A couple weeks ago I was invited to Disney On The Road in Charlotte, NC.  In case you didn't know, each year Disney has a Social Media Moms gathering for select moms at Walt Disney World in Florida.  I know several ladies who've gone and they said it was awesome!  Unfortunately, I've never been invited. :(  Since Disney wanted to share the fun with those who haven't been to the one in Florida, they decided to take the show on the road this year and go to 3 cities in the US for 1/2 day mini-conferences.  I was lucky enough to go to the one in Charlotte!

Me and Shannon Miller-she's so tiny, she makes me look tall, lol!

Disney was great enough to bring together some very inspiring ladies for us to learn from!  We saw Shannon Miller, who you might remember from the 1996 Olympics.  She is the most decorated US gymnast ever!  She told us about starting her own company and her journey with cancer.  I was so excited to meet her!

The awesomely funny Laura Spencer (taken on hubby's tablet)

We also got to hear from Laura Spencer who is in charge of social media for Disney.  She is the funniest person!  I love how she would talk about anything and everything.  She told us a little bit about the new Fantasyland expansion, which I can't wait to see for myself!

Tiffany Krumins on the left with Maria Bailey

Have you watched Shark Tank before?  If so, you may know Tiffany Krumins.  She appeared on the first season and boldly asked the sharks to invest in her elephant medicine dropper, now called AVA the Elephant.  Tiffany was a nanny to a special needs child and she wanted to find a better way to give kids medicine than fighting with them each time.  So, she came up with a talking elephant that would coax children into taking the medicine and then praise them for it.  She convinced one of the sharks to invest with her and now AVA is a top seller.  She just designed a new forehead thermometer sticker which can monitor your child's temperature for up to 24 hours, her cute little girl showed it off to us.

Some cool swag from #DisneyOnTheRoad

As you can see, the event was all about women entrepreneurs and how they started out.  We got some wonderful ideas.   It was amazing to meet these ladies in person and learn from them.  Thanks to Maria Bailey and Disney for bringing this experience to Charlotte!

This was a free event that I was lucky enough to be invited to.

 

I am so excited! It's only 10 days until the 2:1 Conference!  It's basically a conference for homeschoolers with a heart for God.  Today everyone who is going is doing a getting to know you post and linking up at Bowmania.

Here are 10 things you should know about me:

1. My name is Nancy and I've been married for 19 years.
2. I started homeschooling about 5 years ago after numerous problems with my oldest in public school.
3. I have two boys.  Mitchell will turn 15 next week and Hunter is 4.
4. My husband and kids will be coming with me to the conference.  If you hear extremely loud kids, they will be mine!  Sorry in advance!
5. I am from rural South Carolina.  I love living in the country!
6. I have lots of chickens and they all have names and are like my babies.
7. I am unorganized and a fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl.  Although the older I get, the more I try to be more organized.
8. My favorite color is pink, I love chocolate and Disney World.
9. I don't know anyone who is coming to the conference very well and I'm scared I will feel all alone.
10. I believe that I will be blessed by attending 2:1 and will learn a lot from everyone there.

Last night I was invited to an advance screening of the new 3-D movie John Carter.  In case you don't know (I didn't) the movie is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic A Princess of Mars.  It was the first novel in his Barsoom series written 100 years ago.  Barsoom is the writer's name for the planet Mars where much of the story takes place.

 
John Carter stars Taylor Kitsch in the title role with Lynn Collins playing Dejah Thoris, a strong intelligent woman, who also happens to be a princess.  The two had great chemistry in the movie.





I went into this movie not expecting much.  From the previews I saw, I thought it would be lots of action and fighting, with little story.  So I took Mitchell with me to see it since he likes that kind of thing.  I should have known since it was Disney it would be amazing!  Both my son and I loved it.  I admit it took me a few minutes to get into it, but once I did, it was just WOW!  I love how the 3-D wasn't always coming at you like some movies.  It was there, just more understated. 


My favorite thing besides John Carter was Woola.  Woola is a creature similar to a dog in that it's very loyal to it's master.  That's him pictured above.  Isn't he cute?


According to my 14 year old: This movie has something for the whole family.  It has action for the guys, romance for the women, and laughter for everyone.   I agree!  I can't wait to see it again.  With everything that was going on in the movie I know there are new things I'll see next time!

