Jill, John, and Brooklynn were here today for a while, and it was a happy day and a sad day at different times. We attended the funeral of a dear, graceful, classy, Christian woman who was finally overcome this week with the cancer that had given her physical body a long and rough battle. She was the wife of my former principal, the mother of three beautiful young women I have worked with in summer camps, grandmother of two little boys, and a little girl, also a Brooklyn. She was a sought after speaker for women's retreats, an author of Sunday School literature, and director of the children's program at her church. She was my kids' teacher when they were in sixth grade, as well. She was responsible for me having the job I have today. She lived a faithful life here on earth, and she will now have her reward for forever.
Our family has lost two very influential, tremendous people in the past few weeks, and although we are sad at the void they leave, we rejoice that neither of them have any more sorrow or pain with their diseases.
As I sat at the funeral, my arm around my own daughter, I did feel sad for the three young women who no longer had their mom to call on. We never know what day will be our last to do good for others, and we never know what words might be our last, so it gave me renewed determination to make every day as good as I can make it, even when things are really bad. Every event may become a special memory to someone, so I will try to make them as happy and joy-filled as possible.
After the funeral, we went to the home of another long-time family friend, Joyce, to make cookies for tomorrow night's Children's Bible Hour. We had to make camels, and let me tell you, those skinny camel legs didn't want to cooperate sometimes in coming out of the cookie cutter. So, we had some long legged camels, and some whose legs baked together into one big leg, and we had some necks that stretched out and looked more like giraffes than camels...BUT, we laughed and talked and made another memory. Brooklynn toddled around the house playing with Joyce's grandchildren's toys, John kept an eye on her, and Joyce, Jill, and I rolled and patted and floured and baked and then painted red saddles on about six dozen cookies that looked something like camels. I don't think the little kids will care much what they look like. At least, I hope not.
I hope that you can look back on your day and pick out one or two things that made today special for you.
On with our first full day of our Christmas trip.
We started out with breakfast at All-Star Music.
I know you are saying, "Where's the fruit?!?!" Never fear. We had already had grapes in the room.
Brooklynn colored about three strokes on a picture.
The first ride, of course, was Dumbo. AKA "Bumbo" by Brooklynn. I know that's what all of my kids called it when they were first learning to talk, also. What about your kids?
We rode Peter Pan next, but I guess I didn't get good pictures of anything in there.
We went over to Small World, which Brooklynn loves. We love watching her try to take it all in. Her head bobs from one side to the other.
And then we said good-bye in many languages.
We didn't have to wait anywhere - just walked right on.
The one ride Brooklynn isn't crazy about is this one.
We found Cinderella's own horse with the golden ribbon on it's tail, which could have been exciting if she were older, but I think all she sees is this:
Yeah, that could be seen as a little less than friendly to a sixteen month old.
We saw these friends
and then went on their ride.
We decided to see the Bear Country Jamboree, since it was about to start.
A while later, we headed toward here:
Do you know where those plates are?
Here's another hint:
and another:
and the answer is (say it with me) Main Street Bakery!
Jill loves the chocolate croissants, and the banana bread was delicious. And the fruit is back in the picture.
After our snack, we heard these guys out on the street.
Everything in Magic Kingdom and everywhere else all week was decorated so nicely.
We just roamed a little. This will be our first meal on our summer trip.
ADRs have already been made.
Brooklynn found....
take a guess....
ducks!
That's it for this evening.
Don't forget, when you're tired and cranky, or when you just don't feel like doing something for or with someone - kids, parents, spouse, friend - try to muster up the energy to do it anyway. Make it a special time - a special memory. I don't think you will regret it.
Have a good evening, everyone!
. I did PM you back but not sure if you got it .
She gets away with much more when he is with us than if we are out on our own (mom is such a bad guy!
)but actually she doesn't even try to get me to do the things that she can get my husband to do just with a little smile and a 
And there is no duck like a Disney Duck! We always take pictures of them because they are "special" 
i would not have been happy at all.
