Carousel Festival

After a week of ups and downs, Julia seems to be feeling better this weekend.  Daddy and Carter already had plans for the weekend.  She was supposed to have her first soccer game this morning, but has decided this week soccer is not her thing.  She likes the uniform, the cleats, the new ball- but the catch? She only wants to play in her own backyard and wants no part of anyone taking the ball away from her.  After several practices and lots of tears we decided to throw in the towel.  We think a lot of her desire comes from watching her brother all these years and not necessarily her own interests.  At this point dance and Awana are plenty for her, so soccer is on hold for the future.  After two years of having little or no say in what happens to her and being isolated from life, we want her experiences to be positive and we are all about eliminating the unimportant.

So with our calendar clear, we were free to plan our own Girls' Day.  When I asked her what we should do, she said, "When you and I spend the day together we usually go to the hospital." Sadly, that has been so true.  So today we had to change that.  I suggested, "How about carousels?" Her eyes got big as saucers and her face lit up.  She was sold.  This girl could live on a carousel.  So we headed out to...

It's an annual festival put on by the City of Burlington.  This year they are celebrating the 100th birthday of their historic carousel...

They have done an incredible job preserving it's original working condition.

Julia loved the menagerie of animals and we rode several times.

The city, so generously, makes all the rides free for the festival weekend.  They were all right up Julia's alley...

It was such a treat to take her to a fall festival.  We had to miss all of them last year.  Fall just isn't the same without some fun outside.  We had a great day taking in all the rides, sights, entertainment, and fair food.  She was all smiles all day.

 

The sno-balls were definitely a highlight.  They tasted so good sitting in the shade on hot afternoon.

And we were blessed to run into some old friends from a long time ago at church.  It always amazes me that you can go to another city, in a crowd of 20,000+ and run into someone you know.  Isn't it amazing how God works that way? (It was great to see you guys! Thanks for the hugs!!)

I am so thankful for the gift of this day with nothing else to do, but enjoy my sweet girl.  This face says it all...

Lord, thank you for perfect fall days, for the gift of time, for the blessing of health, for loving friends and family, and for being the God of second chances.