Travel Adventure

I have started a new adventure!  I have become a Travel Agent! Seeing how we love to travel and I enjoy helping others find the best deal for their budget it seemed liked the perfect fit.

Picking the best host site was a few months of research, but I ended up going thru KHM Travel.  They had the best reviews and all the help and training they provide are amazing. I got to choose my own travel company name, DRJ Vacations which my clients are able to look up travel at their own time and once I passed my final assessment I was invited to join an agent only facebook page for extra help from other agents. You can also visit my facebook page to watch for upcoming deals on cruises and all inclusive vacations.

So now that I have everything set up and all the basic training done it was time to test my skills by booking my first vacations, it just so happens that we have been planning a Disney vacation for later this year.  So I did a lot of looking around at the different booking engines and found the best deal on the Disney Travel Agent site.  Besides getting a great deal on our room at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort, we got a water view pirate room,  they also offer free pick-up from the airport, the Disney Magic Bands and a coupon book full of discount offers for food and shops.

To say we are excited is an understatement!  

So if you are in need of some travel assistants I would be glad to help you.   Feel free to email me at drjvacations@gmail.com.

I Need Something

Lately, I've been thinking about doing something, besides being a stay at home mom.  But what to do?  I want to do something that I enjoy, something that I can do from home, earn a little extra cash and get some great discounts.  So what am I thinking about doing?  A Travel Agent.

We love to travel, we are working on a Disney Vacation right now and maybe a girls trip next year.  I love to find the best deals I can find.  And getting paid to help others find their dream vacation, family vacation or destination wedding just sounds like an amazing job.  And with our son starting school in the fall I will need something to fill the time he is away.

So I have been doing some research trying to figure out what all I need to do to get it started.  I have found some website that has been very helpful. Most set you up with your very own travel website.  They help train you and find a vacation type to specialize in.  Most websites say you can start making money right away, but the one I'm most interested in keeps it real.  They tell you that you most likely won't make money in the first 60-120 days.  This is because they provide training that helps you pick a specialty and how to run your business in a way to help provide you a steady income.

For now, I'm still weighing my options, but I'm really thinking about it.  So keep me in mind when you're thinking about that next family vacation.  I'm sure when I decided to do this I'll
share my website on my blog and facebook page.

Trying

Do you have a kid whose is independent?  Forceful with their words? Would rather sit in timeout all day instead of picking up his shoes and putting them away?  Well, I do!

Yes, this cute little face loves to tell me no, loves to yell at me when he isn't getting his way and enjoys every moment he gets to push my buttons.

He does have those moments where he is sweetest, caring and loving person ever.  Then the other side comes out! That independent little boy, trying to figure out what he can get away with and find his way!  I feel like I could lose my mind!  But I try to keep my cool and get him calmed down.  I try to get him to use his words to tell me instead of yelling at me. Mind you this doesn't always happen but we try.

I guess that's all we could do, keep trying.  Keep trying to get him to calm down and listen. Keep trying to get him to understand that it is not appropriate to act this way.  Yes, it will take time, but until then I will try and keep my cool.  I will try and help my son grow and understand.  I know one day a light will come on and it will all just click. But for now, I will just keep trying.

Vacation's

Being a stay at home mom I really look forward to family vacations.  When it was just Andy and I we took relaxing beach vacations, but now things have changed with Colt around.  It's a chance for me to get out of the house, away from the normal household jobs and just enjoy time with my husband and our wonderful son. I don't have to worry about getting laundry washed, folded and put away or dishes getting washed.  I get to relax and watch Colt experience new things.  I also love to plan these getaways.  Whether it be a weekend camping trip or a week away in the Mountains (which we did over Christmas).

So for this summer, we are working on planning a few weekend trips.  We want to take Colt tent camping for two nights and we think we have found a few campgrounds.  We are also thinking about heading to Cedar Point.  I know Colt isn't old enough for the BIG rides that I love so much but he has recently discovered The Peanuts.  So we are thinking he would love Camp Snoopy.  Now to find someone else to go with us so I have someone to ride the BIG coasters with me.


