The Missing Piece

A couple of weeks ago I changed the header on our blog.

The original image was one from Carter's newborn session,

and I decided to update it with a picture of our family as it is now.

So I chose this one.

  

When Michael and I were newlyweds, we took a trip to Walt Disney World.

While we were there, we each bought a pair of Mickey Mouse Crocs.

(The ugliest shoes we own, but oh-so-comfortable!)

When we took Carter to Disney World for the first time,

it only seemed right that he should get a pair as well.

We bought the smallest size, and they were huge on him.

Now I can barely squeeze his chubby feet into them!

Anyway, I thought it was a cute picture,

the three of us in our matching Mickey Crocs.

But something about it just didn't seem right.

Every time I looked at it, I had this weird feeling.

Like the picture was a lie. 

It was meant to show our family as it is now,

but it really didn't.

Technically, yes, this is what our family 

LOOKS like right now:

   

But it isn't how our family FEELS.

I talked to Michael about it and he agreed

that we needed to take another picture.

So we did.

This one is better.  It feels right.  Honest.  True.

THIS is our family:

Our lives are full.

We are happy.

We are content.

But we never lose sight of what's to come.

We never forget where our journey to parenthood really began.

It started with a dream.  A dream about

a little girl born on the other side of the world.

Our journey to her has taken some twists and turns.

We've been waiting far longer than we ever imagined.

But we have never doubted that she is meant for us. 

She is the piece that will make our family whole.

Until then, we'll continue to trust in God, 

knowing that His timing is perfect.

And we'll keep doing our best to keep 
her brother's stinky feet out of her Mickey Crocs!

The REST of our Disney Trip

As much as I LOVE photographing our sweet boy, Michael encouraged me

to spend our time at Disney World just enjoying the experience

rather than trying to photograph everything we did.

And I reluctantly agreed.

Though I'm slightly disappointed not to have captured more of our

magical moments on camera, I have memories that will last a lifetime.

We did manage to take a few (ha!) pictures of Carter at the parks.

Day One: Magic Kingdom

Tomorrowland Transit Authority

(f.k.a. The WEDWay PeopleMover)

(a.k.a. Grandma's favorite ride!) 

 

Not so sure about the dark part of the ride.



Luckily Grandma was able to point out some cool stuff to look at.

Whew!  We made it back into the daylight with no crying.

The fast (an incredibly relative term!) and windy part of the ride!

Checking out the racecars on the speedway.

Cinderella's Carousel



Dumbo the Flying Elephant

 Judging by my expressions, you'd have thought this was a THRILL ride!



Day 2: EPCOT

 Carter enjoying his morning nap.

He did a lot of this as the days wore on.

 

He was fascinated by the bubbles in the Living Seas aquariums.

Carter's and Daddy's "future world" picture

at the end of Spaceship Earth 

It looked so funny to see Carter's little face up on the big screen!

  

This one shows Mommy's and Grandma's "future world", too!

Making a phone call with Mommy in England. 

Day 3:  Disney's Hollywood Studios

 "Riding" the giant ant in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground area. 

Watching the Muppets 3D pre-show

Riding The Great Movie Ride  

Having a late evening "snack" during the dark part of Fantasmic



He finished just in time to see all the characters on the big boat,

with Mickey Mouse (his FAVORITE) at the wheel. 

  

 On the way out of the park, Carter posed with Grandma and the stuffed

"Ozwald the Lucky Rabbit" she bought him as a souvenir. 

I think Ozwald might be bigger than Carter!

  

Grandma with her arms full!

Back home.

A sleepy Carter after a full day of travel.

Still willing to give Mom a smile, though.

And practice his crawling.

On to other adventures...

 All in all it was an amazing trip.

Carter won't remember it, but that doesn't mean he didn't enjoy himself. 

And getting to see the parks in a whole new light, through HIS eyes, was priceless.

We weren't sure what to expect, taking an 8-month-old

to Disney World, but we have absolutely no regrets.

Michael is already planning a return trip once our daughter is home.

If you missed my other Disney posts, you can see
Carter getting ready for the trip here,
the first part of our trip here,
 his first haircut at Mainstreet's Harmony Barber Shop here
and my favorite trip pictures here.

I promise, no more Disney pictures for a while!

 



The BEST Disney memory...

There were more magical moments than I can count.

And we took more pictures than I'm willing to admit.

But these, by far, are my favorites.

They aren't great photographs, but I absolutely love them.

And I still can't look at them without getting teary-eyed.

We were watching the Illuminations show
at the EPCOT World Showcase.

And it hit me.  All at once.

Maybe it was the awesome fireworks display

or the music that was playing.

(Disney's music always gets me!)

Maybe it was the look of apprehension mixed

with sheer amazement on my little boy's face

as he saw his first fireworks.

 

Or the joy on my husband's face,

as he watched the show with our son in his arms.

Maybe it was the way my heart fluttered

as I watched my sweet baby snuggle

close against his Daddy's chest. 

Feeling totally safe and secure in his arms. 

Or maybe it was the emotion of it all.

The years of waiting,

of hoping,

of praying.

How for over a decade now,

on every trip to Disney World,

after every parade,

and every nighttime show,

including this very show,

we talked about how much greater

it would be with kids.

We have waited.

 We have wished.

 We have prayed.

For this child. 

For THIS moment. 

 And it was better than I ever imagined.

And totally worth the wait.

To see my husband so happy,

to watch our dreams come true,
to actually be living this moment,
at Disney World,

was a feeling I can't describe.

We didn't talk about it this trip.

We didn't need to.

I knew what Michael was thinking,

and I knew how his heart was feeling.

It was written all over his face.

 

 We are so unbelievably blessed.