She's graduating!!!

It's hard to believe but my oldest princess is graduating a year early from high school!   We recently made the decision to graduate Chelsea from homeschool this June because she has all of her high school credits finished in addition to 15 college credits (online Bible courses from Baptist Bible College).  We are so grateful to God that He has given us strength and wisdom these past 12 years to begin the homeschooling journey with her and to finish it as well.  Chels is a beautiful young lady inside and out and we are excitedly planning for the big celebration.  Grandparent's plane tickets have been bought, a dress ordered (her dream was to own a full length dress for the occasion), photographer for senior portraits hired, announcements and diploma ordered and the beginnings of decorations put together :)  It is fun to create a ceremony and party that will reflect her unique style and we are looking forward to the big day and hoping that friends and family can be there to share in this milestone.  God has worked marvelously to provide a way for Chelsea to continue taking college classes with very little cost..she will continue to work toward a Bible degree and be at home to continue her ministry to her family as well as her ministry in our church as pianist and Awana leader.

I reflect back to a time in 2005 when I knew that adding to our family through adoption would mean that I would most likely not be able to work to help pay for the older kids to go to college...we wondered then how God would provide..especially since the adoption expenses would take all of our savings away.  God knew and He had a plan that was just right for our family and for Chelsea ..and we thank Him for the amazing gift that this is for her to take classes online and how He's given her the ability to do dual enrollment this past year to learn more about college.  Combining Chelsea's love for writing, Bible classes, the computer and being able to do it from our living room...only God could so uniquely create something so well suited for our daughter and we thank Him!

He is no fool

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose”  Jim Elliott

I have been thinking after a particularly difficult morning in our home about this idea...of taking up our cross to follow Jesus.  Sometimes I read about the missionaries who gave up their very lives to reach a group of people and I'm inspired...forgetting that each day I'm called to the same loss of life.  Maybe it's not death here, but it is loss of things that are important to me.

Matthew 10:38-39 says: ³⁸ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

and later in that same passage He says:  ⁴² And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

I am reminded today that I share in common something with those who have gone before me on the road of suffering...a chance today to take up my cross and follow Him...and not by going overseas right now but by living faithfully with His strength alone to do the job before me.  I must die to self and what I wish my family or my life looks like..and give a cold cup of water to those in my life who need it remembering that Jesus did far more than that for me.  I am no fool....to give what I cannot keep to gain what I can not lose...

The Mickey Adventure Day 8 and 9

It was our last day in Disney and we were definitely beginning to feel the exhaustion!!  Chels was super invigorated today by the extreme heat but the rest of us were not as much!!  We chose to use our last day in Epcot.  The older kids convinced us that all of us could endure the Soarin' ride..it was fun..once we landed back on the ground (Rick and I kept saying..how do you hold on if your palms are so sweaty!).

 (Notice the little green thing..we affectionately call a "bug stopper" after yesterday's bug in the chai incident!) We decided to split up and let the older kids ride Mission Space (they were supposed to just ride the tamer version but called us and asked to go on the more difficult one..so we let them..and 2 were green and dizzy the rest of the day!)  We enjoyed a saving exhibit, a fire safety and storm safety exhibit as well with the little kids.

They pretended to be asleep in the play house and then I would pretend to be the fire alarm and they would crawl out to a meeting spot.

We found a neat calm boat ride in the Mexico exhibit that we all enjoyed.  We also enjoyed time in the China exhibit where Chels found some egg rolls, we shopped and saw the tomb soldiers as well as watched a video about China that was enjoyable for our whole gang.  We were all tired and hot (and some of us dizzy) but Chels wanted to at least walk by all of the countries in Epcot so we kept going!!  Eventually we made it back around and all decided that it was time to go.  The little ones wanted to do Spaceship Earth one last time and then to do the monorail for fun as our last thing in Disney.

Cam waving "goodbye" to Disney!

After surviving a hot day, we stopped at McDonalds for some cool treats!  We returned to the house to pack and ordered pizza and had a final swim before our early bedtime.  

The air conditioning wasn't working that night and it was pretty hot so we were kind of thankful when the alarms went off at 5am the next morning!  God was gracious to us and we were able to make it out at 6am.  We drove 16 hours and made it back in just one day to our home in IL.  The kids did very well on the trip and we all collapsed into bed as soon as the van was unloaded.  We went to bed happy for the special memories of our time together and for His many blessings to be with us and to have provided so amazingly for us to be able to finally take this trip!!!

The Mickey Adventure Day 7

Today someone stopped us when Corey was crying hysterically and said "what is wrong with the little prince?" and I just smiled and said "this is day 6 at Disney" and the worker smiled knowingly :) :)

We got up a bit earlier to see if we could be at Magic Kingdom when it opened.  It was fun because we took the monorail there and went through the Contemporary hotel right above Chef Mickey's where we had eaten earlier in the week.  We arrived in time to watch all of the Disney characters coming by train and to see them arrive at the opening gate with songs and dancing :)  It was one of the many times today we were in the right place at the right time!!

