Time

It seems like just a few weeks ago we were putting the Christmas decorations up and now we are pulling them back out. More and more the older I get I am realizing my parents were right. Time flies. My boys are growing up so fast and the days and weeks fly by. I'm trying to be more conscious and careful about making the most of the moments with my little family and my extended family. As we kick off this 2013 Holiday season I encourage you to make the most of those moments. Love, forgive, laugh, be intentional, listen, encourage but most of all just be there. Because when the day is done they will remember that you were there. 

God Cares

Over the past few weeks The Lord has been showing me just how much he cares about all the details in my life! The things that I worry about (even though I'm not suppose to), the things that seem huge to me and details that only I care about and know about matter to Him! 

As I have prayed and trusted Him and done as the Word says, casting every care upon Him, he has showed me that He is who he says He is in the Word. 

I'm so encouraged this morning. 

I encourage you today to take your burdens to The Lord ! He can do more with them in five seconds than you can do with them all week long! Don't carry that need around. Lay it at Jesus feet and trust Him to work it out. 

Jesus never fails! 

Vacation Day 7

Tuesday we went for round two of breakfast at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. Way too convenient not to and the food .... Delicious. 

Our waiter was hilarious. This place is known for its obnoxious servers and part of the family fun. The waiter had no idea the joke was on Debbie when he brought her this tiny mason jar to drink her diet coke out of and then gave me the huge cup. 

 

After breakfast we headed to the Magic Kingdom.  Pirates of the Caribbean is our favorite.  

Headed to dinner ~ Crab Legs wooo hooooo! 

Vacation Day 6

Monday was our completely RELAX day! We woke up and headed to eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at our resort for breakfast. And it did not disappoint! 

Can you say "All You Can Drink" milkshakes for breakfast. Yeah my boys were in heaven. 

Eli's face says it all.......

He loved the pony rides. This place is so much fun. 

After a yummy breakfast we went back to our rooms changed and headed to the pool. It was so nice to not have to be anywhere. The weather was gorgeous and the kids were having a blast.

 Even my oldest "child". Yep that's Jason sliding down the water slide (another reason I love this man! ) 

Mid afternoon our friends arrived from the Bahamas ( celebrating 25 years of marriage at their favorite resort! ) 

After lunch at the food court we crashed for a power nap before heading to Epcot for the BEST Italian meal I've ever had at Via Napoli. Delicious. Tiramisu. The best I've ever had I my life. Here are a few pics from Italy! Rain arrived just as we were heading in to dinner. Perfect timing! 

The resort was wonderful and so relaxing! Definitely best part of this vacation. 

Vacation Day 5 ~ Fathers Day

Sunday was Day 5 of our vacation and it just so happened to be Fathers Day! What dad wouldn't want to be in sunny Florida hanging out with a mouse, duck, dog and his wife and kids :) this guy loved it! 

We slept in ( which NEVER happens on a Sunday! Then we got ready and headed to lunch at the Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom. It was delicious. Here's a few 

Then there was this delicious dessert we LOVE and we all share. It's called the volcano. We all four shared it and I'm telling you. We didn't even eat HALF of it! 

We had a great day! Enjoyed our kids and being together. Eli and Jason got their roller coaster fix and we watched the Festival of the Lion King! 

Vacation Day 4

Today is Saturday our first full day here at Disney! We slept in (we needed the rest--trust me). We headed back to Magic Kingdom for the day. At the bus stop the boys were in a  photogenic mood. 

We had lunch at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends

Rides and more rides and then an early dinner at the new Be Our Guest at the Beast's Castle in Fantasyland. It really can't be explained only experienced. 

The food was delicious. 

Here's a few pics from our table:

Roses 

It's fuzzy but you get the picture lol 

There's Beast appearing in the ball room.

Strawberry cupcake Oh my goodness was it delicious! 

And finally one of my favorite highlights of the day! 

To end off the evening, we came back to the resort, enjoyed the relaxing environment and watched the fireworks at magic kingdom from our balcony. One word ---- AWESOME! 

Why oh why haven't we always done this ? Looking forward to Sunday at Animal Kingdom. 

