Disney World

Ahhh, the most magical place this side of Heaven.  I think since the day of Kirby's birth I have dreamed of taking her to Disney World.  I so desired to keep princesses (mainly the mother overload of princesses and the princess like attitude that often accompanies) away from Kirby.   I have known many of toddlers, and some much older for that matter, that took the princess thing way too far and just short of insisted others call them as such, so I did not want to have to go there.  You know what I mean ... I am sure you have met one or five in your lifetime as well.   I was scared that they would overtake my dirt loving, boot wearing, curly toped little doll; instead they brought her more imaginative play than I could have ever dreamt up.  Slowly they have found her, but thankfully between prayer and parenting, we have been able to keep it down a notch.  She likes the idea of them and seems to play dress up throughout they day, but the movies they are in don't seem to appeal to her too much.  Rapunzel is her favorite.  Favorite.  Cinderella comes in a close second.  So we knew this was the time in her life that we needed to get to fantasy world.

Rewind back to this post.  We decided that since we have been putting all we could towards debt the last six years (if only we had found Dave Ramsey before we got married!) that our family deserved a bit of a celebration and treat.  And treat it was.

 I am so glad she got to see Sofia.  She is her all time favorite and I am so happy about that.  I love what Sofia's story portrays, her humbleness, and her love for just about everyone she meets.

 We got the photo pass added on to our package.  Eh, I may say next time we save our money.  They did get some good shots, but for the most part I was disappointed in their "eye".  Right behind us is a gorgeous, HUGE, lovely Christmas tree.  I wanted to get one in front of the tree to show just how big it was .... hmmmm, well we can see an ornament or 2.

 Snow White gave Patton a kiss that stayed on all day.

 Day 2 in the afternoon came down pours .... it did not slow this squirt down one bit!

 It got cold, I mean super cold on us.  Yes, we are from South Texas and wimps for the most part, however, we were not prepared for 40 degrees, wet and wind.  I had on 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of socks, boots, 3 shirts, a fleece vest, gloves and a ski cap and still was chilled to the bone.  

 Possibly the best part of the whole deal for CR and I was the musical light show that was at Hollywood Studios.  Amazing.  Took my breath away.

 CR was amazed that the tractors in the movie Cars started out as a cows head.  So need to see the animation side of things.  

     I think it is safe to say that Disney World was a good run for Patton Luke.  This was him on the plane ride home.  Funny story ... on the way there he was great but active and bouncy, and Kirby slept most of the way there.  So I told CR, "Hey, how about on the way home we switch so you can be blessed by Patton's inquisitiveness for 2 hours and I can snuggle with Kirby."  Bit me in the booty ... Kirby was the bouncy, active, curious little doll on the way home.  

This is for sure something that I would love to do with my family again.  We would like to wait probably another 2 years, though, so that Patton could enjoy it more and for Kirby to be taller.  She was just shy of the 40" marker so there were quite a bit of rides we missed out on.  Also, at this age they are both a little skeptical (ok scared to death) of dark and loud, so some of the shows were not great for them.  But the princesses at this time in her life were worth every minute and dime of the trip.  Disney does everything over the top and awesome.  On our anniversary, they had balloons and a card delivered to our room.  Everywhere we ate, the food was great, whether it be at a quick stop, buffet, or the sit down service restaurants.  Everyone was over the top friendly and greeted you with the warmest of smiles.  I also felt like we went at a great time of year; despite the crazy cold front that came through (everyone there said it was totally unexpected and rare) I would do that exact week again.  The lines were fast, even the ones that we did not have a fast pass for.  The longest we waited was about 20 minutes for the Sofia signing and that was because she had to take a quick break while we were in line.    

All praise goes to the Lord for allowing this trip to come to fruition.  I am so thankful that he blessed me with clients who booked me, bought their pictures, referred me, and for the many extra opportunities that CR has been given to make a little extra money here and there.  When you are diligent, faithful, and pray about your funds, it is amazing (aaahhhhhmazing) how the Lord provides ways for you to earn it.  The money is not going to just fall on your plate (I am still looking for that money tree I once heard about) but sometimes the opportunities do.  I am forever grateful for this moment we got to step away from the farm and from my business to completely be a family of 4.  I am thankful the kids adjusted well and did not have trouble napping or sleeping in the evenings.  I am thankful for a husband who became a kid again to join in on the adventure and memories.  

""Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."  Luke 2:14

Thankful

I am thankful that my life has been too busy to sit and update our family storybook.  This means that I am blessed with busyness by my little loves in my life and the big love of my life.  I had a moment this afternoon while I was doing my Bible study (currently Children of the Day by Beth Moore) that hit me like a sucker punch in the left eye.  The kids were napping so I took the time to really dive as far as I could into His word and soak up every ounce of clarity that Beth provides.  At the end of today's lesson she was talking about her Aunt Jewell and that she had this recipe that when she was 18 she loved (Squash Pickles) but now can't seem to really remember why she wrote the recipe down or why she once thought they were good.  Then she says, "It's so clear to me all these years later: she was the recipe I wanted."  You see, Aunt Jewell left a legacy in Beth's eyes and it was her she was after ... not her cooking.  Immediately in my notes I put that I want to be the recipe my children long to have and know.  I want to leave something with them besides hollering at them to stop hollering at each other.  Or something besides remembering that they got spanked for hitting.  Or to yell for them across the house to quit yelling for me when I am in the other room.  Catching my drift?  They imitate me already .... I want them to be imitators of someone I want imitated!

