Shhhhh...

I have a secret and it's kind of a big deal.  To me at least.  We're taking the girsl to Disneyland.  Officially.  For reals.  We have decided to join my brother in Santa Monica for Thanksgiving this year so naturally, we're going to swing on by Disney.
For those of you who don't know me real well, I am one of those crazies who absolutely adores most Disney related stuff.  There was that dark period of movie making where I just wasn't feeling it.  Lilo and Stitch is not my cup of tea.  Livie loves it though...Anyway, LOVE Disney.
My first Disneyland experience was when I was eight and it really was the happiest place on earth.  Probably one of my favorite childhood memories.  I didn't love that mom made me wear an orange shirt so she could pick me out of a crowd.  I thought a princess dress would have been much better.  Maybe not for crowd pick-outing but for the joy of an 8-year-old girl?  Sure.
My second experience was in high school.  It was okay, but as a punk teenager on band tour with friends it was more about the rides than the magic.  Still, it was fun to be apart of the parade I had watched as a child.  Not to mention riding the Indiana Jones ride with my principle.  Good times.
My third time, perhaps the most magical, was for my honeymoon.  I know that sounds odd.  And it was magical for other than honeymoon reasons.  We decided to do our big honeymoon trip 6 months after the wedding because we had been told there was no point spending money on a big trip when you would spend all your time in the hotel room.
Andrew let me pick.  My parents had given us a set amount of money for the wedding and what we didn't use we got to keep so we had enough for a honeymoon when all was said and done.  So he let me pick since it was money from my parents.  He may regret that decision, but I certainly do not.  He wasn't thrilled about my choice having been brainwashed by his father.  According to my FIL Disney is lines, crowds, and baby stuff.  The Turley men have a hard time connecting with their inner child.  So Andrew wasn't thrilled but he went along with it.
We spent our first day at Disney.  We entered Main Street and Andrew was still being all grown-uppy.  I had reverted to my eight-year-old self and was calling my daddy to tell him I was at our favorite place.  Andrew wouldn't where his "first-timer" button.  I was ready to go buy the gaudiest Minnie ears I could find and sport them around the park.  I'm sure Andrew was thinking, "I married a child!"
We went to Tomorrowland first.  I knew Andrew would love Star Tours so I dragged him to it.  We sat down, buckled up, and that little droid starts doing his thing.  And Andrew's inner-child exploded out of him in the form of childish giggles.
And it was awesome!
I've been trying to get him to take me back ever since.  Pregnancy, potential house-buying, heart surgery.  Something always came up.
But this time, for reals, it's happening.  I should knock on wood that Livie cooperates and doesn't do something funky.  And I am so stinking excited.  Now, the girls don't know so SHHHHH...We'll surprise them by saying we're going on a ride and just keep driving for twelve hours.  And then do the same thing when we leave my brothers house for Disney.
I've started planning this trip and I'll tell you what.  If Andrew thought I was embarrassing the first time we went together, he's going to be downright humiliated with me this next time.  I'm only planning the thing and the thought of taking the girls, of seeing them dance with princesses and hug Minnie and Mickey, is turning me into an emotional bucket of tears.
When we first found out about Olivia's heart, one of the thoughts that kept running through my head was "what if I have to take Ella to Disneyland without her sister?"
One of my dreams has been to take my girls to Disneyland.  To share the magic that I felt as a child, and still feel.  To show them that dreams are what make life great.  And I thought I might never get that chance with Olivia.  But I will!
Call me one of those crazy Disney-lovers, call me immature.  But I am taking my babies to Disneyland in three months and I can't think of a better way to celebrate Thanksgiving.