Vacation Pictures 2012

We love vacation.  We love Disney.  We love being together.  We love traveling together.  We love the families, the food, the getting there, the water, the rides, the shows, the hotel rooms, the laughter!

Airport at 4:30 in the morning!  Let the laughter begin!!

Bus Stop

Me

Our Room at the Wilderness Lodge

A dear friend, Gina, lives in Florida and joined us for Dinner!

Favorite Roller Coaster

My lovely Ashley

Dad and Sis

The Shows!  Beauty and the Beast - LOVE

The boys and Mickey

Me and My Kids

Delirious Dad on the Bus

Just a small sampling of our great trip.  We are so thankful to God for the job David has; to David for working the job - to provide us time away.

For the Most Part

For the most part - headaches are nuisances I can deal with - but not every hour of a single day.

For the most part - learning disabilities are challenge to be conquered - but not when my child is crying.

For the most part - I look  forward to see my son in a healthy, relationship with a girl - but don't want him to  
                                  have his heart broken.

For the most part - laundry is not so bad - except when it takes over the house.

For the most part - snuggles and joy and warm fuzzies are beautiful - but we just can't rely on feelings.

For the most part - I am quite cynical - only that would require one to never be able to see the trees
                                for the dense forest.

For the most part - quiet is good - but it's my mind that's so busy!!!!

Yeah, not my best day.  But for the most part, it was exceptional!

Quiet

The past 4 weeks have been a whirlwind!

After Christmas, we were putting away decorations, cleaning house, packing for a trip, taking a vacation, coming back, prepping for the Daddy Daughter Dance, going to appointments and recovering from a cold and

BAM - it's February 24th!

As I type, everyone is in there rightful place.  Kids at their desks, David at work, Sherman on his bed.  The sun is warm streaming through the classroom window and it's very quiet in the house as everyone is concentrating on something.

It's a beautiful peace today.

My To Do list is a mile long.  But I don't care.

Late in the night a chorus came to mind:

       Breathe me, let my arms wrap around you
       Breathe me, let my spirit surround you
       Take time to fall upon your knees and worship me
       Breathe me

       Forget about your worries and your strife
       Forget about the cares of this life
       Be still
       And Breathe

That's what I'm doing today - breathing the presence of God.

Happy Birthday to My Sweetheart!

We were so blessed to be able to be in Florida at David's favorite place for His Birthday - Epcot!

These are my favorite pics for my Favorite Man!

The "Seriously, you're taking my picture?" look does not discourage me!

The Boys

I love every inch of this man!!!

His "Teethy" smile for the Girls back home.

Happy 43rd Bday, Davey!

I will admit - I was pushing his limits of endurance with the camera this day.

Below - His Birthday Dinner in "Mexico."

He loves his Son.

He loves his Wife!

He loves his Daughter, too!!

He makes me smile!  and laugh!

"Teethy" again.

He tolerates hours of shopping.  A traits he is trying to

pass on to his children.

He loves roller-coasters!  Especially the Primeval Whirl!

We rode it 6 times!  And laughed so hard every time!

His favorite Breakfast - Chef Mickey's!

We awoke at 6 am to catch a 6:45 boat to eat at 7:25 am.

That's love!

A true smile!

Sweethearts ....

...who have become deranged parents!

Dear David - 

Every day, every week, each month of every year, I love you more.

Twenty years of marriage have flown by!

Thank you for your selflessness.  Your love.  Your devotion.

Your attentiveness.  That you fold laundry.

For taking care of cars.  For mowing lawns. For fixing sinks.

Thanks for taking time just to BE with us.

I love you so much, Sweetie.

Happy Birthday!

Now...... where should we go for my 43rd?

Live Outloud!

A woman seeing us leave the Sports Club said, "that family looks happy!"


Her friend replied, "Yup, they are that way all the time."


Best testimony we could live.


Remember someone is watching you!

Do We Just Hear or Do We Listen

I was probably 15 when I became aware of the country of Romania.  A friend I met at camp was training with a famous gymnastics Coach from this country and she would tell the stories he told of his homeland.  They always stuck with me.

Romania.

Over 6 years ago we joined a church.  They send a Missions Team every Christmas to Romania.  So cool.  I loved seeing the pictures Tom and Alyssa posted and hearing Morris' talk about the kids.

Last fall, our kids held a Pancake Breakfast at church.  Morris called me over.  "Kim," he said, "Tom just asked me who I thought should go to Romania with us.  I told him, Kim Beach."  Wow.

So after Christmas this year, I send Tom an email asking how much money Ashley and I would need to go with them on their 10th Anniversary Trip to Romania.  I was amazed it was cheaper than I thought, but still a hunk of change.  For two of us.  And now, Chris said he wants to go.  Let's see, 3 x $3400 = alot of faith.

Then today, I jumped on me blog and scrolled down to see where visitors were coming from - Romania.  Did I read that right?  Romania?

We often pray to hear God, but so often we just don't listen.  I'm Listening God.

Romania?  With my two kids?

Counting on You to provide.  Counting on You to prepare the way.

I'm listening. . . keep talking!!

Do Over Plan

One of my favorite attributes of God is His Gracious "Do Over" Plan.  Don't you remember playing games as a kid and a mistake would be made and someone would yell, "DO OVER!"

There was always one quicky thinking kid in the bunch who would start the game by calling, "No Do Overs."  This kid was never my friend.

My best friend growing up was Melissa.  We started kindergarten together and went through elementary school.  Her mom was my middle school math teacher.  Her brother our constant nemesis. 

She taught me to tie my shoes.

And with her death, she reminded me to live.

If it weren't for Melissa, I would have sat on the bench through most recesses and PE classes.  I am not nor have ever been athletic.  Volleyball is about my only sport - no running involved.  But I have to admit my pulse raced and fear pounded in my temples every time the ball came towards me.  No one knows the courage it took for me to be on the court.

But Melissa was different.  She could play many sports.  And she was good.  And when she was Captain, I was always chosen second. 

And she always let me have Do Overs.

Each morning, each Monday, each first of the month, each new year can be seen as a Do Over.  And that's how I've approached life.  Mess up.  Go to bed, sleep if off.  Do Over.

2011 was super busy.  Two surgeries for my kiddo.  School.  My own health difficulties.  But it wasn't bad.  I don't need a do over.

I want a Do It Better year.

Matthew 6:33 is my Do It Better Motto.

     "But seek first his kingdom and His
        righteousness, and all these things
        will be given to you as well."

We got alot right in 2011.  We did better than 2010.  But I want to do better!

Each morning, I'm dedicated my beginning to Christ.  Through His word.  Through prayer.  Through the quiet of His presence.  I'm counting on Him to add the other things - housework, teaching, health, finances.

It's a sacrifice.  I like sleep!  I have trouble getting to sleep and like to sleep in.  This is requiring a life change. 

But He is always worth the extra effort!

Can't wait to see where He leads this year!

So, tell me this, What's Your Do Better verse this year?