Lets Go to DISNEY WORLD! & Our Disney House

We didn't tell the kids we were going to Disney World until we were down in Florida. During one of our morning walks before the conference began that day we had the kids sit down and then we told them a story.  

A story about our favorite pretend characters, Hollie and Willow.  In the story the two friends go to visit their grandparents and then are surprised by a special trip to Disney World.  The story goes on to tell about all the Amazing things they experienced at WDW, the food, the characters they saw, the rides they rode, the food they ate, etc.  We then said that, we, like Hollie and Willow's grandparents had a special blessing to share with them.  And they guessed it!  

Disney World here we come!  

We did video tape it like we are suposed to says America's Funniest Videos.  It was pretty comical because Katie jumped for joy and Owen said, "I don't want to go!"  Not sure why his response was this, but for two straight minutes he repeated his sentence.  But on minute three he changed his tune, "I DO WANT TO GO!" They then proceeded to jump off the rock and be super crazy excited. 

We as parents had full huge smiles on our faces too.

So after three days at the Conference we packed our bags and headed south to Disney. The drive took 20 minutes and looking for billboards for Disney was the highlight.

Hotel House. 

Katie and Owen always refer to our hotel room as our house when we travel.  I am sure most kids do.  :)  And for our 'house' at Disney we chose The Wilderness lodge.  It was the perfect choice for us.  We took the ferry over to Disney each day and had smores by campfire each night. Along with our swims in the pool and rides down the slide we enjoyed the feel of the resort.  The theme was set in the Northwest and it was very well done.  The weather was also wonderful so that added to our super stay at the Lodge!

Waiting and listening to their story

 Yippppppeeeeee

Wahoooooooo!

looking at some Disney apps showing the rides and map of the park

Wilderness Lodge

lobby and cafe

at the check in there are constant showings of Mickey Mouse episodes.  

The kids LOVED LOVED LOVED It!

I Found This Thought Worthy...

Taken from Kevin DeYoung, on The Gospel Coalition

"Advice for Raising Godly Children"

Ten pithy sayings from John Witherspoon, Scottish Presbyterian pastor, President of Princeton (1768-1794), and signer of the Declaration of Independence, on parental authority and child rearing:

1. The best exercise in the world for children is to let them romp and jump about, as soon as they are able, according to their own fancy.

2. A parent that has once obtained and knows how to preserve authority will do more by a look of displeasure, than another by the most passionate words and even blows. It holds universally in families and schools, and even the greater bodies of men, the army and navy, that those who keep the strictest discipline give the fewest strokes.

3. There is not a more disgusting sight than the impotent rage of a parent who has no authority.

4. I have heard some parents often say that they cannot correct their children unless they are angry; to whom I have usually answered, then you ought not to correct them at all.

5. Nothing can be more weak and foolish, or more destructive of authority, than when children are noisy and in an ill humor, to give them or promise them something to appease them.

6. Let it always be seen that you are more displeased at sin than at folly.

7. Nothing is more destructive of authority than frequent disputes and chiding upon small matters. This is often more irksome to children than parents are aware of.

8. I am fully persuaded that the plainest and shortest road to real politeness of carriage, and the most amiable sort of hospitality is to think of others just as a Christian ought, and to express these thoughts with modesty and candor.

9. Many parents are much more ready to tell their children such or such a thing is mean, and not like a gentleman, than to warn them that they will incur the displeasure of their Maker.

10. It is a very nice thing in religion to know the real connection between, and the proper mixture of, spirit [i.e., matters of the heart] and form [i.e., disciplines like family worship and church attendance]. The form without the spirit is good for nothing; but on the other hand, the spirit without the form never yet existed.

All quotes are taken from Witherspoon’s Letters on the Education of Children, and On Marriage.

Desperate

A New Book Post!

I have this heart desire to live life with other women, to be around what the Bible describes as the Titus 2 Woman, being taught and trained by those that are older and then hopefully getting the chance to do that with ladies younger then me.  Though many of my friends are here, others are not around Raleigh. But books are a great way to connect near and far and glean from one another, insert Desperate.

Desperate is about lots of things within Motherhood, but a few things that caught my attention:

 their call to tune out all the voices that mothers hear and ask Jesus to hear His voice alone. Spend time with Him in his word.  Pray over everything and be desperate for him, He Does Hear You!  Don't do this rewarding yet difficult work alone.  And have the freedom to be who God made you to be and not to fit your family into another mold.  

"Hold fast, put away unnecessary guilt, and pursue ideals, and you will find the blessings He always wanted you to have." ~Sally Clarkson pg 166

"Remember the consequences of mothering well are truly great.  You have this opportunity to ingrain love, righteousness, and faith into the very depths of your children's souls.  Such potential influence is in your hands.  God's Spirit will give wind to your wings and He will bless you as you embrace these ideals for His glory." ~Sally Clarkson pg 118

What better way to get the conversation rolling about motherhood then this book Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson!  I have posted about books in the past and each one of those has challenged me, refreshed me, refined my walk with Jesus and given me some of these Titus 2 moments within.  

And I'd like to do that for you too, if you would like.  I'd love to buy this book for you and 

send it to you.

Just leave a comment and on it way it will be. :)

For those that read our blog, thanks.  Thanks for living life with us, even it is via photos and writings on The Hime Times.  

