Why we're a #DisneyCruise couple (before we have any kids!)

It's no surprise that since we went on our first Disney cruise 4 years ago that I am quite simply enamored just with cruises but with Disney cruises also.

Each time I go on a cruise, the convo always seems to feel like this, especially if its with someone who doesn't know me as well.
Friend: What are you doing on your vacation?
Jess: I am going on a cruise!
Friend: Oh, cool, what ship?
Jess: Disney!
Friend: ::insert awkward stare at ceiling:: minutes later: oh, cool.

Yeah, you called it - that obvious elephant in the room. I don't have kids and I love Disney cruises. Yes, Disney is geared towards families with kids. Yes, that's not my current family dynamic. BUT - here's why I Disney cruise. It has nothing to do with THAT.

1) I love kids. I grew up around kids and when GOD is ready to bless us with that next step, though we are very excited and praying for that to happen sooooon - it's gonna happen.

2) I love Mickey! My husband & I are both avid fans of Disney in general. We go to the parks often. We buy Disney souvenirs for our home and for each other.

3) We love time together on our cruises. We've been married for 5 years in June. But we are the very best of friends and while we enjoy soaking up the time on the ship ONLY for adults - we do welcome the trips and memories to make with our future kiddos on the family sides.

4) We are both kids at heart. Each of us get excited about the features and benefits of what Disney offers us on board like new movies on the ship, the chance to meet the characters & see Mickey at dinner, and the fact that you can order Mickey bars for room service. Each cruise is such a fantastic getaway and while we don't have kids -- we hope that will be changin' soon.

So, there you have it. In case you were curious why I Disney cruise and yes, we're that couple at dinner that doesn't have kids at our table or kids in our room or kids with us -- it's the type of cruise that honestly fits us just fine all the same.

Where our adventures have taken us - #bloghiatusover

Happy Friday. Every once in awhile - it's time to take a break for the purpose of refreshing and getting renewal. That's what I did with my blog. I started wondering if I even wanted to keep this blog going and well I'm back. :) To give a quick update on us. I am still working hard to lose weight & still working on my book. Everything kind of got put on the back burner for a bit but thanks to friends support - this is something I can't wait to self publish. 

This wife has been up to alot of adventures in these last months.

Shortly before Christmas - I finally got to start my new job in Education. I had to wait 3 months for paperwork to get signed but I absolutely love it - 4 months in as a Registrar. It's a phenomenal feeling to know you're supporting and serving students & faculty of the University you've been working with for 5 years. I absolutely love my team and what I do each day.

I spent Christmas with my in-laws, having driven to Missouri from Florida. People always act so surprised when I make this trip like I've lost my marbles but honestly - I love it. We take our dogs with us, we stay in hotels and we usually get to enjoy treats at restaurants that are not locally convenient to us normally like Whataburger.

& the work Christmas party with my parents. 

February: I got to treat my parents to dinner for a mistake and horrible lack of judgment on my part from when I was 16. This was something that felt great to do and healed a lot of hurt with them. 

March was a big month for us that we'd been waiting on for sometime. The first part was that my husband turned 30. I had saved up and made big plans for us including a hotel overnight stay which included a jacuzzi. New toys to play with. 

His parents came into town to celebrate spring break.
& then we closed the month with this two family dinner at 4 Rivers.

Last weekend we were in Disney's Castaway Cay on the Disney Magic cruise ship. 

For now, this is where I am leaving things. This weekend I am going to write why I Disney cruise. Since we don't have kids yet, alot of people wonder why I would do this kind of cruise because there are kids everywhere. I love kids - I grew up as the oldest girl on both sides so I have cousins of all ages and I have a niece/nephew I adore. But I will explain it all in my next post. 

Countdown to THIRTY://Day 19.

Hope your week is off and running to a positive start. Thanks for stopping by again today as I remember another favorite birthday past along my countdown to starting my 30's era. I am REALLY excited if you can't tell. :)

Tonight I want to remember and celebrate my 2nd birthday. As I mentioned yesterday, I lived up north for the first 5+ years of my life and all my immediate family lived close so I celebrated these birthdays with them. It wasn't uncommon for my multi talented mom to make me a cake, sew me a gift or a combination of these. This particular birthday is my favorite facial expression. I plan on fully recreating this same picture on my 30th. I think it will be a fine joint celebration with cupcakes WITH the same expression.

