Disney World -- Day 1

For some Friday fun, Scarlett and I made a big Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie Treat. And that reminded me... I have to start my Disney posts! 

We traveled to Walt Disney World where we met my parents for an absolutely delightful 3 full days. It was Scarlett's very first trip to Disney and so, in the words of my darling friend KT, it was all seen through the eyes of a child! Speaking of KT... my BFF and Disney goo-roo... Her planning skills and Disney knowledge really made our trip! If you're planning a trip to Disney soon, contact KT. I cannot think of anything she enjoys more than planning a trip to Disney. 

Since pictures say a thousand words and I have about a thousand pictures to post, I will let the pictures tell the story of our simply magical trip. (For real, the amount of pictures may seem a little excessive... however, I hope to cherish these memories for a LIFEtime!)

We started out DAY 1 in (where else?!) Disney's MAGIC KINGDOM....

It was a gorgeous, sunny morning as we walked to the bus stop...

The excitement begins...

We had early breakfast reservations so we got to enter the park early... It was lovely. Here are some pics from Scarlett's first look at Cinderella's castle! 

A nostalgic fire engine headed down Main Street USA. 

It was so nice to just take our time walking down Main Street and seeing all the sights. 

A little closer :)

my precious parents....  Best. traveling. buddies. EVER.

We had breakfast inside Cinderella's Castle at Cinderella's Royal Table...

Scarlett loved meeting all of the princesses... 

Cinderella

Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty)

Snow White

 Arial 

Jasmine

Scarlett and her prince... :)

After our tummies were full and we had had our fill of royal-ness, it was time to hit the rides! 

Scarlett and Boo LIVED IT UP on the carousel.... (and, clearly, I took tons of pics)

We had a little wardrobe change mid-day.... I have to give a big shout out to my other BFF, Beth, and her mama who make the most darling kids clothes. They made this sweet ensemble for Scarlett's big debut at Disney World. You can visit their shop HERE on esty (I think they are taking a little vaca at this very moment) or see their darling things HERE on their facebook page (I think Beth recently posted some sweet Easter outfits). 

Popcorn break :)

Oh DUMBO!!!! We loved you. 

We finished our first, fabulous day with dinner at O'hana at Disney's Polynesian Resort. Seriously, the best food I have ever put in my mouth. It is a really fun atmosphere too... Scarlett was in full form :)

Me and MY prince ;)

 A great first day for the books.... 

Wordless Wednesday

20 weeks

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.    Isaiah 55:13

If you do not yet know Jesus as your Savior, the verse above may not make sense to you. If so, I pray it will make sense someday very soon! I simply have to tell of the Lord's renown. He is faithful. I remember that it was this very month last year that Mitch and I conceived a precious baby that was not meant for our arms, at least not this side of heaven. I think of our sweet "glory babies" often, even if they were in my womb for what could be considered only a few short weeks. I don't think it is the Lord's plan for us to dwell on the heartache that was brought about in carrying those babies. Instead, I see their precious lives as a sign of God's hand at work for our good. As you may know, He always does work for our good. It seems funny to me that I am writing about this on a "pregnancy update" post. But, I have sat on this side of the computer reading other girls' posts and let my heart sink because I wanted so badly to have what they had at that moment.... a baby in my tummy. My point is this -- whether it is realized or revealed now or a year from now or someday when you meet the Father face-to-face, our lives are for the Lord's renown. Not our own. 

I want to tell you a little story of "coincidence." I cannot say I believe a whole lot in coincidence, but it's a prevalent concept in our world so I'll just call it that. Back up a couple weeks... I recently posted about how I went to an imaging center while SJ and I were visiting my family in Kentucky. We were all so excited and I was very hopeful for my experience. I mean, if you get an ultrasound at a "spa" you are pretty much guaranteed to have a great experience, right? Stay with me. So, the ultrasound tech came out and called, "Erin" in the waiting room and as soon as I looked up and saw her face I thought I  felt heart palpitations coming on. It was the same lady who had done my ultrasound at my OB's office back in April of 2012 when we found out our baby no longer had a heartbeat. Needless to say my memory of her was nothing short of awful. During my first encounter with her at that appointment she came off as cold and just in-compassionate. When I realized my options were to go with her or find the nearest exit, I jumped up and followed her to the imaging room. As I answered her introductory questions, it was like I felt in my spirit that this was my opportunity for redemption. God spun the world into motion. He knows everything about us. And, HE gave Mitch and I this baby that was growing inside of me. HE was going to make good out of this 2nd not-so-planned encounter with "cold ultrasound tech woman" and it was going to be for my good and His renown. So, we began the scan and saw our precious, growing and already active baby GIRL and counted her fingers and toes and "ooohed and awed" at her little profile. And then I said, "thank you and good-bye" and that was that. That was that? Hardly. What were the odds of me having an ultrasound from this woman? I mean, I live hundreds and hundreds of miles away from Lexington, Kentucky... I went to an imaging center that I had no idea this woman worked at... And, I was expecting, maybe, Mrs. Santa Claus herself to perform my ultrasound and give us all hot cocoa and candy canes at the end! So, is this coincidental? No. I really do not think so. Providential... yes. God's care for each of us is providential. And so, I take that encounter and I tuck it close to my heart as a reminder of God's faithfulness. He can redeem anything.

