Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Christopher. Our children are blessed beyond measure to call you Daddy and this life is truly a gracious restoration from the Lord. I love you.

"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten ..." Joel 2:25


The Daily Reception ... Daddy's Home!

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Disney World ... Part 1

I cannot believe how fast this summer is flying by! I planned on posting about Disney over the course of several days but it looks like that may turn into several weeks.

We left on a Sunday morning following Emma's dance recital the previous night. I managed to have everyone packed and ready to walk out the front door at a glaring 5:30 in the morning.

My peacock feathers were opened up for the world to see.

If I fail to mention Benjamin's rash it will come up later ... because it only got worse. At this point in our trip I was convinced it was something as simple as sun poisoning or an allergic reaction ... I was convinced and somewhat delusional.

As Chris parked the truck in shuttle parking I went to check our 10 pieces of luggage with the airlines.

What's that? Checking luggage cost money?

Pfft. Nonsense. Bologna. Crazy talk.

Um. Guess what Proud Peacock Momma had no clue about on her "Oh-So-Well-Planned-Out" vacation?

Please do not take this opportunity to tell me about how everyone knows the airlines charge for baggage. I will then take the opportunity to ask you HOW?

I watch very little television. I am not a world traveler. When my husband travels for work he always takes one carry-on piece.

TELL ME HOW I WAS SUPPOSED TO KNOW THIS???

I booked through Travelocity and there was nary a mention of such an atrocity.

Had I been even remotely aware of this gouging I would not have encouraged my children to Surely! Pack your stuffed animals in an entire suitcase! Bring your blankies! I love to pay money for senseless things!

It sort of knocked me off kilter for a bit.

The airlines encouraged me to carry a couple of more bags on with me, which we did.

Here is a piece of helpful advice. Luggage carts are available at the Richmond Airport for arrival only. If you have four children and 6 carry-on pieces you might should consider how you shall get to and fro.

My husband is glad I shared that. His back and forearms are forever changed.

By the time we had everyone barefoot and ready to go through security I felt like we might just be okay.

Until she brought me an item from the above mentioned suitcase (brand new bottle of sunscreen) and another item (brand new bottle of lotion) and then another item (brand new bottle of dishwashing liquid) and then another item (brand new bottle of Wrinkle Release).

As my body began to convulse, I threw the unopened bottles into the trash can.

Apparently, in my zeal for packing early, I had forgotten a few of these oddly placed items.

Fancy that.

I've taken the baby out of the stroller, folded it up and we have made our way through the "I can see your insides" archway and have started to try and gather our massive mound of carry-on.

Big Daddy is soooo thankful that I saved an extra $50 and carried that luggage on the plane ... he told me so.

In a sort-of sarcastic tone.

As the very unhappy and angry-to-have-a-job airport employee tested Benjamin's milk for Agent Orange, I decided to make light of the situation with a teensy little joke.

I said:

"So. Do you ever have people break down in tears at this point?"
(thinking to myself ... DON'T YOU CRY YOU BIG BABY ... it's just Wrinkle Release for crying out loud)

To which she responded:

"Uh. No ... E-REE-BODY knows the rules."
(while her eyes rolled back in her head)

Let the floodgates open.

The ugly cry began and I thought my oldest was going into a tiger-like pounce position, so we made our way to the gate.

I am blubbering all the way.

"IIIII ... tttried (snort, snot, snort) sssssooo ... hhhhard (snort, snort) I ... cccan'ttt ... bbbelieve (snort, huff, huff, huff)

Hannah has now grown about 6-inches and would like a word with the airport employee ...

Outside.

Things calmed down rather quickly as I gave up my snubbing & sobbing session.

The flight was uneventful and I even had an extra seat for Benjamin. These pictures show off his splendid rash and precious lovin' session with Daddy ...


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Thursday, June 11, 2009

All Over the Place

Our state homeschool convention starts today and I will be in and out trying to visit as many sessions as I can. This is my first time to go and I am so excited about seeing all my favorite curriculum's up close!

I have my lists, which are bound to be illegible before this weekend is over, but it's a good place to start :)

We went the Pocahontas State Park pool/waterpark earlier this week and I am officially the "most-white girl" in the county.

No question.

Chris bought me the This Momentary Marriage for Mother's Day and with it the Marriage Gift Set which included Velvet Steel & the audio CD's.

"Most foundationally, marriage is the doing of God. And ultimately, marriage is the display of God. It displays the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his people to the world in a way that no other event or institution does. Marriage, therefore, is not mainly about being in love. It’s mainly about telling the truth with our lives. And staying married is not about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant and putting the glory of Christ’s covenant-keeping love on display."

“If you are married, this is why, If you hope to be, this should be your dream.” - John Piper

It was my favorite Mother's Day gift thus far.

I took this picture of Benjamin last month at a friend's birthday party. Do I need to tell you how much I love my camera?

(the boy too)



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Tuesday, June 09, 2009

It's been a long time comin'!

It's been over twelve years since we have had a baby girl in the house but it looks like we get to bring out the pink again!!!

We are having a girl!



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Friday, June 05, 2009

Emma's Recital

Emma's dance recital was Friday & Saturday (5/23 & 5/24).

Yes. Those were the days preceding our trip to Disney and we danced until late Saturday night and then headed to the airport early Sunday morning.

I consider the entire ordeal a success because I have the majority of my hair left AND she did not rip a hole in her tights.

Emma did a wonderful job and has really enjoyed this past year of dancing. She was even able to use some of her gymnastics in her routine. She dances at a studio where modesty is of the utmost importance, both in music and in dress. She plans on taking more classes in the fall and we look forward to watching her progress!


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A Side Note

I am working on getting some pictures of Disney and also Emma's dance recital but I wanted to link a few places first.

My Hannah has been dabbling in blog design! She created that little button to the right and has a blog called Free Bees, where she has made some other buttons as well. She also created this new blog for Emma. I think she has done a splendid job!

This post from Kim at Lifesong is timely for me and I have printed these questions as valuable reminders. Facebook and blogging can be such an escape for me but I have to be deliberate to carve out the priorities that are *most* honoring to God first.

Leslie has also written a wonderful post about the absorbing nature of our minds and how God does His transforming work in our lives:

"... God does not magically transform us overnight. He wills us to hold up our end of responsibility and work hard to see this transformation of our hearts and minds to its completion (Philippians 1:6 and 2:13)."

If you are homeschooling and not following Kendra's Marvelous Mondays series at Preschoolers & Peace then you must start now! She has covered nearly every subject and coupled with the comments, it has been a wonderful wealth of information.

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