The Magic of Disney World!

We had an amazing time at Disney World last month! Considering life during Ike recovery we really thought the trip shouldn't happen, but we are so glad it did! It was just what we needed! We drove to Florida and the boys did great! We met my mom there on Sunday and hit the ground running! We did the parks every day from nearly open until nearly close with few stops in between... and that is just how we like it! We travel well with Mom and we all have a great time together! On Monday we did Magic Kingdom, Tuesday Epcot, Wednesday Hollywood Studios, Thursday Animal Kingdom, and Friday Magic Kingdom again! On Thursday my sister, Cassie, her husband, Matt, and their new baby, Griffin, met us there! We surprised Cass for her 30th birthday! We had fun at the Rainforest Cafe and Downtown Disney.

My family LOVES the rides and can't get enough of them. I am the most fearful of them all... Biggest hits with us this trip were Tower of Terror, Dinosaur, Rockin Roller Coaster, Soarin, Small World, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Space Mountain, Test Track, Mission Space, etc... We also LOVE the characters! The awe and wonder in Colton's eyes this time was precious! We had an awesome time reliving our time spent in CA and all our Disney trips there. Disney is where our family is happy! It's our Happy Place! A place where magic happens and treasured memories are made!

Thanks, Mom, for EVERYTHING! Thanks, Cass, for giving us reason to celebrate! Thanks, Tom, for providing a wonderful and needed time away! LETS GO BACK SOON!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

God is in control!

It is hard not to worry about the days ahead. With the economy and an election upon us, times seem uncertain. A friend sent me the following and it put some of my thought and feelings into words. Hope it helps...

10 Predictions, Regardless of Who Wins the Election

1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost who come to Him.
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL?!!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

A Lunch Date!

Here is Colton and his good friend, Grace, at our 1st Chick-fil-A outing since Ike!

Life is just so much better in the hand of a good friend!

Happy 9th birthday, Andrew!

In the middle of our Ike recovery we took time out to celebrate our favorite 9 year old! He had a few friends over for a Book Party! We had lots of fun making book marks, book bags, building book castles, blind folded building of towers, a fun character name game, and a book exchange. Of course we indulged in pizza, skittles, pretzels, and brownie sundaes! It was the easiest cake this year since Andrew doesn't like cake... we baked a pan of brownies instead!

You are so special, Andrew! God blesses us with you and your many gifts each day! We love you!

What Hurricane Ike Left...

Here are just a few of the pics that spoke to me...

1. The Space McDonalds that we frequent

2. Before and after shot of Crystal Beach

3. Kemah Lighthouse district

4. Kemah rides

5. Hwy. 45 about 15 min. from our home

Here is the most extensive grouping of pics from Ike that I have seen. You have to have some patience since some of the pics are slow to come up.

http://www.tpicks.com/pictures%20people%20have%20sent%20me.html

Still seems unbelievable! But God is good...

Post Ike... What do we do now?

How do you come home from an evacuation and just pick up where you left off? Ike came and took so much from everyone. He stole two weeks and much more from so many that were in his path. I have been trying to deal with life after Ike and it has been tough. I struggle with why we were ok through the storm and so many were not... their homes were damaged, or they lost everything, or they lost their job, or they couldn't come home because they didn't have power, or they were working tirelessly to help others, etc... We can't even go out to eat because some of our favorite places have lost power or worse. There's no going to the beach right now and no heading to Kemah for lunch and rides. We were looking forward to the Balloonar Liftoff that is held each year and JSC... canceled this year. Tom and I had a hard time coming back from Ike and our communication took a huge hit. Colton was a screaming mess for about a week because he was feeding off me. Braden was extra loud and crazy which only intensified everything! So... I began to pray (don't get me wrong, I had been praying the whole time and God answered our prayers for safety and keeping our home safe). Now my prayer was... use us Lord... we have power, our health, and all our stuff... use us. And he did!!! Be careful what you pray for! :)

