Sunshine Praises

Finding Hidden Rainbows in Everyday Life

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You are here: Home / Archives for Vacation

Hong Kong Disney’s Hollywood Hotel Review

February 24, 2017 By Melanie Leave a Comment

Last fall, during our adoption, our family had the wonderful adventure of spending a day at Hong Kong Disney before returning home. Being the ENORMOUS Disney family that we are, we knew that we couldn’t be that close to an international Disney park and not make the effort to visit. Be sure to have a plan A… [Read More]

Adoption: The Great Wall of China

October 12, 2016 By Melanie Leave a Comment

On our second (last) day in Beijing, we took a two our drive to the The Great Wall of China. Even though the wall is in Beijing it takes about 2 hours to get there. Driving in China is nothing like driving in America and we were without a car seat. Ezra thought he could… [Read More]

Toddlerdom & Disney: How to Make Your Trip More Enjoyable

May 26, 2015 By Melanie 4 Comments

Dis­clo­sure: My fam­ily was invited to the 2015 Dis­ney Social Media Moms Cel­e­bra­tion. I paid a con­fer­ence fee to attend and received discounted and com­pli­men­tary items from Walt Dis­ney World as part of the expe­ri­ence. I was not asked to write about the con­fer­ence or our fam­ily trip. All opin­ions and expe­ri­ences are entirely my… [Read More]

Praise! Mabel’s Labels – Kids Safety Labels

May 21, 2015 By Melanie 8 Comments

Disclaimer: Mabel’s Label’s provided me with two sets of emergency contact bands for our recent trip to Disney. Nothing strikes fear in a mother’s heart more than the idea of losing your child. Especially if your child has a life threatening food allergy or disability. One of the first concerns I had when planning our… [Read More]

Florida’s Historic Coast: Our Weekly Rental in Quail Hallow

August 6, 2014 By Melanie 2 Comments

Disclaimer: As a thank you for writing this post, we received a small discount in the regular weekly rate on this unit. All thoughts, ideas, opinions are my own! When you are a family of five, staying in a hotel, eating out 3 meals a day and sleeping in one room just doesn’t cut it… [Read More]

Florida’s Historic Coast: Fort Matanzas

August 4, 2014 By Melanie 2 Comments

Disclaimer: This post was made possible by the St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Visitors Bureau. Learn more about this location nd other by visiting Florida’s Historic Coast website. Start planning your next family vacation today.   Just a little bit down the road from Marineland is Florida’s littlest unknown fort. It doesn’t have the claim… [Read More]

Florida’s Historic Coast: Marineland

August 1, 2014 By Melanie 1 Comment

Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary passes for my family to enjoy several of St. Augustine’s museums and activities through www.floridashistoriccoast.com One of my most favorite places on earth is St. Augustine, Florida. I had the amazing opportunity to attend Flagler College and call the area home for 4 years. As America’s oldest city, it… [Read More]

Florida’s Historic Coast: Vacationing in St. Augustine

July 31, 2014 By Melanie 1 Comment

Disclaimer: My family and I received activity passes to many of the activities I will be blogging about. However, I only share my honest opinion. All photos and images belong to www.sunshinepraises.com and should not be used for any other purpose.  Sometime in the fall of 1991, I began looking over brochures for colleges in… [Read More]

How Do you Show Your #DisneySide

February 26, 2014 By Melanie 4 Comments

My family has major Disney lust! Having grown up in Florida, going to Disney was not just for special occasions or yearly vacations. My grandparents lived in Orlando and we made the 3 hour drive whenever the whim hit. Then, when I was in highschool and we had our own cars, we would go up for the day and… [Read More]

Fun in the Sun at Legoland Florida

July 19, 2012 By Melanie Leave a Comment

My son is a Lego addict and I don’t use that term lightly. He truly loves Legos and will spend hours making some new crazy creation. He has great focus and design skills. Not to mention all his mini-people that he uses to “play” with his Lego creations. Super Excited! Needless to say, when we… [Read More]

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sunshinepraises

Chasing hidden rainbows and sprinkling #PixieDust 🧚‍♀️ about:
🤟🏼 #SignLanguage
💙💛#cheermom
🍊🏝#FloridaMom
#DisneyMom
#Adoption
#Newfie

We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two signing coaches!
My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track and field. Video is him running the 100m!
#deafkidscan #deafkidsrock
I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work helper. Isn’t she the cutest?? 😝#kittensitten #kittenlove #hernameismeatball 😝
My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! Pe My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! 
Perks of living close to 95 is being a great place for a quick stretch and hug. 