I showed this picture to some of my coworkers recently and one of them mentioned that hilarious facial expression, "Is that your first time ever having cake?" Haha. No! But it was a homemade Cabbage Patch made of chocolate -- who wouldn't enjoy that? - my reply.

As most of you know, God hasn't blessed my husband & I with our own small baseball team of kids. My mom recently gifted me with some cake pans she had in her house that she didn't want anymore - so for my kids I have some different designs to choose from - Big Bird, Little Mermaid (my eyes got wide with excitement when I got this!), Winnie the Pooh, and gingerbread. I love to find cake pans. These sales get me excited. Yep, I am quirky that way. & that's okay.

My second birthday was apparently pretty fantastic. Every time I see it - it makes me smile.
& even though this year I am blowing out candles for number 30 really soon -- I am really really excited to start this new chapter. I had an incredible childhood. & thus far, adulting hasn't been too horrible.

Again, thanks for stopping by, if nothing else to see what birthday I choose. I hope you'll stop by tomorrow and through the rest of this mini blog post series. - J

Blog Name change//Valentine's Day weekend edition.

I am still smiling, y'all from the weekend I had.

These last few days I decided I need to change my blog name. When I first started this blog, I liked the combination but for the past few months - I was reminded that I am doing and enjoying life with my hubs. In case he ever decides to hop onto the blogging train, I want him to feel like he can and has a spot to do this. So going forward (until my domain changes), we're now 'Adventures with The Robinson's.' So I hope you'll continue to join us as we keep posting our life together. :) Who knows, maybe I will convince him to share his Disney news on here for those who may love Disney as much as we do? Time will tell.

Onward & upward... 

That also could be from my delish Hazelnut/Mocha coffee from Wawa before work, which is a rare treat. Yesterday, my hubs started his first day at his new role. I am SO blessed we work for the same university and now we'll have a chance to work a tad closer in the same department ;)

But let me slightly back up. 

Saturday morning, my alarm went off at 5:30am - and I excitedly got up. All my training for the past 9 weeks & it was time for my much anticipated race. Wasn't loving the windy 30 degree weather but I was grateful my parents went with me. :)

  

After the race, I got to meet my beautiful niece. She is a week old already. I kept giving her kisses and talking to her, like how cute her big brother is and how truly gorgeous she is. I can't post pictures as this is privacy standard from her parents. But she is absolutely adorable & for this second time aunt - I will be spoiling her like her brother. :)

Fast forward to Saturday evening. My husband & I treat Valentine's Day as a date night, it's not something we celebrate really. But I got each of us one of the $1 chocolate hearts. & a small cookie cake. This year our date night was one of the restaurants at Epcot - Via Napoli. They make the pizza fresh, all of the servers are from Italy and it overlooks the lake on the World Showcase. :)

The last picture is the brick oven they cook all the pizzas in which are all mouths. I couldn't get a clear picture because this restaurant is always busy with servers/guests running around. But it was fun to eat somewhere different for once. :)

Thank you for stopping by!

Merry Christmas + Happy New Year//What I've been up too.

Hello friends + other bloggers who stumble upon my page of the internet: 

I didn't mean to take a break off the blog - it just got SO crazy for me in November with being out of town for Thanksgiving with my inlaws, then my husband's grandma passed unexpectedly, and then Christmas happened (my favorite day).. But now I am on vacation + approaching my workiversary (#4) at my company so I have time to breathe & reminisce.

Thought I'd say HELLO! & share a little bit of the past 6 weeks what #therobinson household has been doing. :)

From top to bottom - Dec 2nd - we saw the Candelight Processional @ Epcot with Neil Patrick Harris. He is fantastic :)

Before this happened - on my roadtrip to the Midwest for Turkey Day - we stopped by my old childhood home in Tennessee. Actually made me tear up after 17 years since we moved + all the memories that flooded in. I got to introduce my husband to a small part of my childhood. :)

Below, a selfie with my mom + sistas before Christmas shopping. Love this picture of us! <3

Below this, posing with my mom before my work Christmas party @ Universal Citywalk!

Lastly, Christmas has always been my favorite day to celebrate. This year marked our 6th Christmas together & regardless I love getting to do life with this guy - sharing moments and adventures :) This was us at my parents on Christmas in front of the tree. :)

  

 

Without further ado -- Merry Christmas + Happy New Year!
                                              Are you excited as me for what 2015 brings? I've started making some plans:

- Getting back into church

-Disney passes renewed//Working hard on the weight loss train!

- Feb 2015 - My niece arrives!! 

