Disneyworld & Swart History

I wanted to take a trip down memory lane with this posting. Our family has been very blessed to go to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida (6) times (and Jeff & I have been to Disneyland in California twice). I'm sure there were many of those times, we really couldn't afford to do so, however, we sure don't regret the sacrifice. Our kids have such fond memories of each trip, as do Jeff & I. The very first trip, we were living in Nevada Missouri. Josh was 5-1/2 and Andy was a week from being 3 years old so he got in free! We went on Spring Break with a church family from Nevada, the Burris'. As with any "firsts" - this was a very exciting trip for the boys! Even though they were young, they had a good time. Randy & Kathy Burris and their boys, Casey and Corey (ages 7 and 4) went with us. We all went in one regular sized car and the guys drove all night to get there. This was back in the days before seat belts or car seats were required - so the boys slept on the floor, in the back window, etc. I was very disappointed as I dug through old pictures of our trips, that we didn't take more "people" pictures....on this trip, we don't even have a group picture. Randy took this one:

And Jeff took this one.....We have totally lost touch with the Burris.....the last we knew (which was 25 years ago, they were living in Kansas City). Would love to see them again!

Momma and her boys!

My cute little boys with one of the "Little Piggies"

Our next trip was in 1987 after we had moved to Jacksonville, Texas. Mom and Dad drove their "beautiful??" van down to Tyler, Texas to pick up Don and Bev and their girls, Shannan (8) and Shawna (5) and Jeff & I and our kids. Josh would have been almost 10; Andy was 7 and Rachel was 2. Right before this picture was taken, Andy smashed his thumb in the van door....it hurt!! To this day, he still does not have a nail on that thumb. Jeff took this picture right before we pulled out. Yes, the boys' shorts are so ugly - what was I thinking!?!? We again drove all night, so I guess I just put something very comfortable on them to sleep in.

Again, Jeff taking the picture...here is the family in front of Spaceship Earth at Epcot....

I included this picture, since Jeff is in it (I think it was actually at Sea World):

Here are my kiddo's with Mickey:

And the five cousins..... And the only picture we have of our immediate family.....so far away though :-(.......

Then in 1989, while we still lived in Jacksonville, Texas, Jeff was given the honor of being named as President of the Kiwanis Club. That summer, their Annual Meeting was in Orlando and they would pay for a good portion of our trip. It was the first time that the kids and I had ever flown, so that added much excitement to our trip! Josh would have been 12; Andy 9, and Rachel 4.

We didn't even have a single picture taken of our whole family :-(

We also visited Nasa this trip......

Then probably the kids' very favorite time was in 1993, when we went with 3 other families from our church, Calvary Baptist in Mesquite, TX, because they were all older and their best friends went too. Each family drove their own vehicle and we followed one another. The kids, of course, rode in different vehicles with their friends. Every stop, we would have to take count....so as not to leave one of those 11 kids behind!! Here we are at our first hotel stop. I will give names and ages in a little while. Rodney took this picture.....

And Jeff took this one.......

Here we are at Epcot....I think Josh took this picture.....

The families that went....

The Swarts......Josh was almost 16; Andy was 13 and Rachel was 8.

The Saunders: Rick, Monica, Aaron, Lauren, Sarah, and Annie. This trip was especially memorable to all of us, as shortly after we returned home, Rick was diagnosed with cancer and died a few short years later. Rick was Chairman of our Deacons while we were at Calvary and one of the best! We love you, Rick, and still miss you!!

The Christians: Rodney, Brenda, Teri and Brad (we would return to WDW 7 years later for a sweet reunion with the Christians).

The Murreys - Gary, Pam, Matt and Meagan......Gary still does our taxes for us -- thank you, Gary!!

Some of the girls riding the monorail....

This picture always makes me smile! Because of the crowds, we got in the habit of raising our arms in the air when moving from one location to another, in order to stay together (with 19 of us, it was hard!). So I wanted to get a picture of the raised arms here and we got so tickled, cause others raised their arms, not having any idea why our group was doing it. You just had to be there, I guess, to laugh with me :-)!!

Our family in front of the Haunted House -- always a favorite ride of our family!

This trip was also memorable as Jeff turned 40 while we were in Florida. This ugly swan vase and black flowers have a "history" all of it's own that I won't go into detail here, but somehow it mysteriously made it's appearance in Florida to say Happy Birthday to Jeff!

Our next trip to Florida was in 2000 and our only child to accompany us was Rachel. The boys were both out of our home at this time. We were living in Conway, Arkansas. The Christians, who still lived in Mesquite, TX, met us in Florida (we both had flown). Rachel was 15 years old.

