Our First Teenager

Yep, it's actually happened.  Jaybird turned 13 last month and there is no going back.  We took this opportunity to change the way we celebrate his birthdays, to do it in a more "manly" way.  We took him out for lunch, just Murph and I, and he chose McD's as he loves Big Macs. :)  We had a fun time with him but also had some more meaningful discussions about growing up, what is to come in his responsibilities and expectations, how we saw him maturing and so on.  We really wanted him to be affirmed that we saw his unique giftings and wanted the best for his future. 

That evening we had his special dinner with the rest of the kids and presented him with this"certificate" to place in his room.  It is based on a book called The Blessing and it basically expresses that we are thankful to be his parents, we see his good qualities and we commit to always love and support him.  It also has a scripture passage we turned into our prayer for him and our signatures.  With such a silly and fun loving guy, I wasn't sure if this was too formal for him but he LOVED it!  After dinner, we all prayed specifically for him and it was heartwarming to hear his siblings praying for God's blessing on his future.  Can you see the joy on this guy's face (or the trace of mustache that has been growing there)?

He really is a special guy and we love watching him mature and develop into the man he will become.  What a gift to have him in our home.

final days

Believe it or not we actually went back to Universal Studios for a second day.  They technically have two parks, though they are side by side, and we had to try out the other half.  There really is no point in putting up more park photos, you certainly get the idea by now.  Kids had fun, new favorite rides were experienced, more miles were clocked.  Good times again.  Admittedly, by this day the kids and I seemed to agree that you can only do so many rides before they all seem the same.  We had our fun but we were ready to get home and see Daddy.

 

Our last day we kept it very simple and relaxed at Karen's house for the day.  Don't let the photos below fool you.  It was really too cold to swim but I'm the only sane person who stayed dry. :)  Blue lips and chattering teeth are just not my idea of vacation.  Photographer is a better fit for me.

 

 

This is Karen and with my big sis.  You can tell they go way back in their friendship and that they are very dear to one another.  I can't exactly sum up what a gift Karen was for us, she was SO hospitable!  Not only did she open her home and life to us that week but she did so in the midst of her mother's struggle during her last days on Hospice.  We tried to bow out when we saw this timing play out but she insisted that we stay with her.  What a difficult season in her life and she was loving on her mother so beautifully.  I took the above photo after these two buddies jumped into the pool in a moment of much needed stress relief and just moments later, poor Karen needed to go back in the house - soaking wet - to help the nurses take care of something important.  It was heartbreaking and our prayers have stayed with Karen and her family.

That night we had a final celebration with a Hawaiian luau.  It was again so yummy (I could have eaten an entire pineapple by myself) and then followed up with some amazing entertainment.  I really don't know how humans can even move the way these dancers did but it's obviously not everyone's gift. :)  My girls did brave the crowd though and went up on stage to learn the hula for themselves. It was another special evening and a good way to end our trip.  By the next morning, we packed our bags and headed back to a very cold minivan parked at the airport waiting to take us home.  Now home.... that's a wonderful word.  I do miss my sister but it's so good to be HOME!

Magic Kingdom

Well we finally made it to the place everyone had anticipated, Disney's Magic Kingdom.  Despite the long days and sore feet, everyone was having fun and I was the only complainer as I was cold (no shorts for me).  Boo found this to be her favorite park and it definitely catered to the younger crowd.  I was so relieved that they were all old enough to see there was no real value in waiting 45 minutes to get your photo taken with Mickey, Cinderella or even Buzz Lightyear.  Glancing at them from a distance was enough.

The older kids really loved Space Mountain, probably the most daring ride at the park, while Boo loved Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (below) the best.  It was the easiest roller coaster of the whole week.  I enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm on their faces as they tried new things each day and as the realization sank in that EVERY ride had health warnings, even Winnie the Pooh.  Those signs didn't always mean they were about to be terrorized. :)

That night after the park, Aunt Susie chose to take us out to a Japanese Hibachi dinner, another first for all of us.  It was such a fun  time being entertained while watching our meal being created before our eyes.  Our chef was hysterical and quite the culinary artist - the food was delicious!  I've even had to try and recreate some of that wonderful food at home now.

