Annalise Got Baptized!

Our sweet Annalise was baptized this morning! She made the decision after her final baptism class that she chose to take after having many questions about baptism over the last few months. Annalise at Christmas witnessed a little 7 year old girl being baptized at a Christmas production in Jacksonville and was highly interested in learning more. Then when in Georgia for Christmas she saw a few more baptisms. And finally after one worship service last month, Annalise saw another group of adults, youth, and children being baptized and decided to take the baptism class offered by Mrs. Lisa this month.

Annalise was so excited to have this opportunity to show others her love for Jesus! We weren't sure if she was old enough and/or understood enough...but after asking her questions, there was NO WAY we were talking her into waiting. She even said for those family members and friends that couldn't attend that "they can watch the video Mommy!" She was READY!

When Pastor Dan asked her how she came to know Christ, she answered by reading her testimony below:

"Well I've been to church my whole life and I started asking my parents questions like how will I go to heaven and will I go to heaven. I asked what it meant to have Jesus in my heart. I wanted Him to be part of my life. And then I asked Him into my heart and now today I want to get baptized because I wanted to show everybody that I asked Him into my heart. And I want to follow Him."

Then Daddy prayed for Annalise before she was baptized.

It was such a precious moment to hear Annalise and the other little girls with their sweet spirits sharing their love for Jesus. My eyes welled up with tears while she read her testimony and then her Daddy's prayer for her.

After, I ran into the room she was changing in and gave her big hugs! She was all SMILES!!!

Mommy, Daddy, and Annalise!

And because I was trying to get every moment caught on camera, my flash wasn't quick enough to reset when she came out of the water. But, her Uncle Cory did catch the whole thing on video. Unfortunately, this was taken by our Video Camera which I didn't have capabilities to upload from. So...I used my camera and took video of the video so I could post it on here! Terrible quality, but I have to let the family at least get an idea until they see the actual fresh footage. So, listen closely to see if you can hear. Video of video isn't the best way to get good volume (or picture).

I'm Putting the Keypad DOWN!

Over the last few weeks I have been debating on some drastic changes I was considering making with my cell phone usage. I have entered the texting world in the last year pretty hard core. At first, I thought texting was for teenagers and was amazed at how fast they could enter those words and understand the short text lingo and abbreviations! And low and behold, I was sucked in! I'm not THAT old and I caught on quickly and was quite fast with my fingers...without the lingo, of course...never was a fan of that. Most of my friends text and were texting me anyway. It's the way to communicate these days, right?

In a world of technology, social networking, and mobile devices that can do almost EVERYTHING, it seems crazy for me to decide to stop texting. But, YEP! It's happening...at least for a trial period of time. I know myself and I know that I could benefit SO MUCH from putting the phone DOWN! It will not be an easy transition but I think it will be a healthy one for me and my family at this time. I realize that in my desire to be "convenient," I spend too much time trying to get those "quick" messages out...that can end up being a full conversation through texting. And then I find how much more "convenient" and "real" the conversation would have been if I picked up the phone, dialed a phone number and had a voice to voice conversation. I need to spend more time with my family during the day and not focus on returning a text. You know...be "home" when I'm home! I do love my friends and family but my husband and kids come first. I sure sound like I have a texting addiction problem don't I? And who knows? Maybe I do. So, just to get some priorities in place, I am willing to make this cut and focus on the things that matter.

The Lord has really been revealing to me many areas in my life that need a makeover. Honestly, I am making some hard changes...so changes that require some habits to change. But, it is WORTH it! I'm quite alright with being different. I don't have to do everything that my friends are doing and IT IS OKAY! My Facebook is still deactivated and life has continued to go on. Crazy huh?

So, for now, it's the old school way of dialing phone numbers and talking to people for this girl! I am also toying with the idea of writing letters too...with a writing utensil and NOT a keyboard...WHOA!!!

I pray that we all take the time to reevaluate areas in our life where we could use a positive change. Change is good. It's not always easy. But it sure could prove to be beneficial! Does this mean I think texting is wrong? No way! It's just not for me at this time. Texting may not be an area of addiction or issue for you. There are always places in us that deserve a quick "look see" for possible growth and change. I just want to encourage us all to engage in relationship with our Father above and see what He wants for you.

Last day in Snow Covered NYC!

Ok, so we thought it might flurry the last day in NYC...

And forgetting my gloves and hat at home (thanks for the gloves Bec), I thought wrapping my scarf around my head for the morning walk to breakfast would be enough.

