Fabulous and 35

I had a fun birthday.  Starting with dinner Friday night, with some of my best friends.  I got a few gifts...

Some imported English chocolate, a Jack Wills gift card, coconut fudge and Pureology shampoo ($$$)!!

We went for hibachi, which is a huge flat hot plate and they cook the food in front of you...

(No, it's not all mine!!)

After waking up at my leisure on Saturday, Scott and the kids came home, bringing breakfast sandwiches!  We also enjoyed cake...

It's a chocolate cake with salted caramel icing.  Delicious.  Made by my friend and baking fiend Katie!

It was a little unique this year as we have a guest visiting for the weekend.  I met Kendall on Facebook.

She is 29, mom to 18mth old Easton, a little boy with Moebius.  We've been pals for around a year I think, but never met until she flew in Friday for a weekend.

Her son has club feet which adds to the challenge of Moebius so it has been encouraging for her to meet Emma.

Kendall's from Nashville, so today we did a little sightseeing...

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Some wild turtles in the river!

And the Rocky steps...

Emma was behind but kept going

Then we went to IKEA to browse!

But stopped in Philly for a classic picture!

And home for more junk food!

Apparently it's all downhill (or at least gravity is stronger) after 35, so I'll be back on the workouts Monday!!

35 and on

Is it really possible for life to get better with each passing year?  Not easier, not less complicated, just better.  More joy found, more love given and received, greater freedom, increased peace.

As I turn 35, my answer is yes.  I'm not comparing my life to anyone else's, just to where I was and what I thought would happen.

Every journey has a destination, and when you are sure you're heading in the right direction it leaves time to enjoy the scenery, live in the moment and embrace the new experiences and people you meet.

I had dinner last night with my closest girl friends.  Women who have chosen to love me, support me and include me in their lives.  It was awesome.  I did not need to pretend I was someone else, I was not worried about offending anyone, and I laughed so much my face hurt!

Scott not only took responsibility for watching the kids so I could go out, he arranged for them to stay out all night, so in the morning there would be no getting rudely awoken.

And that's why having him in my life has been the best gift!  He gets it.  He gets me!!  It's not money or presents or wild gestures. It's being known, loved and cherished.  I'm so thankful.

Here's hoping for another year pressing forward, moving along and growing each day!

Time for some Magic!

We tried to apply some of the lessons from the first two parks and be strategic in the first of two days at Magic Kingdom!  Just planning for two days instead of cramming with one was strategic and by all accounts is the way to go.  So many people don't get around the whole park in one day.

Our plan was to head to two of the lands this time, and then cover the rest next time.  It made the day less stressful, which was good because it was hot!!

One thing that I thank God for was that the kids had such a great attitude all the time.  They got along well and switched who they sat with, or played with.  The boys often stayed with my parents because they were too small (or chicken - Toby!) to go on what the rest of us did!

First order of business, the obligatory "selfie" pictures!!

Caitlin and I opted for pouty "duckface"!!

Emma and I were a little less serious!!

Emma asked for this shot after I took one of Caitlin!

Fast passes are crucial at Disney - three queue-jumping passes that you can select ahead of time.  Scott and Jon were champs at handling this and while they sorted stuff out, Dad and the kids let off steam!

Another Toy Story ride, followed by our attempt to contain the kids!

Emma was a daredevil at Disney.  She wanted to go on everything and showed no fear!

That's Space Mountain, and it is a roller coaster in total darkness.

We got to see it with the lights on and it looked formidable!  Didn't stop Em riding it - in a single-file seat!!  And she loved it!!

 The sedate moving train gave us all a break!  Boys in one car...

Girls in the other!

Picture time with "Stitch"

And although Caitlin refused to take any pictures with characters, she had no choice with this one!  (She secretly loved it and even bought a big soft Stitch!)

 The Raceway was right up Toby's alley, and not "too fast" for him!

Emma drove our car (on a track of course!)

Toby drove Scott!

The Dumbo ride was a must and Toby was excited to do it!  

Teacups, another favorite, but the spinning made me very nauseous!!

Everyone benefited from the double stroller at some point!  You couldn't tell these cousins had not grown up together.  They were the best.

We waited in line for an hour to see Ariel!  That was probably the hardest one!

Emma joined in a dance party with The Incredibles before we left.  My mum did too, but I won't post pictures!  ;)

Day 1 of Magic Kingdom, done.

Zoo trip

Today was the zoo trip for Emma's entire grade!  12 classes of 24 kindergarteners, all joining many other area schools at the zoo for a couple hours.  Taking the zoo to the zoo!!

The kids were given a list of 30 animals to see if they found them - including a unicorn!  Interestingly Emma had been saying she her favorite animals were flamingoes (!) and unicorns.  Of course I informed her they weren't real, so the inclusion on the list gave her hope, which I happily crushed.

It was both of our first time on an iconic American school bus.

The 30+ minute drive at speed through the city was not what these vehicles were built for and I ended up with slight nausea and a pounding headache, like a bad fairground ride!

Even so, we paired up with friend Mia and her mom to catch as many species as we could.  If it wasn't on the list we sped past!  Not really a pleasurable time, but fun enough!

We saw a mating ritual from a peacock

The dance was interesting and I videoed it!

Emma saw her flamingoes

We saw vampire bats and rattlesnakes!  A little hedgehog

It was quite an experience, but the girls seemed to have fun!

Break Day

We took a break after Hollywood for some rest and relaxation.  While the rest of the family went to a Disney water park, we went to play mini-golf and enjoy the pool at the house.  

We didn't get tickets to water parks because our kids can't swim, or at least they couldn't...!

Here it is again if you couldn't see that!

Hard work for a little girl, and just a step in her love affair with the water!  She would be a mermaid if she could.

Later all the kids pinned Scott down!

This is Toby and his self-professed "girlfriend" Evie last night at the Easter service!

They are the cutest and get along perfectly.  We'll have to see if it lasts!  Luckily we're great friends with her parents!!

Easter Pics

We took the annual Easter picture of Emma and Nate today, and they've grown so much!

The kids also got their pictures taken with Aunt Kim

And our friend Katie (honorary family member!)

Happy Easter

Religion is often born out of faith , but becomes preoccupied with rules and activities, with a goal of self-obtained salvation in mind.

Christianity is about knowing who Jesus is, why he is worth following and then building a relationship with Him day by day.  

Someone has to pay the price for your sin. Will it be you, or Jesus?

Understand that salvation is a gift, freely given but at a high price.  And what response is there, in return, but to repay Him with our life, in service and worship.

Sometimes, in following after Jesus we can fall in to patterns or routines.  It's usually because of a lack of imagination but we must be careful to remember that it's through his love that we are set free, not our abilities.

It's a fine line.  

Today we celebrate His sacrifice, His victory and His love - without which we would have no chance.