Home from Disneyland!

We made it home! We had a wonderful trip...well the overall trip was wonderful. While we had some trying times, it ended up being great. We left on Friday at about 2:00 pm and for some strange reason we hit really bad traffic all the way through Seattle. After that it was smooth sailing until we got to L.A. which was equally as bad or worse. We did drive all night! We hadn't planned on it, but we made it so far the first night while the girls were sleeping that we decided to go on through. We stayed at the Best Western near Disneyland so we were within walking distance to the park.

That first night we went to Downtown Disney and the girls brought their Build-A-Bear bears to be "washed" and picked out some new panties for them. We stopped at the fountains that night and found some dinner before we went to bed early.

We got four full days in the park. Sunday we went into Disneyland and there was hardly anyone there. In the morning it was cool. We realized that the stroller situation was working when the sun came out. I had brought two umbrella strollers and a pack for Anika. I thought that the two older girls could take turns in one stroller while Anika was in the other. Kelby didn't want to walk very long ever because her "legs were tired." If Kelby was in a stroller then Tegan wanted to be in a stroller. That meant I'd have to carry Anika all the time and it was too hot for that. Also, she didn't have any shade when she was in the stroller. Mike bought us a new stroller for her that night. It reclined and had a cover. Since there were only two of us and we couldn't push more than two strollers, we were still one stroller spot short. The next afternoon I tried to buy a wagon thinking both girls could ride in that (and it was cheaper than a double stroller), but found out too late that we weren't allowed to bring wagons in the park. Then we were stuck with a wagon for no reason...that's okay we got it home and will use it here. So after another difficult morning the next day we went ahead and bought the double stroller and then everything was better after that.

The girls were a little tired every morning, but perked up at about 6:00 pm when it started cooling off. The evenings were are favorite time. The girls got a second wind and were giddy with excitement. They stayed up late every night, but managed to stay pretty happy even for the lack of sleep. Kelby got really scared of strange things one night. She freaked out from the "mist" at the Electrical light parade. Mist would come out of a few of the floats like smoke for the Alice in Wonderland caterpillar and Pete's Dragon. Then she was afraid of any new ride. We finally talked her out of that behavior and then we were good. They ended up loving the Pirates of the Caribbean or "Pirate Boat" as they called it and any roller coaster that they were big enough to ride.

Anika was the best baby the whole time. She slept or was happy. She loved to flirt with people in the line behind us. Everyone loved her. Even a Brother Bear character bear loved her and kept touching her during a show. I was very thankful that she was so happy.

The girls were a little sick when we got there. Kelby and Anika coughed and coughed. At night since we were all in the same room, this was a major problem for mine and Michael's sleep. Tegan had pretty much gotten over it before we left, but the other two fought it for a long time.

We drove straight through all the way there and all the way back...and the girls did surprisingly well. They slept when it was dark and watched DVD's when it was light. We got home early Friday morning and just relaxed the rest of the weekend.

It was a wonderful vacation.

Tomorrow is a set of scans for Kelby. We've tried hard not to think about it at all, but it has been difficult. I'm concerned about Kelby's tired legs and those low blood counts. I guess we'll find out tomorrow. We won't have all the results until later this week...the bone marrow biopsy will take a while to process. I'll let you know more when I find out.

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Going to Disneyland!

We are gearing up for a trip to Disneyland! Kelby is counting down the days. At first she didn't seem too excited, but now she is. Tegan doesn't know what to expect so she'll be more surprised. It is going to be a long drive for those three little girls. They have a DVD player though, so how bad can it be? I've made them a bunch of fun stuff to play with too. I was telling the girls today that the reason I want to take them is because they are such sweet girls with thankful hearts. They really aren't spoiled. I was really blessed by my neighbor's comments about my girls in the guestbook. (Thanks Tiffany!) My girls are really happy kids. We constantly work on whining and manners (no they are not perfect), but generally they have respectful happy attitudes.

And while I'm poring it on thick...I've wanted to tell you all something very important for a while...my husband is wonderful. If anybody has ever said that they thought I was strong and amazing...I couldn't have done it without the strong faithfulness of Michael. Many people I know struggle with a spouse that isn't there, whether emotionally or physically or financially...but Michael is...he's my strong foundation. I couldn't be the woman I am if I didn't feel that I would always be loved, always be taken care of, always appreciated and never lonely. He is my best friend. The other day, after Day Camp was long over but not forgotten, Kelby shouted out from the back of the car, "Hey, Mom! Guess what!" "Ms. Linda's father is Jesus!". Kelby was convinced that Jesus was Miss Linda's only father. I smiled and explained that Ms. Linda was calling Him her Father but that He is everyone's Father. Tegan piped up, "That doesn't make any sense" and Kelby chimed in an "I'm confused." I got to explain that God loves us like a father loves us...like her daddy loves her. God loves her no matter what she does...he loves her so much that he teaches her right from wrong. Her daddy loves her like Jesus loves her. Many women can't have this conversation with their kids and mean it so deeply. I'm thankful for the husband and daddy we have in Michael. Just thought you should know.

Kelby's scans are planned for Tuesday August 24 th. We are going to get in as much fun and relaxation from our trip as possible before those scans. We'll be here all that week and then the girls and I are off to Phoenix! I'm finally taking the trip that I had to postpone in May. Then we'll get back here and after Labor Day weekend, Kelby will start kindergarten. It is going to be a busy month.

Anika is crawling around now...well inching herself around the house on her belly anyway. It happened overnight. She's sitting herself up, eating real baby food, and crawling! Everybody comments on how she's such a happy baby. She hardly ever cries unless she's tired or hungry.

The girls all got a little bug this week. They got 101 degree temps, but nothing much else. They should be all better by the time we leave for our trip. Mike "quarantined" us this week to keep us from getting sick. No Haggens or church. Kelby seems pretty normal. She complains about odd things now and then, but I'm trying not to make anything of it. I'm not going to think any further ahead than packing for our trip. (Or at least I can say that. I'm actually thinking about it here and there...then I remind myself that I shouldn't waste my time and energy on worrying. That doesn't mean I'm not worrying.)

Keep praying for Kelby and for our safety and sanity on this trip. Thanks for checking in on us.

Your Father Loves You Too:

[Ep 3:12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. [13] I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. [14] For this reason I kneel before the Father, [15] from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. [16] I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. [20] Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.