We're back! It was overall a very good trip. The girls were well behaved and easy for us on the flight, which was nice. They actually really enjoyed it and the timing of the flights was good for us.
When we arrived there was some grumbling from my parents about the beach rental. They said it wasn't very nice. It was all very stressful for a minute! When we got there though it was very nice! Not as nice as the house we rented last year in Destin, but nice. We had our own pool and two houses that shared a courtyard. My family had a master suite with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom and we shared a common area and a kitchen. There was lots of swimming, beach trips, sunsets, boat rides and fishing to be had.
Visiting with my 4 teen nieces proved once again to be a highlight of the trip for me as well as for my girls. They love their cousins! Also, they let me braid their hair like crazy and I get pretty darn good at the fishtail and double french braid! There was a line for me to do their hair each night before dinner but I didn't mind! On the second day of our trip I took the teens to the mall. It was fun for me, but I am just not a shopper! My niece tried to get me to sign the form for her to have her cartlidge pierced! Ah! My brother may have killed me if I had done it.
The highlight of the trip was by far out trip to Disney world! We met Wendy and Andrew at the gates at 10 am and were ready for a day of fun! It was a crowded and hot day and I fully expected to grin and bear it for as long as we could. Wrong I was!! It was a blast! We had fast passes that let us reserve seats on rides so we rarely had to wait longer than 10 minutes. Most of the attractions are indoors and air conditioned too. Not bad. I packed enough snacks to get is through and David brought in a gallon of water. I laughed at him, but it was nice. We borrowed our friends double umbrella stroller and it was perfect. Lightweight, easily collapsible, comfortable for the kids and even had a sunshade. Wendy and Andrew knew the park so well and were excellent tour guides. We had a ton of great laughs, made some memories and even shed a few tears watching Emaline and Eden meet princess Belle. It was so precious. They are at an age when they really believed they were meeting a princess. The looks on their little faces really was magical. Corny as it sounds, it was just so sweet that Wendy and I both teared up. We did the Jungle Cruise, met Ariel and Belle, Under the Sea, Peter Pan's Flight, Donald's Philharmagic, the carousel, Dumbo, the magic carpets, and toured the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. We also had lunch in the Crystal Palace with the characters from Winnie the Pooh. The day was capped off with an electric light parade at 9. My kids were troopers and pleasant until the bitter end! We honestly had a blast and are looking forward to our next trip back.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Some words on being a crier
I am a crier. I cry easily and I cry often. The reasons are different but I venture to say that I shed a tear on most days. When I get really mad, when I feel scared, sad, happy or just overcome with any emotion I just can't seem to stop the tears from freely flowing. If I am totally honest this can be really annoying and probably exhausting for those that live with me or are close to me. I just can't seem to help it.
Yet I am also not sorry about it. I like this about me in a way. I am sensitive, I feel deeply and I have emotions. God gave me a gift in this, I just have to trust Him to reign it in. When left with just me I often allow my emotions to run my life, causing me to make poor decisions. Trusting God with my emotions is tough at times and feels odd, but I am learning to do it.
One thing that ALWAYS gets me though is when I see someone fulfilling their dream. Watching someone complete something that they have worked hard for, well I'm done when I get to witness that. I find it just incredible to watch someone do what God created them to do, and do it well. It is just so fulfilling and makes me realize that sometimes we do get what we want!
Yet I am also not sorry about it. I like this about me in a way. I am sensitive, I feel deeply and I have emotions. God gave me a gift in this, I just have to trust Him to reign it in. When left with just me I often allow my emotions to run my life, causing me to make poor decisions. Trusting God with my emotions is tough at times and feels odd, but I am learning to do it.
One thing that ALWAYS gets me though is when I see someone fulfilling their dream. Watching someone complete something that they have worked hard for, well I'm done when I get to witness that. I find it just incredible to watch someone do what God created them to do, and do it well. It is just so fulfilling and makes me realize that sometimes we do get what we want!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Vacation
On Saturday we are flying to Tampa to spend a week in the sun with my parents, my siblings, nieces and nephews. I am excited. I am also a touch anxious! In total there will be 24 of us split up in two houses that share a courtyard. My parents very generously paid for the house and we all just get to show up when we want. Last year we went to Destin, FL which was anew destination for our family. We have always gone to Clearwater Beach, near Tampa. That's where we are going this year. It will be a treat to be back there. That place holds some of our most treasured memories as a family. The boats, restaurants, shops, pier and boardwalk are all familiar and hold story upon story of growing up.
