Back to routine

It is so nice to have a vacation.  It helps me focus again on the important things instead of such a schedule.  I am such a checklist person and get in such a frenzy when I can't get the checklist done by 12 noon so really I can add more to my checklist.  I find my brain in such a whirlwind.  This effect my family because of my attitude.  I am trying to focus on a few things lately.
1.  Husband and his need - pay attention more to what he likes and wants instead of so brain locked on what I can't have
2.  The way my children talk to each other.  I noticed when we were gone how much they get frustrated with each other, put each other down and just jab at each other non stop.  Well Jeff and I don't do that and they don't have to listen to us do that so they aren't going to either.  I am trying to figure out tactle ways to handle those situations.  My children are together most of the time.  Giving them their own space and time apart. 
3.  Not letting schedule drive me soooooo much.  I hate the whirlwind of day to day stuff.  Slow down and enjoy.

So after reflection from the trip - here goes the happenings of us

SETH GOT BAPTIZED  - what an incredible joy as a parent when your child not only shares with you his decision and ask for your guidance in how to become a Christian but takes the next step and follows in baptism.    WOW!  Words can't express how proud we are. 

What a great little face

Fun

He usually is a very unsure and nervous child when it comes to different things.  He asked a million questions about this and that and almost talks himself out of it.  Well God gave Seth such a peace and comfort.  He was ready and excited.  Only God can give the reassurance that we need.

ONTO EVENTS of the DAY

Garrett's desk that he had to meet today

Seth's desk

The lesson plan book that met us this morning for the routine to get back going

On the count down 5 Weeks to go

Remember the old toy - we just got new ones for summer - Seth loves them.  He wants to hula hoop two at the time

Garrett is getting ready to start golf lessons.  He has gone with Jeff a couple of time.  He loves it.  Haha!  Another expensive sport.  What is it with my child.

Ella decided to play "Little Mommy".  I even got to babysit her baby.  Too funny.

Then the kites came out again.  WOW!  It was windy.  The boys were flying the kites really high.

Spring is a great time.  We love being outside and playing.  No better time to enjoy our kids.

Recovery

Yesterday was a total loss.  We accomplished nothing.  I loved this boat.  We had an amazing vacation. 

But it is so nice to be home.  I ended up with a cold that started on Wednesday and hit hard on Thursday.  So I have not felt so good the past few days.  I still fill at times that I am on the boat.  I catch myself thrown off balance.  The boat was very smooth but somehow going from sea to shore is hard to do.

Mom came over yesterday with some pictures.  It is funny how she ended up with some pictures I didn't have. 

I like this picture.  Garrett is forever measuring us to see who is taller.  Well I think he has me beat.  By the way he is only 11. 

This is the beautiful waters at Castaway Cay.  Why can't Myrtle Beach look like this.  I don't think I would mind my children swimming in the water if I could see them.  I love warm sun, sand between by toes, and crystal blue water.  My favorite place to be. 

Well today is back to planning for our school week next week, studying a sunday school lesson, meeting a schedule, washing more clothes, and cooking meals.  I want to keep this care free attitude even though real life is creeping back in to my life.  I have the Disney boat as my Desktop Background to help me stay focused on tropical sun, sand, and fun.

Vacation

What a fun time we had on the "Mickey Boat" as Ella called it.  We just got home last night.  I forgot how much fun a cruise was.  Pampered and treated so well.  Everything whenever you want it.  Here are a few pictures of our vacation on the Disney Cruise.

This is at our hotel the day before we left.  Ella was learning to swim in the freezing pool.  We left home about 3:30 am to get to mom's house to leave by 4:00am to drive 8-1/2 hours to Florida.  It was great to get out of the car and swim for awhile even though it was overcasted and a freezing pool.

Our resturant we ate at with meme, Joseph and Ella.

We walked down to the beach after dinner.  Seth and Ella were playing in the water.  Did I remind you that it was overcasted, freezing and windy?  This is not what I signed up for when we decided to take a vacation in Florida.

On the boat.  The terminal where we loaded the boat is in the background.

The moment Ella was waiting for - MICKEY - she visited a few hundred characters or so.  She loved everyone.  Every character she thought she would see, she did.

Mickey was everywhere. Even in our waffles for breakfast

Garrett has a story about this picture.

