Taking a Breather

Can you believe it is already August? Wow, this Summer has really been flying by! I feel like we should be slowing down now that it's getting on to the last leg of Summer, but honestly, no. We are not slowing down. We are still full steam ahead, and while I am so grateful for all the opportunities that have come up and that we are taking, I really would love to just have a breather!

Oh well, I suppose I will just have to be content in remembering our little breather last week {which was also action-packed! ha!}. I have a few more pictures of our adventures in daylight to share with you! Just a few but they're still good!


Okay, so, I don't know how many of you know about my massive fear of our feathered fiends {yes, I did say fiends}, but I don't like 'em. I've been attacked one too many times by a bird, and I just don't like them. So when we went through the Rose Garden to have a little rest on the benches, I didn't realize we were going to be there with DUCKS. I decided to keep their mind off of eating me by throwing them some cheez its. I mean these guys were so used to humans they were walking up {quickly!} as soon as I sat down.

Anyway, Benjamin liked them! So I guess that's what mattered.


One thing I KNOW you know about me is my love for cupcakes. I could not go to Disney and leave without having tasted one of THESE BAD BOYS!:



Do I even have to say it? These things were MASSIVE and AMAZING. I'm going to leave it at that. {Oh, and let's ignore how yucky I look, shall we? hehe}

After we ate our cupcakes, we went through a few shops, and then, the unthinkable happened!!

YES! I never thought he would fall asleep among so much excitement, but he was exhausted and finally just couldn't help himself! He slept for a good while, too, which helped us decide to go eat and come back for the night parade {we are so glad we did!}. He slept through a few shops, the monorail ride, and woke up on the tram to the parking lot! And I believe he fell asleep in the car on the way to Planet Hollywood {which took longer than it should have, but we'll get into that later...}

{ps - little sidenote. That Eeyore he has there used to be mine and is his FAVORITE lovey! He will not sleep without it! He rubs the tag as he sleeps and as soon as you hand it to him, that is what he reaches for. Anyway, so every store we went into, Benjamin went straight to the Eeyores and started loving on them. So while he was sleeping we chose his souvenir and got him a smaller Eeyore, who we call Baby Eeyore! totally cute!}

And that's all for now!

---------
The 30 Days of Music for today is day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty. Umm... I don't really have one that makes me feel guilty. That's a weird category because we have already had "guilty pleasure". Whatever. Hmmm. Another "guilt trip"...



"Come What May" - Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman {from Moulin Rouge}

Okay I like this song, and it's a guilt trip song because Moulin Rouge is not a good movie because of what it is about. I mean the premise is that she's a prostitute and he falls in love with her. So, not a good movie. But I really like the soundtrack! So I guess that makes me feel really guilty.

A Very Magical Moment

One of my very favorite parts of our day at Disney was happening upon the show at the Castle! We came in just as the Princesses finished singing {rats!!} but we still came in at a pretty good part! We saw Peter Pan defeat Captain Hook and we "helped" run off the Evil Queen!

It was a dream come true for me especially because I was able to see Cinderella {okay I am TOTALLY a little girl at heart - I can't help it!}!

Anyway, here are the pictures from that magical moment!















Amazing right? Loved it!

----------------

Today's 30 Days of Music: day 27 - a song that you wish you could play;

Uh... I can't really say there is anything I wished I could play... I mean, I'm not really into playing music. But I guess it would be cool to play this song:

Seth Avett singing "Mary" by Langhorn Slim

All I Can Say Is: Wow.

For a couple reasons. For one thing, today was Benjamin's first lesson with Infant Swim Rescue, which in a nutshell teaches him how to float and survive in the water if he ever falls in. It was emotional and stressful because from the moment he got in the water, he wanted out, and he wasn't going to cooperate quietly. He screamed the entire time {and our friend informed us that that is how it always goes}. He went under water and swam to the steps and we were so proud of him! However it was hard to see him react like that mainly because I have a huge water fear!