My younger brother and his wife will be there and I am so looking forward to spending this time with them. They are expecting there first baby, a girl named Reese Eileen, in October. This will be my first biological niece. I am beside myself excited! Over the years my brother and I have grown so much in our relationship. We have gone from sibling rivalry to dear friends and confidants in the last 15 years and I am so grateful for that. They have always been into the party scene and I am not, but as they are aging we have more and more in common than we used to. My girls are also really into their aunt and uncle! It's so sweet to watch them bond with them and the special bond they have is just precious to watch. We will be building some special memories that's for sure!
I am also really looking forward to spending time with my nieces Gracie, Georgia, Hannah and Makaya. They are all about the same age being born from November 1998 to September 1999. They love being around my girls and have even offered to babysit so David and I can go out on a date while we are on vacation! Yay! Emaline idolizes them and that's ok by me. They are good girls, they love Jesus, dress modestly and speak kindly. I also can't wait for them to let me practice my braiding skills on their long hair since mine is shorter and Emmy has little patience to let me practice! Ha!
In an effort to be transparent I must say though that I am anxious about the trip too in some ways. Particularly with the food. My family culture is to eat. Eat often. Eat unhealthy food. Talk about weight. Constantly reference when we are going on our next diet. Watching and commenting on what others are eating. it really is quite odd if you ask me. Someone like me has a tough time in this. I have certain foods I abstain from and certain hings I prefer not to talk about. How will I handle it when my mom makes biscuits and gravy for breakfast and I abstain from it because that food causes me to stumble into overeating, etc? Will my stepsister comment about it? Will they roll their eyes? Will they talk about me behind my back? Will it matter to me? AH!!!! I am building myself a little insurance this week by praying more, attending meetings and asking for prayer.
My younger brother and his wife will be there and I am so looking forward to spending this time with them. They are expecting there first baby, a girl named Reese Eileen, in October. This will be my first biological niece. I am beside myself excited! Over the years my brother and I have grown so much in our relationship. We have gone from sibling rivalry to dear friends and confidants in the last 15 years and I am so grateful for that. They have always been into the party scene and I am not, but as they are aging we have more and more in common than we used to. My girls are also really into their aunt and uncle! It's so sweet to watch them bond with them and the special bond they have is just precious to watch. We will be building some special memories that's for sure!
I am also really looking forward to spending time with my nieces Gracie, Georgia, Hannah and Makaya. They are all about the same age being born from November 1998 to September 1999. They love being around my girls and have even offered to babysit so David and I can go out on a date while we are on vacation! Yay! Emaline idolizes them and that's ok by me. They are good girls, they love Jesus, dress modestly and speak kindly. I also can't wait for them to let me practice my braiding skills on their long hair since mine is shorter and Emmy has little patience to let me practice! Ha!
In an effort to be transparent I must say though that I am anxious about the trip too in some ways. Particularly with the food. My family culture is to eat. Eat often. Eat unhealthy food. Talk about weight. Constantly reference when we are going on our next diet. Watching and commenting on what others are eating. it really is quite odd if you ask me. Someone like me has a tough time in this. I have certain foods I abstain from and certain hings I prefer not to talk about. How will I handle it when my mom makes biscuits and gravy for breakfast and I abstain from it because that food causes me to stumble into overeating, etc? Will my stepsister comment about it? Will they roll their eyes? Will they talk about me behind my back? Will it matter to me? AH!!!! I am building myself a little insurance this week by praying more, attending meetings and asking for prayer.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Menu June 9, 2014
Here is what I plan to make this week:
Monday: Spaghetti and tossed salad
Tuesday: Grilled chicken, corn on the cob and fruit salad
Wednesday: Small group! I plan to make carnitas on corn tortillas and salsa. Mmmm. New recipe!
Thursday: Pizza night!
