Fantasia Mini Golf

Well, it's time to get back to the pictures. After we spent the day at Animal Kingdom we went home for a rest and then John, Dad, John V and I headed out for some mini golf. My son is already quite the avid golf fan and is a fairly good, if not consistent, miniature golf player. He gets a genuine hole-in-one every time we play. He'll probably be beating me before he's five. I am the queen of a really good hole and then one where I lose it. This course was a ton of fun and each hole had something neat that moved or happened when you hit the ball. We had a fun evening, and Grandpa showed himself to be a worthy opponent for my husband.

Ready to play

Coaching Dad after playing this hole quite nicely

Mom actually needs quite a bit of coaching when trying to hit up a hill

That's a big, dancing hippo

Apparently he doesn't have to coach Grandpa and has time to look at the camera

The Dolphin Hotel across from the miniature golf course

Memorial Reminders

Yesterday was our Mimi's memorial service. It was a beautiful time of celebration. There really is tremendous joy in the home-going of one of God's children after living a full life well. I'm sure if we truly understood the concept of eternity and the fullness in the Presence of God, we could find equal reason to celebrate when remembering a shorter life, but it is difficult when our minds are so wrapped up in our temporal lives here and what we feel that person is "missing." However when someone has lived a beautiful eighty-four years, even in our weakness, we can rejoice in her exit from what was good and entrance into what is indescribable. I sit here trying to imagine what she is doing, feeling, how her very being is full of the glory and holiness of GOD HIMSELF! I can only imagine.

As I sat in the service today I was reminded of a few things:

• Despite the difficulties, the sadness, the cycle of life - what God has given us is so good. To experience loving someone so much that you grieve and miss that one when he or she is gone is a truly beautiful thing. The greater your love, the greater the sadness, but also the greater the sense of how wonderful the gift you were given in that person.

• The concept of eternity - mind boggling and glorious!

• One of the great blessings of John and I having known each other for so long is that I was given years to know three of his grandparents. I stayed in a hotel room with his Granny and in his Mimi & Grandy's house before I was even "the girlfriend." I knew them when they were traveling and getting around, had the opportunity to know that they loved me and were glad I was a part of their grandson's life. Also, to have seen them love on our kids was a beautiful gift. I feel so blessed to be able to join in on some of the "remember when" discussions and to be able to picture each personality trait and characteristic when they are remembering. That means I miss them too, but it's well worth it.
  

• Family is incredible! To, by marriage, be a part of TWO of the most incredible families is a blessing that humbles me. Who am I to have such a gift? To have two fathers who love, care for, and lead their families. Two mothers who give their absolute all to love their families and serve their needs. A total of eleven siblings (counting in-laws and one girlfriend who's as good as ours) who love each other and want to be together and stand by one another. Days like today remind me of the awesome support that provides. My parents, almost all of my siblings, and one of my grandmothers came to support my husband and his family today because they feel that we are all part of one bigger family. My mother and mother-in-law say the kindest, most supportive things about each other and truly care to share us with the other. I just was overwhelmed as I thought of it today.

• And finally, as I sat there today I thought of the incredible way that God can work in two hearts to make them one. I love my husband so tremendously that when he hurts I feel like my heart could come out of my chest. I can't do enough to be close to him and try to take some of it away. What a great privilege to be the one to hold his hand, to walk through this journey together. Four years ago we had experienced very little of this kind of burden-bearing together. In that short time, we have buried three grandparents and a nephew. How quickly things can change and you can be called to support in a whole, new way! I can't thank God enough for giving me someone to share the joys and half the burdens!

Life can be difficult. It is temporary. Eternity is glorious and waiting. God is good. . . all the time.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom was yet another huge hit with my kids. The amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery, and the FANTASTIC "Finding Nemo" musical were great. If you ever go, don't miss that musical!

John and Turk. He's never seen Tarzan but hey, it's a big monkey!

Beautiful elephants

Great entertainers!

Pink animal print seemed fitting for the day

John V loved the dinosaur kids' area!

MGM

Our next day at the park was MGM. I did a completely different set of rides than I usually do there! No "Tower of Terror" or "Rockin' Roller Coaster" for this expectant mommy. This time I was at the Playhouse Disney show, the parade, and on the search for characters John V wanted to hug.

Ready for some 3D action with the Muppets

Ready for the parade to start - Grandpas make nice chairs : )

Flexing with The Incredibles

June and Quincy got HUGE hugs - a little starstruck to meet THE LITTLE EINSTEINS!

"It's Handy Manny!"

"Like my cool ears?"

Dancin' at Playhouse Disney with Bear

The amazing lights display. The lights dance to the music!

This felt like being in a movie as you walked down the street covered in lights and listened to Christmas music

Epcot

One of my favorite parks in Disney World is Epcot. We spent the day there and then went back for half a day later in the week. John V was a huge fan of the newly redone Nemo area that used to be the Living Seas. It was great! I've already shown you my pictures of Kailey fully enjoying her lunch and licking her plate.