Love these girls so much! #sunshinesisters ☀️
When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoi When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoils you with goodies!!! And feeds all your passions. #orangebird #squirrels #ILY #LunarNewYear
I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabil I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabilites Team Infinity! They are amazing and we had such a great time at @east_coast_championships in Jacksonville yesterday. This comp surely knows how to make their athletes feel special! Thank you ECC for being the best!
Happy 17th to the first one that called me mom! 🎂🎈🎉
Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good competition but cold!
Little man passed 200 lines this week on his readi Little man passed 200 lines this week on his reading log. Reading at night is exhausting for his ADHD brain but we fight through. I’m so thankful for his TEAM at FSDB who work so hard with him. Deaf kids can read! #deafkidsrock #signlanguage #literacymatters #allthelanguage
When one of your besties is driving through and kn When one of your besties is driving through and knows you are right off the interstate, she plans 30 minutes for a hug and break! Two years is WAY to long to go without a visit! Thank you @southernsun74 for taking the time to love on me! 

See you in February!
My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I tho My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I thought about all the birthdays with you and all the ones that we have missed since you left us.

I’ve watched a lot of grief from the sidelines the past 6 months. I remember the days of counting Wednesdays then months, then years. And even though it’s been 26 years since we last celebrated your birthday, it feels like last year. 

There was no social media in 1996 but yet your smile and spirit continues to brighten lives. When people remember you, they do it with such love and joy. 

Oh my sweet Jenny - I miss your smile and your sunny outlook. I miss your goodness and light. 

Jenny and I bought these cute matching angels on our Christmas trip to the Galapagos. I haven’t thought of them in many years (I keep them stored away now after years of being in my car), but this morning as I sat in my grief they popped up in my mind. A broken wing, from a tragedy that still brings tears contrasted with the treasured moments of standing in a stall picking sweet matching angels for our Christmas gift to one another. 

Happy Birthday Sunshine ☀️
This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carse This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carselfies
Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do yo Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do you ask? Her kitten mousse is sprinkled with Lays Chips. #fedisbest #kittenstoo #bottlefedrescuekitty #sheloveschips
Lulu was blessed with a #tristynbaileystrong Boo 👻 bucket last week! She loves that someone chose her and sends a BIG thanks! With a day left to go…we prepped our own Boo bucket to drop off tonight. Hoping to continue to spread Tristyn’s beautiful light. #aquabowsforever #friendship #cheersisters 
—
As an adult who tragically lost her best friend 25 years ago and still loves to spread her smile around, it warms my heart to see how all of Tristyn’s friends keep her memory alive. 💗
Thank you @signingmomof2 for helping this ASL #sig Thank you @signingmomof2 for helping this ASL #signingstarbucks mug make its way to my home! 

Not only is this mug awesome because of it’s ASL features, it’s also amazing because it was designed by a Deaf Chinese artist who shares the same Chinese name as Lydia. (Yi)

Lydia and I got to talk about @yiillustration365days talent, watch some videos of her work and discuss how they share a name. 

Exposing Ly to cultural mirrors are a huge part of helping her develop a strong sense of self and being proud of her identity as a Deaf Chinese American. 

#transracialadoption #deaf #deafkidsrock #ASL #signlanguage #starbuckssigningstore #artist #Deafartist
She’s so stinking cute! #rescuedkitten #bottlef She’s so stinking cute!  #rescuedkitten #bottlefedbaby
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