This was our first experience at staying at a Disney Resort, which we loved and wouldn't ever do it any other way. We went in July, though, and it was one of the hottest summers there as well as back in Arkansas. I think it was around 100 every day, so that did take some of the fun out of it. It sure was nice, though, by staying inside WDW, we were able to go back to our hotel in the heat of the afternoon for time at the pool, or naps in the airconditioning.

Jeff, Rachel & I also went to Universal Studios that time....

Our favorite at Epcot: Test Track!

Which brings me to this year - 2010. Jeff and I just returned from a full two weeks at Walt Disney World. Our first time to go without any children (and I'm sure our last--as next time, I hope it's with several grandchildren!). But even without kids, we had a blast. And as I observed other families with tired, whiny kiddos, I was even more thankful - ha! We had gotten a good package deal through Allegient Airlines for our flight, hotel and park tickets. We were able to go to a park one day, then rest the next day (which was great for these two old people). We would spend our days off usually by the pool (for me it was on a raft in the pool reading, and checking email/Facebook); for Jeff it was in the shade working on his computer or reading, etc, with an afternoon nap in the room. The parks weren't as crowded as what we have experienced in the summer, nor was it as hot. All of which was a real blessing.

We had six days at the Disney parks and one day at Universal Studios.....Our first day was at Magic Kingdom.....

The next park was Epcot (our favorite)

This was a new ride at Epcot (although we have ridden several times at Disneyland in California). It's a great ride!

The landscaping, shrubs and flowers are so, so pretty!!

We went to Epcot 3 different times during this stay. This was our last day there.

We went to Animal Kingdom only one afternoon/evening....it's our least favorite - but still a fun park. Our second favorite is Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). Here are a few pics there:

They have a walk thru museum in honor of Walt - what a creative, imaginative mind that man had!

Our very favorite thing at Hollywood Studios was the American Idol Experience. It was as close as one could get to being in the audience of a live American Idol. After the finale, we walked outside to have our picture taken in front of this huge screen. At the time, Ryan Seacrest was on the screen. We had asked a "stranger" to take our picture. It was to our delight after we looked at it, that Kris Allen, 2009's winner from Conway, AR was on the screen!

An added blessing during this visit was time with Craig, Angela and Kaitlyn Mooney. They live in Orlando and invited us to their beautiful home one evening for a delicious steak dinner and then we joined them at their church, FBC, Orlando on Sunday for a great worship service and then another delicious meal at Boston Fish House afterwards.

After a full two weeks, we were really ready to come home - and looked forward to it (that's not always been the case in the past)! The icing on the vacation cake was that we flew out of NWA, so we got to see Lainey-Bug both going and coming home! She is growing and doing great. I'm already missing her, though :-)!! Yes, I'm very much the smitten grandma!

Of course, Lainey-Bug had to have a Minnie Mouse from Disney.....at this point she could care less as sleep was more important, but hopefully some day she will love her Minnie!

And a "baby" Winnie the Pooh.....her daddy had a BIG Winnie the Pooh, given to him by our good friends, the Lemons, as a high school student--it even went to SOAR at Washington, DC with him :-)!! Goodbye, Disney - thank you for all the wonderful memories!!!

Pictures of My Grandbaby

I had the privilege of helping care for Lainey Bug last week. Here are some of my favorite pictures!

Holding her daddy's finger.......

She did not like her bath!

Too precious for words!

Pretty in Pink!

The new Swart family!

Gorgeous in Red!

Mother's Day Weekend

It was one of the most "special" Mother's Day weekends I have ever had!! It had followed a blessed week of being able to stay with my granddaughter, Laine, for 3 days. Rachel met me in Springdale on Friday to spend a couple of hours with her new niece . Then we traveled together to Kansas. Saturday, my Mom came down to spend a couple of days with us. Saturday night, Rachel, Mom and I attended the annual Mother's Day Banquet at First Baptist Church in Galena. What a wonderful event it was!! The theme was "There's No Place Like Home." There were almost 200 women who attended. The food was delicious and served by our men. I was thrilled that my Aunt Freda Hardister and cousin, Holly Viets also joined us for the evening.A wonderful program followed the meal with beautiful specials in song by Kelli Wade and Shay & Shelby Gibson, hilarious videos with Merline and Shirlene and then a touching and convicting message by my daughter, Rachel. Thanks to all who made this evening so memorable!

Sunday morning, Andy, Carman and Laine joined us for worship. Here is great grandma Boore getting her first peek at great granddaughter, Lainey Bug:

Of course, she had to hold her too!

Not only did they honor Mother's in the service, but it was also Baby Dedication Day, which was so neat, since Laine was present (as well as other babies). Here is a pic of the dedication....

After church, Leigh holding Laine.....

Before going to eat lunch at Outback Steakhouse, we came by the house to get some family pictures. Paul & Mary Mooney were going to lunch with us, so they stopped by the house so Paul could take the family picture.