Hugs!

Welcome to Orlando!

Like I mentioned in a previous post we were in Orlando for the Gospel Coalition Conference, which was a great conference on the Gospel of Luke.  Justin had a great time and so did the kids and I.  Florida in the spring was beautiful!  We walked around the golf course and trail, swam in the pool and ate yummy snacks every. single. day.
And this resort is HUGE, they had two conventions going on at the same time, every one of the hundreds of rooms were full, there was a had a handful of cafes and restaurants inside...
oh yes, we'd go back!

Rosen Shingle Creek Resort

*photo from google

These two sure are cute!

our water bugs

"the Lord is my keeper, the Lord is the shade on my right hand"

Journaling-Today

Today was a day that needs to be filled with thankfulness. It was a challenging day in different ways.  And in order to turn my heart towards my Jesus who fills my cup, who lifts my feet to keep going, to whispers words of strength to me...

I am thankful for...

my husband and his desire to work hard to provide
my kids that can create a game out of anything and that love their faces painted for pretend play
my home that we can have folks over to be encouraged and to encourage
books...so many have lifted my heart lately
friends that call unexpectedly and just live life with me
the beautiful weather
the gorgeous yellow huge roses on my table
pepperoni pizza
the ability to jog a wee bit this morning
an automatic dishwasher
laughter
comfy beds
showers
candles
sunshine
music that lifts my soul
the noise of little voices and the quiet as they are sleeping
hugs and more hugs
trips that we are looking forward to
three year olds and baseball
five year olds and babies they love on
for fabric cleaner
three year olds combing their hair so it won't spike
five year olds drawling me picture of sunshines and telling me I am their favorite mommy
three year old breakfast prayers
five year old dilemmas about what to wear
kids putting on performances for us
God's faithfulness
etc
etc
etc

A Magical Moment

Disney World.  

Pretty wonderfully fantastically fun.  Would do it again.  Kids=joy.  Dad and Mom=blessed to see their happiness. Great weather.  Super touring plan. Fantastic memories. Magical Moments. 

We also happened to experience A Magical Moment!  From what we understand the Cast Members (employees) try to make Magical Moments happen when they can.  

After our last ride on Splash Mountain which was soooo fun-yes I did scream along with the kiddos going over the waterfall- it exits where Jesse and Woody stand for photos.  We'd tried a few times throughout the two days we were there to capture a photo with them, but had decided the line were always to long.  But this time being our last day, we walked over to the area and stood just to watch them interact with other families that had waited in line. Woody and Jesse were two characters that they kids had really wanted to meet.  As we were standing at the ropes a Cast Member came over and told us that Woody and Jesse were done for the day and they would be back at 10 am the next morning and we could see them then.  We said that was fine and we understood, but we were just going to wave to them as they left.  After a few minutes the head Cast member came over again and said there might be something she could work out for a Magical Moment. Just hold on she whispered-wait and keep it on the low down...  And that was good advice since there were other families that came wanting a photo and were told the characters were done for the day.    When W and J were finished with the last family in line, the Cast Member came over and removed the rope ushering us up to W and J!  We waited a total of five minutes!  We received a magical moment as a family, Amazing!  The Characters spent five minutes with us instead of one.  They gave high fives, skipped around and interacted with the kids as personally as one can in costume.  It was super special to the kiddos.  We asked how we had received this treat and the Cast Member said that Disney tries hard to give Magical Moments...and because we were understanding and so kind when we were told the Characters were done, they blessed us with the treat! Thank you Jesus for the blessing!

We have some fun photos and it was an extremely fun way to end our days at the Magic Kingdom. 

More to come soon...

Katie skipping around with her Cowgirl friend, Jesse.

Woody and Owen doing Cowboy moves.

All smiles :)

Spring is Beautiful!

Down South to Florida!

We are on our way home from FL. Wow, what a great trip! The Gospel Coalition conference was great and the cherry on top was our experience at Disney. :D We had a fantastic time...lots to come!

Cherry Trees

It is hard to describe how beautiful these trees are this year. They are gorgeous!

Horsen' Around Lexington

Lexington is horse country, well A LOT of KY is!  And we were blessed to tour a thoroughbred farm because of a friend of Justin's through work.  It was beautiful!  Many thank yous to Marlene for setting this up through her friend.  

This farm is called Denali Stud and they have produced some high priced horses.  The tour lasted an hour or so and we learned a lot in that time!  I really never knew so much went into breeding and racing horses.  It definitely made us have a new appreciation for this industry!  

 These horses were only a few days/weeks old.  They are kept away from the older colts until they are stronger and able to be around the energy of the older horses. They don't want any bullying! 

Their Momma's are also pretty protective of their young.

 These barns are mucked out each and every day and new straw added.  It was a very busy farm.  I think she said they had about 80 foals this year!  

 Our teacher helping the kids walk quietly up to touch a few horses noses.

Here is their wall of fame.

Down at the bottom in the photograph of a horse and two people, that is a horse at auction for over a million.  1.6 I believe!

The Rest of Lexington

A Royal Prince and Princess

Katie and Owen have the best imagination!  

And I can see this in the future...Owen going to Prom or some dance and Katie helping him with his tie. Oh, we love these two!

Prince Owen and Princess Katie you are precious and we love you dressed up and dressed down!