Um...not so much! The snow was falling pretty hard...yep, hard enough to where you won't find many pics here because the wind was slapping snow in our faces and IT HURT! Our hands were FREEZING when taking gloves off for pics too.

So, enjoy the few pics we quickly snapped...

Bryant Park



And again, because I was freezing, I didn't take my hands out to take pics of the ice skating at Bryant Park. I'm sure it would have been a nice pic!


And the only picture I have of Jarrett was taken by my cell phone and too small to put on the blog :( Remember my hands were FREEZING!!! I did go and purchase a hat and an umbrella (like every other smart person had) once my scarf was full of snow and my hair was soaking wet!

The snow tapered off around 10AM. Jarrett was at the office. I went back to the hotel to rest and pack before our trip home. Then we had dinner at a very quaint Chinese restaurant which was WONDERFUL and recommended by our hotel concierge. Next was the Airport!

Flight delayed 40 min.

Orlando at 12:30AM.

Girls picked up and transferred while sleeping at 1:30AM

All together and home again before 2AM for sleep!!!

My little girls are sick with colds and skipped school to hang with mommy today to rest.

Movies and Blogging and Sleep!

Goal in NYC today - EAT GOOD FOOD...ALL DAY!

So you met our friends earlier...

Now it's time to show you the good food in NYC!!!

After some Internet searching and advice from the Local Wasko family, we mapped out our day, which began with a quick bite from downstairs on Ave D. Bagels and Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Wheat Toast. Yummy way to start the day!

Then we headed to our hotel, checked in, geared up as you see above, and set out the KATZ Deli!

This place is wildly crowded and popular! Man vs. Food has featured the infamous Pastrami Sandwich! INCREDIBLE!

The scene when you enter is CRAZY!!! You stand in line outside the building until the fire code will allow you in. You enter into a building of mass chaos and find a line behind a meat carver! Pushing and no personal space are required to request your order!

This was a pic I took while waiting 30 min in my "line" (at least that is what it eventually came to be) of the restaurant seating area. You may not be able to see the sign very well, but it said "Where Harry Met Sally...Hope you had what she had!" ENJOY! And that is where Jarrett and I sat :)

The sandwiches are so HUGE that Jarrett and I split one. I wish I took a pic right when the carver put in on my plate. But, because my sample piece while waiting was so delicious, I took a few pieces of meat off and shoved it in my mouth on the way to the table and then separated the portions. This pic does NOT do this sandwich justice in the least. Oh well, the meat is MOUTH WATERING!

Afterwords we headed to "Sugar Sweet Sunshine" for a tasty treat!

Lots of awards here too and featured in In Style Magazine this Valentine's Day also for their Red Velvet cupcake! But because my posts are crazy long, I didn't put a pic of the mag clipping. Just trust me, this place again was MAGNIFICENT! We will DEFINITELY visit here again when stopping in the City!

Tons of cupcake selections!!! So hard to choose! And wonderful prices!

Both Guy and Rebecca said the Banana Puddin was a MUST. So, Jarrett, already being a Banana Pudding fan, and after seeing THIS sign below, decided THIS WAS THE ONE FOR HIM!

AGREED...STUPID GOOD he says!!!

I had the fresh strawberry cupcake with peanut butter icing! YUMMY-LICIOUS!

On our hike to all the restaurants and subways, we passed lots of graffiti...

THIS was by far the best and I couldn't catch all of it on camera...would have taken 4 shots!

And talk about subway....WOW....I mean WOW!!!

This particular door below shut several times on these 2 girls and the doors would close and reopen several times. NO ROOM TO BREATHE! CRAZY! And every door was like that. We decided to wait for the next train. And guess what...

We were those girls!...nope...only for a second until more shoved in and we were pushed into the middle to press our faces against others over sized coats on the train....EEEEWWWWWW!!!!

Nothing like a good transit in NYC!

Oh, and another worthy topic, other than food is going to worship at Hillsong NYC!!! This was our tummy break :) We lined up about 20 min before service to see if we could get in and WE DID! They hold 3 services and if you don't make it into the first, you are given a ticket to come to the next service. We were very lucky and one of the last to make it in the 4o'clock service!

It was A.MAZ.ING! Such an incredible experience to worship with other New Yorkers and tourists! The crew were mostly all from Australia along with NYC volunteers. Joel Houston, is the worship leader, who is son to Brian Houston (pastor of Hillsong Sydney)! Carl Lentz is the pastor and traveled from Australia also! You can read about it on Brian's site here.

This was only the second service since the official launch date last week! And this was Joel's first time leading in NYC!

