Day One - Birthday Party!

Wow. I am not sure I really feel like we just went on "vacation". I think it's safe to say that Disney World is not necessarily a relaxing and restoring vacation spot. I do know I couldn't possibly have gained any weight {no matter what I ate!} because I walked at least 25 miles per day and 90% of that time I was pushing a double stroller with 50+ pounds of children in it. But, despite going 90 to nothing five of the six days we were there, we had a wonderful time. The kids were amazing.

We left last Friday night headed down to Dothan to spend the night and take the first 2 1/2 hours off the drive. The rest of the trip on Saturday went well. Our kids are not car sleepers. I repeat: our kids are not car sleepers. A few Disney movies on our hand-me-down DVD player that only plays in black and white, one or two emergency bathroom breaks, and 6 1/2 hours later, we were there!

We stayed here and it was a really great place. The location was wonderful. Very close to the parks without being in the middle of a bunch of busyness and traffic. The hotel room was nice and we had excellent service every day. Awesome kids pool and playground and a not-too-scary water slide in the big pool. We got settled in Saturday night, went to get groceries for the week and made our attack plan for Disney!

Sunday was Elle's 5th birthday. It also happened to be my sister's 14th birthday. My mom, sister and one of her friends, Emily, met us down there for our celebration week. After a nutritious birthday breakfast of Lucky Charms (Elle's choice!) and fruit, we set out to conquer Magic Kingdom.

One of my favorites was the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party. We were able to catch it just before lunch at the castle. Steven and I sang the song for the rest of the week! "Hey, get up, get loud, we're pumping up the party now!"

The first "characters" we saw were Mary Poppins and Bert. Elle gave Mary Poppins the longest hug she's ever given anyone. So much so, that Mary had to physically remove her saying, "Oh, what a nice cuddle that was!", in her perfect English accent. Hilarious!

The highlight of the first day was definitely lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table in the castle. They called us in for our reservation and we got pictures with Cinderella. Then, Elle was chosen as the "Princess of the Day", given a special wand and pin, announced to the lunch crowd and got to lead everyone up the spiral staircase to the dining room! The food was incredible. The service was amazing. The dessert was quite possibly the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. Snow White, Belle, Princess Aurora and Jasmine all made it around to our table for pictures and autographs. Our two little knights also got swords:).

Our crew took a break in the middle of the day and went back to the hotel for naps. We went back to Magic Kingdom that night for a few more rides and the Wishes fireworks show. I was not, in any way, wanting to force the kids to ride anything. Or even try to talk them in to riding something they weren't totally sure about. We had some time to kill and the line for Pirates of the Caribbean was very short, so I suggested to Steven that we ride it. The kids were all for it. Mom and the girls were elsewhere so I went to check with an employee if it would be okay for our whole family to ride and if it was scary for a "not quite 3 year old". "No, not at all", she reassures me. Let me assure you: it is scary for young children! As we were in pitch darkness, descending down a steep slope, I prayed my kids would not be scarred from me taking them on this ride?! So far, there doesn't seem to be any harm done:).

We crashed close to midnight that night, but it was an awesome way to spend a 5th (or a 14th) birthday! Next up: Animal Kingdom...

Vacation

We just got home from our vacation week here

celebrating this!

I'll be working on some summary posts this week for our memories so check back if you are interested in how our tremendously fun {but not remotely relaxing:)} vacation went!

Jesus is the Rock

Patiently waiting for the show to begin

"See how clear my eye is? I'll open them really wide so you can see!"

Straight out of the 50's

Three amazing blessings have come out of our 10 year marriage!

Today's been about the family. But this weekend will be about us! Happy Anniversary Steven!

Miracle and Musings

Reese is walking. He was 11 months old yesterday.

He is also NOT having surgery Friday. We have ourselves a miracle. God healed his eye! For eight days, there has not been a single solitary thing in his eye. Clear as clear can be. I cannot begin to explain to you what a miracle this is. I am not exaggerating when I say that I cannot remember a day since he's been here, that I haven't wiped goop out of his eyes. I have been so excited all week every time I thought about it... which was a lot.

I just wanted to put this in the records books, and let those of you who might have been praying, start praising.

It's been a busy month.

I haven't taken a single picture of anybody or anything.

I have participated in two yard sales, one at my house, the other at a friend's.

I had the carpet cleaned.

We've painted a few closets.

I've read several books that have encouraged me greatly.

Elle and Grady had their first sleep over. A friend's husband had surgery and needed some help with her kids. I had five kids 5 and under. It was awesome.

Elle's last day of school is this week. Followed by her end of the year musical. Which happens to be on mine and Steven's 10 year anniversary.

We always said we'd go to Hawaii on our 5th. Elle was born 10 days after our 5th anniversary.

