Lily Walks!

Mom,

This post is especially for you! :)

The Rest of the Vacation Photos

Disney Vacation 2009

We arrived Friday night and just as we left the check in gate, Billie started urgently insisting she needed to potty, (keeping in mind she had gone not more than an hour before!) Being that we had a less than 3 minutes drive we continued on. “Mommy Go potty grass!” She repeated. We reassured her we were almost there! Opps! Cliff missed the sign for the “comfort station” and it was too late. I was soaked from above the waist down. I mean dripping!!! She and I were both a little horrified but I just couldn’t stop laughing….I know, covered in pee and giggling while trying to help Cliff back the camper in….I’m sure the “neighbors” thought we were crazy people. (For those of you who are reading this who do not have children, trust me when I say your opinion of totally gross things WILL change after having children!)
Cliff was stuck trying to set up camp, and watching Lily while Billie and I headed off to the comfort station for a shower. But all in all, we had arrived safe and were just happy to finally be on vacation!!!

Saturday we took things a little easy until after the girl’s afternoon naps! We took them on bus rides around the campground and then took Billie for the much anticipated (I mean weeks we’ve endured “Mommy/Daddy I want to ride a pony requests!) pony ride!
Saturday night found us in Magic Kingdom of course! Billie has decided for this vacation, Dumbo and the carousel are her favorite rides! And when I say favorite, I mean repeated rides with begging and pleading for “another” ride! And who can resist? So we go again…again…and again!

We decided that we’re always glad for mandatory “rest” days on vacation! Sunday’s here, we usually spend sleeping, napping and napping again, but we also took Billie to ride on the boat to another resort and then the monorail system. (Think train in the sky). We kept telling Billie, “Look up! Look up!” So she would see it when it went overhead….today…we were talking and she starts shouting “Look up! Look up!” And sure enough, one was zooming by overhead! J

Today we went to Epcot, and got to ride in the “big ball” (space ship earth), and Nemo, but by far the most exciting thing we got to do was meeting some of the characters. Now, don’t get me wrong, but our idea of fun isn’t necessarily waiting in line to take pictures standing beside some big animation turned real character. But…..that was before a certain little girl turned big pleading eyes on us. Our hearts melted, and despite being told we would have an hour wait (it turned out to be about 25 minutes) we found ourselves waiting in line to do just that.
It was well worth our time!!! It turned out to be the highlight of everyone’s day. Despite the normally shy reaction (See the Goofy picture) Billie literally ran to meet some of the characters. And fell in love with Donald duck! She was adorable and so excited we couldn’t help but feel elated that something so easily done had made her such a happy and excited child!
So that’s probably why when tonight she asked to go ride dumbo we nearly killed ourselves (not literal) in a race against time to get her over to Magic Kingdom and onto the dumbo ride before closing time. *sigh of relief, we made it! J
So yes, in case you’re wondering we’re having a great time! :)

PS....sorry about the underline, not sure why when I copied this from ms word it did that!

In Gratitude

I've been reminded recently of how many blessing I have in my life. Lately I've been pausing to thank God for those Blessings.

One of those blessings is Lily's Smile. Last year at this time we found out that we might never see our daughter's precious smile. Gazing at her sweet face now, my eyes often fill with tears remembering that difficult time.

Last July I was often reminded of one of my favorite scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11-12 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (12) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." And we did call out to Him with everything in us.

But I have to admit it was very difficult to trust in God in such a difficult time and my faith was not as strong as it should have been. Although we knew in our hearts that no matter what the outcome we could trust in God to perform his perfect will.

I often wonder at how blessed I am to now hold that sweet baby in my arms and the fact that God chose to place her in our arms. It is truly by the Grace of God that she is with us now and I treasure each day. In gratitude I continue to thank Him for his blessings, great and small. And for the lesson of trust God used to strengthen my faith.

July

Cliff no longer has to make a weekly Friday afternoon pilgrimage to Fort Pierce, so the "Daddy dates" were placed on hold for a while. But last week they resumed this time on Tuesday Evenings. This date is highly anticipated by both Daddy and daughter!!!

Pizza is Billie's favorite food. So naturally it's out for pizza and then playtime! Here are some pictures from last night's expedition.

July...

Uncle John-Paul was out traveling with one of the HSBC summer groups but Aunt Jolie invited everyone over for Sunday lunch. Everyone had a great time and hopefully by now Jolie has "forgiven" me for doing the dishes when she wasn't looking. ;-)

Lily looked so cute sitting on the floor and playing I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures. When Daddy came in a few minutes later the world came to an end until he picked her up! Lily is very much a "daddy's girl!!!"

My husband loves to be adventurous, evidenced in the fact that he would attempt to touch a shark in open waters, while snorkeling alone. Or by attempting to touch a rather large alligator while bicycling in the Everglades with his brother.

So it should come as no surprise to those that know my husband, that he would enjoy skydiving! So for Father's Day I gave him a gift certificate to skydive once again.

Cliff & I got up early on Saturday the fourth of July to make the journey out to Clewiston for his skydive. I should be saying that we enjoyed the chance to be alone together, conversing and enjoying each other's company over the course of the 1 3/4 hour drive out, but in reality I just slept most of the way out and back. :-)
We were their first customer's for the morning so while we waited in the hanger I was able to log into their wi-fi and get some work done on the website.
I got more video than snap shots, but suffice it to say, he came down with one huge grin on his face, so I'm thinking it won't be too long before we make another trip out to Clewiston again!

Thank you to my MIL & FIL who for taking care of the little munchkins!

Cookies Anyone? Billie was "helping" mix up a batch, by helping I mean making sure the batter tasted yummy enough! I forwarned anyone who ate them that they had been thoroughly pronounced yummy before they went into the oven! :-)