Mini Holiday in Alabama

I feel like we keep doing one mini holiday after another. :)  This is honestly one of my favorite parts of homeschooling - the flexibility to travel when we want without worrying of missed school days. :)  We just take school with us!  So thankful this is the journey we are on at this part of our life.

We were missing daddy being away at training in Alabama so we took a "little" (aka 8 hour) road trip to Montgomery to visit him for this long weekend. Somehow every time I say "Alabama" I start singing "Sweet Home Alabama."  Sorry... I digress..
We have really enjoyed our visit.  We found out the McWane Science Museum in Birmingham was free since we have a membership to our science museum (MOSI).  If you live near or around Birmingham - I highly recommend this place - it was INCREDIBLE!  We spent the entire day there.  It went along great with our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) class kids are doing with our homeschool group. ;) 

 Can you see the big bubble around them?

 Our three kiddos built a very big fort all by themselves.  :) While they were building this I met a Taiwanese family.  We sat and chatted for about half an hour.  I've been praying for more opportunities to meet and share God's love with people.  :)  Of course, I love love love talking about our Meisi and this weekend God used her cuteness to start up conversations with two Taiwanese families.

 Before walking out the big kids HAD to get into the hurricane wind tunnel.  Ian looks like he is crying but I promise he is laughing. ;)

Our hotel room had an amazing view of the city.  Also had a great breakfast which make my kiddos happy. :)  

We had the privilege of worshiping at First Baptist Montgomery again.  There is no place for our older kids to go while we have church so they go with us into the service.  The first time we visited here I had some concerns... but after doing this I feel very differently about having them with me in service.  It is so nice to be able to converse with the kids about the sermon and how we can apply that to life.   This week the pastor talked about our posture in prayer.  I highly recommend doing family prayer time on your knees.  Try it..

After church we had a nice nap then went to a free festival at Bass Pro Shop.  Meisi was so proud of her duck and Aili and Ian got to shoot their first BB guns! :)

Before checking out of that hotel we had a little history lesson on all the flags that flew over Alabama (Spain, France, UK, then an assortment of American/Alabama flags).  See - we threw some school in ;)

 That evening we were blessed to meet a new friend. :)  Vicki and I met through our "DTC group" on Facebook last year but met for first time in person this evening.  Loved meeting her little Princess too. :)  The Korean owner of this restaurant in Montgomery "Arirang" was so touched by our "big hearts" she gave us our meal for free. :)  That was a first for us.  My prayer in this situation is always that they will know our love is from our Heavenly Father and that we are the ones blessed by adoption.

The owner really enjoyed loving on our baby girls as we left.

Can't say it enough - Got love?? Truly... truly... Adoption Rocks!!

Labor Day we went ice skating in the mall here.  Surprisingly I didn't fall!  We all had a blast!

 Meisi was too young (had to be 3) so she stayed with Brian and cheered us on. :)  She is so sweet how she'd say, "Good job Mommy!" when I'd skate around. :)

 I got tired (surprised I am walking today). :)  So, Brian took the kiddos out and I stayed with Meisi. :)

 People, I am blessed beyond measure...

 The kids did great skating!  I was so impressed with their persistance!  Ian, whose amazing ability to fall and get up time and time again created an introduction to a family from Israel.  Praying for someone to continue to water seeds planted. :)

 Perfectly placed was a Chuck E Cheese in the mall. :)

 To end the evening Aili and Ian spent the gift cards Grandma sent them at Build a Bear and Meisi brought her first furry friend to life. :)   Watching her kiss on it and hug it was precious.  It was also super cute watching her try to follow all the verbal directions from the employee trying to tell her to put the heart on her nose, forehead, cheeks before putting inside the bear. :)  She named her panda "Bear."
Needless to say, the kids slept well that eve. :)

 Today Brian had to go back to work so we did our school work in the hotel.  Then we met Vicki and her sweeties at Chick Fil A.  Our kids played together for hours.  I had to snap this picture of the girls - with their matching squeaky shoes.  haha  We only bought two pairs - what are the chances we would have matching ones??  I sure hope our paths cross again soon Vicki!!!

Last but not least - we ended our day with a trip to Peach Park where new friends met us for dinner and playtime for kids. :)  What a beautiful scenery and fun memories - this place has a teeter toter and lightning bugs!  The BBQ was good and the ice cream and cobbler was yummy.  Enjoyed our company and the stories our kids shared while there. :)  A great way to end our trip here in Alabama.

I am sad though and Aili has already started saying she doesn't want to leave Daddy. :(  This is the part of military life that is hardest for me...the separations.  Thankful for special trips and memories like these.  Prayers appreciated as we drive home tomorrow.  I frequently think of these verses while traveling alone with 3 kids...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13 

Do all things without complaining or arguing. Phil 2:14

and of course - Faith, Hope and LOVE but the greatest of these is LOVE. 1 Cor 13:13

Hope you all enjoyed your Labor Day weekend!