Fall Break

We had a wonderful time on our Fall Break trip this past weekend! Uncle Koofy went with us last minute, and I am so glad that he was able to go!!

I was so excited of all the discounts and coupons that I had found; that it made me go into full force planning mode!! ;) I made an itinerary and stayed organized with a white 3 ring binder that held all of my money saving finds!! The guys made fun and we called it the "vacation bible." (They secretly loved it) lol.

We always play the, "alphabet game," on road trips. It's something Michael and I started years ago and I've been the reigning champion.  I was a little worried on this trip b'c Michael just had laser eye surgery. His vision is better than perfect and he could see the signs much clearer before I could. Let's just say that I STILL won even being behind and taking a break playing. Hahaha!! Michael couldn't believe it. We were tied up with "z," and Keith was still on "v." I just so happened to see the 1st "Z." Thank you "Zip stop!" Of course, Michael started in with his excuses. Blah, Blah, Blah....I still won sucker! :D

Everything went according to plan with only a few changes along the way! It made for a stress free trip!!

We went to Lamberts where I ran into a friend of mine that I worked with years ago! It was nice to see her with her family. Speaking of family, I think that is the main reason why we love Branson soooo much! It is family oriented. We love to do things as a family every chance we get and 95% of the time our kids are always with us. I like it that way because we all get to share the adventure together!  The food was so yummy, as always, and we were so stuffed. 

 

We arrived at our hotel and took the girls swimming after our bellies settled. That evening we shopped at The Landing and ate at the mexican restaurant by the river. Yummy, yummy and the water light show is pretty cool too!

  

 


The next day we slept in a little bit and went to our 1st show. It was the Down Home Country show that plays at Grand Country.  We actually enjoyed it. We were the youngest ones there by about 30 years, but we didn't mind. Lol! It makes me smile, actually. The comedian was pretty funny with his one liners directed towards the "elderly." They didn't seem to mind at all! I started to wonder if some of them were gonna pee on themselves from laughing so hard!!! Haha!! Michael said the lady beside him kept tooting! Lol!
Many of them had eyes for our girls! They thought they were so cute! I love the sense of humor many elderly people show!! We can learn lots for them!

At one point of the show the lady came out singing, "God Bless America," and every last one of the crowd stood in honor and sang along with her. It was a proud moment as an American. Many of them in the room fought for our freedoms that we all have today. 

After the show we went over to the Pizza Parlor, ate lunch, then played at the arcade! All of us were full of luck! We each hit the jackpot on our games. Kate and Maddie both played "Deal or No Deal" and won lots of tickets!! Maddie had a pretty rockin' board for a 3 year old; athough she only got 40 tickets compared to Kate's 100!
We all earned enough tickets to where the girls were both able to get a hamster and a kitty cat. They carried these items around with them, everywhere! Or, should I say, Mommy did.

Later that day we all got ready and grabbed a quick bite at McFarlin's before we headed to see "Joseph" at the Sight and Sound Theatre. It was a-m-a-zing! Seeing the story come to life like that was just incredible. We had seen "Noah and the Ark" there before so I knew this show wouldn't disappoint.  Katelyn loved it, Michael loved it, Keith loved it, and Maddie....well, she slept the whole time. Lol. This story was so encouraging. It showed how God's plan comes about in ways so far greater than what we could ever  imagine. Hard times will come that don't make any sense at the time, but we must remain obedient and full of character just as Joseph. He fully relied on God and held onto the visions he was given. The forgiveness displayed with Joseph and his brothers was so touching too. God uses us for His purposes. He's the source, He is the master planner!  Joseph was a willing, obiedent servant carried God with him where ever he went . Joseph ended up second while in Egypt. He full-filled
 the plan of God and not only saved the people but also his family during the 7
 year famine.

The next day we ate a yummy breakfast at our hotel, Grand Country Inn, then we headed to the Welk Resort where we stayed the next two nights. Welk allowed us an early check in, so we unpacked and headed to their waterpark/pool area to play for a couple of hours. Later, we cleaned up, ate at Shoguns and then went to, "The Price is Right!" 

