A Magical Trip

Looking back on our adventure to Disney World in April only makes me want to go back.  We had such a wonderful week.  Jamie was asked to attend a conference in Orlando and a sweet family in our church offered to let him stay at their condo for the week.  We decided it was too great of an opportunity to pass up and added a few days onto the trip so we could take the kids to the most magical place on earth.  The week was filled with visiting the various Disney parks and making some fabulous memories all along the way.   

 The princesses loved to kiss Coop.  He proudly wore their lipstick on his cheek all over the park.

 This was one of my favorite memories...when you wait in line to meet each of the characters, they spend a few minutes interacting with your kids.  Aladdin and Jasmine were by far, the best experience.  Aladdin was really playful and asked Coop what his favorite game was.  Coop answered with hide and seek so he started playing it with him.  It was fun to watch how these actors bring animated characters to life right in front of you.  It seemed exactly like something Aladdin would do.  

 I love this goofy side that Lainey and Cooper have.  They can both get a spoon to balance on their nose...a talent they definitely get from their daddy : )

This was our character breakfast at Hollywood and Vine.  We got to eat with Handy Many, June from Little Einsteins, Special Agent Oso and the highlight of the trip for Cooper was Jake.  

 Story time with Belle was Lainey's favorite.  The kids volunteered to be characters in the story.  Such a cute Mrs. Potts and Chip.

Again, Cooper proudly showing off his princess kisses.  He loved every minute of that.

 Our last afternoon at Magic Kingdom, Cooper was in need of a nap so Jamie took him back to the condo while Lainey and I stayed for some girl time.  We had so much fun meeting the rest of the princesses on her list.

 This is how the kids rode most of the time we were at the parks.  A friend from church let us borrow her awesome, double jogging stroller.  We were so thankful for it because it was a ton of walking...so thankful for my friends with all the Disney World advice.  I wouldn't have known how tiring it is.  Lainey needed the stroller every bit as much as Coop.  Jamie and I wished a few times that there was one in our size : )

Exploring Georgia

 One of my favorite things about moving to a new area is having new territory to explore.  I've never been a homebody.  If we have a family day together, we are usually going to be out and about seeing and doing something.  I think I make my husband tired : )

This is Stars Mill.  It's not far from where we live and was featured in the movie Sweet Home Alabama.  My friends and I in college used to watch the movie a lot.  If you've seen it, you recognize it from the scenes with Jake's glass shop and restaurant.  It's actually an empty building, but has beautiful scenery all around.  We went for a little hike and picnic one Saturday.

 Next, we visited the Atlanta Children's Museum.  We had a great day trying out all the activities and having some relaxing family time.  

Herding Kittens

 Our sweet girl has entered the world of basketball.  Her daddy could not be happier.  I was chatting with one of the Upward volunteers at our church on Saturday during the game and she described basketball at the age of 5 as "herding kittens."  It's a fairly accurate description.  They are so cute and so sweet while they play.  Some of them really get the concept of the game and some of them, bless their hearts, just don't quite get it.  I wish I could report that Lainey was in the first group, but if I'm honest she reminds me a little bit of me out there.  Trying really hard...but about as lost as can be : )

I played city league basketball one season when I was in elementary school.  My dad encouraged me to and I wasn't going to let him down.  Every week, he would take me to my game and I would hear him saying on the sidelines "get in between your girl and the bucket, Nik."  I would be in perfect defensive position, but playing my perfect defense on the wrong side of the girl.  Makes me laugh when I think about it.  I was quite a bit older than Lainey when I was running around out there clueless, so I think maybe there is still some hope for her future WNBA career.  She's learned more each week and has some pretty impressive dribbling skills (thanks to some practice with her daddy.) The best part about it though is that she loves it and gets out there each week and plays her hardest.  We couldn't be more proud of that.

Change is in the Air

 What a whirlwind the past couple of months have been.  So many changes in our little world.  It all began in November when Jamie was contacted by First Baptist Church of Peachtree City, Georgia.  He flew down for the day and had a marathon day of interviews and meetings that ended with a job offer as their Minister of Discipleship.  Jamie and I visited a couple of weekends later and after a wonderful time with their pastor and his wife, felt sure that this is where the Lord was leading us.  About a month later, we all flew to Georgia and the church voted to hire Jamie.  It was our first time flying with the kids, and the trip couldn't have gone better.  

 We arrived to gift bags for all of us in our hotel room.  The people of the church filled the weekend with little, thoughtful things like this.  They made us feel so welcome and so loved.  Such a warm, friendly church that we are excited to be a part of.

 This trip was December 9th and the church wanted Jamie to start just as soon as we could get there.  We decided that we wanted Lainey to start kindergarten when the kids all came back from Christmas break, so we chose to schedule the move just a few days after Christmas.  We picked a house to lease and began making plans that weekend for our return to Georgia.  

The 3 weeks that followed were full of mixed emotions.  We very much loved our time at First Baptist O'Fallon, IL so it was hard on all of us to say goodbye.  FBCO blessed our lives with mentors and friends that will always be dear to us.  I'm leaving out so many details, but overall, we feel confident that this is the right move for our family...that doesn't mean it's without sadness.  But, there is such peace in knowing that you are doing exactly what God wants you to do.  Plus, wouldn't life be boring without these adventures?  I love adventure.  (Not like jumping out of an airplane kind of adventure, more like zip lining kind of adventure.)  So here we go...on our little zip line to Georgia : )

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

 I've crossed a new thing off my bucket list.  Yep, I've officially been a classroom party planner.  I'm not sure why, but it's so fun to me.  I really love being in Lainey's classroom and watching all the dynamics with the kids.  Kindergarten kiddos are just sweet.  It's a precious age.  Hopefully, I'll get to do it again... a lot!

 Here we are with Jamie's family about to eat way too much.  This was a Thanksgiving feast and a really nice day with the family.

 Next, we spent some time with my family.  Lainey and Cooper can't get enough of Uncle Seth.  They think he is pretty great, well, we all do : )

 My Aunt Amy's new puppy Zoe.  Lainey absolutely fell in love with this dog.  We have the exact same kind of dog, but our Bailey is a boy and doesn't wear bows in his hair.  Well, he used to, but then I had a daughter and she filled the need I have for hair bows so Bailey was able to recapture some of his masculinity.  Anyway, Lainey now thinks we need a new puppy.  I may need to get Bailey's bows out again to end this new obsession she has.

 These little guys are two of a kind...Coop and his second cousin Elijah