Road Trip!

A few weeks ago Chase's parents graciously invited us to share their condo at Disney. The rain kept us from taking a lot of pictures. Thankfully, we learned that it also kept the heat away.

(Side note: forgive the unedited, straight-off-the-camera pictures)

Magic Kingdom Highlights.....

This is a terrible picture, but unfortunately it is also the only picture of the 3 of us in front of the castle. Lila was a bit overwhelmed and confused by the massive crowds.

I had to snap a quick picture at the Main Street Bakery - my home during my college internship with Disney. It was my last chance before it's converted to a Starbucks.

Lila's favorite ride (not counting the parking trams). Her hand is firmly planted on Dumbo. 

She did NOT want to get off when the ride stopped.

I talked the bigger kids into riding most of the roller coasters with me. Ty and I decided to document our trip on Big Thunder Mountain in the rain.

She loves Minnie Mouse and was enamored with her (from a distance). When we tried to get a picture she just kept saying, "nuh uh". We tried.

Luckily that experience did not affect her love for the mouse. She touched every one of these pillows on display in the gift shop.

We started the second day at Animal Kingdom, thankful to see the sun.

Lila loved to see all of the animals on the safari and the walking trails.

Snack time in the stroller after all that exercise.

Still trying to get one good family picture (now at Hollywood Studios), complete with some teenage boys in the background that think they're pretty awesome. 

Lila's favorite part of this park was the Disney Junior live show (which I was pretty impressed with). She was able to dance along with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters she loves. Then, we all enjoyed a break at the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground.

One of Lila's favorite things (regardless of where we were) was riding in her stroller with the wind in her hair and sitting on all of the curbs and landscape edging. Crazy kid.

We park hopped every day, but below are some pictures from our many trips to Epcot.

Ty and Goofy. Lila, not pictured, is still saying "nuh uh."

Our favorite part of Epcot was eating around the world at all the food carts they had set up for the Flower and Garden Festival. Lila's favorite part was the entire Nemo experience. She loved looking at all of the fish tanks. By the time we made it to the gift shop at the end, she had to touch everything in there. The first thing she picked out was a Nemo pillow.

But when she laid eyes on the Nemo bucket, she promptly threw it over her shoulder and walked right out of the store saying, "bye, bye." Nevermind the fact that we needed to pay for it. The employees were gracious, and we were thankful that she picked the cheap bucket instead of the expensive pillow :)

We had a wonderful time, and couldn't have asked for a better traveling baby.

Easter Rewind

Crucifixion And Resurrection

O Lord,

I marvel that thou shouldst become incarnate,
   be crucified, dead, and buried.
The sepulchre calls forth my adoring wonder,
   for it is empty and thou art risen;
   the four-fold gospel attests it,
   the living witnesses prove it,
   my heart's experience knows it.
Give me to die with thee that I may rise to new life,
   for I wish to be as dead and buried
   to sin, to selfishness, to the world;
   that I might not hear the voice of the charmer,
   and might be delivered from his lusts.
O Lord, there is much ill about me -- crucify it,
   much flesh within me -- mortify it.
Purge me from selfishness,
   the fear of man, the love of approbation,
   the shame of being thought old-fashioned,
   the desire to be cultivated or modern.
Let me reckon my old life dead
   because of crucifixion,
   and never feed it as a living thing.
Grant me to stand with my dying Saviour,
   to be content to be rejected,
   to be willing to take up unpopular truths,
   and to hold fast despised teachings until death.
Help me to be resolute and Christ-contained.
Never let me wander from the path of obedience to thy will.
Strengthen me for the battles ahead.
Give me courage for all the trials,
   and grace for all the joys.
Help me to be a holy, happy person,
   free from every wrong desire,
   from everything contrary to thy mind.
Grant me more and more of the resurrection life:
   may it rule me,
   may I walk in its power,
   and be strengthened through its influence.


THE VALLEY OF VISION
A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

By Popular Demand

All 2 of my readers have been begging for a new video, so here's a recent clip of Lila being silly before bedtime.

All Interpretations Welcome