The Princesses are real!

Greetings from Disney World! We have been here 6 days now and we are having an amazing time with Mickey Mouse and all his pals. My prayer that this would be an amazing vacation with little thought of cancer has been answered. The first day we entered the park, Saturday July 8th, was also Jeff's birthday. We had a 10 am appointment to meet the princesses at Cinderella's castle for a morning brunch. (an appointment that took me 6 months to get, not an easy ticket) and something I could claim was for Bethany's sake, but the truth is, I have always wanted to eat at Cinderella's castle. From the moment we entered the Magic Kingdom, my heart was overwhelmed with the intensity of all we have experienced. July 8th, just a quick 1 month ago I was diagnsosed with the beast that would change my life forever. 12 hours, 4 weeks, 2 breasts and uncountable tears ago, I was a different woman than the one that made the plans to be in Disney World at this moment 14 months ago. I could not have known when I made these plans, how important this place and time would become and the enormity of it all hit me from the moment I saw that castle. God knew. He knew that on July 8th, 2006 we would need the healing p0wer of being a kid again, family time together and the excitement of the new future that lies ahead. God knew that the timing, his timing, would be so perfect that my healing would be just enough to get me to this place. God knew that my kids smiles and my husbands knowing looks would mean immeasurably more to me on this day, then any other thing in the whole world.

Jeff and I took turns crying this first day. It was the simple things like characters singing songs in the streets, or the look on Bethany's face when she saw Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle for the first time. But the culmination came when we saw the most amazing fireworks over Cinderella's castle that night. I found it so prophetic that the display is entitled "wishes" and boy was it true. Jeff and I both fought off the tears the whole time we were there and I knew God was there in our midst.

One of the highlights of that morning was when Bethany leaned over to us at the Breakfast and said, "Mommy, I can't believe it, the princesses are REAL!" Even Liam was excited about this princesses, after all he looks up to his big sister quite a bit, and whatever she loves, he loves.

Our time here has been truly blessed. WE usually go to the parks in the morning, come home to nap (yes, me too, I am not over doing it so don't you all worry) and then we return to the parks in the evening.) So far we have had perfect timing ducking in and out of the parks to avoid rain storms. We are avid sunscreen users and firm believers in using the "fast pass" (this is Disney's brilliant way of having to avoid ever really waiting in line.)

Later today Jeff's family will join us. As I write this, Walt, Jeff's dad is at the doctor receiving the full report on all his tests. WE are praying for good news, and a simple treatment. I will try to update you all in days to come about his diagnosis. We know this will set the tone for the rest of our trip and we are trying to continually focus on life and hope.

In the midst of all of this, the Lord has given me two words that I think about first thing every morning and ring like a chorus in my brain throughout the day, "Live graciously" I think about that as we encounter crowds at the park. I think about it with the kids when they are tired and cranky and I think about it in my thoughts and attitudes. I am almost ashamed to admit that it took cancer to make me think about this so much, but the reality is, that's exactly what it took. I hope that at the very least these words are who I will become and strive to shape my life to be. This is the Lord's life that I am allowed to borrow for a while, not mine, and boy am I glad that he has allowed me to ride along through the journey.

Thank you for your continued prayers, I feel them, I really do.

Please forgive me for not spell checking or grammar checking this blog. I type fast and I am paying for this internet access by the minute.

Love, Kat