For our big trip this year we are planning a Disney vacation.  There is so much planning to do when it comes to this vacation.  You have to figure out whether you want to stay at a Disney Resort or stay in a hotel or condo outside of Disney.  Then there is deciding if you want to purchase the Disney food plan and there are three to choose from.  You need to decide how many days you are planning to go to Disney parks and which ones you are going to visit and do you need the park hopper option with those tickets.  It all depends on the age of your kid/kids.  Are you going to fly or drive?  What time of year are you going to go?  Are you going to need a rental car if you fly?  Is it necessary to book a Disney character dinner or can you just meet the ones you want to see in the parks?   The list goes on and on and on and on.........

This may sound exhausting to some, and yes it can be but I love planning this stuff. I love looking to see what kind of deals I can find and what is going to give us the most bang for our buck.  I love that Colt is now 3 and we can watch him enjoy these vacations we take.  He gets so excited to see and do new things.

So what are some of your favorite family vacations?

Window Shopping

I love to window shop!  I love shopping around and seeing where I can get the best price on items.  I'm the one some go to to help locate an item and where it can be found the cheapest.

So this morning I on got on my favorite website, Zulily.  I love being able to find things that I normally wouldn't find in my normal stores.  To view the items you have to sign up but it cost nothing.  Just click here to sign up, Zulily Sign Up.

 Here are some of my finds today, and no I didn't buy anything just some fun window shopping.

I am a taco lover.  I love them so much we have them for dinner about once a week, if not more.  So this shirt is perfect for me.

And you can't have tacos without Queso!






I also found some cute shirts for the spring/summer.  And you can't have new shirts without a new watch to go with it. I'm in love with rose colored jewelry and this watch is perfect.

We are getting a new king size bed soon and with that means new bedding.  So to go with the new bedding you have to have new curtains, right?  Our new bedroom colors are going to be a heather gray, navy blue and coral!  I think these navy curtains will go perfect.

 And some wall decor for the bare spot on my family room wall.



Thanks for checking out my finds! Now go see what you can find.

Oh My Gosh He's 3!

I can't believe it has been 3 years since our little man joined us in this world.  He is incredibly energetic, runs and jumps on everything and is loving learning how to write.  He hates getting in trouble but is still learning that it is his actions that are getting him in trouble.  He is enjoying helping us cook whenever either one of us is in the kitchen.  He is trying to be very independent by not holding our hands when we are in a parking lot or crossing the street and you can forget about him sitting in the grocery cart, thankfully our local grocery store has kid-size carts that he loves to push.

His theme for his party was construction as he loves any kind of work vehicles.  He was so excited for his birthday this year that the birthday banner I had made was put up at the beginning of the week and whenever we had asked him what he wanted for his birthday all he wanted was CAKE!

We ended up having a small party with just family, so much easier than last year!  Colt wasn't too excited about most of his gifts as they were clothes, but this mommy was very excited as we needed some items before it starts getting too cold.  He did get some toys which, of course, had to be opened as soon as he unwrapped them.  He also got a fish tank, which was okayed through his mom and dad.  This year he didn't scream and cry when it was time for the cake.  As soon as we started singing to him he got really excited and even blew out his candles.

It was a great day and I'm sure he will enjoy all of his upcoming birthdays.

Getting Back At It

I haven't been on here for some time.  I could use the excuse that life got in the way or I haven't had anything to write about, but that would be a lie.  I just got LAZY.  Thinking I had nothing to say.  I have realized that this blog has given me something that is mine.  Something that gives me a small break from my very energetic 2-year-old.  Some place to just write or vent about anything that is on my mind.  With so much going on the next few months, I can't wait to share it with others.

So what's all going on the next few months?  Well, our 2-year-old will be turning 3 Saturday!  Yep, 3!  It's so crazy how time flys.  This year he is so excited for his birthday.  I think he is realizing that it is a special day just to celebrate him.  But I think he is more excited about the cake because every time we ask him what he wants for his birthday he tells us cake.  Who needs toys when you can have cake, right?

