disney on ice...

On Wednesday our family went to Disney On Ice with one of our most favorite families, the Austs. We have a tradition to do something together as a family for Christmas and this year T suggested we try to get tickets...we scored some great seats for a reasonable price and we had lots of fun!

Before we headed out the kids exchanged gifts...Camryn was very excited for her new Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue movie and Wyatt was thrilled with Mater's Tall Tales, they've watched them a few times! We decided to all ride together which was lots of fun...although Wyatt struggled with the traffic, he's not too patient. The plan was to eat dinner before we got to Staples Center and paid outrageous prices, so K found a Denny's in downtown LA and we had a very fun meal. Then we headed to Staples for the fun...



I am amazed at how festive the LA Live area is by Staples Center...it was fun! Ice skating rink, lots of lights and fun!



The show started and the kids were entranced for the entire thing...Camryn especially. Camryn LOVED it, decided that she was going to be an ice skater when she grows up! The kids had lots of fun with Eisley...and really it was a fun night had by all.







As a family we had a lot of fun as we had never been to a show like that before. Camryn's restrictions have limited what we are allowed to do, and it is such fun to get to do more things! As I watched Camryn thoroughly enjoy the show I was reminded of how much of life has been lost for her and yet she LOVES life. She loves every bit of everything...the music, the stories, the people, the smiles, all of it! I have learned much from my little girl, but I think what she teaches me most is to enjoy. Enjoy the moments that are given...thoroughly enjoy to the fullest.

We are so very thankful for people who love our kids and want to spend time with them. Our lives are richly blessed by friends who invest in the lives of our kids...we are so thankful to create some Christmas traditions that we hope to carry on for years to come.

quote...

As I was sitting in my teacher's meeting this morning, I glance over at a stack of magazines on the table and my eyes found this...

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm." ~ Willa Cather

Probably don't need to explain the significance I found in these few words...

Thankful that even in the most insignificant encounters, reminders of God's faithfulness seem to find me to remind me that He is not finished yet...

Not even close.

the merriest place on earth...

On Sunday we headed to the happiest, now merriest place on earth for the day! We had planned to go in November, but due to rain we had to postpone our trip until yesterday. The day truly did not disappoint...we had a fabulous day!

Camryn enjoys the teacups, me not so much...so, it's a tradition for Daddy and Camryn to enjoy the teacups together. I love watching their smiles and laughs as they spin and spin the teacup...



Camryn wanted to meet Rapunzel. So, we waited in a line, a very long line. While we waited Camryn read her new Tangled book, it was darling watching her read and her eyes scan the pages...and yes, she was really reading. Camryn loves to read...



Did I mention the line was long? Very long, but totally worth the wait. Wyatt and Daddy joined up with us when it was time to meet Rapunzel and Flynn. I must admit after meeting almost every Disney character Rapunzel and Flynn were some of the nicest! They chatted with the kids, asked questions, signed autographs and even got Wyatt to smile.



What trip to Disneyland isn't complete without cotton candy and popcorn?



My love. I love going to Disneyland with him...he's the best.



The new found favorite...Tom Sawyer's Island, now called Pirates Lair, but still a very cool adventure. Camryn and Daddy went last time, but Wyatt wasn't so sure; this time Wyatt was "brave" as he told us. The kids loved it and had lots and lots of fun!


Waiting for the Christmas Parade...one of my holiday favorites.





And of course It's a Small World...Camryn and Wyatt both love this ride! We rode it twice and they loved it every time! The ride is quite cute for the holidays and the lights are fantastic.



A fabulous day...nothing says the holidays like Disneyland at Christmastime.

12.11.10...

A little piece of normal found us today and it feels a bit odd; and yet completely wonderful all at once.

Today we ran a couple errands to try to finish our Christmas shopping...we're almost done! Yay...only one more gift to get. As we were picking up a few things and just enjoying being together I caught myself watching us. You know those moments when you feel as though you are watching your life instead of living it...yep, in Target I had that moment. Jason, Camryn, and Wyatt were looking at ornaments and I heard them talking...as I walked over I thought, "they look normal". As we continued through the store it was amazing how my heart just felt like this is life, my life.

We headed home and just hung out the rest of the day...did a little cleaning, laundry, and tidying up. The kids were playing and we were enjoying a very nice day.

