Florida Fun

We went camping this weekend!

If you know anything about Florida, you know that Floridians and tourists everywhere are taking advantage of the perfect weather. Come May, the summer sun will squelch all the non-water-immersion outdoor fun by 8AM each day. (No, you don't want to book a four-day vacation to Disney in August. Yes, it will rain heavily each summer day around 4PM)

Loaded down in the wagon - pup with her head out the sunroof!

This is our second time camping as a family, and this time we brought along some friends and a friend for Brooklyn. 

I brought chili from home, and we ate like kings at the campsite. 

This is my friend, Erin, trying to eat in peace.

"We're starving, can't you tell?"

We spent lots of relaxing time around the campfire!

We cooked all our meals over the fire and using this stove...

It belongs to Ty's parents, and Ty says he's been surviving off this stove in the wilderness since he was eight-years-old. We borrowed most of the equipment from Ty's parents, and jokingly thanked them for writing our name on it all. 

Breakfast isn't his most alert time. ;)

It was a little chilly Friday night and Saturday morning. Not that I'm complaining! I wish I could sleep in my mummy bag all the time! We had eggs and sauteed veggies for breakfast. 

After breakfast we headed out to the trails. The pups were ready for some exercise! Note to self: two bottles of water is not enough!

When we were far enough away from the road, we unleashed the wild beasts.

Wild beasts = the Weimaraner and the German Shorthaired Pointer

They quickly began playing this game where they would race nearly out of sight and then run right back to us. For every ten steps we took, they took ten times as many. I kept looking at Ty, saying, "This is what she was made to do!" To say they loved it would be an understatement.

"You coming?!"

Time for a break

This might be why there was no water for me!

My father-in-law will appreciate this one. Dog butts just make me laugh!

I took this one, because I thought I should have at least one non-dog picture...

Can't think of a better way to have spent my afternoon!

Headed back

In my estimation we traveled about 3.5-4 miles of trail, which means the pups at least doubled those numbers! Needless to say, they were wiped out! (And are still wiped out.)

After returning to our site, we girls got a sweets craving and so walked down to the springs where they had a little store. On our way there, we ran into some of Ty's and my good friends, who just happened to be camping in a neighboring loop. They were kind enough to offer the use of their boats and the consumption of their GF s'mores (say no more). The boys took their canoe out, and Erin and I relaxed with our two sleepy pups. Later that night, I did good on my promise to eat s'mores.

Once the boys returned, we started cooking up a tasty dinner of meat, potatoes, and something green!

Our site!

My manly man and a manly fire!

I promise my legs aren't that white! I was being attacked by smoke!

E & J roasting sausages!

What a fun weekend we had enjoying beautiful Florida with our friends! This was Erin's first time camping, and she decided it's definitely something she enjoys! We hope to take the pups and go again sometime soon (before the weather gets hot!).

The Waiting Game

When I was young, I saved my pet sitting money and dreamed up my next big purchase - like a Razor Scooter, a security camera for my bedroom (true story), a phone-booth telephone for my room, a CD Walkman, and eventually a laptop.

Thankfully, my parents thwarted some of my crazier ideas, and in the process taught me a great lesson about patience. My dad required me to wait ten days and think about my purchase. If I still deemed the purchase worthwhile at the end of the ten-day period, he would drive me to the store to spend my hard-earned dollars.

Frustrating, to say the least! Today, however, I am grateful for this lesson. Not only has it saved me from numerous impulse purchases and rash decisions, but it has also proved that waiting for something you care about is worthwhile.

But what about big life decisions?

Often we're asked to wait: by parents, employers, institutions, or our Heavenly Father.

Tyler and I wanted to wed sooner. I had dreamed of a December wedding.

Instead we were asked to wait. In return, we received the blessing of our parents, the presence of our beloved families...and a July wedding. Looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. God's timing was perfect.

It is always perfect. The wait is always worth it in God's story. He loves to bless His children.

