Disney Vacation 2007 - Day 2

This photo is of Faith when she saw Mickey Mouse on the first day. We all loaded the bus at 8am to be at the Magic Kingdom for the show to open the park. I didn't know who to watch - Faith, Hannah Grace, Samuel, Marc Andre or MICKEY MOUSE!

Samuel and Marc Andre.

Hannah Grace waving to Mickey Mouse

The Mouse himself, Mickey!

Is Uncle Dick ready or what?

Most of our day Monday was spent at the Magic Kingdom. We spent the day meeting princesses and riding rides. Faith was not quite tall enough to ride the bigger rides, but Hannah Grace. After we all rode Buzz Lightyear together she rode Space Mountain with her Daddy and I. I couldn't believe she rode it. She got off and asked, "When can I ride that again?"

It got very hot after lunch, so most of us headed back to the room to rest or to swim. That evening we went to Epcot to see their fireworks show.

Here are the photos from Days 2 and 3, Monday and Tuesday.

Hopefully, I will have more pictures to share with you later in the week. Big Daddy said last night, he was ready to go back...

We are Blessed!

I want to begin this post by saying thanks to everyone who has prayed, not knowing what was really going on. Thanks to all that have sent e-mails and called. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

The struggles we have been facing are at church. I can't really go into much but please continue to pray. Here are a few more specific things you can pray for:

• Pray that all involved would seek God's will in how to handle the situation.
• Pray for discernment for Travis and I as we seek God's will in the right thing to do for our family.
• Pray that I would follow Travis as he leads our household and pray for Travis and he leads.
• Pray for the Deacon's of the church that as leaders chosen by the church that they would seek Christ and make decision based on God's word.
• Pray for Tommy as he leads the flock and for Cathy as she stands beside her husband; pray that all that is done will be to honor and glorify Christ.
• Pray for my children; Pray for the girls who really don't understand what is going on and pray for Samuel, that God would protect his heart and that He would give him an understanding of what he sees and hears.
• Pray for the salvation of church members, that God would open their eyes to their sinfulness and to His salvation.

Thank you in advance for your prayers. I know and trust that God is in control and when He allows I will share with you what HE has done.

Friday Family Funnies - Wild Thing

This photo was taken of Marc Andre sleeping one afternoon on the bus on our way back from The Magic Kingdom. What makes it funny is that "Wild Thing" was playing on the radio.

I am sorry that I have not had a chance to post anymore photos and share anymore about our vacation. We have had a very difficult week. I can't go and really don't want to go into any details right now, but I would ask you to pray for us.

It is comforting to know that God knows how to answer your prayers. Thanks for praying and when the Lord allows I will share with you how He guides, directs, provides, and protects us.

Disney Vacation 2007 - Day 1

Sunday, July 15th

About a month ago, we had made a chain to count down the days till Disney; on Sunday morning that was the first thing the girls wanted to do was to tear of their last chain. The car had been packed on Saturday night and after everyone was ready and we gathered up the last few things we headed off the church.

As you can see the car was packed full - there was just enough room for Samuel in the back seat (after getting to church his Big Daddy felt sorry for him and he road to Columbia, where were meeting up with Memama and Granddaddy, with them.)

We started Vacation Bible School this past Sunday night, so before headed down the road to begin vacation, we distributed flyers about VBS. It was so neat to see everyone in the church going each way from the church with flyers in their hand. With the way it was done, we were able to give out over 400 flyers in about 20 minutes.

We met up with Memama and Granddaddy in Columbia. My sister, Kendra was there to see us off. In the beginning she was going with us, but because of a new job she was not able to go. It was heart breaking to leave and her not go with us. (Please pray for her, right now she is on a Mission Trip.)

We arrived at Walt Disney World around 10:30pm. We were all excited, but also all tired from the long trip.

We we arrived, they gave each of the girls "1st Visit" Pins to wear

We stayed at the All-Star Movies Resort. If you are thinking about going, it was a "Value Resort", which meant it was just a motel room. Which was fine with us, because we didn't spend much time in our rooms. It was clean and nice and was great for all of us. We were in the Dalamation Building; everything was decorated around 101 Dalmations theme. Below you see they had left the towels arranged in the shape of Mickey ears.

The kids were all excited, but we did get them sleep around 11:30pm, we needed to be on the first bus to The Magic Kingdom at 8am to be there in time for Mickey Mouse to open the park and throw out Pixie Dust...

Whew!

1 Airplane.

4 Cars.

6 Parks.

21 People.

Over 400 Photos.

1178 Miles.

Countless number of steps...

and A Million Dreams.

We have returned from a week at the Happiest Place On Earth, Walt Disney World. We had a great time and have much to tell, but first I must go through many many photos and wash all the dirty cloths. Hopefully, I will be able to share with you the first day tomorrow.

Friday Family Funnies - "Aren't They Cold"

Grammy and Big Daddy were watching The Travel Channel - Disney Behind the Scenes one night and a segment was on about Disney's Blizzard Beach. As they were watching Grammy said, "Aren't they cold in the bathing suits?" Big Daddy asked, "What are you talking about?", Grammy replied, "In their bathing suits - aren't they cold sliding on that snow in their bathing suits?"

Have a great week-end!

I hope to update on our busy week later in the day...

Friday Family Funnies - Funny 4th of July Pictures

Faith had just got burned by the sparkler and Hannah Grace had had enough.

Have a great week-end!

Happy 4th of July

We hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We enjoyed our day together. We started the day with breakfast with Memama and Granddaddy and a trip to Sam's to get snacks for our Disney trip. I had been wishing for a new camera (mind somtimes just locks up and quits working) to take on vacation. I knew that we couldn't afford if with vacation coming, but I got some birthday money early (I will be spending my birthday this year with Mickey Mouse) and I was able to get a new camera. I am so excited. It has a few more settings than my other one, so the pictures I took yesterday were a test and practice. Thanks, Mama and Eddie - I love you!

Now, on to our day.

After meeting up with Memama and Granddadday we headed to Aunt Cindy's to swim and have lunch. We all had so much fun. Faith is still scared of the water (we are not sure why) and it was a little too deep for Hannah Grace, but she kept trying; She kept saying, "I can do it! I can do it!" as she was going under.

As you can see Samuel had a great time; I think Daddy had more fun dunking him.

After swimming we all went home to take a nap (another practice for the hot afternoons on vacation) so we could watch fireworks later in the evening.

We went to supper and then to Wal-mart for new shoes for Disney and got sparklers. I had invisioned my three children running in the yard laughing and smiling, waving their sparklers while Travis and I sat on the porch holding hands enjoying our children. What a dream, huh?

When we walked outside it was like we had walked into a war zone. Fireworks were going off everywhere around us, and I mean everywhere.

In reality, it wasn't my dream, but it was fun. The kids enjoyed the sparkers for the most part...

Thanks!

Thanks for praying that Cassie would wander home. I woke up this morning around 6am and decided I was going to go for a walk in the neighborhood and look and call for Cassie. As I walked outside I went around the house and there she was in the fence of our neighbor. We haven't had a chance to talk with him, but he would of had to put her in his fence sometime during the night.

There was a hole where Cassie had tired to dig her back into the yard.

When I left for work this morning, she still was on the back porch, where she had not left since she came home.

Cassie Come Home

Our family pet, Cassie, got out of the fence sometime yesterday afternoon. We have drove the neighborhood several times with no luck finding her. Samuel and I went to the Humane Society this morning to file a Lost Dog Report. Please pray that she wanders back home soon; Samuel and the girls (and Mommy) miss her.