Pictures to come for the blogs below this weekend, so stay tuned. Too tired tonight...LOL

Divorce today

The divorce rate in this country is 50%. Which means statistically half of our friends will get divorced. I haven't faced this fact head on. I couldn't even imagine any of our friends getting divorced. But here it is, starting to happen. And it's heartbreaking to watch, on so many levels. To see a friend hurt like that is extremely hard because you feel there is nothing you can do. But I cling, cling, cling to Sean. The devil is hard at work out there, especially trying to break up Christian marriages, especially those of us bringing up more warriors for Christ. But we are facing him head on...and we shall win! My heart still aches for my brokenhearted friends who are having to endure pain they shouldn't have to endure. But I know God will lift them up and bring joy to them, even through these struggling times.

So huge your spouse today and cling to each other and God. Hold on tight, the devil is going to give us a run for our money! But through God's grace will will prevail and our children will continue the battle!

Boston and school

While we were gone all last week Boston's color conduct code was not good (swinging his lunch box in line and not keeping his hands to himself). He's never had a bad one but every single day last week it was bad. So we talked with him about it and figured it must have been because we were gone. We've never left the kids like that and he's never had a bad conduct code in preschool or kindergarten. Monday morning on the way to school I reminded him he better come home with green and not pink or I would take away his basketball. Sure enough, I pick him up and its pink again, this time for spitting on another child! What?!?! Who is this child and what have they done with mind????

I was so upset.

I asked him why he did that and he said he asked this boy in his class, named Asher, to be his friend and Asher said he didn't want to be friends with him so he spit on him. I quickly responded that no one would want to be friends with anyone that would spit on them. I also reassured him that it is upsetting when someone says they don't want to be friends with you, but that it happens to everyone and he should just look for another friend. He said he was trying to be friends with Asher because no one else wants to be friends with him. So I said that it might take some time but to just give him some space and that we can pray for him. He seemed very comforted by our conversation. He brought the basketball to me when we got home and I told him he could have it back when he gets back on green.

The next day he was on green and then he got on WHITE!! White is very good. I was so proud of him that I let him pick out a present from the treasure box. I had just put together a treasure box, but we haven't used it yet. This was the first time for them to even see it. It's full of dollar store items and things I've gotten on clearance that I wanted them to have but didn't want to just give it to them Of all the items in the box he picked out a hulk hogan pen that lights up, blows bubbles and has a stamp on top. LOL And he's cherished it!

Today was the first day of show and tell and he wanted to take his bible man mask and cap. He told me everyone liked it except for Asher. He said it was dumb and that he doesn't believe in God. Wow! First time experiencing this. So we talked about that and that we need to pray for Asher. He wanted to pray right then and there as I was driving the car home. So he did and it was a very sweet prayer, "Please God help Asher to be nice and be my friend." Makes me realize even more the importance of praying for his friends! Kindergarten and already experiencing these things. I pray for Grace and for God to protect my little guy and that I have prepared him enough for this crazy world!

Long Week

Well I haven't had much time this week to blog because I was trying to catch up on everything: time with the kids, household duties, paperwork, etc. And to top it off I had to get our taxes done. I have been so behind since having Asher. Ugh. So I finally finished 2007 taxes today! Ahhh, what a weight lifted off my shoulders.

I have so missed my blogging lately. It's oh so therapeutic for me.

Today I took Dallas and Asher to figure out what we are doing for Halloween costumes this year. Boston had decided he wanted to be Bible Man, but you can't buy that costume anywhere. So I figured I was going to have to make his. Dallas wanted to be Wall-E first, then the crocodile from Peter Pan (like Asher was last year he would tell me). I had no idea what to do for Asher. So I knew I was going to have to go to the fabric store to find what I needed for Bostons but I thought I might go by the kids consignment shop first to see if there's anything I would work with there. Ya!! So many outfits that could be our basis for Bible Man. And right in the window when we walked up was an awesome Buzz Lightyear costume, complete with wings and glasses. Dallas couldn't be more happy. I think I might just bring out Dallas' old Superman costume for Asher and they could all be some sort of super hero type figure.

