Disney Trip Report

The Disney Trip Report is finally available for your reading pleasure. Grab a cup of coffee (or two) and have fun visiting Disney through our pictures and stories! Feel free to leave comments! I love to read comments!! Hint Hint at Comments!!!

Disney: Pre-Trip TeeShirt Projects

Just wanted to post a few pictures of the Tee Shirts that I had been working on before our Disney Vacation. Since we were at Disney all last week and I had no WIFI signal (not for free anyway), I couldn't post anything. However, I do have a post trip report and pictures that will be coming to the blog world soon.

For DQ

For The Teen

For the Hubs

For the girls

For me

Little Bird's First Music Camp

My Little Bird is growing up way too fast! She attended her first ever Music Camp last week. The musical was Parablelooza - a musical/game show /parable review. Little Bird was one of the youngest performers. Since it was her first time participating in a production of this size, she was understandably uncomfortable but I think she handled herself quite gracefully....considering. You'll see what I mean when you watch the video.

Kangaroo was upset that she wasn't old enough to participate in Music Camp, but some special attention from Daddy helped her feel better.

Little Bird is the 3rd green shirt from the left on the 2nd row.
She added choreography to the program. Freestyling is what I think they call it!

She's actually paying attention here....to what? I dunno!

Here's a video to enjoy. This is only a sampling of her performance antics. Oh, well. Next year we'll work on performance etiquette. For now, it's just too cute!!!

Oh, speaking of videos...I still haven't forgotten to upload the dance video from their recital. It's just taking me a little longer to get things done due to having too many irons in the fire at once! LOL

Seeing God's Hand

While participating in choir practice a while back, our music minister asked us a question. I can't remember his words exactly but it was something about how we approach God when there's a problem that needs solving. How many times do we approach or call out to Him when there AREN'T any issues? How often is it that God calls us to serve or do something for Him and our response is usually something like, "I'll do it Lord, when I can squeeze it into my schedule." or "I'll gladly serve you Lord, as long as I can do it between this activity or that activity."? Well, I pondered that question for a while and realized that I would serve the Lord, gladly, with all my heart and soul....as long as there is no pain involved. I'm all about PAINLESS servanthood!!!

Anyway, all that being said, let me tell you about the tiny, trivial challenge I was faced with today. I had a doctor's appointment that could not be changed. Well, it could but it would be rescheduled for 3 months down the road. I couldn't wait that long so I kept this appointment. My Little Bird has been participating in a music camp at a friend's church this week. It just so happens that the time to pick her up from music camp clashed with my doctor's appointment time. So, something had to give.

Fortunately, I have a 21 y.o. daughter who could drive to pick up Little Bird from music camp and pick up the Teen from driver's ed on the way. My concern was about the vehicle she would be driving. It hasn't passed inspection since we've had it back on the road. My other concern was the Teen and his ability to be very distracting. Despite these concerns, I had made arrangements last night with DQ to pick up both kids and bring them home since I was unable to do so.

After this discussion with DQ, I went to bed and read my little devotional book, "Jesus Calling". I read ahead to tomorrow's devotion. All devotions in this book are written in first person, as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to the reader.

"Welcome the Challenging Times as opportunities to trust Me. You have me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges. That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without Me, you wouldn't make it past the first hurdle!

The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me. Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness. Regardless of the day's problems, I can keep you in perfect peace as you stay close to Me."

After I read that, I thought, "Hmm." and then I went to sleep. I got up this morning and headed out, taking Kangaroo with me and dropping Little Bird at Music Camp. Then I made my way over into town for my doctor's appointment. At this point, I'm still concerned about the pick up arrangements but feel confident that all will work out. DQ is a good driver and I knew everything would be okay. After all, God is in control!!

I made it to my appointment, made the hike from the parking lot to the doctor's office, and signed my name on the little list at the counter. Normally, I would have a seat and wait, wait, and wait some more until they called my name to go to another waiting area. However, today, that wasn't the case. I signed my name and was immediately directed to the 2nd waiting area. Upon arriving there, I briefly sat (by briefly I mean, my butt JUST touched the seat!) when the nurse called my name! I commented, "Wow, THAT was quick!". Then she took my vitals as she needed for the records and told me that room was available already and I could go on in and wait for the doctor. I was pleasantly Surprised! So, me and Kangaroo went in and the doctor arrived about 5 minutes later!

Doc's visit over, I head back out to my vehicle. On the way I realized that the ENTIRE ordeal from parking my truck-signing in-seeing the doctor-getting back to my truck took all of 30 minutes!!!! I had PLENTY of time to pick up Little Bird and the Teen myself and not have to depend on DQ to do it in that other vehicle!

Calling DQ and cancelling her services, I went on and retrieved the other kiddos. I got to the music Camp only 1 minute after they finished! PERFECT timing!

On the drive home from the music camp, I reflected on the devotional I had read. OF COURSE, it was PERFECT timing! Because EVERYTHING he does is PERFECT!

Oh, ME of little faith! What else will it take for me to see His handiwork in ALL things?

BTW, if you've read this entire thing...thanks for reading.

