Recap of sorts

What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't have a recap of sorts from our Disney trip? A horrible blogger, that's what I would be. Because I just can't allow for that monstrosity of a no-no to happen, please feast your eyes upon the photos...
 

 

Such a good road tripping buddy...

 

Here we are, at the beautiful Magic Kingdom

 

 

 

My home because duh, every queen needs her castle

 

 

 

Baby boy got his Disney ice cream because DISNEY WORLD!!

 

Next, we went to Epcot...

 

 

Isn't he adorable?!

 

 

 

Happy boy

 

Okay, this drink I had (on the right) looked absolutely disgusting but it was heaven. Basically, it's applesauce with vodka. Oh em GOSH.

 

He makes me smile :)

 

And there ya have it. Our splendidly wonderful trip to Disney. I know there will be many more in our future!

 

Life with you

As we are traveling home today from our fabulous weekend away, spent with Mickey and all his friends, I just want to take a moment and wish my husband a happy one year of tolerating me. Ha!

 

Our anniversary was actually yesterday, which was spent in many nations at the glorious Epcot. We wined and dined on all the yummy foods, enjoyed the beauty of the park, and screamed our heads off on the rides like we were 5 year olds.

 

Hunter, being with you has been nothing short of amazing. Experiencing life's highs and lows, enduring the daily grind, planning for the future and watching things unfold, keeping Christ at the center of our marriage... Those are just a few ways you have loved me. Thank you for choosing to spend these moments with me and I cannot wait for the million more to come.

 

Happy one year of marriage to us. Love you always and forever, my sweet boy...

 



So you're going to Disney?

Seeing that we're galavanting off to Disney in just a few short days, and I'm a bit of a Disney nerd, I thought why not make the blog a whole week of Disney #BecauseItsMyBlog?! There are some great perks to being a Floridian - such as living within just a few hours of Orlando and having access to Florida resident season passes. Uhm, hello money savings.

Since I was a wee tot, I've been frequenting Disney World with the family. It's safe to say that I've been to Disney more times than I care to admit, but! That's what makes going so much fun - the insider tips. I'm always open to new tips and tricks because Disney does change things up from time to time. So, with that said, here are a few of my tips for taking a trip to Disney:

one:// Take snacks. You're going to be spending a fortune on food and drinks so be sure to pack snacks and water bottles. Yes, the park allows you to bring in food and drinks. Just don't bring in coolers or food that requires cooking.

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two:// Wear comfy shoes. I cannot even begin to tell ya'll how many times I've been in Disney and seen girls wearing... wedges. Heels. Like, why? Who the heck are you trying to impress in Disney? Wear comfy shoes because honestly, you're going to be walking quite a bit.

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three:// My Disney Experience App. Ya'll, I used this little fella the last time we went to Disney and holy freakin' moly, it's a game changer. We can see what wait times are for all the rides, show times, it stores our FastPass info, etc. It's the best thing that's ever happened to the Type A people. Praise God from who all blessings flow.

four:// Plan ahead of time. Like, wayyyy ahead of time. If you can, plan your resort stay, restaurant reservations, and FastPass tickets wayyy ahead of time. It'll save you the headache of trying to get stuff last minute and you won't be left with the poop times/seats if you book in advance. For example, I booked our resort several months in advance, our FastPass tickets 2 months in advance, and a restaurant reservation 1 month in advance. Just an FYI - Cinderella's Castle books up like eons in advance, so good luck there. It's cool, I didn't want to eat with the princess anyways because I'm a queen #InYourFaceCindy.
 

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five:// One word - FastPass. DO NOT go to Disney without FastPasses. You will be waiting all day in lines and then have a diva meltdown, which will result in you having a bleh trip. Just get the FastPass. It's free so you really don't have an excuse.

 

six:// Be the biggest kid there is. Seriously, enjoy the little things. Gawk at the lavish artwork and details because Disney really is fascinating. Laugh hysterically at the characters. Smile because you can be a kid. Enjoy your time away from reality!