Its been a long week of getting back into our routine, today feeling like one of the longest. Hopefully there will be much fun to be had this weekend!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my BIRTHDAY! Ya for me. Although the older I get, and more kids I have, birthdays don't seem like "my" day anymore. Today I turned 31 and I can hardly believe it. I sure don't "feel" like 31. We woke up and leasurly took our time this morning. We headed to Animal Kingdom after lunch and enjoyed a few hours there. Sean and I actually got to ride the rollercoaster Everest. There was no line so we could take turns and the boys LOVED watching us on it. Although they were very concerned that mommy was going to get sick and quickly greeted me right after I got off to check on me. How sweet. I reassured them that mommy was just fine, but even later that day Boston said to me, "Mommy, I think you were lieing to me and that you really were sick." I guess they think only boys are up to ride rollercoasters, they just don't know their mom well enough yet I guess. This girl LOVES rollercoasters.

Wes and Suzanne met us at the end of our day there, they close early. Then we headed to Perkins to grab a quick bite and then head to MGM Studios, but then we all realized we were too tired for another park. So, last minute, Sean's parents came over and watched the kids while we went to the movies to see the only movie that was playining in the 8:00 time slot, Dark Knight. And gosh was it DARK. Too dark for me, or I'm just getting too old. And I used to love horror films. I think since having kids I just can't take these movies anymore. Weird huh?

It was a fun, laid back birthday.

Back home

Our ship arrived back home today and had a nice breakfast with Jeff and Sherry and then all headed home. Sean and I went to pick Dallas up from school and he was SO excited. He actually ran into Daddy's arms so excited to see him (probably also because daddy never picks him up) Then we headed to my parents house to get Asher. He was so cute when he saw me, running to me with his arms out and the biggest smile on his face throwing the pacifier on his way. Oh to kiss on those chubby cheeks. I sure did miss my boys! Then it was off to pick up Boston from school. He was happy to see us but didn't express it quite as much as the other two.

It was so nice to be back home with our boys and our home....now back to normal life!

Day 4: Coco Cay, Bahamas

Today was a day on Coco Cay, Royal Caribbeans private island in the Bahamas. It was all 4 of our favorite place. It was just beautiful! The water was amazing and there were all kinds of sea animals to find and beautiful shells. The boys had fun making their own little adventure around the island looking for conch shells (and getting stung by jellyfish) Sherry and I hung out on the beach and ventured into the straw market for a little bit. We enjoyed a great BBQ on the beach and the boys played a little bit in the beach volleyball tournament taking 2nd place. (I'll have to post pics later, I didn't take my camera and I'll post them as soon as I get them from Sherry)


Here's a pic of our table the last night. We made some great friends that we hope to stay in touch with!

There was another show singing through the ages that was very good. Then Karaoke, and the late night adult scavenger hunt, The Quest. Not even sure how to describe that to you. We had our team and they would call something that you had to bring up with your team number and you had to get it from the room we were in. Some things they asked for: a piece of fruit, a guy with his shorts on backwards, two shoe laces out of the shoes, two belts, a business card, and many many more. We laughed so hard. Of course then it got a little far for us at times, so we just skipped those. It would be a great game to play somewhere if you kept it clean.

Sean and Jeff skipping along together

Our friends Kevin and Erin (from our table) in his pants!
Of course the night wouldn't be complete if Sean and I didn't order room service...boy am I going to miss that! What a GREAT day!

Day 3: Nassau Bahamas

Today we docked at Nassau and we all decided we wanted to take the ferry over to Atlantis. Before we left we had a sit down breakfast in the main dining hall. We got sat with a couple from England and Sean and Jeff asked them every stereotypical question you could ask. They had us laughing (like always.)

We got off the ship and were bombarded with the natives trying to braid our hair or take us somewhere on a tour. They were EVERYWHERE! Jeff favorite response was, "How much to braid mine?"

The ferry was interesting to say the least. We laughed so hard as they packed us on like sardines. After making it over we got to Atlantis and realized we really couldn't see anything without paying an admission. We did get to see a little, like some of the aquarium.

AtlantisBoy do I look tired!Sean, Jeff and the cleaning guyThen we decided we have more fun on the ship and headed back for some lunch....it's all about food this week! LOL

After lunch we did the sudoku challenge and a trivia game. Sherry won the sudoku and I decided it might be better to start our on an easier one to get the hang of it! :-)

Dinner was good and we had a comedian magician show afterward. We've been going to Karaoke every night and laugh our heads off. Its amazing how people get up there to sing and make fools of themselves. We sure enjoyed it. LOL At one point this girl got up to sing and must have been completely tone deaf, but her family in the audience went crazy screaming for her. Jeff leaned over to sean and asked, "Is that good?" Sean was on the floor laughing!