Anyway, another reason I am saying "Wow" is because I was just remembering our vacation at Disney, and I wanted to share more pictures with you!

Here's a dream come true for me!:

Seeing and standing in front of the Cinderella Castle! Wow! That was amazing! I have always wanted to see the castle, because Cinderella is my all-time favorite princess! This was incredible and I was so excited. One thing that disappointed me was that we weren't able to get someone to take our whole family picture here. Oh well!


We rode a few rides when we got there, including the Haunted Mansion {a big NO from Benjamin and a half-hearted one from me - I don't like being in complete dark!} - and then one that Benjamin actually enjoyed - The Pirates of the Caribbean ride! That one was a lot of fun. After the ride, we walked out to retrieve our stroller and ran across a side show run by Cap'n Jack Sparrow himself {okay- not Johnny Depp, but he was pretty much EXACTLY like him!}!



At the end of the side show, Cap'n Jack asked for volunteers to join his crew, and we jokingly raised Benjamin's hand - and surprisingly enough, Cap'n Jack asked him to join! So Benjamin {with the help of Daddy} got to stand on stage and receive a certificate that says he is a pirate now! {I am convinced this was Hubby living one of his childhood dreams through Benjamin - ha!!}


After this, we came across a folk band playing in the street and we stopped to sit and listen a while because it was really good! Benjamin danced a little bit and he really liked the music! {They even played Under the Sea at a different point in time when we passed by}


To my surprise {and, I suppose relief}, we didn't run into many characters. We did run into the line to meet Snow White, but it was kind of long and it was so very hot out so we didn't get in line. I snapped a couple pictures of her and I have to say her voice was JUST like the movie!


Benjamin Pendragon stopped to pull the sword out of the stone before he and Mommy got on the carousel...




It was so hot out so every chance we got to sit down, we took it! These were taken before we went to Minnie's Cottage - which by the way is NOT for a busy-body toddler.

Benjamin's favorite attraction was Donald's Boat! He had so much fun running from fountain to fountain with the other kids. He made a few friends and followed them around and talked to all the kids there! By the time we left he was completely soaked and so very happy - except not so very happy to have to leave! We were glad that he was able to cool off and thankful for the break from walking all over the place too!

Hey, you can even see the shoes that Hubby shed in these pix! Yes, the ones with the orange stripes! He enjoyed this attraction as well...


After this, we decided to head back toward the gates... and the rest... comes in yet another blog post!!

--------

While I have you, though, I'll go ahead and do the 30 Days of Music for today: day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument : "Leave it to Beaver Theme". I can play this on Clarinet, or at least I used to be able to! I played clarinet for 6 years so I know a few... this one though was fun!

The Beginning of a Recap

So sorry for my absence last week! If you can recall, we were on vacation all last week visiting friends in Florida! We had SUCH a good time! I'm going to attempt to fill you all in this week with all the excitement so you may be bombarded with pictures here this week. I am sure you don't mind :) - anyway, it was a very fun week and although I took LOADS of pictures, I didn't take enough to really convey the excitement.

We got there very late Sunday Night/Monday Morning. It was so good to see my dear Kindred Spirit, Autumn, again! It felt like it had been forever! And we got to see her husband Matt and their daughter Alethia as well! It was so fun!

Monday we spent preparing for our Disney Trip!! Did I tell you we were going to go?? We ended up being able to get out to Disney on Tuesday and it was so much fun! I had never been before and obviously neither had Benjamin! Unfortunately Autumn had gotten sick since we stayed out so late that night trying to get everything ready (she is 21 weeks pregnant), so they didn't get to come with us. That was a big bummer. But we still had a ton of fun at Disney.

While I would love to put all of the pictures here in one big post, I'm not going to because I am still oh-so-tired! So let me just give you a few at a time and tell you about our trip!