-February 14th - been training for my second 5K with my parents :) 

-March 15 - Celebrating my best half's birthday <3

This is just a snapshot of my year. What about you? I hope that this New Year brings you opportunities to do something great - whether its a promotion or a chance to do something great/different. :)  2015 is the year when I start a new era - I turn 30 in October! Been working hard + picking up the pace to lose weight/be proud of the moments to come in this year until my big celebration.

One of the big ways I started doing that is by babysitting to pay down student loans. I am going to continue this process to help make small dents. I am praying for opportunities to find more families or positions to give me a boost.

I hope you enjoy these next few last moments of 2014. :) I am definitely going to refocus attention back on here.  :)

Best Therapy is Free.

Hooray for the weekend, y'all. I found out today the million dollar answer that my sis in law will be having a baby girl in February. Her brother is adorbs and I know this one will be spoiled by me - gladly & loudly :)

I really really enjoy Saturdays that involve all of the following: sampling delish foods @ Sam's Club, Starbucks/Target combination to redeem my free birthday concoction of my choosing. I also indulged slightly for one of their not so healthy chocolate chip cookies. But the most therapeutic part of my day? Cleaning. The type of cleaning that never appealed to me until now. I took all of my pans, dishes, pots, out of every nook/cranny in my kitchen. I proceeded to wipe down the entire space with my handy disinfectant wipes and then proceed to put the pans/pots/jazz in its rightful places. But the beauty of this cleaning spree is that it allowed me organize. It allowed me to escape and put my focus into finding the right fit for my pots/pans. Best 3 hours of my weekend!

After the hubs & I finished our hard work, he surprised me by treating us to ChickFilA for dinner. We don't usually get to treat ourselves here but because it's THAT delectable and crave worthy - I got to experience their chicken noodle soup & lemonade again. After I had surgery in February, that soup was golden for me. I love it. & I got their 2015 cowlendar. $7! It's a fun way to support the company (that I used to work for) and the delish food... Hooray for 2015 :)

The best part about my Sunday thus far besides this gorgeous weather in FL - is that I put my crockpot to work this morning. One of my all time fave recipe that I found online is Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken. I've never made it in a crockpot before but so far - my kitchen smells incredibly good. I didn't have all the spices needed but combining cayenne, pepper, garlic and thyme + chicken + crockpot for 8 hours = DELISH. :) Thank God for Sam's Club prices on chicken. Dinner is done and this means more time for family, Once Upon A Time and working on my book while watching Gilmore Girls too. :) Happy wife,  happy life indeed.

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow is my 4th post in my #dearladies series mean to inspire and encourage everyone that stops by blog. One day - maybe it will be a viral linkup - but for now - its just my voice and I trying to change the mindset for a good week on a Monday. No case of the Mondays for this one! :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Xo. ~ Jessica

TGIF - Oh hey, Friday! :)

Happy Friday! Today I am already smiling because these pictures are relevant already  :) I am linking up with some fantastic ladies today to celebrate my week.

                 

1) I celebrated my birthday two weeks ago but I didn't get to celebrate with everyone - so this week the wonderful ladies that I worked with everyday for 3 years + I had Tijuana Flats together. I was promoted a year ago so I miss seeing them and talking to them and the fun on the team. Definitely going to enjoy this new tradition here and there with some good friends.

2) Today is Friday and I've already gotten some of my housework done that usually consumes my weekend. These items on my weekend to do list will be replaced but this means I will be sleeping better and more time with my mister. Hooray!

3) We picked up our car on Tuesday morning since our car accident last week & it looks incredible. Our bumper was replaced and our front lights. Feel like I am driving a brand new car. :)

4) I got back to working out this week, tomorrow will be my third day. Been back to keeping myself accountable with my food diary app, MyFitnessPal & challenging myself to drink mostly water + eating way less sugar.

5) I've already completed my Christmas shopping for my family - thanks to incredible sales. The bags starting appearing at my front door and I love taking all of the items out, and getting super excited. All of these items are taking up residence in my closet for another month but I love what I found for my whole family. I used Ebates to get cash back on all of my purchases and will be getting money back in a few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy yourself in all that you do. I hope you will stop by on Monday for another post from my #dearladies series for inspiration & encouragement.

Why society's input doesn't matter. #dearladies

Hello, thanks for stopping by. Today is Monday so this means - another post in the #dearladies series - which every post on Mondays are for inspiring & encouraging every woman who reads my blog.

