smile!

It has been that kind of time of year, where writing and posting, unfortunately, fall by the wayside.  Between schedules, and activities (and yard sales) it is just way hard to find time for my self and my creative writing projects. 

Please forgive Me!! (I love to write and post... so, I'm probably projecting, here... )

We have had a few breaks here and there- smoothies at Potomac Mills... and Date Knight at Chic-fil-a!

Anyway- It's been a lovely, busy (and hot and humid) spring.  Classes are ending, activities are coming to a close, SOLs are in full swing (read: anxiety, perfectionism/panic attacks)... it's all good, though.  I honestly feel like this season is just that:  A season. 

There is always room for improvement!  So, that means hopefully I'll start writing more again!

Oh, my...

Well- it seems I haven't posted in a long enough time that everything has changed on Blogger... I am not so computer savvy, so hopefully everything will post!

Easter Sunday- We went to church with G-ma.

We got to spend Easter weekend with sweet, wise, old G-ma... I just love her.  I just want to pack her up and take her home with me, but she won't let me. So... I just enjoy her as much as I can while she is here on Earth with us, because we will sure miss her when she goes to Heaven.

After church, we packed up and...

 We went to Disney World!!:)

Here we are! Our first arrival picture!

That is why I haven't posted in so long... I only have 250 pictures on my camera, so it could be worse... Eileen said she took 200 a day, and I only took as many in 4 days.. first time jitters, I guess.

SO- it was a BLAST!!  I am a Disney convert now; I can't wait to go back.  The kids had so much fun. The grown-ups had so much fun.  We ate way too much food, but I figure we walked our tails off, so hopefully it will balance out (eventually- my waistbands are a tad snug).

Meeting the Mice!

 Magic Kingdom was definitely the favorite- great fun, plus tons of shows, parades, the fireworks are awesome, Tink zip-lined from the top of the castle during fireworks (!!!), and the characters love to hang out there.  So, it's just way awesome!

Tommy got chosen for pirate training by Captain Jack Sparrow!

The girls with Cinderella

-with Ariel

-with Belle

-with Aurora

Epcot was so cool.  It's like a science museum on steroids.  Plus, two of our favorite rides are there (Soarin' and Mission Space).  Also, the gardens and the countries are amazing.  We ate in Germany, for example.  The countries and gardens surround the back side of the lake that is there in the center of the park, while the rides and attractions are on the front side of the park.  I think I could very easily spend a weekend there with just grown-ups...

Katie was captivated by the belly-dancer in Morocco

 

 

 

The fairy garden

 Hollywood Studios was great for shows.  Plus, Star Wars has a ride, there, with C-3PO.  That was a huge hit for everyone! We are a Star Wars family, I suppose.  The stunt show was amazing, apparently; Danielle and Mark went, while Tommy, Katie and I met Pooh and The Incredibles.

the kids with the "green army man" from Toy Story

 So, obviously, I highly recommend a trip to the happiest place on Earth- you won't be disappointed.:)

We met Aladdin and Jasmine

We posed with Pluto

Of course, Snow White is sweet

and...Fireworks!

We loved it!  Everyone had a good time.  There are way too many photos to post, obviously, but we have some great pictures and even better memories.  We are so blessed, I know, to be able to do this together- I thank God for giving us everything we need, and a lot of what we want...  This was a fantastic opportunity to re-connect the five of us:)

spring :)

I just pray that everyone has a very meaningful Holy week...

This is one of my favorite times of the year.

The hope that is present for me in the risen Jesus Christ who came down from HEAVEN for US (all humans)... is overwhelming.

That these miracles occurred for me to have a relationship with HIM is just so amazing... it is crazy how much God loves us!

I pray that YOU may have a relationship, begin a relationship, or nurture a relationship with our Father so that the hope that I experience may be shared with you:)

Much love,
Kristen

anticipation

That first date... that first call... that first kiss...

