Who Says Girls Can't Build Forts?!?!?!

We have always wanted to do this, but never actually made it happen.  So, when Dan was helping Tesia move and he saw these bunk beds in their basement collecting dust, he asked it they had plans to use them.  Lucky for us, they didn't and Tesia's mom said we could have them.  With a set of sheets and a few cans of spray paint (they were originally bright blue, yellow and red!!) it has become the girls favorite new 'toy'.

Lunch Date

Because of an adjusted schedule, I was able to take my lunch at a time when Alyssa also had lunch.  I surprised her, so she wasn't expecting me coming in.  She was so sweet!  I got to have lunch with her and spend recess watching her play.  Of course we took a picture, but because it was such a beautiful, sunny day I couldn't see anything. But seeing it now the sunlight is breathtaking. I feel like I can actually see The Lord's presence. Satan doesn't get my children. They belong to Jesus. Period.

She was so proud I was there...SO thankful for 30 minute lunch dates with my big girl. I hope it is something she will always remember and cherish!!

First Day of School '12

It is that time of year again!  And, now our baby is a 1st grader!

That is a million dollar smile.

 With our girls!!

 Another million dollar smile.  Our girls really have the most beautiful smiles in the world!  Hannah doesn't even start school for 2 more weeks!

Having this smile makes going to school myself so much easier!  Plus, Alyssa is going to love her teacher, Mrs. Sengstock! Have I ever mentioned we LOVE her school?!?!? ;)

Bring it on 2012-2013...It is going to be such a great school year for all of us! 

A Different Way to Live

Life is messy. We have learned that over the last year. Even though we have been incredibly blessed in the midst of our circumstances, this summer we have found ourselves discontent, wondering what is in front of us and frustrated.  The theme of our lives lately seems to be, ‘Nothing ever goes the way we planned’.  Those ‘nothings’ with careers, finances, friendships and church have been so frustrating it has begun to make us bitter. 

And bitterness, my friends, is bad news.

The Bible says bitterness is one of the most crushing mental problems in a person’s life: 

• Bitterness is antisocial.  Even strangers avoid bitter people.  No one is happy around a bitter person. Proverbs 14:10
• Bitterness is a sign of fragmented life. Jeremiah 2:19 
• Bitterness motivates complaining. Job 7:11, 10
• Bitterness motivates gossip. Psalm 64:10
• Bitterness fragments other peoples’ lives. Hebrews 12:15
• A bitter person rejects the Bible’s teachings. James3:14
• Bitterness shows a total lack of grace orientation. Job 9:17-18

Basically, you are your own worst enemy.  It hardens your heart.  You lose close fellowship with the Lord.  It causes the loss of blessings of the normal Christian life, such as peace and joy. Once rooted, bitterness also gives life to hatred, cruelty, self-pity, arrogance, vindictiveness, selfishness and an un-teachable heart.  Lord, I don’t want that to be me! 

The Bible also tells us, in Ephesians 4:31, to 'get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger...'.  But, how do you do that?  Well, first you have to address the issues at hand.  That in itself may not be fun, but it is necessary to un-root the bitter feelings. Then you have to consciously make and effort to choose something else over bitterness.  Then you have to put time in proper perspective and be quick to give thanks. It is impossible to be bitter when you are filled with gratitude. Only when you are looking for the gifts will you be thankful to the giver.  The act of thankfulness creates a heart of worship. 

Last Spring was so hard because I was biter about the situation and I didn't slow down to even try to enjoy it.  My typical school mode is 'survive until the next break' and then in the summer we can really live our lives. I didn't even recognize what a gift even getting my job back was in the first place.  And, I was so worried about not having enough time with the girls, that when I did have time with them it was hard to enjoy because I was worrying about the next thing on my ever-growing list of responsibilities. Bitterness. I don't want to do that anymore. 

I read some excerpts from a book called One Thousand Gifts and it really hit hit me. I want to actually live in each moment I have...not just each 'season'.  And, I want to give thanks for the seemingly insignificant. I want to learn that even when I think nothing is going my way, I have incredible gifts in my life from the Ultimate Giver.  How would that change me heart?!?!?!

Here is the excerpt from the promotional clip she has about the book: 
 

Moments.  This is all we have…microscopic, fleeting moments.

How many moments have my eyes been wide open, but I have been rushing, racing, sleeping right through. Wake me up.

Life is not an emergency. Life can only be carried in the hand of the unhurried.