We went to bed at 1AM and got up at 3:30AM to go to Disney! Yes, we are in fact crazy. We drove around looking for the place we were getting our tickets from {if you are interested, ask in the comments and I'll let you know - we got a good discount!}, and finally made it to Disney at 11AM. Yes, it took THAT long!

Benjamin was so funny! He would make Monkey noises everytime he saw Mickey and Minnie or heard us say "Mickey Mouse". I guess Mickey sounds like "Monkey" - and I guess to a one-year-old who has never seen Mickey Mouse {we don't watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse because of the amount of euphemisms for God's name being taken on that show - and I would never want to hear that come out of Benjamin's mouth!}, Mickey looks like a Monkey! ha! Anyway, it was so cute!


This was SO exciting for all of us, especially when Benjamin projectile vomited just as we got to this gate! Yes, you read correctly. I believe he was a little carsick. It wasn't a big deal, and he didn't do it again, so we were fine! He just had to change his pants so we didn't have any extras for the rest of the day. A little note for you who haven't been and want to take your small children: bring a few changes of clothing, not just one.

We took the ferry over to Magic Kingdom because it looked less crowded than the monorail. It was pretty fun and laid-back as well! I was so anxious to get to the park though! Finally, FINALLY we got there, and got through baggage check, and FINALLY we went through the gates into the most Magical Place on Earth!


Ahhh, the atmosphere! It was so much fun even walking down mainstreet! We got there right at the tailend of the opening parade! I am so glad we did, too, and I wish we had gotten there as soon as it had opened, but oh well!



We had wondered if Benjamin would be afraid but he really loved the parade! He loved all the singing and dancing and the floats and characters! He was GLUED. It was such a magical moment for me because it was my first time, and his, and we were experiencing it together! It really touched me and I admit that I did cry during this parade because I was so overwhelmed! It was so much fun!






And after the parade, we went on to enjoy the rest of our fun-filled, super super hot day!

That's all I'm going to share right now because for one thing a phone call distracted me, and another, it takes me a while to do all this, ha!

-------

I guess I should also pick back up on the 30 Days of Music where I left off! So, day 25 - a song that makes you laugh : Too bad I can't reuse "Trololo"... ha! okay, a song that makes me laugh... "Chimpanzee Riding on a Segwey" - Parry Gripp.



Yes, it is just for fun :)

Tomorrow we will pick back up with Far Above Rubies so be ready!

Whimsical Funeral?

day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral

Umm... well I don't really want songs played at my funeral merely because people usually associate funerals with sadness, and they are!!, but when my Papaw died, we sand "To Canaan's Land", and I still can't sing that song 3 years later.

But I guess if I had to choose, I would choose to have something cheerful and happy played. "Memories" by Eisley. I love how whimsical it sounds.



--------

We leave tonight for Florida. I don't think we'll be doing the Far Above Rubies this week, so those of you who are behind can still catch up!

I hope you all have been having a wonderful Lord's Day! Can I just say how blessed I am to be the wife of a faithful Gospel Preacher who is unashamed of the Truth? I am SO blessed!

Seriously Overjoyed!!

I have been looking forward to this weekend all week! ha! How about you? I know that so many exciting things have been happening this weekend, such as Julia's wedding, which of course would be exciting for her, but also her mother and sister and everyone else involved! Who doesn't love weddings? Speaking of weddings, the 30 Days of Music for today is: day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding

Umm, well, that has already happened! In fact, on August 11th, we will be celebrating our 3 Year Anniversary! I really can't believe it's almost been 3 years already! wow!

Anyway, I decided I would show you a few songs that were in our wedding. Of course, we didn't play the ACTUAL songs. I actually found this very beautiful solo pianist online and downloaded a few of my favorites. So imagine all these being played by a solo pianist, and there you have it. I chose my favorite 3. {And stick around afterward because I have more to say!!}

Phantom of the Opera, Think Of Me: This was played as the wedding party walked down the aisle. It was beautiful!


Mandy Moore, Only Hope: You might recognize this from the A Walk to Remember movie, but when I hear it, I think of our Sand Ceremony.