Anticipation of the event is what makes it so exciting- that butterflies-in-your-tummy excited.  As a kid, anticipation of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny would cause sleepless nights.  As I entered my teen years it was the anticipation of seeing that boy, anxiously waiting for him to notice me. 

As I met and dated Mark, the anticipation of the proposal would cause me to stop eating (at times altogether- but that is another story for another time), and  actually almost pass out on some occasions (anxiety disorder diagnosed much later in life, you see)...

Then, as a newly-wed, anticipation of buying our first home and, for us (we did a few things unconventionally,) graduating from college was a HUGE anticipation. 

Becoming parents was anticipated... and then all of those first events:  the first smile, the first laugh, the first step, the first tooth... all kinds of firsts... all anticipated, and all causing some visceral reaction - anxiety, hope, worry, love, protectiveness, excitement...

Now, it is with great anticipation that I enter into a new relationship with my husband... healing from past hurts... moving forward together.  This time, though, we are both experiencing our relationship openly walking in faith with God. This time, both of us seek the greatness of God's intention for marriage.
 
It is intended to be something great... marriage, that is...  it is intended as a gift.  Notice I didn't say easy or happy- all- the- time.  However, God intended marriage to be great.  It is with Him that it is able to be great (again, not ever easy, not always happy).

Most people will disagree, but  marriage really is intended as a three way relationship (hold on, there... not three people, but two people and one GOD).  It is also intended to last forever.  For real, no matter how impossible this may seem, it is one man, one woman, for ever.   I think the reason so many marriages don't last forever is that God isn't a part of the relationship.  I know this, because just two months ago, my marriage was ending.  I was sure of it, in fact.  I knew that I could not continue to live in a one-sided relationship.   Then an amazing thing happened...in a moment of desolation, after the realization that he could no longer do it (life, cope, heal, live) on his own, Mark accepted the truth of God, and Jesus dying for him. 

A new relationship began.

Two relationships actually, one between Mark and God... and one between Mark and me.

And it changes everything. 

Anticipate... hope... believe... love... live... laugh... pray...

So, pray for us, please, as we anticipate "A Weekend to Remember" - which  is three days of faith and marriage workshops... and anticipate that God promises to finish the great work He began... in me... in us... and in you.


picture from google faith images

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

I hope everyone has a fun filled St. Patrick's Day!!! 

Also... be safe... don't  drink and drive- (my PSA for the night)

I've discovered...

Time wasting alert!!! I just found out about polyvore... How come no one has mentioned this to me before?!?!  Probably because everyone who knows about it is ashamed to admit that it WASTES TIME!

BUT... it is SO MUCH FUN!!!

I feel like I'm 16 again and consumed with fashion and stuff like that.

Check it out!!!

Danielle's first set

my Disney set

Katie's first set- yes, it includes JB

...this week...

It is amazing how GOD  ROCKS!  Like, totally, every time.  I can't tell you how often I'll be reading something for my faithshare group, and then come across the same passage in my marriage class, and then the same passage will come up again with a friend, and then I'll read a devotional...and, yep, there it is AGAIN. 

The message is clear, folks, nothing is an accident and God is talking all the time.  It just takes patience and paying attention. 

Life is chugging along here in Virginia... it's winter, then spring, then winter again, all in one day... and this happens several times a week, it seems.  We have gone from 60 degree mornings to 50 degree afternoons to a thunderstorm around 9, and snow the next morning at 7... we are all feeling a tad bipolar, here, lately.  That being said, I officially have spring fever, and am looking forward to cleaning out the closets and stuff like that.

So- there just isn't a whole lot to report on, other than, we are all hanging in there, and trying NOT to be bipolar like the weather.  However, 3/5ths of this house is slightly autistic, so that is kind of hard to avoid - being bipolar, that is.  We have a very LABILE environment, here, to say the least!

God is smart, though, and I know it's all with purpose.  We are just doing the best we can.