 

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Disney, we're comin' for ya #WelbornsDoDisney! If you have any tips or tidbits, feel free to share in the comments. Real friends share Disney tips ;)



Gratefulness + Mickey + Minnie

Happy first day of Special Session C to me and my fellow employees! Let's knock this one out of the way and enjoy the holidays before the next big Sessions starts in the Florida Legislature. Life never slows down does it?

 

Talking about speediness of life... WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD THIS WEEKEND!!!!

 

Did ya'll catch that? I'm a bit excited and I can barely contain it. My poor husband has heard all things Disney lately. Ha! #sorrynotsorryhoney

 

Naturally, I would be pink and he would be blue

 

Today I'm so grateful for opportunities to be able to take trips like this upcoming one with my hottie boyfriend. I mean, I could be sitting on a log and still be happy if it's with him. But we're very excited to be able to get away this weekend to celebrate our marriage. I honestly cannot believe it's been a whole year! Time flies when you're having fun.

Not to get too mushy on this Monday (it'll happen next Monday) but I'm so beyond lucky, thankful, and humbled to be married to Hunter. His passion for Christ and life, his deep-rooted love for others... It's just awesome that I get to experience it with him. I thank God daily, and twice on Sunday's, for Hunter.

 

Now off to the races I go! Wish me luck on this wild first day of sessions...



 

Deep & Wide

I've been reading this fabulous book by Andy Stanley called Deep & Wide and it's basically one of the best books I've ever read. There's so much truth and ideas that I'm already thinking of ways we can change how we do things with our youth, our church members, and more importantly, our community.

 

 

See, the book is focused on one thing: Creating churches unchurched people love to attend. How many times have you ever made an excuse to not go to church because it's too early, or they're too stuck up, or they're hypocrites, etc. etc. Come on, I know you've made those excuses because I know I have too. I shared this quote from the book the other day and I want to share it here because it honestly speaks so much truth into the current situations in many churches:

 

"Churches designed for saved people are full of hypocrites. You pretty much have to be a hypocrite to participate. Transparency and honesty are dangerous in a church created for church people. Consequently, the casualty in a church for church people is grace. It's hard to extend grace to people who don't seem to need it. And it's hard to admit you need it when you aren't sure you will receive it."

 

Uhm, can I get an amen, hallelujah?! We're always reminding our students that church is not the perfect place. It's the place where sinners come to be with others who love Jesus, to learn more about Jesus, and to express their opinions. Sometimes, more so than others. Ha! But in all seriousness, why are we not making church a place that people want to come to?

 

I haven't quite finished the book but, man. It's hitting me square between the eyes and filling my spiritual well. I highly recommend ya'll pick this book up. No, I'm not being compensated in any way for this. I just feel like our churches are failing at doing the second most important commandment that we are called to do - love others. Yes, that even means the unchurched.

 

Gratefulness + Moments

As we were driving home last night from my sister's birthday dinner, I was hit with the fact that it was already the end of the weekend. Onto another week!

 

I'm so grateful for all the moments we had this weekend, big and little...

 

+ Friday night football games at Hunter's old high school. Being able to see so many different people that we haven't seen so long does the soul some good.

 

+ Pumpkin picking and spending time with friends to start your day off just right is the ticket to happiness my friends. Now we've just got to carve our pumpkin. What to do...
 

Gotta love guys who go along with your shenanigans

 

+ Girl time with my mom and MIL over a home cooked meal and laughing at all things goofy. Guys, I'm really really lucky to have an awesome MIL and momma. And what's even better? That our families like to hang out with each other. So while my dad, FIL, and Hunter were hunting (read: watching nature), us gals got to do life together.

 

+ Being a part of 150 years with a little ole country church. Our church had a wonderful homecoming with many folks and lots of yummy food. Another huge thank you to my SIL for helping us with kids church.

 

+ Sunday afternoon naps just because we can. Pups included.

 

+ Birthday dinners for a fabulous chica!

Miss chatty Cathy

Happy Monday folks! I truly hope each of you had something wonderful happen this weekend. Just the mere fact that you're awake today and moving is a triumph to be celebrated. Embrace the day, ya'll!