Ella swimming in Mickey's ear at the Mickey pool.  The water in the Mickey pool was heated to a toasty 81 degrees. 

This is where Seth spent most of his time.  The Goofy pool which had this huge TV screen which showed movies and videos while you swam. 

Seth decided to snorkel in Castaway Cay.  What a nice island.  We spent the entire day in the sun and sand.  We had a BBQ on the island that day.

I realized that my camera has been flipped to sephia tone so all my picture on the island are not so good.  But once we were one the ship and sailing away did I find the color button again.  This is Mom, Ella and Seth looking at Castaway Cay as we were sailing away.  Incredible place.

This is Seth and Ella heading to the Pirate night.  The entire night was focused on Pirates of the Caribbean since we were in the Caribbean.  Fantastic fun.  There was a deck party that night.  Mickey even perpelled down on a zip line and then firework were shot from our boat.  Only Disney!!  Top notch.

Ella meeting her favorite princess Snow White in her Snow White dress.  She met four princesses on the boat.  She was fasinated with them.

God showed off to us in many ways with his creation but on our last night as we were heading to dinner this is what he gave us.  A beautiful sunset like only God can do.  In the middle of the ocean on a huge ship, God showed off.  What a spectacular sight, especially in person.

Back on dry land and in port off the boat.  What a great vacation.  My children are already asking if we can go back next year.  Great fun and memories for years to come.  Unbelievable.  Thanks for a great trip Mom. 

Garrett is not in many pictures because he spent most of his days with his out and about group which he loved.  He did so many cool games, activities and events.  He met some great friends from England, Georgia, and even North Carolina Raleigh area.  I realized it was time to let go so he could begin to spread his wings just a little.  Hard to do but great rewards will come later as he is released alittle at a time.  He can't stop talking about all the cool things he did just he didn't have mom right there to take pictures of it all.

Ready to go again!!!!

One of those things

As a child, I loved to snuggle in warm towels from the dryer. 

One of the things my children love is clean warm towels that have just come out of the dryer.  Well I took the warm towels to Ella on the couch.  She was watching a movie.  The next thing I knew was . . .

she was asleep.  Her new thing is to say, "I'm not tired.  I don't need a rest."  Moms know best.  She does need a nap and if it takes a movie and warm towels to get it done.  So be it.  I will pull all my tricks out of the bag.  It is great to be a mom. 

May the tradition of warm towels carry over to Ella's children one day.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter.  We read some great scripture as a family.  We learned about Ash Wednesday, Lent, Resurrection (we learned to spell it and Ella learned to spell JESUS), Passover, Maudy Thursday (John 13:34-35), Good Friday or God's Friday and Hot Cross Buns, and then EASTER.  We had a wonderful Easter day at home.  Just lovely.  This is probably the first Easter in a long time that we have had the day at home just to enjoy our family.  We played, we napped (after getting up so early for Sonrise service) and we enjoyed home.

Well . . . 1st try

Well . .   2nd try

Well . .   3rd try

I give up trying to get a great family picture.  HELP!!! 

So blessed with a wonderful husband and very personality filled children.  Life is good.

New Life

Seth has a new life.  His new birthday is March 31, 2010. 

When we got home from church Wednesday night, he called me in his room.  He shared that he wanted to give his life to Jesus and be baptized.  We talked for a little while longer and asked some questions.  Then right in his own bedroom, he prayed the sinner's prayer and ASKED JESUS IN HIS HEART.  What a grand day for his parents.  We are so proud of you Seth.  He will go down front on Easter Sunday.  Baptism will be scheduled for sometime later.

Seth gave his heart to Jesus at 8 years old.  March 31, 2010

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"  Romans 3:23

"For God so loved that world, that he gave his only

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through

Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that

God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."  Romans 10:9

Arrived

Well the day has finally come and Garrett has arrived.  This is job that he thinks is really cool.  He has asked on several occasions, "When will I get to do it?"  Wednesday was the day.  He has arrived. 

Well this scares me to death.  I have weighted the pros and cons to this.  He is my size.  One day he will be sitting behind a wheel of a car so I decided this is the smaller version.  Learning to drive 4-wheelers and lawn mowers are the smaller versions of a car.  I have a lawn mower driver in training.  He did a great job and was very careful.  Next time he mows, he will work on the turns.  I have tall grass on all four turns through out the whole yard.  Not a bad job for the first time.