Tonight we headed to church...as I have said before church has been a struggle because honestly for the almost 5 years there has only been about a stretch of six months that church was consistent. Now that Camryn can do more, we decided to maybe try to go on Saturday nights since the crowd is a bit smaller and the children's program isn't too full. Camryn has enjoyed the few weeks we have gone and tonight she was thrilled. Evidently she answered questions correctly and won some candy from Teacher Linda. Yep, she is sold on church! :) Wyatt has decided he will give the children's program a try next week...we'll see if he really does it. For now Wyatt hangs out with Jason and me in the balcony coloring. Thankfully the pastor is Jason's dad so he does mind seeing Wyatt upstairs...in fact tonight he said, "I heard Wyatt tonight and that is great!"

As we drove home and the kids chatted in the backseat I told Jason I am really looking forward to Christmas because it seems like the first one in a long time that I can enjoy...it feels darn I say it...normal.

Incredibly thankful...

I have been longing for normal...a new kind, but normal none-the-less. A place where the air doesn't feel so heavy, and the clouds seem to be parting...a place where the fear isn't as overwhelming. The Lord is opening doors...He is holding us still, throughout all the ups and downs...so thankful.

And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." ~ Isaiah 30:21

two of a kind...

After we put our Christmas tree up I snapped a few pics of the kids...

I love this picture...LOVE it!




How in the world are they getting this big? I am daily amazed at these two and their love for life and everything in it. Amazing...



Two of a kind...a crazy kind.



And my favorite...



Sometimes pictures say it all...these faces capture my heart with every glance. I love their expressions, joy, happiness, laughter, and love.

Camryn always tells me, "Mommy you always carry me in your heart, always..." And it's moments like these that I capture and will hold forever...

eighteen months...

eighteen months ago...






hard to believe and yet it is as real as anything...

six more months until two years...

keep fighting baby girl!

we love you!

right words...

Sometimes the *right* words come...

Sometimes the words that should come don't...

Sometimes instead of the words it is a lump in the throat...

Tonight as I was at choir practice as we are preparing for our concert this weekend it hit me...the moment when the words meant more, oh so much more. Our director who is my dear friend and really he along with his wife are the ones who convinced me to join choir was explaining the story behind one of the songs we are singing. The song I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day...a beautiful song, an unforgettable song once you hear the story behind it. I won't spoil it if you come to the concert...but, if not look it up...the poem is written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and it is amazing. Suffice it to say he had experienced significant loss, a loss so deep and a heart so real that the holidays had become an unbearable time for him...but he heard the bells. That God had brought peace to his life...

I have been singing this song since August and only tonight heard the story...it was powerful. While we sang the song tears welled in my eyes...because it felt as if my heart had found the right words.

Throughout the four years and ten months that this journey has been the dominating story I have often felt as if there was no peace...that my heart was a raging sea, that I battled and battled only to find myself right back where I started...never quite feeling that anything had been settled, gained or even learned. And yet..."God is not dead, nor doth he sleep...Peace On Earth."

The Lord never once turned away from the story, never once abandoned the characters, never once left us alone, left me alone.

And then as I got in my car to drive home after practice I switched cds as I was in need of something different than my choir cd. A song began to play...

Sound of Your Voice...

Anyone who knows me well knows I LOVE Third Day, they are my favorite and yes I have admitted a crush on Mac Powell's voice...

I ran away from your love
But you waited for me
Yes you waited for me
And then I heard your song
Singing over me
Singing over me

Now that I hear you Lord
I want to know you more
I want to know you more

Sing your song to me
Oh there’s no greater thing
Than to listen to the sound of your voice
When I hear your song
I want to sing along
And listen to the sound of your voice
The sound of your voice

Lord I am calling your name
And I’m waiting for you
Yes I’m waiting for you
So won’t you show me your way
And I will follow you
Yes I will follow you

Now that I hear you Lord
I want to know you more
I want to know you more

Sing your song to me
Oh there’s no greater thing
Than to listen to the sound of your voice
When I hear your song
I want to sing along
And listen to the sound of your voice

Singing over me
Bringing peace and mercy
With a song that never ends
Singing over me
Marvelous and holy
Lord I want to hear your song again

Sing your song to me
Oh there’s no greater thing
Than to listen to the sound of your voice
When I hear your song
I want to sing along
And listen to the sound of your voice
The sound of your voice

I want to hear your song
I want to hear your voice

I ran away from your love
But you waited for me
Yes you waited for me

In that moment these were the right words...

I long to hear my Savior's voice...I long to hear him say my name...I long to see his face...