After that HIGH, we went to Max Brenner's for some famous Hot Choc and more!

Toffee Hot Chocolate and Maybe another special treat in the bag!

YUM YUM YUM!!!

We did a little sight seeing along our walks from restaurant to restaurant! It is a city beautiful at night for sure!

Because we were tired from our day, we ditched our last plan to eat dinner at Schiller's. We ran out of money on the Metro Card for the subway and decided to wing it for the last stop. We ended up at a cute little Bistro with candlelight. Very nice atmosphere! Food was okay. Schiller's I'm sure would have been the better choice but I am glad we were able to end our night earlier and relax side by side in candlelight! Such a wonderful, WONDERFUL day!!!

Great Friends in NYC!

We LOVE the Wasko's!!!

This weekend, Jarrett and I traveled to NYC to see some great friends that we just don't see often enough! Jarrett had a business trip (which will take him to the Big Apple often) and we went a few days early to visit with our sweet friends!


Guy and Rebecca lived in Orlando a few years back and we developed a great friendship. We have little girls around the same ages and we would get together often for dinner, playdates, poker nights, and even spur of the moment trips!

When Guy and Rebecca moved out of state and up North, we stayed in touch and traveled back and forth between states to see each other. We take every opportunity we can to see them!

This trip was so special to us as we were able to catch up on a life, share our journeys, and laugh together! It just doesn't get better than that!

As we were taking pics, Jarrett and I jumped in for another chance for a couple shot! I just loved how it turned out. I couldn't resist not posting this pic. (Hey, mom...here is a new refrigerator pic to replace the old one that I've complained about for so long :)


Here are their sweet girls, Emma and KP! It's funny how closely these girls act like our little ones and made us miss our girls so much while we were away!

And here is precious Carter! She is a doll! And I guess since they had a third child, it was our turn :) So...wonder if ours will be a third girl???

As the guys were outside, the girls and I decided for a quick photo shoot! They are so much fun!

Well, there ya go...that was my introduction to the Wasko Family! I thought it was important we gave you an insight to some of our great friends!

Can't wait to see this crew in August in Sunny Florida!!!

Allison's 4th Bday Celebration!

Our little Peanut turned 4 years old!!!

Allison has been such a special joy in our family! She definitely can LIVEN up the scene!

She is always dancing, singing, and doing some type of performance when she is not playing house or kitchen with her baby dolls! She is a HUGE BALL OF ENERGY!

You may notice below that this cake doesn't look like the one pictured above. Well, that is because she couldn't decide between the princess cupcakes or the bday cake. Since they only had 6 cupcakes at Publix that day with Princesses on them, we let her take that one home and got the cake for the rest of the guests :) And as you can see, she wasn't disappointed!

This year, just like last year, we decided to make her birthday party a camping trip since her birthday falls at such a wonderful time of the year for camping! Allison LOVES to go camping. But, as the weekend approached, the weather wasn't looking good for setting up and sleeping in a tent. 2 days of rain was expected :(

So, after cake, presents, and spending some special time with family and friends, (with the help of some sweet friends), we chose to take our little birthday princess to Disney for the day!!!

And again, she WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED in that decision either!

Here is that infectious sweet smile by the birthday girl!


Allison's Mimi and Papa also came down for her birthday to celebrate!
It was so fun to play in the parks with them!


Daddy and the Birthday Princess on Aladdin!

Mommy and sweet Annalise!

And then time for the Electrical Parade and Fireworks!

We had excellent seats! Allison wasn't so sure she was ready for each next surprise! She would cover her eyes before every character, light change, dramatic music intro, and firework release just to make sure the situation was safe! She did LOVE the entire show (a little anxiously)!

After the show we decided to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean. This is where Annalise got a little anxious! The ride did get stuck in the middle and we had to wait in the dark for a bit but in the end, we all made it out safely and unharmed...then daddy and the girls grabbed swords in the gift shop to add some real danger!

Remember that rain that kept us from a camping trip? Yep, it decided to rain the second we pulled into the park. But, it really wasn't that bad. Mostly light drizzle. But, by the end of the night, it picked up quite a bit on our walk to the car. Notice Annalise's and Mimi's jeans! SOAKED!

Broken umbrellas work just as well as nice new ones...as long as you are by yourself underneath one and don't mind looking like an idiot...

And Allison had the best seat in the house! She was the driest of us all!

Annalise had a change of clothes in the car so she could be warm and dry. So, on the way into Longhorn, Papa carried her in to keep her pants dry!

Always a joy to be around this little Peanut for sure!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Baby Girl!!!