This year we had three children sick with the flu the week prior to and the weekend of Easter. Honestly, we still have one on the mend. We missed almost all of the Easter celebrations, except the Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt. We do plan to “celebrate” this weekend. We will have resurrection rolls, baskets, Easter pictures, and a great day at church. He is alive!! He is Risen!!

Let’s start over with an update since I started that post above: I didn’t make it to church for two weeks in a row. Our whole family was finally well and we dressed up in our “Easter Outfits.” We never did resurrection rolls and egg hunts, however, we did enjoy our Easter basket scavenger hunt.

Here are a few of the pictures that I took of the kids in there Easter outfits. I’m not please with Anna Kate’s hair. She loves for me to braid it so that it will be curly the next day. Just so happens that it didn’t dry completely during the night. (just my luck) We also do not have a family picture because it started pouring down rain just as church ended. Sigh!

Sadie was in the best mood until i tried to take a picture of all four of them. Errr! 

Welcome to Main Street

Little Lady was trying to be a princess…. 

Ariel!! They both loved Ariel.

Lastly, Rapunzel…

This boy was praying for one of his basketball team mates that continually shows no interest for the things of God. They desperately wanted the little boy to love Jesus. 

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

It’s that time of year again. It’s the “I can’t believe Jakes turned __” This year it is 8 years old. Only two more years and he will be 10. I’m thinking this boy is growing up way too fast.  He’s still my lego loving, game playing boy who loves a good wrestle and thinks every book he comes in contact with needs to be read. We are quickly coming to the end of his second grade school year. Next school year, he will start at a new school in the area named Veritas. He is excited and just a bit nervous. I know that he will do great and I really think he is going to thrive. His favorite food is chips and cheese. The reason he was most excited about turning 8 today?  He finally doesn’t have to sit in his booster seat.  The rule is 8 years old or 80 pounds.  Today was the big day!

LIKES:  iPod, reading, chips, football and baseball.

DISLIKES:  math, green vegetables unless they are drenched with ketchup, excerise

Jake,

You are bright, funny, quirky and completely adorable.  You have a little bit of a mouth on you but we’re working on it.  You are helpful, considerate, kind and love doing projects around the house. You are also absent-minded and messy. Your daddy and I are amazed at how quickly you can forget a basic instruction. Yes, we are working on that too.  You are a great big brother, and we’re so lucky to have you as part of our family.  It wouldn’t be the same without you. You love to tell us jokes.  You are so smart. A walking, talking encyclopedia. You love to learn new things and share what you’ve learned with us.

Lord, please guide and direct this child as he grows.  Help him to make wise decisions about the friends he chooses and the friend that he is to others.  Please help Jake to be a good brother and a good example to Judd, Anna Kate, Sadie, and our new baby. Lord, please tug at Jake’s heart and give him the desire to know you, love you, and want to follow you.  Lord, thank you for this little man that you put in my life.  I love him!  Please teach me how to always show him I love him.  Thank you for the amazing earthly example he has with a daddy like Jim!  Please help Jake to be a man of integrity, hard work, wisdom, loyalty, and devotion to YOU, just like his daddy! 

Interview with a 8 year old, Jake Perdue:

What is your name? Jake Perdue

How old are you? 8

Who is your best friend? Judd Perdue/ Cooper Kenney

What is your favorite food? Chips and Cheese

What is your favorite animal? Snake

What is your favorite color? Yellow

What is your favorite movie? Meet the Robinsons

Who is your favorite person? Daddy

Who is your brother? Judd

What does mommy do? Teach classes

What does daddy do? He preaches

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Painter

What’s your favorite sport? Football

What do you love? My food

Today we started our day earlier in the morning. We were all more refreshed and looking forward to a fun filled day at the Magic Kingdom. After the ferry experience the first day, we opted to ride the monorail back to the park this morning. The plan for day two was to divide and conquer Disney. Jim would take the boys to ride all of the fun rides and I would take the girls to see the Princesses. It was a great plan.

