14/04/2025
I found this write up from our Disney Cruise in 2019. My kids were 6 years younger here. Gosh! They're babies! What a joy to find this to read again--and to share with you again. Oh to go back in time. 🩷
I wanted to share a window into my weekend earlier this month.
I’m a mom just like you. I’m doing my best—keeping up with school activities, birthdays, choir concerts, baseball games. From one mom to another… here is my heart.
I took my three kiddos on a Disney Cruise on a quick 3 night sailing to the sunny Bahamas. My husband could not get the time off from work—so it was just the four of us, plus my parents, and my sister.
My oldest daughter Faith, with disabilities, jumped right in to her teen club—Vibe. She lit up every time she talked about her new friends. Do you know how rare it is for a middle school girl to feel loved on? Accepted? Just plain old FUN without trying to be cool, or care about her clothes, hair, etc? It was refreshing to see her so ready for life. One night they were going to do a trivia game until 1AM! I texted her to come back at midnight, and my sister looked at me, said, “Heather—when does she ever get to do this at home—let her stay” and you know what? She came back in our stateroom bubbling with excitement, and true teenage happiness. And, I wasn’t too tired to sit up and listen to all the funny things that had happened, the laughing we shared was awesome!
My 12 year old son Brian—so smart and sporty, actually hung up his cleats for the weekend, and PLAYED. We laughed together, we chased each other down the long hallways, giggled at his off the wall jokes—he’s a funny kid I tell you. Had that mommy and me time that is taken away by my iPhone, and his. He was the only one of my kids that figured out how to actually snorkel! As I sat in the sand and watched my baby boy out in the ocean bobbing with the waves exploring the sea, I realized— I’ve raised a self sufficient, strong, confident kid—and he’s got this. And I’m so proud of him.
My little. My firecracker. Hannah still surprises me—and probably always will. Her independence and character is unmatched. I felt comfortable giving her small opportunities to be on her own this cruise as she knows her way around the ship pretty well. Hannah also finally was brave enough to try the Aqua Duck waterslide that goes over the side of the ship! We sat in the tube together and howled with joy as we splashed above the sea. Hannah is determined, loyal, and tenacious, and I see myself in her all of the time. I saw her grow up a bit last weekend. Sweet mom tears here.
So what did I do on my Disney Cruise? I played with my kids. I saw them. I put the busyness of life on the shelf for three whole days, and enjoyed them. We had conversations about things other than what’s for dinner, when is my game, why can’t I have a playdate. We didn’t argue about showers, about making the bed or putting laundry away. We were disconnected so we could reconnect.
Yes, I saw a beautiful beach. Yes, I stayed in a luxurious Stateroom, had amazing meals, had incredible wine with my sister in the most fabulous bar, saw first run movies, enjoyed live entertainment, rode an exciting waterslide at sea, and enjoyed the sweet Bahamian breeze in the most breathtaking waters in the Caribbean Sea on an immaculate world class ship. But I also loved on my family. And that my friends—that is a Disney Cruise.
Do this with your family. Don’t miss the window to adventure and connect with yours. Call me. :)
Let's make some magic! I take care of all the details, and create the vacation of your dreams.