The lines were very short so we were able to ride many of our favorites in a short period of time.  Cam loves the "shooting one"..Buzz Lightyear. 

Caleb's happy look before the ride when I gave him the chance to redeem his loss to me at Toy Story Mania...except that by some miracle I hit 4 high scoring targets and got over 400,000 points..beating him..again :)

Snack time while the older kids rode Space Mountain and Astro Orbiter.  Then from up above Tomorrowland while we were on the People Mover ride we saw Buzz Lightyear!!!  Cam has been very excited about the characters so we got in line and got pictures!  He is always a bit shy when we take the photos but loves it all the same :)

 My favorite ride is still "It's a Small world"..I resisted the urge to buy a snow globe that sings the song..for fear it might drive the rest of my family insane..but it makes me smile :)

Christian age 12

Caleb age 14

Chelsea age 16

Cameron age 5 1/2

Caelyn age 7

Corey age 5

We enjoyed being able to get there in time to hop on a few rides that are popular before it got crowded and hot (it's uncharacteristically hot here in Florida for this time of year..I think 80 was going to be the high for the day!!)  We happened upon an afternoon show around the castle that was fun to watch and the little kids got gummy Mickeys to enjoy :)  We went back to the house for about 2 hours before returning to the Magic Kingdom in the evening.

The crowds were very low so we let Corey and Cam walk together holding hands...so stinkin' cute!!!

We enjoyed a "to-go" dinner at Chickfila and then rushed back to our last night at Magic Kingdom!!  We attempted a few more family photos (with a crane in the background as this is the time of year when they are fixing things around Disney) and finished our evening with a last time Carousel of Progress ride (we had the theater to ourselves) and then a final fireworks before slowly leaving the park..just magical.. we left with thankfulness in our hearts..knowing the time was coming to an end but just so thankful for God giving us this time together as a family.  HE was so amazing to give us wonderful weather and good health and strength!

The Mickey Adventure Day 6

The kids paying close attention to the tram driver's instructions to take off their hats and sunglasses :)  We got up a bit earlier to head to Animal Kingdom and were not sure what to expect since we hadn't been there before.  We arrived just as it opened and headed for a few rides the older kids wanted to be on in hopes of getting Fast passes.

 A big toad right as we entered the park.

Caleb and the gigantic Tree of Life.

We headed toward Dinoland and found that there were no people in line for the rides so Caleb and Chels went on the Dinosaur ride and we found this little dinosaur ride for Christian and the younger kids with no waits!  Then Christian found a Primeval Whirl ride that he was allowed to ride continuously..he was so excited to have the ride mostly to himself!  We really liked the overall feel of this Disney park..it was like a shaded zoo in most areas, had easily marked signs and paths making a map only slightly necessary and it was fairly peaceful.

This is how the teens looked after Dinosaur..said it was the scariest thing they had ever done!  

Awesome Dads ride dinosaurs when they hate motion rides even when the zany 7 year old is in charge of the joystick in the back...

We loved the Kilimanjaro Safari and seeing all of the animals up close!

Caelyn and Corey share a tender moment while waiting in line!  She was being so sweet and helping him learn the Disney characters on her shirt to keep him busy.

This was hilarious..the baby elephant was acting nutty and chasing birds which made everyone laugh!  The older kids wanted to watch It's a Bug's Life which was too scary for the little ones so we took a snack break and met a few ducks (Caelyn tried to tell me to offer our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as a peace offering...)

Our favorite parts of today were seeing the Finding Nemo musical and then running across the park to hope to get into the Lion King show (which was starting in 5 minutes).  We made it and were given front row seats due to Corey's pass and it was hands down our favorite show of all of Disney!!!  It was a great way to end our morning there.  We then headed over to Downtown Disney to the Lego store and enjoyed various stores including a toy store that had Mr Potato head parts!!  Afterwards we enjoyed using a gift card for Cracker Barrel for dinner.  Then we returned home to do some swimming before bedtime and afterwards noticed that Caelyn's face rash that had started yesterday after swimming was getting worse and now the boys and Chels had some rash too.  We have decided that it probably is due to something with the pool water so we are hoping we can get it fixed tomorrow (and sent some kids to bed with Benadryl).

(I was surprised to receive a message during the opening of Finding Nemo..from my sweet date)

Cam got to the Star Wars lego section and said "that what I talking about.."  That kid makes me smile!  He asked Christian for some buying advice and now keeps asking "how long regular home" because he knows his mama won't let him open it to we return home :)

*Corey says "look mom..I did it..I didn't get all fussy-ated (frustrated)"  I was so proud of him and it was adorable the way he said it.  He was proud of himself since the first time he tried to put together the lego it didn't work and so he threw it.  This was a big deal for him so we took a picture to celebrate!

A serious game of checkers at Cracker Barrel.