The Kid's Favorites

As promised, I will highlight what each of the kids liked most at Disney World. Pete and I loved everything- we truly can't say what was the best. Just watching our children have so much fun and seeing the looks on their faces as they explored each park was priceless.

Katie said she liked the "Festival of the Lion King" show at Animal Kingdom. Thanks to a friend, I had heard that this was a must see. The show was spectacular. Sorry the pictures didn't turn out too good, but I am getting a better camera soon.

Andrew liked the "Tom Sawyer Island" we rafted out to. We could have spent a whole day there, exploring all the amazing trails, tree-houses and kiddie play area. There even was a place to play Checkers. I was a little nervous as we walked over a rickety bridge because Drew had fallen on one in preschool (as stated in a previous post), but we ventured well.

Can you believe that out of all the parks, scary roller-coaster rides, spectacular firework shows and parades, Nicholas still liked swimming at the hotel the best? This really does not surprise me because when I was a kid the swimming pool was always my favorite part of our vacation!

P.S. Don't worry. Drew and I went to the coolest video arcade while they went swimming.

We're Back!

We had the most magical, fun, exciting, yet exhausting time at Disney World. Here are a few of the more than 250 pictures I took. I was just so excited to update you I could not wait another minute. So, when I get a chance to go through the photos, I will post more on the blog.
I don't even know where to begin, the trip was so awesome. Despite Drew's broken arm and Nick's cold (which we all have now), we managed to visit four theme parks and experience most of the highlights at each one (and nobody got lost- YAHOO). I have not walked that much in a very long time! We rode some of the best rides, saw some wonderful shows, and the fireworks at night- well those were beautiful and breathtaking.
Since it is the middle of the night (I was woken up by Katie who is coughing), I will stop for now and say, "Good night- I'm glad to be back." But tomorrow I will let you know what the highlights were, post more pictures and share with you what the kids loved most. How have you been?

Pictures from the Zoo

Here's Nicholas with his good friend who lives right down the street. They love to play together!

What a look! So very cute...

Of course, we could not keep the kids away from the petting zoo. Thank goodness no pigs were around. And, yes, we washed those hands (scrubbed them, in fact).

Down the Pole

Nicholas is so funny ...and mischievous, but so darned cute he gets away with it. When I pick the kids up from school, he is usually one of the first ones out the door, and he stops by a pole, steps on the bench and slides down the pole, like a fireman. Today I told him he'd better not do that- he could get in trouble if a teacher saw him. Do you know what he said?

"Well, mom, I always do that when the time is right."

I said, "And when is that?"
"When the teachers aren't looking."
That's my Nicholas!

My youngest is also a sweetheart. Last night when I was putting Nicholas to bed, he started crying because he misses Sadie, our yellow lab so much. We had to put her to sleep right before Thanksgiving. He saw this picture of Pete with her that Pete is going to take to work. Poor guy cried and cried. We said a special prayer and asked God to pet her for us in dog heaven. I know Mary is petting her- she was such a dog lover. We miss them both!

ACTS Retreat and Mother's Day

WOW! This is the only way I can think to describe my wonderful, spiritual-filled weekend on the ACTS retreat. I left Thursday to go on this retreat full of anxiety and with the weight of the world (or so it seemed) on my shoulders and left Sunday morning as light as a feather (except retaining water from all the awesome food) filled with love and hope. You see, I had spent all week trying to help a sick friend, trying to take care of my family, get groceries for Ms. Angelle, worrying that I had a brain tumor or something with all that MRI mess, and the list goes on. I was tired. This retreat was just what I needed, at the right time, to rejuvinate my soul. Don't get me wrong- I did not get much sleep. They kept us up late and woke us early so that we could get everything done. But the fact I was able to get away from my stressful life, lay my burdens out and hand them over to God, made me feel as if I had gotten a great sleep. I also met some wonderful new people and made a lot of new friends. I know I have a new list of people I can call at anytime, and they will be here for me.

The above picture is my roomie for the retreat and me. God put us together for a very special reason and I feel blessed to have roomed with Kathleen. The picture below is my prayer partner, Tami. She is a wonderful, spiritual woman who has her deal of challenges in life and I admire and respect her so much. Again, I think God had a hand in matching us and I am so grateful.

Next, is what the four of us jokingly called the "LORI/LAURIE double-decker sandwich" because there were four with the same name- two of us with the spelling "Laurie" and two with the spelling "Lori"- what fun! Then, the next picture is of two dear friends that were across the hall from me- Victoria and Lori.

When I finally got to see my family at church, I was so happy to see them. I missed the kids and Pete so much! We had a great mother's day together and then went to my sister's house to celebrate some more. Below is a picture of the moms in my family- me, mom and Molly. I love them very much! I hope all you moms out there had a wonderful weekend, too.