I trained hard for my marathon and planned to cross the finish line in under four hours. Red light. You can't plan around hospital visits.

While I still feel some disappointment, I also have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my returning health. The fact that I was well enough to audition was a gift straight from Heaven.

Now I find myself in the waiting game yet again. We have some direction and information from my school choices, but not enough to make a decision or move forward. Schools operate on their own timetables, and I will not always be first on the list.

It would be easy to mope around or wallow in anxiety. Sometimes I'm halfway there. I'm taking it one day at a time, loving the opportunities and relationships in front of me.

On a perfect Friday afternoon, Brooklyn and I headed to my parents' neighborhood lake and soaked up the beauty of it all.

Brooklyn is my daily reminder that, "LIFE IS AWESOME!!!!" because she embraces every moment as if it is the best moment of her life.

February Is My Favorite

I know this month is short a few days, but February has gone by exceptionally fast this year!

We returned home from all the audition craziness and hit the road running!

I celebrated Valentine's Day with my Papa at his memory care facility. Being far away made me remember how important family truly is.

Ty's cousin, Meghan, came to visit, and we enjoyed canoeing and ice cream with the fam!
Brooklyn even went on her first canoe trip, but there is no photo evidence.

(Would you have taken your phone in a canoe with a crazy Weimaraner? Didn't think so.)

The very next day, our Japanese exchange student arrived!

Meet Moe!

(Pronounced Mo-eh)

Brooklyn is already quite attached.

Okay, so the main reason February is my favorite is because it's my birthday month. And the way I was raised was to celebrate all month long. (As I've aged, the celebrations have shortened to about a week. Growing up stinks sometimes, doesn't it?)

Birthday mail from Laos!

Check out how much Brooklyn has grown since my last birthday!

Did you know just how many free things you can get on your birthday? It's amazing, really. I ran out of time trying to do them all!

The morning began with a free breakfast (with my fab parents!) and continued with a free car wash, free smoothie, and a free sub! Ty was the lucky beneficiary of my free sub from Firehouse.

Then it was onto the happiest place on earth on my happy day!

(And yes, for free! My favorite cast member is awesome!)

EARS!

Please notice Ty's button.

It doesn't get any better than this, folks!

Ty's very first time on Small World!

We both maxed out the points on Buzz Lightyear!
In all honesty, the ride broke down in the middle, so we had a little extra time. :)

The main event for the day was dinner at Be Our Guest. I love this restaurant at lunch time, but I had never been for dinner due to the fact that reservations are so limited.

I was slightly disappointed with our seats, but I blame myself for not specifying.

Overall I loved the food and atmosphere. This is definitely one of my favorite places to eat at Disney.

Per Disney protocol, the chef came to our table and listed out my numerous gluten-free options. He even brought me GF dinner rolls to enjoy before the meal! I highly recommend the potato soup.

When your reservation is called, you are handed a Lumiere to help guide you to your seats.

Tale as old as time...

One of the features of this restaurant during dinner hours is that the Master of the House is present.
He is dramatically announced and shown through the dinning rooms to his study where he later greets guests.

We met him post-dinner!

Moe's homestay group just happened to be at Magic Kingdom on my birthday, so we planned to meet up with her after dinner and stay at the park late.

We may or may not have had some sweet fast-passes from our favorite cast member...

In line for Big Thunder 

Space time!

So fun to share in Moe's Disney visit!

It seems I always have soaring expectations for my birthday and then wind up disappointed.

Not so this year!

I could not have imagined a more wonderful day.

We we arrived home, Moe gave me this:

My new favorite morning mug!

Several families from our church are also hosting, so we have tried to organize events together with our students. Of course we had to introduce them to Tijuana Flats!

In the midst of the celebrations and get-togethers, there has also been some sweet time of rest.

We've needed it! Big decisions are ahead, but for now it's soaking in the sun and pestering our families as much as possible!

 

Farewell, February! You are one fine month!