Sorry for the lengthy absence from the Blog. We have actually been back for over a week now but we have been busy catching up, working and being Mommy and Daddy. We decided that, before Jude gets here, we would take a week to break free and vacation with the girls. Laura found some deals online and we headed for Orlando. Here is the week in pictures;
We left Tuesday morning and drove from Westfield to southern Georgia. When driving 17 hours with three little girls there are many essentials you will need; A hotel room about half way, coloring books, crayons, pop tarts, juice cups, stickers, stuffed animals, blankets, videos (Dora, Looney Toons, Max and Ruby, Braveheart, etc.) tons of patience, ear plugs, ether and, when possible, a personal counselor. All things considered, the girls did really well. After a night in a hotel, we crossed the Florida line and were quickly reminded of what warm weather feels like.
Thursday morning we found our way to Aquatica, Disney’s new water park. It was awesome. We were in the kiddie areas all day and I still had a blast. The girls put on their life jackets and it was on!!! For the next four hours, they completely wore themselves (and Laura and I) out. Adrienne was too little to fear the slides and Brooke and Katie teamed up like the Wonder Twins on the water slides. The girls loved watching the Dolphins too.
We took the girls to Downtown Disney. Laura and I spent a lot of our dating nights there and the girls love it too. First we freaked Adrienne out at the Rainforest Cafe’. If you’ve never eaten there, they include Elephants, Gorillas and rain storms with thunder and lightning. It has really gotten pricey though. From there the girls visited all of the shops, scored dolls and went for a ride on the carousel.
Friday we made our way to Sea World. Brooke was just a little excited to see people riding around on Whales. She couldn’t understand why she couldn’t ride one. Adrienne clapped and clapped. The girls also liked the dog and cat show that followed it. We rode a few rides, had some ice cream, walked through a shark viewing aquarium and visited the Dolphin nursery.
By the weekend, we spent some time at the beach. Adrienne had more fun with the sand than the water at Cocoa Beach. The girls brought a body board, goggles and buckets to snare some shells from the tide. However, after seeing the crashing waves and feeling the tide pull at their feet, they were content to build sandcastles and throw the Nerf football.
Monday we were back in the parks, seeing all the things we missed the first time. Here Katie and I are trying to pet a Dolphin as it swims by. Brooklyn had been on a roller coaster before, but Katie had not. Katie wanted to this time so I held her hand and she conquered it. She had a good time and I had a red, swollen hand.
We stayed one more night in the hotel. We stayed at the Crown Royal in Orlando. Laura got us a crazy good deal that included all of our park tickets, transportation … it pays to have a wife who grew up in Florida … she knows stuff. The next day we went back to Aquatica one more time and then got dressed to head home. Before leaving Florida, Brooke and Katie informed us that we had one last stop to make …
M&M WORLD!!!!!!!!!!
Today Brooklyn asked me the funniest question ever. The question was funny, but the fact that it came out of nowhere made it even funnier. I’m sure I won’t win parent of the year after I cackled when she asked me. “Daddy, is Heiney how you say ‘Butt crack’ in Chinese?” I thought I had heard her wrong. “What?” I said after nearly choking. “Is Heiney how you say ‘Butt crack’ in Chinese?” I then explained to her that ‘butt crack’ in chinese actually looks like this - 对接裂纹. Heiney, of course, is Viking for butt crack. Kids.
Today Laura took Brooke and Katie out for a girls day of shopping so I thought it would be fun to go do some stuff with Adrienne. We ran errands and took care of a few business items but then found ourselves at the toy store. Adrienne loves playing with trains so we were there for a while. That tired her out so she napped in the car. This gave me the perfect chance to drive to Noblesville to take her to lunch. Why Noblesville? Skyline Chili. She ordered a cheese coney and we really had a nice time. That girl loves cheese!!!
Yesterday I went to see my oldest bother. Many of you may be thinking, “I thought you were an only child.” I was adopted shortly after birth and was an only child but I would have grown up with two brothers had that not happened. Michael and Ed found me briefly when I was twenty, but then disappeared out to California and out of touch with me again for the past twenty years. Not too long ago we all received word that our biological mother had passed away. Through that news we have managed to reconnect. I am hoping this time we can really be part of each others lives. I went to visit Michael (Ed is in Aspen, Colorado with his band) in Fairfield, Iowa. It is amazing how much we are alike. Michael is an amazing artist and musician. He excels in the digital end of both. Meanwhile, Ed plays sax all over the country with his band “JCGB”. More than that, the mannerisms and personalities all being similar really freaks me out. Michael and his friends, Shey and Leroy, really made me feel at home yesterday. It was really like the time elapsed didn’t matter. It’s good to have my brothers back in my life again.
March 21 – Knoxville, Maryland - Today I drove to western Maryland, picked up my dad in Hagerstown, listened to the Memphis Tigers torch my Maryland Terrapins and then headed for First Baptist in Knoxville, Maryland. It was funny seeing my dad doing hand motions in the middle of a sea of elementary school aged kids. Driving home we passed Burkittsville (home of the Blair Witch). It was great seeing Dad. We had a little late night Denny’s meal and I hit the sack.
March 22 – Dayton, Ohio – Midway through West Virginia this morning, I started feeling sick. By the time I had reached Columbus, I was seriously ill to the point of contemplating canceling my program. I arrived 2 hours early and rested for a while. I knew that I only had to blast my way through 30 minutes worth of entertaining before I could just crash. I could tell I wasn’t 50% but did my best anyway.
March 23-26 – I rarely get sick. When I do get sick, it’s usually not for long. This entire week was a blur of denial. I don’t remember much except lots of coughing, little sleep (none on two separate nights) and a lot of saying, “eh, I’ll be okay tomorrow.” In the words of Dr. Evil … “errRrriiiiiiiiggghhhht.” This was the longest illness of my adult life. (And yes trivia buffs, that IS Mr. Yuck from the 70’s commercials – remember?)
March 27 – Adrienne goes to the hospital - Here is an insert about our fun filled Friday night pulled from Laura’s blog - 
March 29 – Brooklyn and Katie’s big debut - This morning, despite being pretty sick still, I made it to the stage at Central to lead worship. Actually, my good friend Scott Stowe lead and I helped him today. THANK YOU SCOTT!!! Anyway, I opened the service by bringing the kids up on stage for a Johnny Cash version of “In The Storm.” Brooklyn and Katie came up with the other kids and helped us lead the song and do the motions. It was their first time performing on stage with Daddy.
March 30 – Wii Night – Tonight the girls and Laura and I decided to do a little Wii Bowling. Brooke and Katie both rolled over 100 which was so fun to watch. For 5 and 3 they did better than I thought they could. The controllers aren’t exactly easy anymore. I’m from the Atari generation. Here, in the picture, Adrienne and I celebrate a strike. She’s watching everything they do and becoming a “big girl” quick.
April 2 (Tomorrow) - Tomorrow I will drive to Rock Island, Illinois to speak at an Upward Awards Event. I will also be meeting with Ryan O’Quinn from Compassion International. I ask for your prayers on both fronts. First, that seeds will be planted and that ministry will take place at the Awards night. Secondly, I think Compassion is a great organization. We sponsor a little girl in the Philippines and it has been a wonderful experience. I would love to share that with the folks that I entertain and minister to. I will update you on their plans for me after tomorrow.