What else is going on?  I'm super excited to go to my first concert in years with a great friend on Wednesday.  We are going to see Luke Bryan, you can be jealous now! I'm really looking forward to having a night out.  Don't worry I'm hoping to get some good pics on my phone as we have VIP tickets!  Other things in the works are lots of holiday fun with family and friends and we are also working a planning a family vacation, which I think we are in need of.

So for now that's I have.  I hope you are happy to be back reading this as I am happy to be back writing.

4th of July

Every other 4th of July weekend we take a family camping trip with my in-laws.  Two years ago we rented a lake house and two years before that we rented cabins at the campgrounds about an hour away.

This year we went back to the campgrounds. 

 We went hiking, the guys went golfing while the girls hit the outlet mall, watched fireworks, rented kayaks and paddle boats and rode around on a golf cart.  We all had a great time and just enjoyed the down time.

This was Colt's first camping trip and he really seemed to enjoy it.  

He enjoyed it so much we are planning on going for another weekend this summer or fall.  I believe his favorite part was being able to throw rocks in the pond/creek that ran right in front of our cabin.  

He enjoyed taking rides on the golf cart after he was done being scared of it (the first ride was nothing but screaming).  I also took him down to the beach to play in the sand.  Now you would think that a 2-year-old would love this, not mine.  He wouldn't let his feet touch the sand and sat on my lap.  We tried the fireworks again this year and he wanted nothing to do with them and ended up in the cabin with his Aunt Amy.  

All in all, it was a great family vacation with great food and great company.  We are looking forward to the next trip.  I think Colt is too as he has been asking for firewood. 

No Nap No Tired

This is our son's favorite saying lately, no nap no tired!  Guess we are done with naps.

For the past couple of weeks he has been refusing to lay down for naps.  That makes this mommy very sad! You see those couple of hours that he would lay down was my time.  It was during that time I would watch my shows that a 2-year-old shouldn't be watching, maybe take my shower without an audience or try and catch up on some housework.  Now those times are gone.

So what is a mom to do.  I have decided to start having quiet time.  I take the little one up to his room and tell him that he doesn't have to take a nap, but he needs to play in his room for a little bit.  This gives me some quiet time and him some time to relax and play with different toys than the ones he has downstairs.

As I am typing this it is quiet time.  I looked over and see him laying on his floor in his room reading a book (gotta love the video monitors).  So on our first day of quiet time I would have to say it's going well.  I can only hope it keeps going so well.

Oils

So I've jumped on the essential oils train. 

Fathers Day

 We had a great Father's Day weekend.  We headed to the Fort Wayne Ribfest on Saturday then headed over to my parent's house on Father's Day.

It's Official

Well, it's official, our son is a cusser!  

Daddy's Morning Off

It's not too often that daddy has a morning off where it's nice outside.  So today before the rain hit we went to the zoo.

I Can Do This

Yesterday my husband and I joined a gym!

Long Time No See

I know I know, I haven't posted a new post in some time.  Our lives have been a little busy lately and something had to give.  So I thought with my first post back I would share something fun!

Sorry

Sorry I've been MIA!  It was been a crazy week and this week looks to be the same.

Picmonkey

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After (I think this one is my favorite) 

Before

After (thinking about doing this one like the one above)

Before

After

Sorry for the all the pictures of Colt.  We had such a fun time playing outside this morning.  I decided to take some pictures of Colt playing and then download them to my computer.  Once downloaded I went over to Picmonkey.  Picmonkey is a free photo editor website and yes you can join but for now the free items work just fine.

So the pictures about are the one's I played around with today.  It's fun being able to play around with the pictures I've taken. And since I'm just getting started the free site's work great until I figure things out.
 Can't wait to play around some more.  Oh and don't ask what settings I've used for each picture as I don't remember. I was just having some fun, lol.