Unexpected blessings

In March Poppy asked if we wanted to come down to Orlando for a few days while he worked a trade show. What?! Would we like it?! What kind of question is that?! Going to Disney at this time in our life is not even on our radar. To have someone offer to pay for your trip is an unbelievable blessing. And how do you thank someone for something like that??
You write a blog post and fill it with fun pictures of your trip and say "Thank you Poppy and Maw Maw for making this possible for Lily....for us."
This was an incredible experience for our family and we made memories that will be cherished for years to come!

Here is our first trip to the magical world of Disney!!

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Flower girl

The weekend of November 5 was a busy one for us but it was so much fun. Lily was the flower girl in Dabney's wedding on Sat and in my stepbrother's wedding on Sun. The setting was perfect...a chapel in the woods at the Cedars of Lebanon National Park. We stayed with Poppy and Grami in a cabin and got to enjoy the beauty of the place. Driving from Olive Branch to Nashville was absolutely beautiful - the leaves were vibrant shades of yellow, red and orange. Here's a peek:

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Happy Birthday Maw Maw!!

We have been celebrating all week this special event - the day God created a masterpiece - MAW MAW! She is an amazing woman and loved by so many people....and she happens to be my hero. I learn so much from her patient, gracious, kind, good, loving ways. I wish those qualities would some how just rub off on me from spending time with her but I know these are things that only grow from walking with, knowing and trusting our precious Savior Jesus. I have seen her endure so much over these past 4 years as she has battled cancer but as you can see from these pictures she is still SMILING! She has taught me that life is a gift and every day should been treasured. I have learned from watching her how to endure and look to the Lord for strength and joy. No matter how bad she is feeling she always has time and wants to be with her family. Through the pain and suffering she continues to sing His praise and my favorite one to hear her sing is "Great is Thy Faithfulness" I know her life has made an impact on each one of us but I especially like to see it in Lily. I see Maw Maw so often in her....as she cares, loves, and is so polite. God gave us an immeasurable gift when He chose Sue Raley to be our Maw Maw, Mom, and mother in law. For that we are eternally grateful. Happy Birthday to the one we love so very much. Hope your day is extra special!!! Here are some pictures from our birthday dinner/parties -

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in YOU.

Phil. 1:6 (amplified version)

Blueberries and Bluegrass

What a day for a blueberry and bluegrass festival! It felt like it was 150 degrees out there....but that didn't stop us....from having a good time!

So, what did Lily do at the Festival?  As I look back at the photos I think she spent most of her time eating :)

Cupcakes

Shaved ice

Watermelon

Blueberry muffins

and more shaved ice - it was so hot I wanted to pour it over my head!

Lily got to play with her friend, Liza

....and with Mommy

in front of the fan was one of her favorite places to play....which was a blessing to us!

of course she likes to bounce

and have fun with Liza

and she got to play with lots of animals - puppies...(poor puppy - she's got him in the strangle hold)

goats

and ponies

so, we didn't last too long and even though our house is only about 5 minutes away this was a picture of Lily before we made it home! (after she ate a hotdog in her carseat)

We've been having such a tough time with her eating lately....maybe we should take her to more festivals!

Our Summer....so far...

Part 4

Before heading back to Bay Minette we decided to visit the Memphis Zoo.  I don't know who had more fun...me or Lily?!

Of course she thinks she is way too big to ride in a "baby" stroller

They just opened a new part of the zoo called "Teton Trek" and it was really cool seeing the grizzly bears and the wolves

....and a beautiful waterfall

Lily never meets a stranger! She actually acts as though it's her job to welcome everyone...especially babies. She is quite the social butterfly :)

She really liked the Pandas (you know the Wonder Pets saved a baby panda!! just a bit of trivia for you...very important trivia to Lily.)

She kept saying she wanted to "hold him"

It was just a little bit hot that day!

but she found some water to play in :)

Do you see the 2 really big spouts? When the water first starts spraying it is probably double the height that you see in this picture....which we were unaware of because the water is on a random timer and we had not experienced the "geyser".  Lily was sitting by one with her hand down it. Joe and I were sitting back enjoying the break and eating our sandwiches when a lady started running towards Lily saying "honey, get back"  Within about 5 seconds we experienced the geyser! I guess if the stranger had not rescued our daughter she would have been shot up into the air while we relaxed in the shade. However, it did not phase Lily...she had the best time.

and it took awhile for me to persuade her to put some clothes on!

Life with Lily is always sweeter