Count the ways he loves. A thousand more, never stop. So that when you wake in the morning you can’t help but fold your hands to the heavens. Though you grieve and though you wonder. The world is ugly…it. is. beautiful. And though time moves on, its moments are Holy. Though the plants spins, a blur, you can slow and you can wake. And you can trust. And you can pay attention to the moments with this offering of thanks. This is how you live your one life well.  Receiving each moment for what it is: Holy. Ordinary. Amazing Grace. A gift.

God whispers, “All these moments…all these are for you.”

What if we figured it out…that gratitude for the seemingly small and insignificant, this is the seed that plants the giant miracle in the midst of it all.

                                                                                                Ann Voskamp

One Thousand Gifts

 

A friend of mine did the #1000gifts challenge. Basically, you just take pictures or notes of the gifts in your life as you recognize them.  I am going to do this to. I want to learn to worship The Giver for all that He gives me. Starting today. 


Feel free to join in.

 

She Did It Again!

We had just gotten home from the farm and I was finishing unloading the car when I head a loud thud.  I couldn't get a straight story out of either one of them.  From what I can gather, Hannah was goofing around, jumping over the arm of the couch and rolled off...right into the corner of our coffee table.  Seconds later Hannah was on the ground holding her head.  I ran over and picked her up.  That is when I noticed there was blood in her hair...and all over my hand.  A lot.  I couldn't see the cut, but I knew it was going to need something more than a boo boo buddy and a 'Hello Kitty' band-aid. I scooped her up, had Aly put her shoes back on and grabbed a bag of extra clothes I had just brought in from our day at Marmon Valley and headed for Urgent Care.

Dan was still at school so I called him to meet us there.  I don't do well with blood and I knew I couldn't hold her down by myself. I also called my mom to pick up Alyssa she was crying and scared so I didn't want her to make it worse.  Of course, it was packed. Why would Urgent Care be packed at 3:30 on a Monday afternoon?!?!?? They got us in fairly quickly though.  Once they cleaned it up enough to see, they knew it would need stitches so they used the numbing gel and let us sit down until it took effect.  She had blood caked on the back of her neck, in her hair and on her clothes

Watching 'Doc McStuffins' while waiting for the numbing gel to take effect.  She was not happy at first, but by the time they were ready for us that had numbed her head the the ibuprofen had taken effect so she was feeling much better.  She did better with the stitches this time since they were on the back of her head and she could see them.  She still had to be held down my Dan and I and a nurse.  I also did not feel as light-headed as last time, but thank God for daddy! 

After 4 'string band-aids', we were on our way home.  She got a shower to clean the blood out of her hair and a bowl of chocolate ice cream. Chocolate ice cream always make everything better.  Then, while I took Alyssa to cheer practice, Hannah watched Ariel with Daddy. 

Once we were all home and about ready to go up to bed, Dan noticed something.  Blood...on the back of Hannah's nightgown and dripping on the floor.  When I looked closer I saw that her hair was saturated with blood again and it was coming fast than when it first happened.  She wouldn't let me get a good look and I could not get a hold of anyone at Urgent Care so we loaded everyone up and headed back up there.  I thought maybe she had had bumped it and ripped a stitch out somehow or that they hadn't put enough stitches in to begin with.  

When we got there the same staff was on duty as when we were there earlier so they took us right back.  They couldn't tell at first where it was bleeding from so we had to strip her down and wrap her in towels so they could wash her hair enough to see.  Once they did that they saw it wasn't the wound they stitched that was bleeding, but a smaller scrape next to the big one.  There must have been a blood clot there that her hair knocked loose and started the bleeding.  It didn't need stitches, but they did put a pressure dressing that she has to wear for at least 24 hours.  It looks like it does in the photos above except thicker...and tighter to apply enough pressure to stop the bleeding.  Fun, right?

Hopefully, this is the last trip we have to make to Children's Close-to-Home for a loooooong time. Between Alyssa's sicknesses and Hannah's accidents they will probably be giving us our own private room before long ;) This is already the third set of stitches she has had in her life...and all on that side of her head!  And she hasn't even started to play organized sports yet.  I may be in the market for a custom helmet.  I could make it purple and sparkly, right...    

Homeward Bound

Morning came waaaaaaaay to fast!  Clearly we are not morning people...especially when we have a day full of traveling ahead of us. I need to keep that in mind next time I book us flights anywhere.