Then was the Love and Marriage game show. Sherry and I so badly wanted to be in the show so we got there early and sat down front. Sean didn't think it was a good idea to be in it and he was right! Soooo glad we weren't picked. Oh the questions they asked. Wouldn't have wanted to answer those. But we sure enjoyed watching it!

Then we had a midnight buffet (that wasn't that great) and we headed to bed.

Day 2: At sea

Today we enjoyed all that this cruise has to offer!

We went rock climbing, I cruised up the wall and didn't chip a nail, Sean made it to the top in spite of his fear of heights (go babe!) and Jeff decided on his first rock climbing experience to climb the hardest path!

We had lunch at Johnny Rockets (old fashioned dinner) Jeff had the biggest burger any of us had EVER seen! We chowed down on onion rings, french fries, burgers and Chili dogs. Then we washed it down with a oreo ice cream sundae! And I ate it ALL!! We laughed as our waiters danced to "Stayin' Alive" with the music SO LOUD.

Sean doing his Hulk Hogan impression with the look alike Hulk standing behind him!After all the grease in our stomachs the boys entered the Basketball shoot out and Sean came in 4th and Jeff 1st. They were laughing so hard because with the boat moving it was a little more difficult, not to mention the WIND! All they kept asking Roger (the guy in charge of the athletic events) was "Where's the water Roger!?!?!"

(Sean Making his shot)

We played the Trivia Challenge (and were by far the youngest in the room...hahaha) And we got swamped by the old timers. Did you know the inventor of the bra was Auto Titslinger? Neither did we!

Then was the BIG event of the day: DODGE BALL-Crew against the shipmates.

(Sean throwing a good one at the crew!)Ah yes. The boys were so looking forward to it. The first rounds we got swamped. These crew members get a lot more practice at this then we do! They added that it was the highlight of their week, I bet! We laughed so hard watching them play. And after several rounds we finally BEAT the crew and the boys took home trophies! LOL

(Sean, Jeff and Roger)

Dinner was formal night tonight and we got all dressed upLook at that handsome man I'm married too!Dinner at table 452...the crazy, loud, laughing table!They came by and sang happy birthday to me (a few days early)

Sean and Jeff and their "serious, don't mess with me" faces.

After dinner we attended the show with singers and dancers and we were very impressed. They danced through the movies and they did a great job. Singing was really awesome. Late night snack was at pizza place. They had a Mexican pizza I thought I would try and the guys behind the counter said it was hot. I said I'd still like to try it and they smiled back at me and said they would get me a nice large glass of ice water. They weren't kidding! I bit down on it and was ON FIRE!!!! I've never encountered anything that hot ever! Of course Sean and I ordered room service again tonight and watched some movies. Last night we watched Vantage Point. Tonight we watched some of Ironman, staying up WAY too late. But hey...no kids...no responsibilities...sleep when you want!

Pizza with our pizza shaped table

Day 1 of the cruise

Let the crusing begin! We made it to the ship at noon after having dropped the boys off at school and Asher at my parents. We got checked in and headed to our little (and I mean little) room. I think it’s the smallest room of any of the rooms I’ve stayed in on the 5 cruises I’ve been on. But we aren’t meant to be in our room are we? So we headed to get some lunch and the food was great. Then we went exploring the ship when our friend Sherry and Jeff called. We met up with them and had a great time catching up, laughing and looking around. The drill was uneventful but Sean and I were happy to be lucky enough to have ours indoors. Jeff and Sherry teased us that we are “gold” members and that’s why we were inside. LOL

Dinner was fun. We all weren’t at the same table but they were nice enough to hook us up at a big table together with a bunch of other young couples. I’m so glad Jeff and Sherry are on the cruse. We have so much fun hanging out with them. More laughter than you can handle! Sherry and I joked that we might just have to separate the boys from each other. Our table had no idea what they were in for! LOL Before we ate Jeff asked if everyone minded if we prayed and the other husbands were so thankful for it.

After dinner we enjoyed the comedy show. Sean and I were impressed with the comedian. Especially for a cruise comedian and he was very clean! Refreshing.

We checked out the karaoke, learned some swing dancing and Sean and I danced a little, we enjoyed the moon and the reflection off of the ocean. Then by 11pm we were all tired and retired to bed.

It’s amazing to be on the cruise and have no responsibilities! No cooking, no cleaning, no taking care of kids, no laundry, taxi driving, and no getting up at the crack of dawn (even though I still woke up at 7am ready to go the next day!)