...is Girls Day Out

While Jason was on a much anticipated camping trip with his cousin Justin this past weekend (getting carried away with the gnats), the girls and I spent the day playing on Saint Simons Island. And what a day! We started out at our FAV establishment: the mighty Starbucks. Chocolate milk for Jordy, hot chocolate for Kendall, and an Iced Mocha for mommy. Mmmm....common denominator: CHOCOLATE.

Next we played putt-putt at the Pier.

Then, after perusing at the library book sale, modeling jewelry at Go Fish and eating at Brogan's, we drove down to 'Goule's Inlet' beach to put our toes in the water. As an added bonus, we actually got to see a wedding, which completely thrilled Kendall. She is so enamored with Brides that she is going to dress up like one for Halloween this year. (Jason just keeps reminding her that it will be at least 25 more years before he will actually walk her down the isle!)

We ended our our adventures at the coolest little bakery and Ice-cream parlor. I read somewhere that you can learn a lot about someone by the way they eat their ice-cream. If that's true then here's my synopsis:

Jordy embraces life with everything she's got and doesn't hesitate to take risks. With an ALL or nothing attitude, she's a girl who knows what she likes. "Bring it on" or "Carpe Diem" might be her motto. She hits the floor running full throttle. Her cuteness will melt you and her zest for life will revive you. Laughter is her favorite activity (with eating coming up as a close second).

Kendall savors each moment, taking life in moment by moment, pacing herself. She's cautious, thoughtful, purposeful, and caring. She feels deeply, loves faithfully, and shares freely. Her motto might be "All you need is love" or "Two are better than one". She does not bite off more than she can chew (literally and figuratively) and likes to move at her own pace, slow and steady and sometimes dramatically.

...is singing

The most beautiful sound in the world is two little girls singing at the top of their lungs in the backseat of the car: "All things are possible (clap, clap, clap, clap) All things are possible (clap, clap, clap, clap)..." Pure delight, my friends, pure delight!

...is when I grow up

The girls and I try to read a devotional each night before bed in addition to the several books each girl picks out. They usually want to breeze right through it to get to 'their' books. But, this particular night, we landed on a topic that seemed to fascinate them. It was about frogs and how they grow from an egg, to a tadpole, then a froglet, and eventually a full-grown frog. They liked the froglet part. Anyway, we were asked the question "what do you want to do when you grow up?" Oh, out of the mouths of babes.

Jordan said she wanted to be a chef. I told her that would be fun to share fabulous food with people. She said, "Yeah, I will be the chef at McDonald's" to which I said (in the mommy, high pitch tone) "that's cool. Maybe you can make some really healthy food for them one day." Uh-hmm.

Kendall said that she wanted to be the leader of a church. Whoa!, didn't see that one coming. Acting, singing, fashion designer- that I was expecting. I quickly regained my composure. Then I remembered a prayer that a dear friend prayed over me and Kendall when she was in the womb. She prayed that Kendall would be a leader to her generation, bringing God's Word to the hungry and hurting.

So, both of my girls want to feed the hungry. It will be fun watching God's plan unfold in their lives!

...is Orlando- Part 2

Friday morning was D-Day- DISNEY WORLD! We had a great time and the best thing was we did not have to wait in line for the rides. I mean, it was uncanny. We literally walked right onto rides like Peter Pan, The Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion. The only ride we waited in was the Dumbo ride and Jason was so eager for that one, that we just had to do it. 

Kendall was in there, too.

 The kids met Mickey and Minnie and Donald and Goofy.

This was a trip to remember. Alec skipped along with great merriment, Jason nearly got his head eaten off, and we got drenched from head to toe during one of Florida's infamous afternoon showers. 

And finally, here are a few of my favorite pictures:

...is Orlando- Part 1

We loaded the mighty wagon with snacks, comfortable shoes, and a ton of sunblock to head south, Orlando bound, on Thursday along with Nani & Papa (my parents) and Aunt Sis, Uncle Alec, and cousins- Hannah, Haley, and Caleb. We stayed at the Gaylord Palms resort and spent the afternoon playing in the pool.

I took Jordy down, once. She didn't like the slide

Caleb (5), Jordan (3), Kendall (51/2), Hannah (10), Haley (8)

What daddy's are best at!

Jordan put on a modeling show. She wanted to show me her "moves".

Thursday night, we went to Downtown Disney at ate supper at Wolfgang Puck's.

Life as I know it is...Nighttime 

Every night before I go to bed, I sneak into the girls’ rooms to check on them. Some nights I pray and other nights I just kiss them on the cheek, and some nights I just can’t resist taking a picture of them. They just make me smile. They are so innocent, abandoned, trusting, and yes, Kendall is still accessorizing (I even think she's wearing lip gloss). 

All the crazy moments in our day just fade away--the stubborn will or not listening, the tattling, whining, or ‘attitude’--It all just erases, and I all I feel is this intense delight for them, a fierce desire to protect them, and an ernest prayer for them to realize their worth. We are restored and there is no shame; the slate in wiped clean and we can begin a fresh new day tomorrow. They are my beloved daughters.

Then it occurred to me one night that God sees us like this. He sees us at our weakest and most vulnerable, during the darkest moments of life. And He beams with delight for us. He may sing us a song, kiss us on the cheek, or whisper ‘I love you’, ‘I have chosen you’, ‘I am mighty to save you’. He doesn’t see how we failed to remember Him during the day or judged someone or willfully disobeyed. No, He sees Jesus’ righteousness clothing us. He embraces us and we are restored. No shame because a new morning is coming. We are God’s beloved children.

“If I make my bed in the depths, You are there!” Psalm 139:8 I say, bring on the night, God, that the morning may come! 

Life as I know it...is blogging

(L-R) Front: Kara, Kelly
Back: Suzanne, Rebecca, Whitney, and Me

My really great girlfriends blog and I love sharing in their lives through reading their stories. So, my first blog is a tribute the them. They have inspired me to preserve my family’s memories, savor the sweet and funny moments of life, and let others in on my life. More specifically, each one has given me great nuggets of wisdom as I enter the blogging world:

• Whitney’s blog concept as a scrapbook and link to out-of-town family and friends inspired me to start blogging in the first place. I love how she shares every day aspects of her life.
• Kara’s blogging style is practical, witty, and informative. She inspires me to write clearly, get to the point, and try not to mis-spell.
• Kelly blogs in a real, in-the-moment and honest way. I feel as if I can hear her voice when I read her words. I’ve learned from her that I don’t have to write a two-page narrative to capture the essence of the memory; simple is better.
• Rebecca’s blog is written with tender conviction. She shares her stories to preserve memories AND to inspire those who are reading. There’s often a deeper meaning to be gleaned. 
• Suzanne’s blog makes me laugh until I cry with most of her entries. She teaches me the value of looking at the lighter side of life.

Life as I know it...is the title of my blog. I chose this title because it allows me the freedom to write as I am, where I am. I want to share stories about my girls, the funny things they say or just the day-to-day stuff of life with them. I want to brag on my husband. I want to talk about what I’m learning or how God is currently moving me. I want my sweet out of town family and friends to be as connected as possible, to see what life in Brunswick might be like for us. This is it...Life as I know it.