Dunkin on a Saturday Morning

Saturday means one thing to our family... DOUGHNUTS! Mommy meets a group of her friends for a early morning (6am) run, usually about 9- 10 miles and then picks up doughnuts for the family. I inevitably get a call about 5 minutes from home from Pace inquiring about my return and making sure I have the doughnuts. We have been doing this for months so you would think he would not doubt the package of pure sugar arriving with mommy, but like any other 4 year old, he just needs reassurance in some areas, this just happens to be about doughnuts!
So in I walk to a house with three kiddos 4 and under all in pjs, with sippy cups in hand and excitement oozing from their little bodies. Daddy has a cup of coffee ready and the table set. It is great! Here is how is plays out, Pace always gets four doughnuts. He eats only the tops off the doughnuts, carefully manuvering his way around all the frosting and sprinkles. Dash orders a chocolate stick and double chocolate frosted. He has one in both hands and takes alternating bites. Scout she doesn't really have a method down yet, she really just dives in and keeps going until her stomache can't hold it anymore. I always try to sit with just a piece of toast or something healthy but end up dunking something in my coffee at some point. Daddy, eats all leftovers and a few of his own. We talk about what we want to do that day, pray, discuss any things we need to get done like housework, projects and then always opt to skip the work and hit the beach or pool. It is $6.99 for a dozen doughnuts and is worth every penny to see the frosted lips, chaotic doughnut highs for the following hour as sugar invades their blood streams and a great beginning to a weekend God has given us!

Disney World or Vortex

Over the past few days, I was able to spend some time with one of my bestest friends and her kiddos in Disney. Tracey and I took our children to Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and had a blast. However, I have a few points of wisdom (or maybe not wisdom but opinions) of this vortex created by good ol' Walt...

1.Nothing in Disney takes less than 45 minutes except for the actual ride which is less than 45 seconds... checking into your hotel room, finding your hotel room, actually getting into a park (parking, tram,monorail, tickets...), getting a meal, waiting in line

2.Parents lose all parental instincts once in the vortex, its like they forget that kids can't walk for miles, they can't live on ice cream, cotton candy and popcorn for 6 hours without real food, they can't have all five senses fully overloaded without the need of a nap, and they can't comprehend that you have spent a minumum of 300.00 for your trip and they better appreciate it with no whining, tantrums, full attention and a happy face. C'mon they are kids!

3. Every Disney ride exits through a gift shop, so every time you ride you then have the joy of ripping your child out of a shop full of characters and toys all related to the very experience you just hyped them up for while in line for 45 minutes.

Disney brings out the child in each of us. It is a place where you can truly see things through your kids eyes. I remember my trips to Disney and how huge and magical the place looked. I remember my dad coaching me through my first trip on space mountain and the pride I had when I stepped off the ride. I remember staring at the castle wondering if Cinderella was looking out at me. I remember my dad carrying me on his shoulders all over the park. I remember pictures with the characters. It is such an awesome experience to think about how my children see this place, how they will one day come as adults and see it through their children's eyes with the memories of our trips navigating their thoughts.

Like any other vortex, you are sucked in, but with Disney it is a blessing to be there at all.

She said yes

This is my sister getting engaged last night... her fiancee is awesome and I am so happy to have him as a brother in- law. He is such a great guy, loves my sister dearly and will be a great addition to our family! Can't wait to get started on the wedding plans!

Check this out...

Our church launched their new website...it is really cool! Lyndsey needs some kudos as it was a big task! Please pray for our new building and staff as we approach the big move. It is so cool to see how God is working in this church. You can check our testimony on the website too!

Lights,Camera...

Action. We had our first family movie night at CCJ. It was great. It was the second event for our new area of ministry. We rented out the local middle school cafeteria/ auditorium and set up a large movie screen. Everyone brought blankets, pillows and drinks. We provided popcorn. The kiddos had a blast, some watched, some at popcorn, some played ball, other kiddos wandered around. Parents talked, played, relaxed and fellowshipped. Total stressfee event for all ages! It was such a blessing to spend time with my family and others. It was a great start to the summer and this awesome ministry!

Kickball and summer fun

Wohoo, summer is on its way. Growing up a native in south florida, I am one of the few that LOVE summer time! I love the really long days, sitting in the pool, going to the beach, grilling out almost every day, Annie's ice, hot runs in the early morning, the anticipation of college football, vacations... and on and on. Most of my best childhood memories are from summer. And after the last few nights, I think my kids' best memories will be from summer too!
We are blessed to live on a cul de sac that we share with my brother and sister in- law. They have three kids. During these late afternoons, the kids will play until 8 at night. They build forts, play toss up and tackle, ride bikes and everything else they can think of. No TV, no video games, ipods or anything else electronic!!! For the past three years we have had nightly kickball games. Last night we had adults vs. kids. Even Trent's parents got in on the action. We had people riding by on their bikes stopping in and getting in on the action. The youngest player was Dash (2 1/2) and the oldest was Charlie (wont say his age- but he is the patriarch of the Edwards' family). We had 3 generations going at it. We played forever and laughed hysterically. There were tears, high fives, giggles, hugs and everything else that comes with healthy competition. Memories aren't bought, or given as reward for good behavior and they aren't going to go out of style. Memories are one of the best gifts you can give your children. They are the things that your children look back at and grasp onto when they begin to doubt their place in the world. They are the things that show them God's love. They are the things they will use to teach the next generation about family ties. Memories are all we have to hold onto when time keeps ticking. Make sure yours are ones your children and parents will treasure.