Story time, anyone?

I know it has been statistically proven that you're more likely to get in a crash in a car then while flying in an airplane... but flying still scares me (and it's not exactly like I'm a new flyer).
I also know that God won't let anything bad happen outside of His will. But an airplane wreck is one way I would not like to go (among drowning or having an encounter with a shark...). The thing that scares me the most is the trauma of living through something horrid.
I generally try to position myself in opportunities with the least possible danger (this is the reason I will never sky-dive, bungee jump, or swim with sharks)...  I am, however, pleased to report that I have overcome my fear of heights - good news, I'm not a total wimp.

So anyway, I found myself boarding a plane bound for Florida.

Now, please don't get me wrong. I am SO (I can't emphasize this enough) thankful that I wasn't squished in the backseat of the family suburban (between my 3 year-old brother, my 7 year-old sister, all their junk, and everything in between [like me]. The three oldest Snavely kids (Jon, myself, and Matt) got to enjoy the luxury of flying — my aunt Jill, and cousins Lauren and Sara also travelled with us. It was quite a blast.

Since I know God hears and answers my prayers, I cannot fly without praying for the safety of the flight, the pilot, all the passengers (especially ones who don't know the Lord), all the hands who have prepared for the flight, and the airplane itself. I also have to recommit myself to the Lord and ask for His peace to fill me — and He definitely provides.
And now... I'm off topic.

Anyway, we flew safely to Atlanta where we boarded our connecting flight to Orlando. We were blessed with two smooth flights (God answered my prayers).

Amazingly enough, I was NOT picked for random searching...
just don't ever wear a belt, sneakers, and a sweater (all of which they require you to take off before going through the scanning archway). It proves quite a hassle to remove those things and even more so putting them back on... not the best ever.
We had a three hour layover in Atlanta. In this allotment of time, we ate dinner, read, and people watched.
Then, we hopped on our next flight to Orlando.
Finally, when we arrived in the Orlando airport, we were exhausted (I woke up at around 5:30 that morning... pretty much the earliest I have gotten up in a long time. I wasn't very thrilled about it since our flight did not take off until 10:30 am) however, while Aunt Jill and I figured out the rental car situation, the other kids got lost trying to find our luggage.
Man alive, that is the most confusing airport ever. Thank goodness for cell phones! You see, I told Jon that my aunt and I were standing right next to the giant  Christmas tree. He said he was standing next to it too. After a while, we observed that there is probably more then one giant Christmas tree in the building - I would not at all be surprised if there were over 10 of them.
We probably spent three hours in that airport. Good times.
Finally, we got everyone together, found the rental car, and were on our way.
We arrived at our hotel around midnight and a hotel bed never looked so beautiful.

On our trip to Florida, we:

• Went to MGM (or Hollywood Studios) and Magic Kingdom (The Little Mermaid and The Sleeping Beauty are my favorite Disney princesses)
• Biked 30 miles on a trail through some cute towns (oh man... I had a hard time walking after that)
• Toured the Kennedy Space Center (that was way cool)
• Visited The Holy Land (a sweet Biblical theme park)
• Bummed around at ClearWater Beach (relaxed would probably be a better word)
• Enjoyed good, old fashioned family time among other things

Well, Christmas Day rolled around and we decided to see a movie after breakfast (and coffee). Our prospects were high and so, with excitement, we set out.
My Dad printed out the directions and show-times for the closest theatre in the area. Upon missing the entrance to the small strip mall where the movie theatre was located (more than once), Matthew became car sick and barfed in our relatives rental car.
We then pulled into a deserted Chillies (it was closed for Christmas) and tried to clean it up as best we could.
With only a random pack of "tush wipes" and laundry detergent at their disposal, my Aunt Jill and Jon dragged the center floor mat (which was covered in puke) and gingerly set it in a puddle that was nearby in the parking lot (Lauren and I kept the other kids entertained).
They then scrubbed it. But the combination of dirty rainwater from the puddle didn't really help. After some thought, we left the sick little car mat to the side of the parking lot and hoped the people at the rental car agency would not notice it was missing.
I, personally, think the car looked better without it...
So, we finally got to the rather shady looking (to say the least) Cinema Cafe. It was about the size if a small coffee shop and didn't have any windows (suspicious? yes). We didn't go in because it looked scary and didn't think it could possibly be big enough to have even one movie screen. Among other things, in order to obtain tickets to the movie, everyone must purchase an alcoholic beverage while seated at a table before the show. Umm...
We didn't get to see our movie that day, but it was okay — we had some great family togetherness time instead.

Playing cards, reading, talking, and laughing, this Christmas was memorable. We didn't mind the 60 degree, rainy weather so much, we were just glad to be in Florida (away from the snow) with people we love (Dad, Mom, Jon, Matt, Sophie, Josiah, Papa, Nana, Aunt Jill, Lauren, and Sara).
The remainder of our trip passed uneventfully (but still fun) and we headed home with precious memories (and piles of dirty clothes). I am so blessed.

I can't believe its almost 2010!  I need to quick think up a New Years Resolution list... hmm

On the airplane

Sophie got the neatest balloon at Disney (in the left hand corner).

Playing cards with some cousins.

From left to right: Lauren, Sophie, Sara, Matt, and I.