Pregnancy Highlights...

How Far Along: 20 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a banana  

Maternity Clothes: Not yet... :)

Gender: Girl!!! 

Movement: Yes!...loving it. 

Sleep: Okay :/

What I miss: Not much.  

Cravings: Homemade pizza with red and yellow peppers. 

Symptoms: I think I have entered the "honey moon" period of pregnancy.... I am feeling really good.

Best Moment this week: Getting a great report at our 20 week anatomy scan appointment today. Such an answer to prayer. 

Looking forward to: Giving our precious girl a name. 

This girl...oh my word... she is hilarious. She announced to Mitch and I, "Listen. I am pregnant so, you need to take my picture right now." 

 Here are the pics we got today of our little love. I will cherish them forever. 

A sister's intuition?

Here is a newsflash on our little growing babylove.... 

Scarlett and I surprised her Daddy during our trip to KY by finding out something very special... 

We took a peak at our little growing love and found out.... 

We're having a GIRL!!!! 

Scarlett's getting a baby sister, just as she hoped/thought :)

It was such a special experience to have my mom, dad and sister with us... Scarlett's little face was just precious when she heard the news. 

And Mitch loved our little surprise :) I had every intention of waiting to surprise him with our EXCITING news as soon as we stepped off the plane when we got back home so we could see his face/reaction but, I didn't even last 2 hours! Ha. (thank goodness for facetime) 

He is thrilled to be a Daddy to 2 girls now. Bless his heart, he is SO outnumbered. 

Let's start at the very beginning.

We are back from a wonderful trip to Disney World, my almost 38 loads of laundry are about half way done and my little princess is almost caught up on her sleep. We had a simply fabulous time. We laughed, we cried (literally!), we toar up the streets of Disney and made memories that will last a lifetime. Anyhow, I am so looking forward to reliving our days in Disney as I post our pictures and memories on here, but I have got to (for the sake of keeping my own memories in order on here :) start back at the end of January.... 

Scarlett and I took a little trip close to the last week of January to visit my parents since our Christmas visit was so hectic. There were several friends that we wanted to see (and, oh dear, we still didn't get to see everyone we wanted to!).

Mitch took us to the airport early one morning and the South Carolina sunrise was gorgeous over the water on our way.

Miss SJ was an angel on the planes. 

And thank you LORD for the iPad! 

And my favorite part of the ride was holding my precious babe while she slept. It is seriously the best feeling, especially since she hardly sits down otherwise! (please don't judge my "mommying"...my girl loves her "bappy") 

It was SO nice to be in my parents' home... 

We ended our day with the stunning Kentucky sunset. Thank you Lord! 

~~~

The morning after we arrived at my parents', my mom and I took Scarlett for her 1st haircut. So fun! 

My very sweet friend Erika gave SJ her first little hairstyle :) She is a precious woman and even was my small group leader all through high-school! 

<AFTER>

I saved her first curls and will cherish them forever! But I am loving her "big girl" hairdo. 

~~~

We rushed on home in the slush and snow to visit with our dear friends Kingston and Kristin. OH how we miss them!!!! 

As you can see, Kingston did not want his little face in these pictures :) 

These two little hams are so much fun to be with... and in the words of my dear friend Kristin, "absence truly does make the heart grow fonder." 

My precious friend :) 

~~~

Then we got to spend some much needed time with my 2 best friends from college... and the darling little McKinley. 

There is nothing like sitting in the middle of a ton of toys just chatting away with your bff's while your little girls play. 

Thank you to Beth's husband, Josh, for these beautiful pics he took of us and our little sweeties. 

And then just us girls got to go out to dinner...The Cheesecake Factory it was so yummy and SO fun to be together. 

~~~

It was such a fun getaway and was so nice to be with my precious parents... it just went by way too fast and we missed Mitch SOOOO much. 

our sweet valentine

You, sweet Scarlett Jean, are the JOY of my every day!!! Mommy and Daddy love you so very much. Happy Valentine's Day precious girl. May you always know how loved you are, no matter what your life may hold. 

Here is SJ opening a valentine from her Lolly and Pop. She was very excited :) 

And here is our darling "ballerina" about to enjoy her Valentine dinner of homemade fettuccine alfredo with her mama and daddy. I hope we are her Valentine's evening dates for MANY more years to come! 

 Mitch is on call all this week so he didn't get home until just before dinner at close to 7. When I told Scarlett that Daddy was about to be home she looked at me with big eyes and said, "Momma! Quick, quick. You gotta come help me put on my ballerina dress cause I'm gonna marry my daddy tonight!!"
I loved it and you know her Daddy did too. 

Okay, much more to update soon!!! Happy Valentine's Day dear readers :)