Oh my word.  I don’t even know where to begin.

I can’t possibly sum up the entire week in one post so I imagine some of my most random thoughts from our Disney World vacation will trickle out during the next few posts on this little blog here.

But wow.

What a time we had…

Siblings fought now and then, sometimes the parental units were grouchy and tired, it was crazy hot, we walked a lot in the crazy hot, and every now and then, our children were disappointed that we couldn’t spend a million dollars per child on souvenirs.

But it was all canceled out by the good times that beat those not-so-good time over the head with a club…

I asked JJ what his favorite part of the trip was and not surprisingly, he answered the game-like theme of the “Toy Story Mania” ride.

I thought the viking hats in the Norway section of Epcot would be his favorite part of the trip but apparently “Toy Story Mania” won…

Sawyer’s favorite part of the trip was, not surprisingly, meeting Mickey Mouse and swimming like a hyped-up eel in the pool.  It’s always about the pool, isn’t it?  It’s like asking a child what they like the most about school and hearing “lunch and recess” as their answer. 

Of course they are going to like the pool the very best in all of Disney World.

Dinner at Chef Mickey’s – pretty much everyone’s favorite character meal…

Sawyer’s favorite – the pool…

Susannah’s favorite part was the purchase of her “Disney Babies” version of Simba the Lion…I didn’t snap a photo of her with it but I’m not sure why because once it was purchased on Thursday, it never left her hands.  She’s sleeping with him now as I write.

But she did enjoy meeting Mary Poppins and Bert…

Solomon?  Well, as to be expected, Mr. Good Time Joe enjoyed pretty much all of it…

From the plane ride…

to the aquariums…

to the pool…of course…

and to Cinderella, who was just as smitten with him as he was with her.  I’m certain if given the opportunity to move into the royal palace, he wouldn’t have looked back at his old fam even once.

However, as we all know, all good things must come to an end and by our last day in the parks, we knew it was time.  Solomon also proved it to be so by sporting what I like to call a “Disney Hangover”:

Skinned knees, high heat, and Woody bottle?  Check. Check. Check.

It was time to go home.

Even the place of magic and dreams can be too much magic and dreams after a few days.

Home is always sweeter after a week away on vacation.

But my favorite part?

It happened on the last night…

As luck would have it, we happened to be there during the first night of the “Night of Joy” concert Disney does each year.  Chris Tomlin (only my very favorite). Casting Crowns.  Third Day.  The David Crowder Band.

Oh. My. Word.

However, it was a special event and it would have been close to $250 for all of us to meddle through the crowds.  We decided NOT TO GO.

It killed me.

Instead, we went to the Hoopty-Doo Review at Camp Wilderness which is EXACTLY where I wanted to be when my favorite bands were playing just three miles away.

Truthfully, a ball was had by all except for when Sawyer was bit on the stomach by a pony. I’m certain we’ve got long-term damage on that one.  I’m thinking there will forever be a fear of ponies from now on…There really is never a dull moment.

After the Hoopty-Doo was over, we had to take a boat back to the Magic Kingdom.  Upon our arrival,  JJ needed to take a quick break while I waited with the stroller brigade.

To publicize the “Night of Joy”, Orlando’s Christian music station was piping music loudly throughout the entrance.

As soon as we found a place to park, Chris Tomlin’s “Our God” started to play and since it is absolutely one of my favorite songs of all-time, my children know it well.

Suddenly, Susannah looked at me excitedly and said “Mommy!!!!!  They worship God here!!!”

Tears immediately welled in my eyes and I noticed Sawyer had stood up out of his stroller and was playing his air guitar and singing along.

Watching my children love God and become excited when they see that others do, too?

That was MY favorite part.  And so completely unexpected.  God will do anything to let us know He is there.

On this Multitude Monday, I’m so very thankful for so much but I think I will publish only one for today:

91.  “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn away from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

My sweet children,

I pray that I am training you up in the way you should go.  I mess up a lot.  I lose my cool and have to ask for your grace almost daily.  But I hope through that, you will learn just why it is that we need Jesus so much.  Each and every one of us.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made and there is absolutely not one thing you could ever do that would make me not love you.

My sweet husband,

I cannot thank you enough for all you do for this family.  You are an incredible father and husband and you provide opportunities for wonderful memories for us all.  And you help my find my keys, my cell phone, and my sunglasses.

Love,
Mommy/The Love of Your Life