The Fear Factor

Okay, so yesterday while we were at Water World I was thinking about fear. Well, not thinking about fear exactly, like I wasn't breaking it down and examining it, I was actually the one afraid. Okay, so I wasn't at first, it was Elisha who started it. Let me explain this a little better, instead of rambling, maybe I should start at the beginning, huh?

We decided to go on this ride called the Big Kahuna. Everyone could go on it as it was one ride Bethany was tall enough for. I wish I had taken a picture but basically it's this five story high terror slide water slide that twists and turns all the way down. Everyone piles into a raft and as you go down it sloshes from side to side taking you up and down as it winds its way around drenching you completely before you get to the bottom. Saying I disliked this ride is a gross understatement. I absolutely hated it, every single second of it.

Back to the beginning... again. I said yes, to this going on this ride for two reasons, 1) My kids had never been here before and really wanted to try it and 2) Because I had forgotten how much I despise rides like this and I made a decision while my brain must have been out on a lunch break.

Now on the way up as we climbed higher and higher waiting in line our son started having a minor break down. Apparently he does not like heights so much or something because he kept questioning the integrity of the structure the water slide was built on. Why is this made of wood? Wouldn't metal have been much better because it's so much stronger? What if I fall backwards down the stairs, would I die? If the rails break and I fall will I die? I'm going to stand on the platforms while you stand on the stairs because I don't think the stairs are very safe. Would you catch me if I fall? What if we slip right off the side while we're on the raft? And so set the mood for our ride. Bethany of course was elated and couldn't stand the wait. We had to keep reminding her to stay where we were and quit trying to cut in line.

So there I am telling myself when I rode this several years ago it wasn't so bad. No big deal. Just sliding down the slide on a raft into the pool of water waiting at the end. I could do this, the kids wanted to go and I did not want to wait for eons at the bottom just for them to go on it. So I stood in line and listened to Elisha and his fears and tried to help calm him, because you know as a good mommy we want our children to face their fears. And because I knew it was fairly safe what a great time to do it with us by his side. However, secretly I was right there with him. Okay so I wasn't questioning the integrity of the structure or the fact that I would most certainly plummet to my death that day (although I was beginning to think it was possible). Nope as I stood there watching the other riders on their journey southward I began to remember the ride for what it was. And I began to dread the travel down more and more as we got closer and closer.

Well, so once at the top Elisha is now thrilled and can't wait to ride and I'm wishing I can bolt. I hate these rides, I am not a thrill seeker, at least when I am not in control. I do not like roller coasters, I do not like normal water slides that are several stories high and leave you with a wedgie and I did not like this ride. Just watching the other riders brought back memories of when I rode it the last time. What was I thinking? I was being a good mommy and facing her fears for the sake of her fearful child that's what I was doing. I'm glad I was wearing sunglasses that's all I can say because I had my eyes scrunched at tight shut as they would go the entire way down and neither my adventurous daughter nor my semi-adventurous son could see it. My husband on the other hand laughed all the way down because I was the one getting soaked.

Fear, it's a funny thing isn't it? Elisha was scared the whole way up and then loved the ride itself. He would do it again, he said, even though the stairs are kind of scary. I was scared not enjoying the ride down but managed to be just fine at the end. And listening to how much the kids really enjoyed it, even though I hated it, made it worth every second... as long as I don't have to go again.

Fear, we can pull through it we try. If we venture out we just might find there is something much more wonderful on the other side. Fear, God says to lay aside our fears and to trust Him with our lives. Because when we do there's something much more beautiful than we could ever have imagined... just above those scary "unsafe" stairs... just beyond those frightening twists and turns... just outside our fears.

Water World

We were given 4 free tickets for Water World and since we had already decided to make Labor Day a family day, we used the tickets today.


Yes, I brought my camera, as always. No, I did not miss out on all the fun, we rented a locker and I took the camera in and out in between activities.

You're not allowed to bring food into Water World and since money is not exactly growing on trees right now, we picniced in the back of the suburban for lunch.

I was too cold in the Lazy River the first time around, so I opted out when the kids and Yohn wanted to go in again. This is the view from the bridge.

Bethany was too busy watching herself leave footprints and almost bumped into these people.

Yohn made sure to include me in the pictures today. Of course, I think he likes this picture a little more than I do!

