tupelo following next year. The pizza was great Amanda. Thanks!!

Fruit Pizza

1 pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 small carton Cool Whip
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 kiwi fruit, sliced
1 banana, sliced
3/4 cup orange juice or lemon juice

Spread cookie dough out in a cookie sheet until the whole pan is covered to the edges. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly brown. Let cool completely. Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Stir in Cool Whip. Spread onto cooled cookie. You may use fruit mentioned (or any fruit of your choice). After slicing your fruit, dip it in orange juice or lemon juice to keep it from turning brown too quickly. Put on pizza. Slice and serve!!! Keep in fridge unless serving.

Farley Johnson

fFarley is our 3 year old Maltipoo (part Maltese, part poodle). He was born June 1, 2005, and we were married June 4. How sweet!! Farley is an outgoing, quirky, and precious puppy. He loves to be around people. In fact, we think he may have separation anxiety! He can be sound asleep...but, if we move (even to go to the bathroom), Farley is right by our side!

The main reason we got Farley was for me to have a companion when Russ was studying so much his first two years of medical school. I hated being at the apartment by myself in a new big city. So, we found a friend for me. Farley is definitely my baby!! He has been treated like a human since day 1 - even down to having a baby blanket! I would cuddle him and play with him just like I would a baby doll. It really was ridiculous...but I can't say that I'm any different with him today.

My favorite baby picture of Farley...Isn't he adorable!?!?!

Russ has enjoyed Farley too. Farley knows that when Russ comes home, it's time to "play rough." He LOVES it! Russ has taught Farley a few tricks. We are proud to say that he can sit, lay down, roll over, stay, and turn around. The only thing he won't do is COME HERE!!! I think he's doing this on purpose! We had our carpet cleaned today, so Russ and I spent some "fun time" with Farley in the kitchen, and we took him on a walk around the neighborhood.

One of my favorite "Farley poses" (and there are many) is when he does the splits. Look in the first clip of this video and you'll see!

My little gymnast doing the splits!

You may need to mute my playlist to hear.

Another thing Farley loves to do is watch television. No...I'm not kidding! If he sees any kind of animal on the television - Farley will attack (sometimes changing the channel or turning it off)! I don't know why he does this or when it started, but it is hilarious and annoying - depending on what we're trying to do.

I know you are wondering why he has such long hair. We can't get him in to be groomed until next week. He definitely has an afro! I don't think he can even see. It's so cute!! Bless his heart!

So, based on the length of this post...you can see that Farley is a huge part of our lives! He may be traumatized and never forgive us after we have kids!!

Another Blog Intro...

Seeing as how I seem to be in the blogging business today...my mom decided she could also use a blog for her business. So, I got busy!!

Mama "switched stores" in 2002, and she began buying our cleaning, hygiene, and vitamin products from a company called Melaleuca. Melaleuca is a wellness company that manufactures products we use everyday. These products are made with no caustic ingredients. Besides being more cost efficient than grocery stores, Melaleuca products are safer for your family and environmentally friendly.


Mama is a former school teacher and Executive Director and Trainer for a Direct Sales Company. When she was introduced to Melaleuca, there was a minimal membership fee and a money back guarantee within four months. It was a proposal she couldn't turn down. Upon shopping with Melaleuca, she realized the credibility of the company, and she was very impressed with the products. Mama began telling others about this company, and they began to "switch stores." By doing this, she was earning residual income month by month. She no longer had to stock inventory, deliver products, or go out to do parties. She is now able to earn more money, and everyone is interested in the products...including me. I became a customer - then director - soon after we first heard of Melaleuca. Above the playlist on Mama's blog, it says, "Melaleuca allows me to stay home and change lives one little heartbeat at a time," to go along with the song playing.Mama is now able to center her life around the things/people that matter most.


Check it out for yourself...and see the blog I put together. Pretty good, in my opinion! Ha!!!

Facelifts

I'm sure you noticed my blog has had a little makeover. I've been working all day on blogs. After creating Kelly's blog last night, I made a few changes on her background this morning. Then, I gave Jennifer a little facelift on her blog so she can begin sharing her good news IN STYLE! I hope everyone is happy.

Me, Jennifer, and Kelly

Check out Jennifer and Kelly's blogs and let them know what you think.

More Exciting News!!

I just received a phone call from one of my college roommates, Jennifer. She and her husband, Jaysen are expecting their first baby!!! I am so excited for both of them. Jennifer is the first of our college group to be pregnant, so this should be FUN! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Jennifer and me at Kendall's wedding

Jaysen...I can't believe you're going to be a DAD!!!

Jennifer and Jaysen are also in the middle of building their first house. They have a lot going on this summer! Congratulations Jennifer and Jaysen!! I love you!