Immediately upon arrival, we found a restroom and then divded up. As I was crossing the street, we were stopped by our first parade. It was SO exciting, magical, and fun! The girls loved seeing the characters.

After the road opened, I took the girls to see the princesses. It was a 70 minute wait to the see the princesses. I decided to wait because we couldn’t get a Fast Pass until late that evening. It was a long 70 minutes that turned into 90 minutes, however, we were inside the whole time and we had some people to talk who had iPods with movies. (grin) As our time approached to see the princesses, I found out that on Valentines Day the princesses AND their princes were there. Happy Valentines Day, Anna Kate and Sadie!

Both girls were in awe as they talked to and took pictures with Rapunzel and Flynn: The only time Sadie wasn’t smiling was during the picture taking time. She loved it!

Next we visited Aurora, Sleeping Beauty, and Prince Phillip. 

Lastly, Cinderella and Prince Charming:

While we were having such a magical time, the boys were able to ride Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear and the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. It is an audience participation comedy show. Jake was asked several questions during the show. He enjoyed his time and he thought the girl was really funny.

When we met back up with the boys, we rode Pirates of the Caribbean, got ice cream, and just enjoyed a stroll through the park while it sprinkled on us. When we were leaving, we were stopped by our last parade. We saw a lot of characters we had missed throughout the day. Anyone who comes to Disney and misses the parade is missing the essence of Disney. It was magical. I just wish that we would have seen more of them or at least known how wonderful they really are before going.

Leaving the Magic Kingdom, we were exhausted but pleased with how much we had seen and done in two days.  It was cold and wet, but a lot of fun for the kids.  I was exhausted and my feet and legs ached.

We left the Magic Kingdom and went to the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney.  

Day 1 at Disney: The Magic Kingdom

Jim’s conference ended a little before noon. We told the kids that we taking them to Disney and they were so excited.

When we arrived we took the Ferry Boat across the Lagoon. The boys enjoyed the Ferry Ride.

Magic Kingdom is really…. Magical  or Miserable. There is so much to see and do, there are people singing and dancing along the streets, and then there’s this huge castle that greets you

.

Our first ride was the Jungle Cruise. It was our first introduction to waiting in long lines at Disney. Honestly, it was only about 45-50 minutes but with a whiney two year old it felt EXTREMELY long.  Judd thought that he needed to make goofy faces all day since he had on a goofy shirt. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too
Here’s that Magical vs Miserable question again!The girls loved meeting Ariel. She was so sweet.  All day long the Sadie wanted to see Minnie the Mouse. As soon as we saw her Sadie didn’t want to get near her. Mommy and baby had to get in the picture with the girls too. I just wonder if this is a picture of all girls or all girls and one boy. Only time will tell.

My goofy little boy loved having his picture taken with Goofy. Goofy  liked Judd’s shirt too.

Jake has enjoyed the whole day at Disney. Meeting the characters wasn’t his favorite part but he did enjoy getting out of the rain. 

The verdict is still out… magical vs miserable! Stay tuned for Day 2….

The happiest place on earth…

Jim had a conference in Orlando last week. On Tuesday, Jim had meetings all day long so I decided to take the kids to Cocoa Beach for the day. It was 82 degrees and really great. The water was a little chilly but we had a BLAST!!! It was so worth the one hour drive from Orlando.

We stayed at the beach for three hours before heading back to Orlando. I am so thankful for a day at the beach in the middle of February. 

This was our first Christmas in our new home. We are blessed and we thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas. One of the highlights of the day came when Jake kept saying “This is the best day ever.” “This is so awesome!” ” What a great day!” Jake isn’t a fella when many words of affirmation but today he had plenty and it melted my heart.

Last but not least: Minnie Mouse made an appearance at Mema’s house on Christmas Day

They are becoming best friends. Sadie is still young and clingy but I catch glimpses of sister love like this afternoon.