Everyday upon waking up - us ladies are bombarded with WHAT society demands us to be - from the brands of makeup/clothes, the type of car we drive, what we eat, who our friends are and how it is implied we have ZERO imput or freedom to be ourselves.

To which I say, LIARS! I also say (from a mountain): NO! 

The beautiful part of living in America period equals FREEDOM for individuality. Another part is that what society wants - no one really cares. Society wants -- no one really cares what they think. Sometimes it's implied we do in TV shows, news, magazines to be 'politically correct' but not really.

    

The truth is, as long as we're adults, we go to work & pay our bills so that we're the BEST responsible version of ourselves, it really doesn't matter if you rock 3 hair colors or combat boots with shorts. (I'd recommend not wearing to most interviews - but my two cents here).

Each of us living in a country where freedom is promised is allowed to express our individuality!

Plus, as Christian women - we have free will and opportunity to be ourselves because when God created EACH of us - He knit us together individually within our mothers. He created us in His image. 

Whether or not you're religious - know that God made us individually. We each have our talents, skills and qualities that make us "US." He didn't make and create us with a 'one size fits all approach." He created each of us with an open invitation to know and appreciate what makes us special. Sooo if you are like me and you fit into the following categories:

You love Target/Starbucks especially when they're combined simultaneously.

Really appreciate Netflix.

Slightly sarcastic at all times.

Love to coupon.

Could live at Target 365. 

But hey if you don't - more power to you! 

Remember: Everyone tries be like everyone else. Don't fall short and be in that crowd. Be you and no one else, they're all taken. And know that you're ABSOLUTELY beautiful and whenever society tries to give their unsolicited opinion, try these 3 ideas:

1. Laugh loudly! (if in public - you may get a few crazy looks but I say, go for it. I do it often!
2. I'm a Hilary Duff fan so why not do a crazy dance! haha (Video here)
3. Keep on being YOU! Find a way to appreciate this truth. Shop online. Take time to indulge yourself. 

Regardless what makes you shine and sparkle -- point blank: Whether or not you fit into society's standards, society doesn't apply to yours. In any way shape or form. This topic will be included heavier in my book that I am writing but I wanted to share what was on my heart now about this topic. :)

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow is a prime vital date in the history of my husband & I. Tomorrow I'll be reminscing from 5 years ago and why this date is forever etched into my mind/heart <3

~ Jessica

Why I'm THANKFUL for Grace.

Hooray, the weekend has almost returned & with a payday attached. Best kind in my opinion. :)

Monday I posted about how us ladies need not to forget that even in the worst circumstances that we're in that God has not brought us so far to feel that we've been forgotten. If you're just joining us, I hope you will check THIS post out! Often, He reminds me of what's important by using life examples and I shouldn't have been surprised after yesterday that I do feel encouraged and not stressed. He took care of all the details and made it seamless.


Yesterday, en-route to work, Chris + I were running late when our car was backed into by an individual who then sped off and when I had to track him down, claimed he didn't know he hit us. This story later changed when he felt that we should've been at fault. {Sadly, sir - that's NOT how common sense works.} We were blessed with a great police officer who sorted through all the frustration and details to give us what we needed to start the fun claims process. We went on our way and went to work which proved to be hard to focus on anything else.

But behind the scenes, God was working on OUR behalf. By the end of the day, our inspection for car repairs was made and today I took the last of my vacation days to ensure that my car was taken care of, my family & I were taken care of in terms of a rental and that we got all of the questions answered so this was a seamless process. Afterwards, I treated myself to Starbucks/Target & caught up on my shows.

So, its hard to feel stressed about the entire situation because through all of it - I see HIS fingerprints stringing together all the details, putting the most graceful, right people to work on our behalf to ensure we were taken care of. All in all, He blessed us with immense GRACE so that while we were shaken up, He took the details and we were blessed with the work on our behalf. While the car is being worked on this weekend, we were not stranded or feel like we had no direction. He has provided ALL of our needs for us and we're being taken care of on His radar.

Thank you as always for stopping by my blog. I hope your week has gone beautifully. Tomorrow I'll be linking up with Farmer's Wife + September Farm for another  edition of 'Oh hey, Friday' to celebrate our top 5 of the week. Hope you'll join us & meet new friends :) xO. - Jessica

Without my FAMILY, I wouldn't be ME.