2nd thoughts on homeschooling

I've been struggling with this homeschooling idea. In the beginning, I had no doubts whatsoever that the Lord had told me what to do. I still believe that He told me homeschool my girls. However, I have not been as diligent as I first thought I would be. I feel like I've failed my Lord and my girls by not "teaching" daily. Little Bird is now practically begging me to teach her how to read. I sit with her on my lap, read to her, help her sound out little words, help her write these little words, etc. However, Kangaroo can be a distraction yada yada. I'm not trying to make excuses.

For the very first time, my girls participated in separate activities today. My Little Bird excelled where she was as did Kangaroo. They seemed to enjoy and thrive in their times apart.

For a while now, I have been struggling with the ideas of registering Little Bird for Kindergarten, even though she'll turn 6 years old shortly after school starts. However, her late birthday may be a benefit to starting Kindergarten a little late.

I have prayed for another "sign" or "Handwriting on the Wall" so to speak, but am not getting this sort of communication from Him at this time. However, there is a hint of peace about signing her up for Kindergarten.

I guess my REAL struggle is with the idea of "letting go". On the other hand, I still have my Kangaroo at home for a couple more years.

I request prayers from my praying friends. Thanks for listening.

Whew! Whadda Day!

Yesterday was a long day for me. I was so tired that by 8:30 p.m. last night, while sitting in my recliner rocking my "babies" I fell asleep! My snores woke me up, along with my Kangaroo patting my cheeks saying, "Wake up Mommy!". So I managed to get them ready for bed, all dressed in pj's, said prayers, tucked in, and then I got into my own bed. I managed to read a page or two of the last little book that I'm trying to review, "Jesus Calling". Then I fell asleep. I didn't know another thing until 6 a.m. when hubby got up to drive The Teen to his driver's ed class. I went BACK to sleep and slept till my snores again woke me up. I sat up abruptly and looked at the clock. Noticing that the clock read 8:25 a.m. and remembering that I needed to have Little Bird at her first Music Camp 30 minutes away at 8:30 a.m., I jumped out of bed and hit the floor running.

Hubby had long returned from his errand and was sitting at the dining room table doing his weekly reports for work. I run into the kitchen, toss some cold cereal into the bowls, holler for the girls, throw some milk on top of the cereal, holler for the girls again, set the cereal on the table, holler for the girls, and run back into my bedroom to get dressed while they inhale their cereal. Upon my return to the kitchen, I grabbed the clothes I had previously set out for them to wear today.

During the drive to Little Bird's music camp, Kangaroo began crying that she wanted to go to Music Camp too. However, she's too young for this one at this time so I promised her a visit to the local library storytime while her big sister was participating in Music Camp. That idea seemed to soothe Kangaroo and she dried her tears.

Upon arrival at Music Camp, I was informed that due to Little Bird's age it was required that an adult stay with her for this first day....just until she got comfortable with being in a new setting with people she didn't know. Since I just happened to have DQ with me, I sweet talked her into staying with Little Bird so I could keep my promise to Kangaroo.

SOOOOO, to the library The Teen & I go. The summer theme is Kings & Queens. We participated in a lot of dancing around to get the wiggles out, sitting down to listen carefully as stories were read to us, and then decorating a little poster board crown to wear to each storytime for the summer.

Following storytime, we headed back towards Music Camp to pick up Little Bird and DQ. However, on the way, I rec'd a phone call from hubs.

"Hello?"

"Hey, are you gonna pick up The Teen from Driver's Ed?" (by this time class had been out for 15 minutes and I was still a good 20 minutes away!)

"Ummm, yeah, I'll get him. I don't have to be back at Music Camp just yet so I'll go get him and then get them."

After a little route adjustment, I arrived at the Driver's Ed class to find that The Teen had started the 8 mile walk to the house!!! Upon discovering that he wasn't where he was supposed to be, I thought he might make the attempt to walk home so I drove that route for about 1/2 a mile when I found him.

He got into the surburban, I yelled at him for not letting me know what he was going to do, then I told him that for the rest of the week just walk to the local burger joint and I'll meet him there. At least that's air conditioned! Having got him retrieved, I backtracked to pick up the other two passengers, DQ and Little Bird.

Once all buckled in, DQ and The Teen both announce that they are STARVING!! It's not obvious to most people that my children are mal-nourished but since they're STARVING that must be the case. I asked them what they would like to do for lunch and I rec'd the local listing of fast food joints....Mc'D's, Burger King, Sonic, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, etc. Little Bird said she didn't want any of that and Kangaroo mentioned homemade ham sandwiches. Since I'm the driver and holder of the much coveted debit card, I chose to go to Piccadilly. My choice announcement was met with a chorus of groans and moans but they eventually relented.

Over lunch, we discussed new movies coming out and on a whim, I decided to surprise the gang with a visit to the movie theatre to see Disney's newly released, "UP". What a sweet story! I cried! *** sob ***

After the movie, we headed home where the girls exited the surburban and ran straight to the trampoline where they are currently getting some more wiggles out before we settle down for the evening.

Looking around the house, I still have much more to do but I think I might just let it wait until tomorrow. For today, I've just enjoyed being with my babies, all 4 of them.