All the interactive, gagdety stuff was a big hit with my kids

A girl and her grandpa

I think there is a little boy under that sombrero!

We love Donald Duck!

Missing Mimi

My favorite picture of Mimi the day Kailey was born

We got a call in the wee hours yesterday morning that John's grandmother had gone to be with Jesus. For the past few years she has lived with John's parents so we have been blessed to see her often and for our children to have the opportunity to know and love her. John V has been an unusually blessed boy in having the opportunity to know 7 of his 8 great-grandparents. It was sad explaining to him that we'll have to miss Mimi for a while so she can live with Jesus while we stay here. He seemed quite logical about the whole thing like he was thinking, "Uh, who wouldn't want to go live with Jesus? Yeah for Mimi!" Exactly the perspective we all should have, although our sadness at missing someone just makes it difficult at times. We would appreciate your prayers for the whole family as everyone adjusts to the hole in their lives, especially John's mom, Sandy. On top of everything, yesterday was Sandy's birthday - a difficult birthday but we celebrated with her last night, rejoicing that God gave us our Nonnie. She has been an incredible example of a selfless servant as she has cared for her mom. She and John's dad have sacrificed, nurtured, and loved their mother/mother-in-law in a very special way. I have the deepest admiration for them and pray that my heart will be as willing and Christlike if I am called to the same task. We are incredibly grateful for having had a wonderful holiday season with our Mimi and a quick and easy homegoing while she was still sharp and very happy. Thank you, Lord, for the promise of a reunion with You!

I also heard some news about my friends in the car accident. Miraculously there were not even any broken bones. The two children were able to go home that night, the husband the following day, but as of my last hearing, my friend is still in the hospital with some severe bruising and a concussion. I think you will agree that the Lord deserves praise for a complete miracle when you look at the car below! The front passenger seat shown is where my friend was sitting. Please continue to pray for her complete recovery and praise God for His protection on her family!

Magic Kingdom - Part Two

We had lunch with Pooh and his friends at the Crystal Palace and then headed out for more rides before naps. We had a nice, long nap so we would be ready for Mickey's Christmas Party that night. The park stays open late, they have a wonderful parade, and it "snows" on Main Street. It is beautiful. The castle was covered in lights, and it was stunning. I never get tired of going to Magic Kingdom, especially with a child who has never been! (And our family usually manages to take one of those!)

That is one big hug Mr. Pooh is getting

THE ride - Buzz Lightyear! I'm not sure which one of them likes it more.

The man himself. John V was impressed that Dad could hold his own next to Buzz.

Christmas Party!

It was a little chilly that night so the kids bundled up for the parade. The cold air made it feel even more Christmas-like.

We found Woody all by himself while everyone else was busy watching fireworks.

"Dad, those are LOUD!"

Three cool dudes

Ten Years Together

Last night was a special anniversary for John and me. We have now been a couple for ten years! Somehow I managed to zip both Baby and myself into my black dress and we headed out to a wonderful steak dinner where I cut only my own food and enjoyed every bite!

On New Year's Eve '07/'08, a very nervous 18-year-old John asked my dad if he could take me out and start spending time with me as a couple. We had both graduated from high school the spring before and now John was at work for a consulting company in Dallas while I had just returned from living in Dallas during the fall. We went from friends who spent a ton of time together with our buddies to a new couple figuring out how this whole thing worked! It took a lot of trial and error, adjustment from both of our families, and a lot of patience and prayer. The value of the next few years was priceless as we took very seriously the time we were spending seeking God's will and growing both individually and as a couple. I can remember waiting for his phone call each night when he left work and started the drive from Dallas to his home in Benbrook. Lots of good talking time. I've now been getting that call when he leaves work every working day for ten years. : ) I could probably count on one hand the days I haven't talked to him since then and there haven't been too many more that I haven't seen him. I still never get tired of his phone calls or any less thrilled to see him.

I still can't believe John chose me out of the girls in the world to be his. I thank God for this wonderful, faithful man and all the ways he has grown and the way the Lord has allowed us to make so much of our spiritual journey together. I thought he was wonderful ten years ago but I don't think I had scratched the surface of all that he was and what he was going to become. He is strong and full of purpose. He is committed and faithful. I never have a second's doubt or mistrust of him or his motives. He is full of life and ready to enjoy every second, no matter what we're doing! Baby, I love you and I'll gladly be the other half of this couple for decades more!!!

P.S. I just received a phone call that a friend of ours was in a severe car wreck tonight at 9:00 with her husband and two young children. They were cut out of the car and care flighted to the hospital. Please keep the Sherburne and Monroe families in your prayers when you read this. I can only imagine what they and their families are going through tonight!