Hello friends. Happy first day of the best time of year: FALL! Those who know me hear this phrase essentially everyday from September til December. Since I live in Central Florida where FALL weather sadly is non-existent - I live vicariously through my friends instagram/facebook/pictures where they get to enjoy the leaves changing, the cooler weather, etc.
I am originally from up North and I always loved the beginning of fall - sunsets were prettier, leaves changed colors, and well because my birthday is in the fall. ;) So those who get to enjoy FALL for what it really is outside FL - ENJOY IT. :)

I discovered the TimeHop App on accident earlier this year and I am so glad I found it. It reminds me of moments that I have almost forgotten and most, if not all, put a smile on my face and give me goosebumps. Something along these lines.

Today, this picture was waiting for me inside the app. & it definitely gave me a smile/goosebump combo right away.

This picture (taken by my Mom) is in the fall of 2009. This particular year was blessed heavily in my family for a plethora of reasons:
1) March 2009 - My Papa (Dad's Dad) passed away unexpectedly. It was a dark time for me but while I miss him daily - he is in eternity, waiting for everyone and I can't wait to see him again.

2) May 2009 - I graduated college. While we were in the heat of the recession, I didn't land a job or face any prospects. Good thing God is at the helm of my plans and steers me in the direction He wants for me which was coming weeks later by introducing the love of my life.

3) July 2009 - I met my now husband, Chris online and we fell in love. He was moving back west at the end of the summer. When he did and I had to say goodbye, a part of my heart got on that plane.

4) October 2009 - I moved halfway across the country to Kansas to be with the man I loved. This was the first time in my entire life I took such a risk but when you know that you're supposed to be with them -- you just kind of make some decisions and take some risks on the fly. We have a love story that will be one to tell the grandkids.

THIS PHOTO was taken in the summer of 2009, maybe early fall 2009. 

 I had lost weight - a good amount. I felt really good. I was getting ready to start another chapter and this picture reminds me who has my back, who I have in my corner. My family has always been special and very close knit to me. Especially extended family. No matter what chapter I am beginning, am in the middle of or just ended, I can always rest assured knowing my family is in my corner and has helped transform me into who I am today. Each of them have special roles individually but when we're all together - you can't put a price on that. The love we have for each other and love we share as a family is an unbreakable bond. Without them, my extended family & in-laws - I wouldn't be who I am today. I wouldn't be growing or know what its like to be strong/resilient in tough times. I wouldn't know how to love, or know what love is without the Godly examples I grew up with my great grandparents, my grandparents or my parents. I wouldn't understand what the big life lessons are and why its important to beat to the drum of your own beat. These beautiful people are my family and I couldn't be happier or feel more complete. :)

Why I love PINK more than Elle Woods.

It's no surprise that movies have the power to speak and influence your lives. Hard to believe that Legally Blonde came out so long ago. I swear when that movie came on my radar - I was pretty excited. I mean look at Elle Woods - she's popular, she loves fashion, getting her nails done, being with friends and her boyfriend. But the best part of her character is how she not only surprises everyone and her love of PINK.

If you saw this pink parade walking down the street - wouldn't you feel like your day was instantly better?
I do and I intend on being this person.

   

For as long as I can remember, wearing the color PINK has become my signature thing. I've been known to buy things because their pink, will wear hot pink or coordinate it into my outfit and only be interested in things that are pink. This movie influenced my life. To most people, I am the quiet girl who keeps to herself but in actuality, to those who know me better - wish I was quiet! 

Wearing the color PINK demonstrates who I am. It's the gateway into knowing me better. You can know anything about me on the outside but once you've been introduced & appreciate my love of everything HOT PINK, than we can be better friends. 

Wearing PINK makes me feel like myself. I always make it a point to encourage those around me - that's what I'm about. I want others to feel comfortable in their own skin - that phrase you hear 'Be Yourself.' I've heard it a million times and people said it so frequently in my life - that it became like a cliche thing to me. In fact I don't use this phrase - I want everyone to rock what they LOVE. That's my twist on that phrase. 

Ladies, if you love wearing polka dots with stripes and flashy colors - go for it.

If you like to sing in the car to Taylor Swift or BSB - go for it.

If you like to watch CSPAN or marathons of Teen Mom - do it!

Don't let this world that tries to tell us what we need to like, when we need to like, what we need to wear, what we need to look like and all the other crazy things they try to pull. You need to ROCK what you LOVE because there is only ONE of you. Be the best version of yourself! 

Hope you are encouraged by my post. Thanks for stopping by + you stay classy! <3 

Tonight I get a midweek date night w/my mister to play mini golf & spend time @ Diagon Alley :)

See you back here tomorrow for What If Wednesday :)