Vacation Day 3

Friday morning we are up and ready to meet Mickey and get this adventure back on the road!

Disney is only about 2 hours from St. Augustine so it's perfect to drive to and get to resort by noon to check in. 

This year we are staying at our first deluxe resort ever! The Wilderness Lodge. We have a lot to celebrate this year! 17 years of marriage, Noah becomes a teenager, Jason's turning the big 40 next month, Eli graduated K5 and my promotion at work! Yeah a BIG celebration year. 

Here's a few pics as we arrived! 

Welcome to Wilderness Lodge

The Waterfall that flows into the pool. 

We had plenty of time so we had to try out the water slide at the pool

Noah heading to the lobby

Bridge over the springs in the lobby that flows to the waterfall 

Totem pole outside the resort store! Love this. 

After exploring we headed to Magic kingdom. Another perk of being at a DR (deluxe resort) there is only ONE bus stop so the bus picks us up and we go directly to MK which is only 3 minutes away. Ahhhhhhh! 

First on the agenda was dinner at Tonys! It was delicious. Here we are outside Tony's hanging out with Goofy.

And afterwards a few rides 

Boys with Gaston in the new FantasyLand

Eli and I about to take off on Dumbo

Jason and Noah fixing to fly high! 

Glad to be here doesn't even scratch the surface of how we feel! Blessed beyond measure! 

Vacation Day 1 & 2

What an awesome first 2 days of our vacation. I just need it to SLOW DOWN! 

Day 1 was prep and let me tell you if was fabulous. Pedi's with my husband and our friends the Chapmans (yes Jason got a pedicure and he LOVES it! He typically only goes and gets one before vacation. I think he likes the relaxation chair part the best) for all those reading and worrying no he didn't  get toe nail polish! 

The Chapmans are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary in the Bahamas for the first half of their vacation. Second half they are coming to Disney.  We are excited for them and celebrate Gods goodness in their lives! 

Here are a couple pics at the nail place ! 

They didn't know I was taking this one 😜

We are ready to vacate the state! 

Afterwards we had to eat do a little last minute stuff and then home to pack! Excitement is an understatement! 

 

Thursday we left bright and early by 6:30 and headed to St. Augustine. Our favorite stop off. Breakfast at our usual stop! 

Shopped at the outlets had a wonderful dinner and just RELAXED! Noah Eli and Jason tried out the pool and hot tub at the hotel. 

Awesome way to begin this adventure ! 

My K5 Man

As I begin this post I get a little overwhelmed and emotional. No one truly knows how far this precious child of mine has come. Especially in the past six months. 

I don't know a 6 year old who has had to work and fight as Eli has to achieve such success in Kindergarten. 

Proud doesn't even scratch the surface of how I feel about him! 

After much prayer and trusting God we are so happy to say our baby boy is headed to first grade! 

Here are some pics to celebrate his day:

Eli breaking out a little dance! 

Oh how we love Mrs. Gilstraps

This was his favorite part. 

Mr Haynes and Eli 

Good job buddy! 

Mrs. Hart sell

Proud Daddy moment 

These pictures are a reminder of how his has worked in our lives and in the life of I. A constant reminder that God has his hand on our family and once again this was all part of His plan for all of our lives! 

We will remember ! 

Male Student of the Year

As the end of each school year rolls around I always love to attend Noah's awards day. It's a chance for my brilliant, talented first born to show off what he is so passionate about! Many kids excel at sports and win those types of trophies and that's awesome. Noah's passion just isn't in that area and he's finally beginning to embrace who he is in this world and in Christ. Noah racked up this year with the following:

~Highest grade point average in his homeroom in Language Arts (for us old people we called it English) 

~Highest grade point average in his homeroom for Social Studies ( he LOVES history).

~Honor Roll for the entire school year 

~Received an "Excellent" rating in his first band festival 

~Named Student of the Month 

The surprise award was most definitely saved for last. Noah was chosen as one of two male students as Student of the Year! This decision is based upon all the teachers votes. What an awesome honor! 

We are so proud of him! Here are a few pics! 

He was SHOCKED! 

Showing off his trophy ! 

Very proud Dad and Mom