Friday: Hot ham and cheese baked sammies, veggies and hummus and watermelon.
We leave Saturday afternoon for Florida for a week of fun in the sun with my family I am so looking forward to it!!!
Monday: Spaghetti and tossed salad
Tuesday: Grilled chicken, corn on the cob and fruit salad
Wednesday: Small group! I plan to make carnitas on corn tortillas and salsa. Mmmm. New recipe!
Thursday: Pizza night!
Friday: Hot ham and cheese baked sammies, veggies and hummus and watermelon.
We leave Saturday afternoon for Florida for a week of fun in the sun with my family I am so looking forward to it!!!
More things to remember
Eden this time. My sweet girl. She's had a rough year! Nephrotic syndrome diagnosis in late February was hard on us all, but mostly her I imagine. In spite of all that she manages to continue being her spunky, lovable, sweet self. I am so grateful to the Lord for her quick recovery and her continued health and the way He has sustained us through this time.
-When Eden does soemthign she's not supposed to she cocks her head and says "just kidding". It's just too much!!
-She is potty trained as of this week! WAHOO!! She was infinitely easier to "train" than her sister. Whew.
-Eden has an insane vocabulary. She talks non stop and in sentences and has for awhile. Genius. ;) Not really, but she's ahead of the game in this area.
-She's FIESTY. Aggressive even. Some of it is steroids and some of it is just here. I digress...
-She loves rice with soy sauce more than she loves any other food.
-She has been on a low sodium diet so the soy sauce is off limits. Low sodium diets are hard to follow.
-She loves to sing! Her favorites are : Christmas carols, ABC's, Let It Go, the Barney song, Jesus Loves Me.
-She likes to pray and it is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Ever.
-Reading is still her thang. She loves it! Her favorite books are the Bitty Baby series from the American Girl collection.
-As much as she loves her Daddy she is still very much a momma's girl. And I love it.
-Right ow she idolizes her sister, She likes what Emmy likes, eats what Emmy eats and does what Emmy does. It is so precious to watch. I love raising sweet sisters!
-She has a sweet love for her grandparents, especially here Papa!! They have a neat bond. Also, her Uncle Dane. Oh my word do those two have something sweet. It's especially neat because as a baby I really thought Eden favored Dane.
-These days she loves to take a bath and cinstantly takes her clothes off to get in the tub!
She actually is always taking off her clothes. Usually to play dress up, but sometimes just to be naked I think!
I love this girl. I love watching her grow, but I have to say it bums me out to no end that she is turning into a little girl and is losing her baby qualities by the minute. Such is life.
-When Eden does soemthign she's not supposed to she cocks her head and says "just kidding". It's just too much!!
-She is potty trained as of this week! WAHOO!! She was infinitely easier to "train" than her sister. Whew.
-Eden has an insane vocabulary. She talks non stop and in sentences and has for awhile. Genius. ;) Not really, but she's ahead of the game in this area.
-She's FIESTY. Aggressive even. Some of it is steroids and some of it is just here. I digress...
-She loves rice with soy sauce more than she loves any other food.
-She has been on a low sodium diet so the soy sauce is off limits. Low sodium diets are hard to follow.
-She loves to sing! Her favorites are : Christmas carols, ABC's, Let It Go, the Barney song, Jesus Loves Me.
-She likes to pray and it is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Ever.
-Reading is still her thang. She loves it! Her favorite books are the Bitty Baby series from the American Girl collection.
-As much as she loves her Daddy she is still very much a momma's girl. And I love it.
-Right ow she idolizes her sister, She likes what Emmy likes, eats what Emmy eats and does what Emmy does. It is so precious to watch. I love raising sweet sisters!
-She has a sweet love for her grandparents, especially here Papa!! They have a neat bond. Also, her Uncle Dane. Oh my word do those two have something sweet. It's especially neat because as a baby I really thought Eden favored Dane.
-These days she loves to take a bath and cinstantly takes her clothes off to get in the tub!
She actually is always taking off her clothes. Usually to play dress up, but sometimes just to be naked I think!
