The Beauty of the Arizona Desert

Since I had my youngest boy, in 2001, I have had an alarming increase in migraines. Last year was the worst though I think. Might have been my increase in Starbuck's venti Americanos, black, straight up. Those were my favorite. I think that increased my caffeine by about a jillion milligrams. Anyway, as you probably remember, I went off caffeine, cold-turkey, in February. I still have a little bit, it actually helps my headaches if they come at all, but I actually drink decaf coffee. Never thought I would.

Can't go to Flagstaff without stopping in at Macy's for a pastry and Cafe Royale! It's a weird place, but yummy homecooked goods.

To travel in the heat in the summer, or work outside, always brought on headaches. When rain, hazy, smoggy days come, a headache comes. When I have chocolate, I can get a headache. Red wine was the hardest to give up.

When we went to California last week, I was so glad I only had one headache instead of one every day. We headed to Flagstaff this past weekend to chase the rain, we weren't disappointed. It was gorgeous, and I never even got a headache. It's like my life is different. I have a new life in a way. I was living with fear sometimes I didn't even realize, other times I would, and just pray the fear away. We did yard work on Saturday. It was only in the 90s, but warm enough that when you're working, it gets hot. No headache. I know I'm happier, more grateful. Glad for each moment without a headache. If you have never had migraines, it may be hard to understand the depth of my joy. I might seem to be over reacting a bit.. But some of you know from where I speak.

Our Last Hoorah at Disney

Our last trip to Disney for a while. We treated the kids to the Blue Bayou in Pirates which they've never been to. (no we didn't throw dinner rolls to the passers-by in the boats behind us, even though they asked us to. I told them I'd throw a ball of butter though)

We booked 2 rooms (since we are 7) at the Grand Californian. I didn't rest easy until Sunday because they couldn't tell us if we were even connecting. They have really cool bunk beds with trundles and a queen, and we had them connecting! So we could really sleep 10. What a blessing. The only drawback, and it wasn't too bad, was all the construction. They're building a whole wing and the tractors were right by the pool. But hey, what are headphones for? We were only at the pool one day while Jefferson was sick.

Our room over looked the pool and we could see the Ferris wheel and California Screamin' from our room. One afternoon, we took a picture of the 3 older kids on the ferris wheel, from our balcony! If you click on the picture you can see them. They're in the purple car.

Lizzy gets hug from Brother Bear (the dumbest Disney movie ever) at Storyteller's Cafe Character breakfast.

A huge breakfast buffet and these strawberry tops are all that's left of Jefferson's breakfast.

The new part about It's a Small World is that there are Disney characters in it now. Kind of fun to look for them but some still have dorky doll faces. What's that about?

We had preferred seating for the Aladdin show. What a hoot!

Of course seeing the Mohlers has been a tradition and highlight of our year at Disney. Jim celebrated completing radiation by coming to Disneyland. He's doing so great and we continue to pray for more time with him.

What a treat of a week. Our Disney annual passes expire May 24 and last year we had the idea to end with a bang. We started Monday at Reagan's Library. What a legacy that man left. And the kids had just had a report on him in class. It was fun to follow up with a view into his life, pictures, newsreels, movies, etc.

We got to go inside Air Force One.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"If we're free to dare - and we are - if we're free to give - and we are - then we're free to shape the future and have within our grasp all that we dream the future will be."

"there is no limit to what a man can do, or where a man can go, if he doesn't mind who gets the credit."

Be Very Afraid

If you're a parent, this should scare the bejeebies out of you! At least enough to call your Senator

Scott's back in Scottsdale

If you missed Scott MacIntyre, the AI contestant from Scottsdale,  on Fox 10 yesterday, you can click here to see it and watch even more today. He's doing amazing, so excited about the summer tour and writing more music. This Saturday at his home church (and mine) he will be giving a 'thank you' concert at 7pm at Scottsdale Bible. You look great and we love ya Scott!!