Count Your Blessings Sunday

It's Sunday again, time to focus on what you have been blessed with this week. 1) Yohn, my husband, my love. I thank God for your leadership of our family.2) Elisha, my son. I am blessed by your wonderful smile and thoughtful ways.3) Bethany, my daughter. I am blessed by your ability to make me laugh. You always brighten up a room.4) All our needs are met.5) The first week of school went great.6) The kids started private music lessons this week and loved it.7) The long weekend!Now it's your turn. What have has God done to bless you this week? If you'd like to join in copy code to the button on the right and paste it in your own post. Then tell us how you've been blessed (it's very encouraging) then come back here and add your name to the MckLinky list. Or you can just tell me in the comments too!

First Day of School

Monday (August 31st) was the first day of school for Elisha and Bethany. This year Elisha is in second grade and Bethany is in first. *Sigh* The years are going by very quickly. Even though I realize they are still very young, I also recognize that before I know it they will be graduating and heading out on their own. So for today I am very thankful that they are still at home with me, even though at the moment they are arguing about something in the background.

On Thursday the kids also started private music lessons through the school. Elisha is learning the drums and Bethany is learning the keyboard. They were both really, really excited about learning instruments.

A Photo Shoot

Okay so with the first day of school looming in on us I got this crazy idea to do a photo shoot of my kids. I actually got the idea from the I heart faces blog. Then I got really insane and decided that if I was going to do my kids' pictures I may as well invite friends to bring their kids along for the ride. Although it didn't go quite as I imagined the pictures still turned out alright. We went to the park across the street from the church, it has a pond and a wooded area I thought would work well. Here are the results:

Because the first day of school is always sooo busy it was much easier just to take a few pictures of that morning and have the main ones out of the way. I hope the kids appreciate the pictures later because I know they get tired of them while I'm taking them. I'll do a post later on the actual first day of school pictures.

Afterwards, we let the kids play on the playground for a bit.

Thursday's Playlist

This week's song I was actually going to use last week until it I found out it had a theme. But I really, really, really liked this song from the first time I heard on Air 1 last week. It's called "From the Inside Out" by Seventh Day Slumber. This song has been running through my head all day long - but I love it! Click here to listen to it. I know that some of the words are misspelled on this particular slide show but it was the best one YouTube had. Enjoy! Oh and if you'd like to join in the fun just click on the picture above and that will take you to the blog with all the details and more great songs to listen to.

Bethany's Birthday

Saturday was Bethany's birthday and, as she requested, we took her to Contra Loma for her party. I know I said I'd get a picture of the giant pool, but alas, I forgot. So I'll leave you with the explaination that it is indeed huge, I'd say the size of a football field, or maybe I exaggerate it a little, or maybe not. I woke up with a screaming headache and knew it was one of those days you can't just sit around and not feel good. So I took and excedrine and on I went. I did not get as many pictures (at least as good of pictures) as I had hoped though. I had a hard time focusing on anything, so if you were there and it didn't show then good I hid it well, and if it did show, well, now you know why.

Here's my attempt at doing a cupcake-cake. They sell these at Safeway so I kind of copied them. I did not want to have to worry about silverware so I planned on sandwiches and cupcakes, but then Bethany wanted me to make her cake, so I improvised. I tried to make it look like the letter B and then she wanted horses on top. The big horses were too heavy so I only added the babies. This is the cake, just after the frosting started melting.

I couldn't get a picture of her blowing out the candles of the cake because a breeze decided to blow through and I didn't feel like fighting to keep the candles lit.

Bethany was blessed with many gifts and she loved them all although she didn't show it at the party. I pulled her and her friends out of the pool to do cake and presents and she was anxious to get back in again. She tore through her presents mildly looking at each one before moving on. At home however she told us all about who had given her what and has played with, read, tried on, put together and used everything already. The only thing she hasn't gotten to is spend her birthday money.

I took a group photo of all the kids. Then because I couldn't tell if it turned out I took a second one. Although I like this picture the best I couldn't help but post the second one because...

Jamie's dad James thought he would be a joker and hide in the background making faces to see if I would notice. I noticed all right, the first time I saw this picture on the computer!

Just some random happy faces!

This is one of the few pictures I took at the pool. I thought her little face was hilarious.

All in all it was a good day. So good in fact, she's already planning to have her seventh birthday party at Contra Loma again next year. Yeah, okay Baby, let's just be six for a while alright.