Then we said we'd go on our 10th.

We have 12 days until we leave for a week at Disney World. Close to Hawaii, don't you think?

Maybe it will happen on our 15th.

We've told Grady Mickey won't let him in if he continues to pick his nose.

Elle made a paper chain to count down the days.

I ordered some swimsuits 14 days ago and after talking with several people on the phone, I'm convinced they are lost. The question is, will I get a refund or will the company send me more suits?

I already sent some back that I ordered from Land's End. They fit terribly. But let's face it, after having three kids and nursing all three, swimsuits just aren't what they used to be... or maybe it's my body in them:).

I've seen a lot of dead snakes in the neighborhood lately. At least they are dead.

There's only one more episode of Lost and then the finale. Sad times for me. Possibly my all time favorite TV show. At least, it's the only one I currently watch.

That's all for now. Maybe I'll have some pictures next and not as many words.

Happy Nurses Day

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I used to envy those kids who were passionate about a profession and confident they would become an airline pilot and then they actually did. {my friend Courtney comes to mind!}

I entertained multiple job fantasies throughout childhood. There were dreams of becoming a landscape architect, a pilot, a doctor, an Olympic gymnast, a teacher, even a florist. When I started at Troy my freshman year, it was no surprise that I did not declare a major. Only four quarters later, when I ran out of general classes, and the counselor told me I could not come back to them anymore, did I chose a major. The Biology Program. I still had no clue, but knew I really liked science, especially biology. The possibility of medical school loomed in the back of my mind. Two and a half years later, I graduated. Eight days later, I got married. My first job after graduating was as a Pharmacy Technician at a brand new Target in Daphne, Alabama. Circumstances brought us back to Troy within a few months. Steven got his scholarship back and was going to finish his degree. I got my old job back, one I'd had part time during college, working as a teller at Southtrust Bank.

Then I got the bright idea to go back to school. I've often told Steven that if a university would pay me to go to school, I would be a professional student. I've always loved school, learning, reading, even studying. But since I couldn't find that university, I took out loans and entered nursing school. It would take me only two and a half years.

I reasoned that I loved science, biology, medicine even. I liked the idea of helping people and caring for them. I also knew the flexibility of the field, mainly that I could get a job anywhere we were. I tried not to dwell on the time and money that would have been spared had I "reasoned" this stuff sooner and chosen nursing as my major instead of biology. And we were going to be in Troy for another couple of years anyway.

And here I am, seven years later. I have been employed a total of 10 months as a nurse. I have made less as a nurse than it cost me to legally become one. If fact, I'm still paying for it:). But my license is still current. And after I'm mostly done raising these precious babies of ours, I plan to work as a nurse again. I'm grateful to be here, at home with my kids, for this time. But I do look forward to caring for patients again. Patients that aren't my own flesh and blood:). Happy Nurses Day to all you wonderful nurses out there! I'm proud to be counted among you!

"Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abraham Lincoln

Another surgery

We have another surgery scheduled. Reese will get both tear ducts probed on May 21st. We are both very ready for this. His eye is crusty, goopy and red ALL THE TIME. He cries as soon as I start running water for the wash cloth because he knows what is coming. Sometimes he can't even open his eye after a nap because it's crusted together.

Three surgeries in two years. One per child. All different. But all very minor procedures. For that, I am extremely thankful. Grady was first back in August 2008. Elle came next in September 2009. Now, our caboose in May 2010.

The Lord was gracious even in providing the doctor. Back at the first of the year, we visited a developing church plant a few times. I met a guy there who is an opthamologist and we were talking about Reese possibly having to have surgery. A couple weeks ago, I called the pediatrician's office to get the referral for the opthamologist. She gave me two names at a practice where they refer their patients. I looked on the website and one of the doctors was the guy I met! Even though I don't really know him, it somehow feels better to at least have met him outside of the office, and know he has a heart for the Lord.

Pray for Reese, if you think about us. For safety with the anesthesia. For a speedy recovery. And for success--no more crust, goop, redness or unnecessary tears!

It was a zoo

Elle's school took a field trip to the zoo yesterday, along with at least 25 other schools:). She had a really fun time despite the crowds. The only animal-related highlight was feeding the giraffes. And let me just have a quick rant here. It was $2 per child to feed the giraffe {and 3 girls went up there together}. There was a wooden platform for her to walk up, get instructions from the zoo employee and have her fun. She got two pieces of food and it took a total of 2 minutes. Here's the kicker: they also charged the parents to walk up there with the kids. And because I felt that was enitrely ridiculous, Elle marched up there on her own. I mean, really? I have to pay to walk up there and stand behind her? Anyway...

Probably her most favorite thing was walking through all the bamboo.

And playing in the dirt.

And hanging out with friends.