Stevie Wonder, Overjoyed: This was played as we exited the auditorium as Husband and Wife! I was overjoyed! It was very fitting!!


I have been looking forward to this one! hehe.
-------

OK. Now that that is out of the way!! This weekend has been so busy already! I have been struggling to stay awake during the days to be able to pack clothes for Benjamin and myself as we are going on vacation next week! I haven't been sleeping very well lately {Thursday night I wasn't able to sleep till FIVEINTHEMORNING!} so it has really been a struggle. But I am so excited to be going to visit friends next week for a couple reasons:

1. I LOVE MY KINDRED SPIRIT! Autumn & I are not "friends", we are SISTERS, and I love her to death! We were at MSOP for 6 months together and within that amount of time we grew very close and since Hubby and I left, we have only seen each other twice! And that was in 2008! She is 20 weeks pregnant with her 2nd child and I am just so excited to be visiting!! I can't wait to see Matt & Alethia {their 23 month old} either!

2. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY! Yes, I thought it would NEVER happen but we are actually going to Disney on Tuesday and I have never been before! I am so excited! But the reason we are going is because we have amazing friends here who insisted to help us financially to go to Disney World, and I cannot say how touched I am that they helped us out. I am so thankful. I am so thankful for our Family in Christ! We are so blessed!

I am so beyond excited you guys... seriously! And do I even have to say that of course I will be taking pictures?? Ahhh this week is going to be SO amazing!

Oh hey I almost forgot! I got my hurr cut today and I am definitely sure you want to see it:



Yayuhh!

Well I hope you all have a wonderful Lord's Day tomorrow!

Oh, the Glory...

day 22 - a song that you listen to when you're sad

Well, I don't really listen to songs when I'm sad. So I chose a song that, when I listen to it, I get sad. So technically I listen to it when I'm sad... technically.

Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens

{And that's Soof-yahn, in case you were unfamiliar.}

I love Sufjan Stevens. I think I could listen to him all day. He is so talented!! He plays numerous instruments, even some on the same tracks on his albums. He's a good vocalist, and an amazing song-writer. There are very few songs of his that I don't like.

The reason this makes me sad is because it talks about losing someone to cancer {of the bone}.



Enjoy!

h-a-p-p-y!

Today was a very good day, I'd say. I had a lot of fun with my Benjamin! We broke out the Window Markers for the first time and drew all over one of the big windows in our family room! Benjamin had a BLAST!


He got a lot on the window, but he also got a lot on his hands too! That's how it usually turns out after Bible class too! We like to color pictures in Bible class and sometimes I let him use markers and it is messy!



This face is called the "Biggie" face. When we say "Where's my biggie?" or "Give me a biggie" this is what we get. For your information, a "Biggie" is the same as an eskimo kiss, but we say "biggiebiggiebiggie" when we rub noses and Benjamin thinks it is so funny! It has become part of our bedtime routine. We say prayers, give nightnight kisses, and then nightnight biggies.



I recommend these window markers for any of you who have kids and live somewhere where you will bake if you step outside during the day, or for rainy days! As long as you can keep them off the walls... ha! It kept Benjamin happy, and that made me beyond happy!

And while we are on the subject of Happy!
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you're happy

Easy! Fireflies by Owl City. I love Owl City! It's weird because I am really not into Synth stuff but I really like Owl City! It is just so much fun! This is even my ringtone!



{By the way, the title of this post is a reference to "I Love Lucy". Is anyone else here a gigantic Lucy fan??}

calm down and listen to this.

day 20 - a song that you listen to when you're angry

Well, I don't really listen to a lot of music that I know of when I'm angry. I mean, I don't sit down and say what do I want to listen to, now that I am angry... However, I am sure a lot of people sit down and play music that will scream at you and just make you angrier and feel like "Yeah! That is exactly how I feel!"

Not me. I would rather listen to a song that helped me feel calm. I like songs like this one, Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie, that can sort of help the anger ebb away with the soft melodies and gentle vocals. I used to not like Death Cab for Cutie but when I found how soothing their music was, I just couldn't help but to like them!

I'm not even an angry person though, so I just listen to Death Cab for Cutie just to listen to them! But I am sure if ever I needed something to calm me down, just some soft tunes would help me out!

Benjamin, You are Eighteen Months Old!

{I missed last month's post so we have a lot of catching up to do!}

Wow, Benjamin! Eighteen Months! That is a Year and a Half! Can you believe it?? Time really has flown. You have changed so much in the past month. It has been really exciting and you are getting closer and closer to your second birthday! Now that is frightening!


{Just look at that little grin!}

You are such a sweetheart, Benjamin. You are so loving and happy most of the time. You are very affectionate and love to give kisses, over and over and over! You are a cuddly little guy, but I fear you're starting to want your space more and more. You will always be my sweet baby, though, so get used to the cuddles! I'm not letting you off the hook anytime soon! You are getting so independent and the whole world seems to be your playground.



Believe it or not, Benjamin, some people are still mistaking you for a girl!! Everyone just loves to say how pretty you are - too pretty to be a boy! I guess that is why some people think you can't be a boy. If only they knew how you are 100% boy, with your love for dirt and running and climbing. You are a firecracker full of energy and Benjamin, I am tired! But I am so blessed to watch you run and play and to attempt to keep up with you {which rarely happens - you are just so energetic!}!



In this past month you have really learned a lot and your vocabulary has expanded by leaps and bounds. Some of the words you say are: Bible, Jesus, Noah, cracker, juice, shoes, outside, backpack, Papaw, Nana, Daddy, Mama, cool guy {thanks to Uncle Preston}, ball, hi, bye, eye, ear, and so many others that I just can't list them all! You also use a few signs such as thank you, please, potty, and more. We are so proud of our big boy!



Benjamin, you love to play all day long! You have this really cool "gumball machine" filled with all these balls that you love to play with. You still really love your Eeyor and you never go to bed without him! Speaking of bed, you are only taking one nap a day now, and you go to bed usually between 8 or 9:30 and you normally sleep 12 hours. You love to wake up in the morning and go on our morning walk! You also love our evening walk!



You usually request 3 shows during the day: "Boos Coos" {Blues Clues}, "Withis" {Wiggles}, and "Ba-pa" {Backpack, a.k.a. Dora the Explorer}. You love to watch all three and you even dance with the music! You are just precious!



You are starting to become a finicky eater which can sometimes be frustrating but we are still trying to figure out your likes and dislikes. I am doing pretty well with keeping eggs out of your diet, as you are severely allergic to them {you can't even touch them!!}. We are really hoping you will grow out of this allergy but things aren't looking so good for that! We will just have to be very careful with your diet! You love to drink your juice, and you love your goldfish and animal crackers as snacks. You also like to eat grapes, green beans, corn {preferably on the cob so you can eat on it during our walk!}, chicken, burritos, and a lot more! You don't really like black-eyed peas and you sometimes won't even eat french fries. We haven't tried mashed potatoes in a while but perhaps we will soon!



You are a very helpful little boy and you like to help mommy with the dishwasher. You open the cabinet and get the soap out for mommy and you close the soap door, and then you close the dishwasher drawer and mommy helps you push the buttons. You are getting to be such a big boy and are doing better and better with using a fork or spoon.



Benjamin, you truly are a joy to be around. You are entertaining and sweet, and very obedient although you do have your moments. I love you so much and I am so glad to be your mommy!

---------------------

day 19 - a song from your favorite album

Yes, this is another Avett Brothers song! My favorite album is probably "Country Was". I listened to this a lot while I was pregnant and I still love it! It's in their earlier days and I think that is a big reason why I just love this album!

Jenny and the Summer Day - the Avett Brothers



This is also the only video they had with this song on YouTube! Glad they had it!