Saturday, December 31, 2011

Trip to South Alabama

In October, we had the opportunity to visit the other southern side of our great state.  I had a work meetings and the family tagged along.  We left one Friday afternoon and drove to Point Clear.  I loved the drive down...it was a route...well most of it (i.e. the part that I didn't try to direct a shortcut that ended up adding 30 minutes to our trip) we took many of a time when I was a kid.  Driving through Fairhope was BEAUTIFUL.  I believe I could definitely spend more time in the area...

Our little weekend getaway was a wonderful time away for our family.  We were lucky enough to have Miss Sara Hilton drive over from Mobile to be our sitter on Friday and Saturday evenings while David and I attended work functions.  We stayed at The Grand which was amazing.  The food...wonderful...the service...impeccable...the list of things to do...too long for the time we had!

We enjoyed walking around the resort, fishing on the pier, free bike rentals, canon demonstration and the beautiful views.  We headed home Sunday through Mobile and enjoyed touring the Battleship

Here are few pictures from our stay...the Battleship pictures have not been downloaded...

View from our amazing room!







Not sure if this was the dolphin or another fish..., but we saw DOLPHINS!! 


Austin Kieff had a great time fishing


Our room is the second one to the right of the big tree!

Beautiful

Enjoying a ride

There were beautiful butterflies everywhere!



The Cannon

Austin Kieff riding the rental bike


Catching Up...

So, the infamous soon turned into a lot longer than I thought it would...if anyone is still out there checking in, thanks for caring about our little family and trying to stay in touch via our family website and/or this blog!  I will be blogging a few things from the list mentioned previously over the next few days and several things that have been added to it...like Thanksgiving, Austin Kieff's first school program, CHRISTmas, Nanny's visit and New Year's.  Hopefully, I will find the time to download all of the pictures that have been taken so that I can actually complete the list...

While you are waiting...here are few pics of the kiddos...what most of you really check in for, ha!


Looking tough in his rodeo jacket and cowboy hat

I just LOVE this little girl!
This is her "hmmm, let me think about it" face

We see this face when she isn't getting her way!

Riding a "rental" bike at the hotel and not too thrilled about the color!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

While You are Waiting...

I LOVE these lyrics:

What Faith Can Do Lyrics




Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining


I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do


It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing


I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do


Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!


I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise







Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Upcoming Posts...

Okay, so first I will admit to not being the greatest updater...especially when it comes to timeliness.  Thank goodness this blog does not include financial reports or I would be in trouble with my shareholders, ha!

The following will be blogged about...here it comes...the infamous... SOON!

  • Vacation (the remainder of our Trip!)
  • First Report Card
  • First Self-Inflicted Haircut
  • Trip to South Alabama (the other side)
  • Trunk or Treat and Halloween
  • and I am sure a few other things I have forgotten!
Stay tuned...but until then...

Laura

Yes, I so took this picture myself, ha!  But I LOVE the way Caroline is looking up at me...
it also reminds me to watch my step, my tongue and actions!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Austin Kieff and...Jesus

Two mornings in a row our conversation on the way to school has been about Jesus "dying on the cross to set us free from our sins."  It amazes me how much my little fella actually comprehends about his relationship and the relationship we desire him to have one day with Christ.  This morning he asked some very tough questions.  Questions if I were talking to an adult I could answer easily.  However, I hesitated in my responses to him.  And then I realized, if he was asking these questions, I needed to have faith that God would help him understand the answers.  It was not my responsibility to make him understand, but to plant the seed.  Well Austin Kieff definitely doesn't need a seed...I think that seed was planted long ago.  I think we are in the "tending" phase.  I pray that my example and the example of those around him provides the right "fertilizer!" 

His faith and love for our Lord never ceases to amaze/surprise me.  He is so matter-of-fact with his beliefs...no hesitation, no question.  God is the only God and the blood of Jesus washes our sins away when we believe.  Amen. 

I pray that the Lord will give me the words to say when Austin Kieff is asking these questions.  I pray that Austin Kieff never waivers in his faith and that his love for the Lord is always as passionate as it is now.  God truly blessed me with my son...and uses him to minister to my heart on a daily basis.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Vacation Days 1 and 2

With Austin Kieff in school, we took advantage the opportunity offered by Fall Break to enjoy a family vacation. While our original plans were modified several times, we enjoyed a fabulous week with family and even introduced Caroline to the Disney family!


Our vacation began on Friday, October 7, 2011…later than anticipated because, thanks to my Mom, we verified one we had our registration information and two an insurance card. Well, in cleaning out my car, I removed both items. Finding them was easy. Unfortunately, the insurance card was out of date. A frantic search ensued. Thankfully, current insurance cards were located and the Jordan Family proceeded to leave Jack, Alabama!

Our first stop was for dinner. Arby’s was the choice. Then hours and hours and hours of driving! We thought the kiddos would sleep most of the way, which was the main reason we decided to leave after work on Friday. However, they were awake most of the ride. We stopped in Gainesville to purchase a few things and to “wake up.” I need to add that we were all wearing Alabama gear…in a town home to a team the Tide rolled over the weekend before. We definitely received a few looks!

The decision was made to stop for the night…or morning! We checked in to a hotel around 4:00 and left around 8:30 on Saturday morning. The second leg was much easier than the first! In just a few short hours we arrived in Chuluota, Florida at the residence of David’s little brother Jeremy and family. Needless to say we were still TIRED, but one glance at two excited Jack Jordan cousins to see two excited Orlando Jordan cousins and our kiddos found renewed energy sources. Oh to have access to those stores!

After we arrived Jeremy made homemade biscuits (my favorite). There were also scrambled eggs (Caroline’s favorite), sausage (Austin Kieff’s favorite) and gravy (David’s favorite). After breakfast the kids played…and played…and PLAYED! The rain was not stopping them from having a good time. From board games to Paper Jams...I am not certain there was toy untouched in Ella Grace’s or Major’s rooms!

Rain, rain go away the Jordan family wants to play! This ran through my hand numerous times Saturday and Sunday. Despite the rainy weather, we had a wonderful time. Saturday we enjoyed dinner at a restaurant known for alligator sightings...The Lone Cabbage. Then it was back to the house for the Alabama game. It was homecoming and we had cupcakes to enjoy for Major’s birthday that just happened to be themed for game time!

Sunday we went to Church and went back to the house for sandwiches. The kids could hardly stand being around each other, ha! Actually, I am not sure we could have separated them! Jeremy arranged a very special treat for all of us...a tour of Marine One...complete with sitting the the cockpit and in the very special passengers' seats!!  Later that evening we enjoyed a yummy dinner prepared by Lindsey and prepared for a fun day at Disney!  This story is...to be continued...  

Here are a few pictures to enjoy:




Sleepy girl...at the hotel in Gainesville

 
Coloring

Jamming

Happy Belated Birthday Major!

Why does my son always have a ball in his hand???



Ready for the Game!

Coloring again!





I think the boys enjoyed seeing each other as much as the girls!




Caroline was a Parrot at church



Waiting to be picked up...it was RAINING











These girls were inseparable at times!





Inside Marine One










The Orlando Jordan Cousins :-)

Major

Ella Grace