So September came and went ...

days are quickly turning into months, and I am afraid before I know it, months will be years.  All.  too.  quickly.  People always told me as I was growing up how quickly time flies, but my-lanta.  The other night CR was looking through my 2013 flip book of pictures and showing Patton; we both could not believe that it was last year.  Crazy.  Hug your loved ones close.  Cherish every migraine, every tear, and every joy.  They will all be gone and quiet walls will fill your home before you know it.

So to recap our September for our memory book and my followers, hang on tight.  Just like everyone else in this world, things are busy.  Life happens amongst "the plans" and makes it all the more memorable, and usually enjoyable.

The first week brought us to a new adventure.  Kirby started in a home school coop called Classical Conversations.  This is something we are just dabbling with for this year, because technically she is too young for their program.  I wanted to get to see in person what this really looked like.  It amazes me what children at this age can contain in their little brains.  Not only do the soak up every morsel of information, they hold onto it like their favorite night time teddy bear.  We miss some Tuesdays, but try to keep up with what we can at home.  She does still do Mother's Day Out twice a week, so that is what makes it hard to keep up with the school side of things.  To me, though, every extra bit she gets is all for her benefit for years to come.

 This is actually what Kirby built at home.  She came and got me and told me that she built our cousin Amanda's house, and that the spot where there are 2 blue blocks is where her frog tank is.

First day of MDO!  Aunt Katherine is her teacher again. ;)

 Two of Kirby's dearest friends moved to College Station .... we miss them but are so excited for their adventures!

 Kirby also started gymnastics this fall.  

 The dishwasher flooded the kitchen, so Kirby thought she could be of assistance to daddy.

 Daily reminders.  Last year in Bible study we were encouraged to get a flip note card book to write verses on for us to meditate on and keep in our purses to remind us through the day.  So thankful for this discipline.  You should try it.  If you do, let me know how it helps you.  

 The pictures uploaded out of order for some reason on here, and they are too much work to move around, so this isn't exactly chronological.  We braved a trip to the State Fair.  Ever since Kirby saw the movie Charlotte's Web she has wanted to ride a "Paris wheel".  We told her we would wait up and take her to the best (and probably the safest) one we knew of.  She has been talking about it for months.  I scheduled a photo shoot (that ended up getting rained out) for the evening so that we could make sense of it all (you know us Patricks).  This was an adventure.  I think that Patton was a little young, because there was not much for him to do except the petting zoo and sleep in the stroller.  We were there by 8:45 .... nothing opens till 10 and the "Paris wheel" did not start till 12!  We got in a pig show and lots of petting zoo time.  Memories I will cherish forever, and I am pretty sure Kirby Rose will too.

Patton was zonked in the stroller, so just Kirby and I got in front of Big Tex.

Daddy is her hero.  I am scared to death of heights, and especially Ferris wheels.  I do not like how they stop you at the very top and you move around.  No thank you.  I would have done it for her, but daddy loves them so this was his memory to make.  So thankful for these two gems.

Is it just me or does he look 5?!

 Was reminded of "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24 when I saw this guy.  

 How we do home school at home.   Chalkboard rested on the top oven sill, map on the counter and notebook in my hand.   She can name about half of that map ... super impressed with the curriculum and the way in which it is introduced.  That is what Tuesday's are for.  The tutor presents the new material and reviews the old; then we come home and go over the new and old.  Or we are supposed to.  We get in some work on Thursdays when Patton goes to school.  But we mainly have fun with it this year.  

 Paw came for a visit and of course brought goodies for each of us!

 Our view.  Breathe and take it in ...

 "May the favor of the Lord be upon you ..."  Psalm 90:17 I pray this for each of you, each morning.  

 She wanted to help with dinner ...

 When it was her turn to review, she had to wink while saying the material.  And she wanted to go to the head of the class.

 This move right here was the one that got him into MDO.  I have the kitchen table pushed against the wall with the chairs behind it so he can't climb up while I run to the restroom for 30 seconds.  Well, he figured it out, so to school twice a week he goes.  Ha!

  No words.  He is just the cutest little Aggie button I have ever seen.  And boy, is he boy.  He is almost 20 months and has had 3 busted lips ... one in which he chipped a tooth.  He is gaining on Kirby in size.  27 pounds and 33".  Slow down, before long that coach is going to be putting him in and momma is going to be a nervous wreck!

I am so thankful for this life that I had never even imagined.  It is so much more than I could have ever dreamed of.  It's funny, because depending on who you talk to, they have this crazy notion about farmers.  Either they are extremely wealthy, or devastatingly poor.  I remember after we got engaged, a friend of mine's mom said, "so he is a farmer and you are a teacher, what, are y'all going to live off of love?"  You betcha.  It doesn't matter if we are having a great year or a terrible year, we have love. We have joy.  We have blessings that remind us why we were put on this earth.  To be Jesus to them.  To show them who He is.  My prayer each morning lately before my feet hit the ground is, "Lord, you made me Lauren.  You gave me Kirby, Patton, and CR knowing what they need.  I pray today that I would be all you need me to be; nothing more and nothing less."  It is hardly ever roses and cream puffs, more like pig poop and field dust, but I love it and would not trade it for the world.  

From Beth Moore's Esther study: "I had to accept that I was not called to an easy life.  I was called to a purposeful life."  

Momma's, this is us.  It is never easy (it may be fun but I have yet to call a day easy), but man oh man, what a purpose we have before us.  Even if you are not a momma (yet or ever), God has a purposeful life for you, too.  I pray with all my heart you have found it or are on the journey to what He has called for you, dear friend.  

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"  Esther 4:14