John Carter is rated PG-13 and opens nationwide this Friday.  
Here's a clip from the movie:

We are on week three of The Year of 1,000 gifts.  Won't you join me in counting your blessings by clicking on the link above?

Here are my gifts from above for the last week!


46.  Wearing my soft, pink, aloe infused socks


48.  Giggling like teenagers

61.  The laughs we had when we saw a opossum running through the yard


66. Barb's new flooring

I love to go places, from Disney World to the beaches or the mountains. Unfortunately that can get pretty expensive! I just found the secret to make taking a family vacation more affordable. It's called RedWeek.com and it's a place where members can go and rent timeshares directly from the owner. You cut out the middle-man and cut down the price!  Membership to RedWeek is only $14.99 per year.

Disney World

Here's an example of the great prices found on RedWeek: My favorite place in the world, Disney World, has a studio room available at the Boardwalk Villas for $130 a night! And this is during Christmas! The regular rate per night for this room is $370. That is such an amazing deal! Or if you'd prefer to stay offsite, you could stay at Cypress Pointe Resort in a one bedroom unit for only $64 a night.

Gorgeous Beaches

Maybe you would prefer a 2 bedroom unit on the beach. There is one at The Resort on Cocoa Beach in Florida next summer for $128 a night. The regular price for this room is $208 a night and it sleeps 6 people!  Perhaps you've been wanting to go to Las Vegas, there is a 1 bedroom unit at a 5 star resort for only $80 per night. 

See the Difference in Space!

Just think of all the space you'd have versus a regular hotel room. Hotels usually have one or two beds in the same room and a bathroom.  Timeshare rentals often have fully stocked kitchens, separate bedrooms, a living room, and some even have washers and dryers.  These amenities are great if you have children because you and the kids don't have to share a bedroom, plus you can cook your own meals to save even more money.

When you are a member and visit RedWeek.com you can check prices and availability of resorts as well as read reviews and ratings.  There are also detailed resort descriptions and lots of photos.   There is a section on the site called RedWishes where you can list the exact resort, room size, and dates so owners can contact you.  You can buy, sell, or rent a timeshare at RedWeek. 

I'm sure you've heard me mention a million few times how much I love Disney World. That is why I was so happy to review The Key to the Kingdom by Jeff Dixon.

The Key to the Kingdom makes Disney World seem so much more mysterious.  I eagerly followed along on Hawkes adventure as he followed clues that led him through the parks.  It is so cool because I can picture a lot of the places mentioned in the book.  However, I learned so many more interesting things I didn't know, that I will look for on my next trip.

I think anyone who loves mysteries or Disney, would love this book!  It was fun to read, I even think my teenager will like it.

You can buy it at Deep River Books or here.  You can find The Key to the Kingdom online at
http://twitter.com/deepriverbooks and
http://www.facebook.com/KeytotheKingdombook.

I received this book from  Bring It On Communications! in association with MamaBzz.com in exchange for a review.

My hubby surprised me on Saturday with an overnight shopping trip to Myrtle Beach!  We went really late on Saturday and had a little trouble finding somewhere to stay.  We thought we'd be okay without a reservation since it's February, but we had no idea that they were having a marathon in town!  We finally found a room and were glad to get some rest!


The next day we went to all our favorite shopping places like the Disney Store outlet and Bass Pro Shops.  Ronnie wanted to go there, but Mitchell and Hunter enjoyed it too.  Mitchell was able to paint his own fishing lure and Hunter loved the huge fish in the tank. 


We went to the beach for a while too.  I didn't even remember to take my camera, but Mitchell had his DSi, so we took some with that.  Hunter LOVED chasing those birds, it was so fun to watch!  Now I have to rest up to go back to the beach this Thursday, but this time to Ocean Isle Beach!

I was helping my husband yesterday and I totally forgot to post this.  Sorry I'm late! 

This week's Completing Him Challenge from Courtney is for us to write a post about what we admire about our husbands. 