That was a really neat experience! I watched the show as a kid and it was just cool being in a "make believe" live show.  We all were hoping to have our name called, however, the more I sat there the more worried/nervous I got if they were to call my name! lol. They never did, but Keith got to spin the big wheel at the end of the show! If he landed on 100 he would have won a hundred dollar bill. He almost had it, but instead landed on 15. We didn't win anything but had a fun time nonetheless!! After the show we went for ice cream!!

  

 

The next morning, we headed to Silver Dollar City!! Yay!!! We ate a breakfast buffett at "Molly's Mill" inside the park. Everyone had such a great time, especially Keith! He said he was a teenager the last time he rode a roller coaster. Needless to say, he was a repeat rider! Lol. There weren't any lines so we were able to walk onto many of the them without waiting at all! The girls enjoyed the kiddie ride area so much!! Maddie got to ride her 1st mini roller coaster too! She laughed and squealed the whole time!! While the boys rode a few rollercoasters, the girls and I went to the Saloon show. Lol. It was pretty good and embarrassing. I ended up be the object of the funny overweight guys' affection.  It was all apart of the shoe...but, he stuck his butt in my face several times. I could've done without that, but it was funny! My face was so red, which the other guy pointed out! lol. He would've had me to dance with him if I didn't completely brush him off!! lol. So, instead he danced with a mop.  It was all so funny though! They made a guy come up to the platform to get embarrassed! At least I was able to stay in my seat. :) Note to self: don't sit in front of the bar again! haha!

After SDC we decided to order in Pizza and swim at the waterpark again.  The next morning, we checked out and went shopping at Tanger outlet!! We found a few deals, I exchanged some purses, and was able to get a few Christmas presents at the Disney store.  We headed home around 4 pm. Poor Mikey....Keith, the girls and I all crashed in the car!! We were all vacationed out!!
It seemed like a longer journey getting home, especially for Michael.  We were all ready to sleep in our own beds AND have more air space to retreat too when the someone
decides to drop stink bombs. Hahahaha!! It's pretty bad, Keith, when a 3 year old says your booty is soo stanky and refuses to sleep or lay beside you! Lol! Fun times.
 
Anyways, I love getting away with my family, but I also love coming back home too. There is no place like home, Toto!! :D
 

 

My thoughts for the day.....

Consideration of others shows that you value them. Not taking advantage of someone shows that you value them. Both of which speak volumes of your character.
Being aware and taking ownership of when your wrong speaks volumes and shines the light of God thru you. It is Him that is working intergity, and conviction out in us.

If you pray to God for patience then opportunities will come your way for God to teach you patience. The same goes for wisdom, humility, respect, responsibility, self discipline, fairness, loyality, etc. These things aren't obtained, they are learned during the journey/process of life. Some people miss the opportunity/are oblivious, some people see it and chose to fight against it, and others are quickened with awareness when the opportunity presents itself. The goal is not perfection for we're all imperfect. The goal is awareness,  courage and discipline. Stop, breathe, and ask God for help to carry out His mercy, grace and wisdom to that particular situation- To be an extension of His love and forgiveness. To have the courage to take ownership of your own wrong doing.  This has been my prayer the last couple of days.

I've been a bitter person before and all it does is bring me more pain. It really stems from a root of control.  Desiring the other person to change/conform to what you want the them do or be is like loosing an uphill battle. It's controlling them so you can control the pain they can cause you. It's pointless. Pain in this life is inevitable. Our response to it is key. Bitterness, carrying grudges is a CHOICE not a byproduct of someone wronging you. Forgiviness is a choice. Accepting forgiveness is a choice.  I'm so thankful that God has been working that out in me.

I've lived and learned that you can be so wrong even when everything you say is so valid/right for that moment.  It can be very frustrating, at times, but it's teaching me wisdom, boundaries and reveals truth about myself.  I have also learned you can't do anything about other people's state of mind or their issues that they try to make your issues. It again is like loosing an uphill battle.

Which brings me to my next point, when you pray and ask God to reveal, heal and restore things about yourself that is not like Him. He'll do it. He'll bring it into the light. I've prayed these things -to teach me, show me, reveal, heal and restore. What I miss sometimes is the awareness, but God is so gracious and patient. He gives us chance after chance.

I know that this doesn't make me any less saved or accepted by Him. It's brings more freedom in my life. His grace meets always meets me where I'm at!!