Easter 2011

Easter has become so much more meaningful to me this year. I was definitely very emotional during our Easter Sunday service. The fact that Jesus took all of my sins on him so that I can live in freedom is overwhelming. I'm grateful and in love.

Here are some pictures of the kids in their Easter clothes. We were able to spend some sweet time with friends who are on staff with us at New Grace. Two of the families don't have family close by, so we have enjoyed a few holidays together. I wish I had pictures from that, but my camera doesn't seem to travel with me often enough.

Double Doggone Cute

Andy had to have a major overhaul.

His puppy hair and big boy hair were colliding and we could not get his knots untangled. So he was shaved and we hope this is the last time he ever has to look this dorky.

(This picture is actually kind of cute. His hair cut is not this cute in person. But he's still super sweet.)

But this girl is precious.

She has started playing with imaginary friends and it makes me smile. Well, her friends are real, but she pretends that they are here with us, not at Busy Bees.

For example, today as she got out of the car, she turned around and said, "Come on Brynn, it's time to go inside." Brynn is her Busy Bee friend, but she's never been home with us. :)

And right now, behind me, Olivia is pretending to play with Mum-Z and Shanna. They are all sliding off of pillows on my bed.

Goodness Gracious Great SNAKES Alive!

Josiah came in the house yelling, "A snake is eating a toad!!"

This toad has been our porch friend since we moved into the house.

Sorry, Mr. Toad. It was nice knowing you.

I think the whole process took about an hour. We watched most of the time, in awe.

How on earth is he going to fit him?!

Gulp!

If you care to look closely, you can see the toad inside of his mouth.

As if nothing even happened.

Glad you had a good meal. Please don't come back soon.

Ahhhhh!!!!

It has been beyond busy around here. Beyond. But we would not trade a single day that these past few weeks have had to offer.

First of all, my parents and Jay's mom were able to come down for a visit. It was so wonderful to get to spend some time with them and do life with them on our turf.

Also, Jay was ordained into the priesthood on April 4th. What a sweet, sweet time it was. The ceremony took place during missions week, so we had lots of other priests and bishops who were able to make the evening that much more special.

Missions week was so great and we had many great conversations during the time. If you have never been in a worship service with many nations represented, then do that some time.

Our boys had their birthdays this past week. Isaac on April 9th and Josiah today, April 13th. We now have an 8 year old and a 6 year old. And the numbers just keep going up!

I just got back from Asheville, NC for a clergy wive's retreat. It was such a sweet time with the staff wives and such a great time spiritually for me.

Here are some pictures of the last week. I wish that I could have posted them all!

Dad and my kids.

I think that they watched every mission trip video that he had to offer. It was fun to see my kids learn about my dad's heart for missions. I hope and pray that they follow in his footsteps.

The boys decided that we could have a grandparent birthday party instead of a friend birthday party. Whew!

These two were pretty inseparable.

The birthday party crew

These were gluten free cupcakes and they were SO GOOD!

Pure excitement.

Present time!

Grandparent gifts!

More!

Excited.

Why does he make this face? I think I have a few photos I could put next to this and give you all a few laughs.

Jay was ordained a priest in the Anglican church. This was the main reason that our parents came. I wish I had pictures of the actual ceremony, but you can look at my mom's blog for those.

We had a week long missions conference at our church. Jay and I (and the kids) were up at the church most of the day and came home exhausted every night. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep. But it was such a sweet time with people from all over the world...and even from Amarillo. That's Patrick Schlabs on the left for any of our Amarillo peeps. :) We also got to see Erin Hicks Moon and had a sweet time with her baby girl.

Isaac's class.

Isaac comes home with chocolate smeared on his face sometimes. I always thought he was a messy eater and just didn't care what anyone thought. But then I witnessed it firsthand as Isaac and his weird 1st Grade friends did what weird 1st Graders do. :)

Josiah's favorite gift.

The box came with two cameras, but he gave one to Isaac so that they could take pictures together. I love that Josiah.

Ring Pops and Legos

Who could ask for more?

Even Liv got to join in on the fun.

This was before.

(The way I wanted it to look)

This was before.

(The way it usually looked)

After

Josiah also had a haircut today. Summer is on the way!

Yard Work

I think that this is one of my favorite days of the year. When all of our family is out in the front yard digging in the dirt, we light up.

Before

After

Olivia discovered a sprinkler for the first time. She kept thinking that it was raining outside.

Oh they joy!

I love this freckled girl.

It's Here Again!

Football!!

It's going to be a fun season.

Olivia on the sidelines with baby Lindsey.

This was my baby doll when I was a little girl.

Isaac played flag football with the YMCA sports last year. This year we are trying out a new league and love it. A major bonus is the fact that practice is at the park. So Olivia and Josiah have something to keep them entertained!

Posing

Isaac and I did a little photo shoot together with our new hair cuts.

I had a friend cut my hair and I'm loving it. It's the shortest cut I've had since Isaac was a newborn.

Hmmm...

I love this kid!