There really wasn't much blog-worthy activity, except that Alyssa was so stinkin' cute!!  She wanted to be big and do every thing by herself.  She refused to let us help her with her pillow and me...which fell off every 5 steps.  And, she was watching a show on Dan's phone with headphones as we walked through the airport.  Such a teenager thing to do.

Our flights were smooth and {thankfully} uneventful.  Grandpa picked us up from the airport and took us home...There really is 'no place like home', but I already miss Disney.  We are seriously thinking about joining the Disney Vacation Club.  Anyone else members? Thoughts??   

Only about 800 more days until we go back... ;)

Last Day :(

We had one last princess to track down, so today was all about finding her.  We found out Pocahontas was only at Animal Kingdom so we headed there first thing in the morning.  Poor Pocahontas.  There were only a few people in line to even see her.  I don't know if it is her lack of popularity or the nonsensical location.  I mean, why is a Native American princess stationed in the heart of Africa?!?!?!? That's just unfair ;)

Despite her underwhelming scenery, they girls loved her just as much as the other.  And, with her signature on the back cover, our autograph books were finally complete!

Feeling satisfied, we used our last quick service credits to have brunch and then head back to change for the water parks.  We actually got to go to Blizzard Beach today.  Once again, Disney did not disappoint.  Really, where else could you find snowmen at a water park??

The wave pool here was more tame and won the girls over.  The backdrop is impressive with the highest, steepest water slide in North America.  I tried to get Dan to go on it, but was unsuccessful :) 

The little kids play area wasn't as fun here for the girls and they were just a little to small/young for the bigger kids area.  But, Alyssa still loved the sand and Hannah was obsessed with the lazy river.  It was shallow enough that she could walk the whole thing...something she was very proud of!  And she loved the snowman's house...when you passed it he 'sneezed' and blew water out all over you! 

They also had a really awesome family raft ride we all wanted to go on.  You had to go to the top of the mountain in a 'ski lift' ride to get in line.  It took us forever to wait in that line and, would you know, when we got to the top it was temporarily closed due to possible lighting in the area.  We waited for a few minutes to see if it would reopen, but Hannah was so tired she fell asleep and we were all getting grumpy so we agreed to just forget it.  We had to walk all the way back down the mountain, carrying Hannah.

We just decided to have one of their monster sno-cones and call it a success.  We just made it back to the hotel for a little rest before it started storming.  The girls played with some of their new treasures and we dozed off before our dinner reservations.  

Dinner was easily one of favorite character meals.  It was the Cinderella Storybook dining at 1900 Park Fare inside the Grand Floridian.  Cinderella was there, but her ugly step-sisters stole the show!  They were awesome and had the best personalities.  

Courtsy-ing with Anastasia

 Lady Tremaine...who know that was her stepmothers name?!?!?  The girls were terrified.

 Drizzela was my favorite.  Alyssa was sitting next to me so she just pulled up a chair and sat down next to Hannah.  She was witty and sassy...and just fun!

Here is a great example. When Prince Charming came over to our table she was making faces in the background...we were all laughing so hard!

The girls would not take a picture with Charming without Daddy so this one is a group shot.  And, notice Drizzela got in on this shot from another conversation ;)

After that, the girls were done eating and ready to go.  However, this was the best dinner buffet we had been to all week so we weren't going anywhere yet.  They had some awesome dishes I plan on getting the recipes to, including sweet corn chowder and strawberry soup.  SO good!  Since we were still indulging, the girls watched 'Doc McStuffins' on our phones.  Seriously, we were IN Disney World and they were bored...they don't show this on the vacation planning DVD ;)

After dinner we took the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom to spend our last night.

One of the things we wanted to do was watch the 'Dream Along with Mickey' show on the Castle steps.  They saw portions of it throughout the week, but we never caught the entire show.  We staked out a spot and had great seats for it this time!  They loved it.  It was everything you think of when you think of 'Disney'.  Here are a few of the shots I got while we watched:

Watching in amazement!

We just spent rest of the night spent riding our favorite rides.  We didn't stay out too late though because we had to finish pack and be up to catch the Magical Express to the airport for our 9:30am flight. Here are a few pictures I snagged while they were playing on the Dumbo Elephants!

Before we left we finally got to ride 'Peter Pan's Flight' using a fast pass.  It was one we had skipped all week because of the long wait.  It really isn't anything super spectacular, but it was cute.  And, Hannah couldn't stop talking about it.  She said it was her second favorite ride.  So sad to be leaving.  I want to stay forever.  We have decide we will definitely be coming back in 2014...either over Christmas or a long weekend in the Fall.  I already can't wait!!

One Day, Three Parks

We didn't any plans for today until our dinner reservations, so we decided to track down some people we still needed to meet and then go to Blizzard Beach.  We took our time getting up and had a pretty good breakfast (what I wouldn't do for a Mickey waffle right now...) at our hotel before catching the bus. 

We went EPCOT to meet Mulan, but as soon as we got into the park we saw Daisy so we stopped to meet her too.  

We were originally first in line to meet Mulan, but after some people very awkwardly cut in front we were a few more back. Not a big deal except the scorching heat!  Mulan was really nice though, so the girls thought it was worth it.

After Mulan Dan wanted to watch the show at the American Pavilion so I walked the girls over to the United Kingdom to meet Alice.  Unfortunately, the Queen (or a wardrobe malfunction) was really holding Alice up.  We waited in the beating sun, no shade for 45 minutes.  Everyone who was waiting with us had left disappointed and Dan had met back up with us so we decided it was too hot to wait anymore.  We told the girls we would try to see her before dinner and Hannah's eyes filled with tears. I was bent down consoling her when Alice came running over the hill apologizing for being late. So funny and perfectly in character! I am glad we were able to see her. The girls really liked her and we weren't rushed at all because everyone else had left.

Look at how hot they look.  We were soaked with sweat...this is when I decided I don't care what we have to do to make it happen, but next time we will go in September, October or November.

We were so hot and exhausted by being in the sun for a few hours we couldn't wait to change and head to Blizzard Beach.  But, by the time we got back and were ready to go a summer storm blew in and closed the water parks.  Typhoon Lagoon was still allowing people in the gates since the anticipated re-opening so we headed over.  Luckily the park opened right as we got there so we were able to play around for a few more hours.  The girls loved it just as much as much! 

After a quick bath we headed back to EPCOT for our second Princess dinner at Akerhaus.  While the experience was fantastic, the food left a bad impression on me.  Dan and Alyssa's food was ok and the chef made an awesome custom veggie plate for Hannah, but more Pork Tenderloin was terrible.  I didn't even finish it :(   The dessert on the other had was delicious.  I wish I had be able to order two of those instead of dinner!  Regardless, the meal was worth the price of outrageous admission just for the girls time with the Princesses!

Waiting for our table!

Alyssa and her 'first favorite' princess.  This in one of my favorite shots on the trip!

Hannah with Aurora

Snow White, dwarf-less again.  What does one have to do to see a dwarf?!?!? ;)

Hugs from Cinderella!  She is a very busy woman with all the places she appears everyday!

This Ariel was, by far, the best one we had seen this week!  She was so into Hannah showing her her glowing Tink from her magical punch.  Good times!

On the way out of the park we posed for a picture in front of the ball.  These are our 'silly' faces ;)

After dinner, we headed to the Magic Kingdom to ride more rides.  It was probably the coolest night so far and the crowd seemed a little lighter so it was really perfect.  On our way in, I got a quick picture of them in front of the topiary Mickey.  It didn't come out so great, but you get the idea ;)

Everyone else was lined up watching the parade so we took advantage of the emergency walkway and made a beeline for Fantasy Land.  About halfway down Main Street a cast member came out of the Bakery and stepped right in our path.  She was holding a giant sugar cookie with a big Mickey sticker on it.  She bent down to the girls, gave it to them and told them Mickey told her to give it to us.  The girls were so amazed!  It was pretty cute, except it was a ticking time bomb of gluten that Alyssa really shouldn't have.  But, how could I say 'no' when Mickey himself sent it to them?!?!?  

We tried to get them to ride some rides in Tomorrow Land, but they didn't really want anything to do with it.  Hannah eventually decided she wanted to right the go carts so Dan drove her around on the Tomorrow Land Speedway.  While they were in line Hannah kept asking Dan if he liked the smell...apparently Hannah likes the smell of go-cart exhaust ;)

While we waited on them to ride, Alyssa and I went for a spin on the Tea Cups....or maybe 6.  We would literally get off and right back on. I was getting nauseous, but she was loving every second.  What a special little memory I will always have with her in Disney.  

Hannah and Daddy met up with us and we rode the Tea Cups one. more. time. Then, with green faces, we moved on.  We rode Dumbo, played in the play area in the circus tent, went on It's A Small World and rode the Goofy roller coaster. Oh, The Barnstormer...AKA the 'Goofy Roller Coaster'. I think we rode this thing 50+ times this week!  It was their favorite!

We figured out that the absolute best time to ride is in the evening, when everyone else is watching the parade and fireworks.  We seriously didn't wait in any lines more than 5 minutes AND it was at least 15* cooler than during the day!  It was also an EMH night so the park was open until 2am.  It seems like we only rode the same rides over and over again...and we really did...but that is what they wanted to do!  And, we had a blast!  They didn't make it until 2, but we did stay until midnight.  It was late and we were exhausted, but the memories are priceless.  I am so sad there is only one day left.  I already can't wait until our next trip!!

Breakfast with THE Mouse!

We had to be up and moving pretty early this morning because of early reservations.  Given or late night, that was more difficult than I anticipated.  Definitely will have to take that into account next time around!  We had to take the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then catch the monorail to the Contemporary Resort where Chef Mickey's is.  

It was worth every 'early' minute.

Chef Mickey's is a character buffet with Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Minnie and The mouse, himself...Mickey.  Not only was the food the best we had eaten, by far, the girls LOVED the characters.  The smiles and giggles on their faces were truly priceless.  We will eat here every time we go. 

This clip is my favorite from our entire vacation.  It is bursting with joy and excitement.  Hannah's laugh is contagious.

Alyssa hugging Mickey!

Mickey kissing Hannah's hand.  She was in love.  Look at the huge smile on her face!

Mickey is a darn good chef!

Goofy may have been our favorite!  He was so funny and, well, 'goofy'!  The girls are still talking about him! 

Pluto...still don't know why he is a 'pet' and Goofy is a 'person'.  One of the great mysteries of Disney, I guess ;) He was cute anyway!

Donald Duck!!

Minnie! We have ears too!!

I think these were the biggest smiles Hannah gave me the whole week.  She absolutely loved meeting the princesses, but when she smiled with them it was different.  It was an I-am-in-the-presence-of-royalty-so-I-need-to-be-formal' smile.  So serious and composed.  Not the case here.  She grinned from ear to ear...literally ;)

After breakfast we headed to our first Disney water park, Typhoon Lagoon.  Oh how I wish we hadn't waited so long in the week to go!!  Disney sure knows how to keep you wrapped up in their magic while keeping you cool.  It was the perfect way to spend the day in the relentless heat and the girls had a blast!  All of the chair areas were covered in sand, just like a real beach. I never realized how much they loved playing in the sand until now...especially Alyssa.  They also had the biggest lazy river we have ever seen.  I don't even think we floated around the whole thing.  And, the wave pool wasn't like the run-of-the-mill water park pool.  Instead of constant, average sized waves, this one shot off one humungo wave every few minutes.  Seriously, it is about a 10 foot wall of water.  The girls didn't care for that.  Even on the beach-y entrance the strong current pulled us down.  We spent most of our time in the kids area where the had a whole water playground and pint-sized slides. 

It was a huge park and we had to lock our stuff in a locker, including the cameras.  But we did run back to get the Flip so we could take some videos of the girls on the raft ride.  They must have done it a zillion times! 

These stills below were taken right out of the videos...didn't know you could do that until I downloaded the videos onto my computer.  What a great feature!

After riding it a few times they figured out how to lean into the curves and spin their bodies to make them go faster!

When they started to get tired we headed to the hotel for showers and a little rest (although there were no naps taken) before venturing to Hollywood Studies. At Hollywood Studios we played on the 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!' playground for a little while before going to Pizza Planet for dinner.  Even though it took entirely too long to make, the gluten free pizza was actually pretty good.  Unfortunately, the girls were grumpy from being tired and hot so we didn't really get to enjoy being in 'Pizza Planet'.  

One of the things we had to do at Hollywood Studios was the Ariel show.  It was a 4-D live musical short of The Little Mermaid.  The girls loved it!  The other thing people raved about was the Toy Story Mani ride.  However, the FastPasses were all gone and it was a 90 minute stand-by wait.  With the girls getting tired and really not interested in riding we opted not to do it.  It is definitely on out 'next time' list! Instead we decided to see Woody and Buzz!  The girls weren't impressed.  In fact, they were the only characters (besides Hannah with the princes) we saw that they were afraid of.  We thought they were pretty cool...they didn't agree.  The picture pretty much speaks for itself.

That pretty much ended our fun.  Since they were tired and we had two really long days in a row we decided to skip Fantasmic, Hollywood Studio's nighttime show.  Just one more thing on our 'next time' list :)