I love this girl. I love watching her grow, but I have to say it bums me out to no end that she is turning into a little girl and is losing her baby qualities by the minute. Such is life.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Things to remember
My girls are growing up so fast. It's such a mom thing to say, but it is so very true! They are turning into young ladies right before my eyes. I was staring at Emaline the other day and she caught me. I just can't believe that tiny baby I held will be 5 in just 3 short months. How is that possible?! Here are a few things I want to remember:
-She calls our chiropractor "Dr. Popcorn".
-Zoombeezi Bay is called Zooembee Bay. Cute.
-She loves to pray! Especiaaly for Cody and Tine. Precious girl has a memory like an elephant!
-Everywhere we go people ask me if she's a gymnast/dancer. Her athleticism and physique are astounding.
-She cries when I go downstairs in the morning without her. The idea of being left out of anything is very hard for her!
-When we ride in the Jeep she just giggles down the road.
-Right now she is all about playing mommy and dinosaur.
-She breaks out into song at random times, singing about whatever she's doing. She gets it honest!
-She's incredible sensitive to her momma. When I am feeling blie she knows it and it really bothers her. I have to be careful what I let her see.
-She needs people like she needs air! Can we say extrovert??
-She hates to have her hair combed but loves it when it's styled just right.
-When she really likes what she's wearing/how her hair is styled she checks herself out in the mirror and poses. I die!
-She is constantly falling down and hurting herself. Just Tuesday she got 3 bandaids in about 3 hours.
-She can walk down to the Cummings all alone. She has no idea that I watch her the whole way. The pride she exudes as she walks down is palpable.
-Her baby sister is her best friend and she loves and protects her fiercely. It may not always be this way so I am enjoying it now. These girls melt me!
-I often tell her that she was the one tat first made me a mommy and that she was a dream come true. She is happy to repeat this. ;)
My girl is growing into such a young lady. She is a delight.
-She calls our chiropractor "Dr. Popcorn".
-Zoombeezi Bay is called Zooembee Bay. Cute.
-She loves to pray! Especiaaly for Cody and Tine. Precious girl has a memory like an elephant!
-Everywhere we go people ask me if she's a gymnast/dancer. Her athleticism and physique are astounding.
-She cries when I go downstairs in the morning without her. The idea of being left out of anything is very hard for her!
-When we ride in the Jeep she just giggles down the road.
-Right now she is all about playing mommy and dinosaur.
-She breaks out into song at random times, singing about whatever she's doing. She gets it honest!
-She's incredible sensitive to her momma. When I am feeling blie she knows it and it really bothers her. I have to be careful what I let her see.
-She needs people like she needs air! Can we say extrovert??
-She hates to have her hair combed but loves it when it's styled just right.
-When she really likes what she's wearing/how her hair is styled she checks herself out in the mirror and poses. I die!
-She is constantly falling down and hurting herself. Just Tuesday she got 3 bandaids in about 3 hours.
-She can walk down to the Cummings all alone. She has no idea that I watch her the whole way. The pride she exudes as she walks down is palpable.
-Her baby sister is her best friend and she loves and protects her fiercely. It may not always be this way so I am enjoying it now. These girls melt me!
-I often tell her that she was the one tat first made me a mommy and that she was a dream come true. She is happy to repeat this. ;)
My girl is growing into such a young lady. She is a delight.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Menu June 2, 2014
First of all, how is it June?? This is crazy! At least we are that much closer to Christmas. ;)
Monday: Brats/hot dogs on the grill, mashed potatoes and confetti kale
Tuesday: cube steak (hubby loves this), sweet potato fries and a tossed salad
Wednesday: Small group! I'll be making chicken fajitas cooked in the oven. It's a new recipe and way to make them and I'm looking forward to trying it.
Thursday: fried rice and orange wedges
Friday: Date night! We are not sure where we're going yet though...
Monday: Brats/hot dogs on the grill, mashed potatoes and confetti kale
Tuesday: cube steak (hubby loves this), sweet potato fries and a tossed salad
Wednesday: Small group! I'll be making chicken fajitas cooked in the oven. It's a new recipe and way to make them and I'm looking forward to trying it.
Thursday: fried rice and orange wedges
Friday: Date night! We are not sure where we're going yet though...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)