 

 

Happy birthday, ChaSha!

Even though my sister's birthday is technically tomorrow, I think any upcoming 17 year old deserves an early birthday shout out. Especially if she's the baby of the family because duh, she's the baby.

Guys, it's my sister's 17th birthday tomorrow. 17 YEARS OLD. Like, what the what? What happened to the little runt that liked to run around sans clothes? What happened to the little feisty tiger who could wrestle with her older brothers? Just kidding, she's still feisty and my money's on her any day during a wrestling match.
 

Erin, ChaSha, Shaylee, Ernie, turd - happiest of birthday's to you. Because of you, I'm a better sister. Because of you, I have a huge passion for adoption. Because of you, I have an awesome closet full of clothes (uh, hello hand-me-ups). Because of you, our world is so much brighter and funnier (is that a word?) and fabulous. Love you and I hope you have the best birthday ever!

Don't mind me while I go and sob in a corner over the fact that I'm getting old. Happy Friday friends!

War Room + {Prayer} Time

The other night, Hunter and I were blessed to be in a room with some of our closest friends and complete strangers, going through the War Room Bible study. In the time spent together, we were trying to navigate our way through some hard questions. I clumsily stumbled around through those questions, trying to be honest and yet at the same time, grimacing at the honesty level.

It was a sad sight to see, my friends.

I have yet to see the movie, War Room, but I've heard it's phenomenal and will shake you like none other. That is, if you're the shake-able type. And I most certainly am after weeks and weeks of stubborn rebellion, thus finally giving in to His plans for me. Man, that junk hurts. And sure does bruise my pride!

As I was looking through those questions, the ugly truth reared its beautiful head: I've lost contact with Him. I've become so consumed with every day life, trying to make it through the grind, just one more "church" thing to get done, that I've successfully pushed Him to the side. Sure, "church" things are nice but let's be real here - I'm not focusing on Him entirely during that time. I'm more concerned with making sure the time is being observed so students aren't late to going home, questions are being answered, lessons are being taught, teenagers aren't fussing and fighting and "be quiet for the love of GOD".
 

At the end of the day I'd much rather become lost in some good, ole fashioned secular entertainment, rather than challenge my brain any further to go into deep, intellectual thoughts. That's me being honest, hate me for it. In the back of my mind, I know I need to turn off that oh-so-tense episode of Lost but I simply can't because guys, we just discovered who the "Others" are. 

Is this what my world has become? Mere go-here's, and do-this, and don't-have-time-for-Him every day shenanigans? Is that what your world has become? How in the H-E-double hockey sticks can I continue to bear more fruit when I'm not watering, pruning, sweating over my tree? My fruit feels dead. 

So to my fellow movers, shakers, doers - should we not move, shake, and do for His sake? Should we continue to fill our schedules with daunting tasks that really don't amount to anything? I'm right where the flesh-side of me wants to be, but not anymore. Move aside flesh, your eviction notice has been served.

Gratefulness + Modern Medication

Happy Monday! Man, I've been out of the swing of things for awhile now. I guess that's what happens when your body decides to just shut down. It's all good bod, you deserved this break. But back to business! Can we just take a minute and acknowledge the fact that it didn't get over 75 degrees this entire weekend? Blessed Jesus, I nearly cried with joy.

 

I'm so grateful today for modern medicine because honestly, that's the sole reason I'm alive and kickin'. Well that and my husband and family for their love, support, and home-cooking. Because duh, my mom's Brunswick stew + MIL's chicken and rice dish = happy Kelly.

 

I'm also beyond grateful for the fact that I work with some fabulous ladies. Because of my lovely state I was in on Friday, I couldn't make it into work, thus couldn't partake in the cookie swap we had. No worries, thanks to some amazing gals, the cookies were hand-delivered to me. Helluurrr cookies!

 

 

What are ya'll grateful for today? Did you know that we are called to still be joyful even in times of sorrow, difficulty, etc.? No matter what's going on in your life, be grateful that you are alive.