As I was taking the kids to the park I stopped to talk to my neighbor and he told me the unforgettable story of a former worker of his and his family from San Leon who had lost everything and were still living in their uninhabitable home. My neighbor and his wife took this family in. So, after I got home from the park I told the kids and we went through their toys, books, games, etc... and filled a box for this family. I sent out e-mail to my MOMS group, small group and a few other friends for clothing needs and things stated to trickle in. The next morning I was trying to regroup our lives and head to the grocery store. Tom called telling me to get some ice and not to get anything frozen because a HUGE extended family from Galveston had just moved into the rental home on our other side and we will be holding all their food. This family had 10 homes effected because of Ike and most of their homes will have to be bulldozed. Our front room looks like Good Will as we are accepting things from friends to bless both of these families.

Thank you God for blessing us so we can be a blessing to others!

Ike not only brought destruction, he brought change... change in the way we see our neighbors, change in our priorities, change in our attitudes and thoughts, change in our lifestyle (some more so than others). Normally I don't like change, but when I see neighbors connecting, friends taking time to get together and talk all this Ike mess through, offers to help clean up, donations coming in, children making new friends, encouraging words, people taking time to listen to others, etc... I don't mind change this time around.

Thanks Ike for bringing us new neighbors who are showing us daily how to praise you in the storm, thanks Ike for the blessing of friendship for my boys from Brandon (new neighbor from Galveston), thanks Ike for friendships that have gotten stronger as we rode this storm out together, thanks Ike for a church who has taught us how to go out and BE CHURCH, not just DO CHURCH every Sunday, thanks Ike for Ang and the spontaneous and much needed play date at her home, thanks Ike for creating all sort of ways that Tom and I can teach our children to be a blessing to others with the their friendship, time, and belongings, thanks Ike for tearing down ugly signs and trees that will be replaced with new ones, thanks Ike for the countless people who are sacrificing daily to help Houston get back on their feet, thanks Ike for more time with friends since school was out, and thanks Ike that church was canceled Sunday morning so we could worship with our small group at the Swiggards.

We continue to Praise you, Lord, in the storm...

Returning Home after Ike...

After holding a spontaneous church service in Grandma and Grandpa Bleam's living room, we packed up and headed home. We were going knowing there was no power and I wasn't handling things well... Praise God again when our cell phone worked for a minute and we called home and heard my voice on our answering machine! We have power!!! We got separated from the Swiggards and since Tom and Scott went home hours after the storm had passed to unload our fridges and freezers, we didn't have much gas. I was a nervous wreck yet again, but God continued to guide and bless our decisions and we made it home just fine.

To see huge signs down, windows blown out, huge trees uprooted, mile long lines for gas and ice, common sights seen every day all boarded up... puts you in a really different world. Knowing full well God's power and plan we give him all glory and honor for truly sparing our community. Though there is vast devastation around us in all coastal communities, most things around here in our small corner of the world have minimal damage. Nothing that can't be fixed. We are home safe and sound with power and the boys are enjoying time at home with all their things with less stress than the past several days. I feel in la la land with all the devastation around and yet all is fine at our home. I have checked on all friends and our small group and everyone fared well. Some better than others. We have opened our home for anyone who needs a place to recharge, do laundry, get a bite, or sleep. So far we have only had the Swiggards who still do not have power. Tom's back is a mess from putting up the storm shutters and I am feeling so exhausted! The schools are closed until further notice. We haven't ventured out yet, but hear things are slowly coming open here and there. Most friends will stay evacuated until they know they have power. Our church suffered some damage, but again nothing that can't be fixed. We'll probably put together another spontaneous worship service somewhere since there will be no church services on Sunday. I'm so thankful that things worked out the way they did. Our friend, John the storm chaser, was down here the whole time and said, "The devastation in Chambers county (e.g. Crystal Beach) resembles that of Katrina. Certainly, a shift 30 miles further west in the landfall point and Houston would of had serious trouble much beyond the extended inconvenienced (no power, etc.) most are currently experiencing. We can be very thankful."

I am so thankful today for countless things and especially the cool front that is here now with highs in the mid 80's and lows in the mid 60's and I'm praising God in the storm! :)