First Trip to Sea World!

You know you are a Florida girl when your kid's big "firsts" are theme-park related! So, today was Davis' first trip to Sea World. However, it was a whole day of "firsts" b/c it was actually Ruth and Rachel Nee's first trip too!

Now, I need to take a break from the Sea World talk to tell you about the Nee Family! The Nees are fairly new to our church and I absolutely LOVE them! They are a family of 9 kids ranging from 9-29! Susan, the mom, is in my small group of young moms on Friday mornings and I'm pretty sure that when ANY of us mentions her name it is with, "aren't you just so blessed that she in our small group!" We LOVE her and I am so thankful for her friendship! Her girls are the sweetest girls who LOVE the Lord and Love to serve! In fact, they are homeschooled and Ruth and Rachel VOLUNTEER (yep, you read that right) to watch all our kids on Friday mornings so us moms can do small group and actually talk and share without our kids on top of us! In fact, I have decided that I am going nowhere without the Nee Family! When you have 3 kids 3 1/2 years and younger, 2 of whom are pretty needy, teenagers and people without children are VERY helpful! In fact, we spent most of our week with this sweet family! On Tuesday night, my small group girls went out for a girl's night out to celebrate our friend, Jen's birthday. Susan was there with her daughter Hannah who just moved back to FL after graduating college and who happens to share a passion for orphans and Africa. I remembered about the Ugandan Children's Choir that would be performing the next night at a local church. I convinced their whole family to go with me! We had a blast watching Watoto's Choir perform. This seems like a super sweet ministry in Uganda. Yes, I cried my way through all of their info and stories! But, I was in good company b/c 3 of the 4 Nee girls did too!

Ok, back to Sea World. . .(couldn't go a whole post without mentioning Africa and orphans, could I?!) We had a blast! We went with Carrie and her clan (I've told you about my sweet friend, Carrie before! She's a blast and a wonderful friend as well as passionate pursuer of Jesus) and our friend Lisa. Lisa is also in our small group and has 2 grown boys and is a nanny for a little girl. She is another of our Friday morning blessings. We are so thankful that she chooses to hang out with us young, stupid ones! She is full of grace and humility and love and passion for the Lord and having Him mold her! So, we had a great crew today. . .and LOTS of help for the kiddos for Carrie and I! Here are some of my sweet pics. I didn't take a ton of my kiddos until the last show b/c I kept forgetting.

This is Sam Nee and Denny (Carrie's son). What sweet friends!

Yep, this is what little group shots look like! ha ha! Susan's the only one even remotely looking!
Carrie's little Faith!

Sarah (Carrie's other little angel!)
Brayden along with Sophie (Lisa's little princess)
Miss Lisa and Gracie
I can't ever get these 2 to smile at the same time!

Brayden borrowed the camera for a bit. . .so, here's the Whale and Dolphin Stadium from his viewpoint

Carrie and Faith. Isn't this precious? I think it will be great in black and white. I got this same shot with no smiles too, which is adorable!
Watching those whales, dolphins, divers, gymnasts and birds (this show has it ALL)

So, that was our day! What a fun way to spend the day. Playing with the kids and making memories while building friendships with women who point me to Jesus and model a humble and passionate walk with Him!

Oh yeah, and this is WHY I need the Nees! I asked them the night before if one of the girls would push my 2nd stroller. (I know Brayden's old enough to walk, but he complains pretty easy!) So, I met up with the girls right at the front entrance. I didn't however, make a plan for getting back to my car! So, I loaded all 3 kids in the stroller and folded up the other stroller to hold on top! Yep, people thought I was crazy!