Epcot & Animal Kingdom

 

Of course we made it to Epcot, the first  of our Disney park visits.  For the older 3 kids, this was their favorite park.  There were plenty of hands-on opportunities to get involved.  One favorite was a ride called Test Track where the kids got to design their own car on a computer screen and then "test" it out on the track.  Very fun.  Another one allowed you to design your own roller coaster and test it out on a simulator.  It was funny to see how boring their first attempt was and how they realized they were up for much bigger and more challenging things by their second try.

 

I was surprised to see how motion simulators and 3D technology were throughout every theme park.  I guess I'm just old but they didn't have those things when I was growing up so it has obviously caught on just recently right? :)  Wearing 3D glasses was pretty common place on this trip.



 



One fun adventure at Epcot was a spy game throughout the different countries.  This little "cell phone" gave the kids clues from Phineas & Ferb and they proceeded to look through the various countries for the solutions.  Once you found them, there would be further instructions.  My kids were impressed.

After seeing these at all the parks, we finally had to try a giant turkey leg.  They aren't kidding about the giant either.  Someone told us they were Emu but apparently that is just a tall tale. :)  Anyway, 50% of us enjoyed the snack and the others weren't at all impressed.  Now we know.

Boo and I sat down for a very artistic parade at Animal kingdom. The "floats" looked like they came out of the Lion King musical (which we know as we got to see that earlier at the park). After walking for miles over this trip, any chance to sit was a treat for our feet.  Another favorite was the Nemo Musical that was performed by some talented individuals that transported us right back to that old classic.

 

At the end of day 5, Susie took us to a very special dinner at the Melting Pot.  An upscale fondue restaurant, the kids had an adventure as well as a gourmet meal.  Being told you can play with your food is just what they needed to hear as the various courses came through.  Everything was delicious and they practically licked their plates clean.  You can see the satisfied faces if you can see through the steam. :)

Day 3 - the Beach

Monday we took our time getting to the beach (that's a major understatement but only my sister and the GPS understand that whole story).  We spent the whole afternoon with sand between our toes.  I absolutely love the ocean, at least if the weather is warm.  Collecting seashells, marveling at the little creatures (like this man-o-war), watching the vastness of the horizon, the sound of the water and knowing I have nothing to do but to soak it in and relax.  Incredible!

As you can see, the older kids had a blast boogie boarding, despite the cold water.  Oh to be young and oblivious to such discomfort. :)  They loved every minute of it.

Boo may not need that same adrenaline rush but enjoyed the ocean in her own sepcial ways. 

Florida Vacation!!!

What a wonderful Christmas gift we received this year!  The kids and I hopped on a plane and were whisked down to Florida for 10 days of fun.  It's been so many years since we've flown anywhere that it was almost like a first time for the kids. Can you see the excitement just sitting on the plane? 

Not only were we met at the airport by my big sis but we were transported back to the beautiful home of a friend of hers where we were welcomed for the week.  So much nicer than a cold, impersonal hotel.  The next day we made our way to Sea World where we were entertained by amazing animals, the kids were soaked by Shamu and we got to feed and pet the dolphins and sting rays.  Lily found her adrenaline rush right away as she rode the Manta roller coaster over and over again with me. 

 

The next day we went to an African American church in Eatonville, FL.  What a neat opportunity to worship with believers who don't look like us (though Elijah enjoyed blending in), sing like us or dress like us (as we sheepishly realized how underdressed we really were).   That was followed by some fun rides at Universal Studios and a enthralling evening at The Blue Man Group.  I don't even know how to describe that but it was a one-of-a-kind show that left us amazed and in stitches.

 

 

 

We were off to quite a start!  Stay tuned for more fun....

Christmas Photos

 

This was Boo's first year to read the Christmas story for all of us.  Here she is reading out of Luke with her helpful big sis close by just in case.  It was precious and she did a great job.

Here is Goose with her new keyboard.  She's been working hard to learn chopsticks this week.  Below is Spiderman with his awesome remote control helicopter which --- has already broken down and become a project to dismantle and explore.

 

Here is Jaybird with his new airsoft guns.  He's been waiting to be able to shoot these with his brother (and their buddies) and they just had a big "battle" in the backyard today.  Good times. 

 

Below is Izzy with her prized camera, she's been taking so many photos (and videos) of all of us that we're on guard not to be caught in a strange situation.

 

Here are the kids all together in their new jammies on Christmas Eve.  Another year of special memories but no doubt many more to come.  We hope you had a very special Christmas!