Here are some of the things I admire about my husband:

1. He works hard so I can stay home with our kids.  Sometimes he works 12 hours a day out in the 100 degree weather. 
2. He is always willing to drop what he's doing and help others.  He fixes cars for others, helps fix houses in need of repair, and does anything he can to help others.
3. He can fix our vehicles when they are broken down.
4. He takes us to church every Sunday.  He's a new Christian, but eager to learn.
5. He loves taking Mitchell fishing and playing video games with him too.
6. He is an awesome chicken coop builder and never says no when I ask for more, even though I know he doesn't really want anymore.
7. He has taken me to my favorite place, Disney World, more times than I can count, even though I know he'd rather be someplace else.
8. He found a way for me to live in the place I'd always wanted.
9. He will watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the 100th time with Hunter.
10. He is the toughest, strongest guy I know.  He doesn't even know his own strength.
11. He can be so sweet and tender when he's holding our youngest.  I love it when I catch them snuggled up together.
12. He puts up with my craziness and believe me, that isn't always easy.
13. He is gorgeous and has the most beautiful blue eyes.
14. He is very protective of me and our children.  He's my hero.

Of course, this is just a short list, given time I could come up with many more things.  What about you?  What do you admire about your husband?

For today's Completing Him Challenge, we are supposed to remember our vows by sharing memories and photos of our wedding.  I found our wedding video and watched it today, so I could relive those feelings I had on that day.  I remember being excited and a little nervous that I would mess up what I was supposed to say. 

Ronnie was way more nervous than me, he was white as a ghost and would hardly look at me throughout the whole ceremony.  But, the couple times he did look at me, he would finally relax and smile the sweetest smile.


Since today is about remembering our vows, here is what I said that day:  

"I, Nancy, take you, Ronnie, to be my husband, to have, and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love, and to cherish, until we are parted by death, this is my solemn vow."

Looking back, there has been all that, except the richer part, lol!  Back then everything seemed so much more simple when we were starting out.  Then, we only focused on the good.  It seems the longer I have been  married, I started focusing on the bad stuff.  I hope that I can change that, and go back to celebrating the little things, the happy things.

After celebrating our wedding with our family and friends, we went to Savannah, Georgia and spent our wedding night.  Then on to Daytona Beach and Disney World, where I fell in love all over again, with Disney and Ronnie!

I was tagged by The Life Of A Home Mom to do a Sunday Meme she posted, but I'm late, as always, so it's a Monday Meme.

1. Where is your cell phone? Currently in my right-side pants pocket

2. Your hair? Kind of short right now

3. Your mother? In Heaven

4. Your father? In Heaven

5. Your favorite food? Chicken

6. Your dream last night? Weird

7. Your favorite drink? Fruit Punch Gatorade

8. Your dream/goal? To have our home paid off

9. What room are you in? Living Room

10. Your hobby? Reading

11. Your fear? Something happening to my children

12. Where do you want to be in six years? Still living here and teaching my kids 

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren’t? On time

15. Muffins? Chocolate Chip

16. Wish list item? Camera

17. Where did you grow up? Kannapolis, N.C.

18. Last thing you did? Went to Piggly Wiggly

19. What are you wearing? Black Pants and a Carolina Panthers sweatshirt and no shoes

20. Your TV? Not on

21. Your pets? 3 chihuahuas, 2 cats, 2 dogs outside, 1 rabbit, 2 guineas, and tons of chickens

22. Friends? Awesome

23. Your life? Great

24. Your mood? Content

25. Missing someone? Parents

26. Vehicle? Neon

27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Kohls

29. Your favorite color? Pink

30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31. Last time you cried? A couple days ago watching a sad ending on a tv show

32. Your best friend? Barbara

33. One place that I could go over and over? Disney World

34. One person who emails you regularly? Barbara

35. Favorite place to eat? Chilis

I tag anyone who wants to participate.  If you do, let me know in the comments, so I can come read your answers!

It's time for Magical Disney Sunday with Heidi from Fairy Footprints in the Sand.  Since it's the Christmas season, I thought I would show some of the ways they decorate Disney World. 


The picture above is from a parade during the Christmas season.


The next few pictures are from the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The lights dance to the music and it even snows in Florida!


The family had put up lights every year and added more each year, until they had millions of lights.


By then the neighbors were tired of it, but Disney World welcomed them and now hosts their light display every year.  There is even a Nativity scene.


They decorate the Disney Resorts too.  This is a picture from The Grand Floridian.  I've never stayed there, although I would love to.


This picture is from Epcot.  It's magical walking under the archway.


On special nights, they have Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.  There are parades, hot chocolate and cookies, Christmas music, and snow on Main Street.


Finally, Cinderella's Castle is all decked out for the holidays too!  It doesn't get much more magical than that.

Have a magical day!