This is a "four" generation picture: Dorothy Boore (great grandma); Debbie Swart (grandma/DeDe); Andy Swart (dad) and baby Laine Swart.

The family that was present (we did miss Josh and Erika and Derek). Hopefully soon, we'll all nine be together!

Andy, Carman and Lainey Bug.....

Good friend, Mary Mooney getting her turn.....

After lunch, we came back to the house and while Mommy and Daddy took a nap, Papa, DeDe, Aunt Rachie and Great Grandma got their share of holding the baby. I took a couple of pics of Lainey with blankets that had been given her. This one was crocheted by a friend of ours, JoAnn Silk and mailed to us from California. So pretty, JoAnn-thank you!

And this one was made by FBC Galena member, Betty Brookshire with the help of her great granddaughter, Aubri. So pretty!

It was sure hard to say goodbye to the family early Sunday evening, but Jeff & I are excited to see them again in a couple of days before we fly to Florida for our vacation.

Thank you, Lord, for my Mother and the godly heritage that she and Dad gave me! And thank you, Lord, for allowing me the blessed privilege and honor to be a mother. I love my kiddos: Josh, Andy & Rachel. I am also thankful for the privilege of being a mother-in-law to 3 great spouses of my kids: Erika, Carman and Derek. And then my heart is full of thanksgiving for allowing me to finally become a grandmother. WOW, God, are you so good to me! Thank you, thank you!!

Lainey Bug has arrived!!

Laine Virgina Swart was born April 26th at 9:00 p.m. to Andy & Carman. She weighed 7 lbs., 6 ozs., and was 19" long. Carman was in labor for about 3 hours and did a wonderful job in delivering her little girl. Both Mom and Baby are doing great!

I know I'm prejudiced, but she is the most beautiful grandchild ever! The happy and blessed family!

Daddy, DeDe and Lainey Bug....

Very proud Papa, Daddy and Miss Laine....

Delighted Grandma's!

The next morning....

Her first hair bow!

And all dressed up. Such a doll!

Couldn't be more happy!

Here is a slideshow of many, many more pictures......and it's just the beginning, blog readers! We do thank you for your congratulations, well wishes, love, and prayers! God has been so very good to the Swart family - and to Him goes all the honor, glory and praise!

FBC Women's Retreat 2010

WOW - what a wonderful, wonderful retreat, the gals of First Baptist, Galena, Kansas had this past weekend at the lakehouses in Bella Vista, Arkansas! God gave us the perfect weather, beautiful accomodations and such a sweet time together! Here is the group that went and I've had several who couldn't go already tell me they will be going next year!

Back row (left to right): Rachel Cox; Karri Watkins; Karen Meier; Shayna Gibson & Debbie Swart

Middle Row: Kellie Boyes, Jenae Shoemaker, Leigh Ryan, Angela Owen, Derenda Shoemaker & Janet Gant

Front Row: Randi Wade, Anna Lisa Dunaway, Jessica Hall & Stephanie Moore

A picture of the beautiful, serene lake. The ladies and I were so appreciative of my sister, Kaye & brother-in-law, Rob for allowing us to use their lakehouses for our retreat. Thank you, Sister/Brother!

Of course, we had some good eating too! Here are two of my favorite girls: Leigh Ryan (our wonderful church secretary) and the one who did so much in getting this retreat together and my precious daughter, Rachel......

After dinner, we played a fun game and laughed and laughed. The name of the game is "4 On A Couch". We played it several times Friday night as well as Saturday!

Rachel was our guest speaker for the weekend. She spoke on "Making a Difference with Your Life...Leaving a Lasting Legacy." It was her first time to do something like this and I was very proud of the excellent job she did!! All the gals fell in love with her -- and she with them. Thank you, Rachel Ann, for allowing God to use you in blessing us!

After Rachel spoke, then Kellie had us play another fun game...."What is in your Overnight Bag!" Lots more laughs!

As with almost all women's retreats - there was lots of visiting - till the "wee" hours of the morning.

Saturday morning, Rachel got up early and went down to the dock to spend some time with the Lord in preparation for what she was to share that morning - and to enjoy God's beautiful creation.

After breakfast, Rachel led our second session from Acts 8 encouraging us to live lives that produce 100 fold fruit for the Kingdom of God. Again, she did a wonderful job.

After snacking and more game playing, we all journeyed down to the dock for our last session where I shared with the girls how to make their own picture prayer books and also encouraged them to journal.

We closed the retreat with a time of sharing our hearts. So sweet!!

A group hug picture:

Goodbye, beautiful lake - till next time!

Here is a slideshow of many pictures -- several of the girls contributed to this slideshow so they are not in order.....if you want to see the captions and/or comments, please click on it and open the link to the Picasa album: