Spring, Schming (Random thoughts about my life)

No one is allowed to say the word "Spring" in Colorado UNLESS you are talking about a spiral metal contraption.

I laugh at the 68 degree days like we had yesterday because I know what is to come.  Those warm days mock and tease me with their small taste of warmth.  Today we are all home cuddled up in our jammies under blankets, drinking coffee and hot chocolate as the wind howls and the snow swirls with our BLIZZARD conditions!!

~Abby is working on her Abigail Adams Patriot Day project.
~Lauren is in her bed on her ipod.
~Cody, Sam, and Isaiah are in the living room playing PS3.
~Laila is playing Wii in the basement.
~After some meetings outside of the office, Rick is home, sitting under a blanket, working, with his head phones on.  I am sitting right next to him, but have to text him if I want to talk.  He is "in the zone" and cannot focus with all the noise in our house.
~I made pancakes this morning and plan to make some strawberry jam with some strawberries that were on sale and creamy wild rice soup and crusty bread for dinner tonight.

Even though I hate the snow and I will not be deceived by these warm days we sporadically have, I am kind of happy to have lazy day.  For the first time in 2 weeks, we have not been awakened by loud machinery in our neighbor's back yard.  They are doing the landscaping project that will never end.  For today, we got to sleep in.

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How about those Louisville Cardinals!!!!  Contrary to almost everyone around me, I have been a Louisville Cardinals fan since I was in elementary school.

I pick them to win the NCAA Championship EVERY year no matter what their ranking.

They have not won it since I was Cody's age, 14 years old.

Last night was a sweet victory, especially in light of Kevin Ware's horrific injury last weekend.  We watched it happen live, and I still have not recovered from that image that haunts my mind.

I wore my cardinals shirt yesterday and will continue to support my team no matter how much they win or lose.

Congratulations, Louisville Cardinals!!  (Please do not say the name "Louisville" unless you can pronounce it correctly like a true Kentuckian!)

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Rick and I have been juicing.  The week of Easter we only consumed fresh juiced fruits and vegetables for four days.  I was so hungry I could hardly stand it!  We are trying to clean up our diets.  I gave up sodas for Lent and have since also given up my coveted Crystal Light Peach Tea.  I have only been drinking water and occasionally coffee.  We aren't getting any younger so we better take care of the bodies we have!!

One of our meals before I juiced it

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We celebrated our beloved Ms. Julie's bday last week with a meal of BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, Cilantro Lime Rice, Guacamole and chips,  and Chocolate Dump Cake and Ice Cream.

 Some of her favorite things:

Swedish Fish and Mike and Ikes

 Sam gave her popcorn and a dollar

 I love this pic

 Sweet Tart jelly beans

 Marshmallow Eggs

 Atlanta Braves Cup

I think we ca safely say she is stocked up in the sweets department for a while.

We love you, Ms. Julie!!  Happy Birthday!!

Heavy Days

Wow, that last couple of days have been heavy.

There are some people in my life that are hurting deeply this week, and it breaks my heart.

I have felt the weight of sin, the depravity of man, and the brokenness in our world.

If I think about it too much, it really puts me in a place of grief and sadness that feels overwhelming.

Today, at church, I was reminded that even though we grieve, it is not without hope.

In those moments of hopelessness, we allow the enemy to creep in and consume us with fear, doubt, and despair.

I witnessed a living example of faith today that encouraged me beyond words.

I watched a friend who has experienced, what to most would be debilitating, stand up and lead us in worshipping and praising God.

In that moment, I could say, "Lord, this is real.  It is real in her life and if she can stand up and praise you in the midst of these circumstances then I have all the more reason to."

Who knew that I would be so ministered to by someone that I felt might need ministry from me?

These words became more real to me than they ever were before:

"You Never Let Go"  ~ Matt Redman


Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

(Chorus 2x's)

I don't know what pain you might be experiencing, but I do know this, the only hope you will find is in Jesus.  This life can feel really long and hard many days.  Guess what?  With Christ, we have the hope of Heaven where all pain, all sin, and all sickness will be gone for eternity.

That is the hope I am clinging to today.

Our Easter in Pictures (ALOT of pictures)

At the end of our very relaxing spring break, we had a weekend of Easter traditions that make this holiday even more special for our family.  For those of you with all little kids, I must say it does get easier.  I remember thinking, "Is this really worth it?"  There was so much preparation, they needed so much help, there was often fighting, and the mess afterwards was overwhelming  My big kids were such a big help this year.  They helped me set things up for each one, were self-sufficient, and even helped with the younger ones. When it was all over, I was thinking, "Wow, that was actually fun."  AND, they know how to continue these traditions with their own families if they choose to.  Being able to reap a little from all of the sewing is very encouraging. 

Laila was so empowered by her student-led conference, that she wanted to read the book from school to her brothers and sisters.  So, we kicked off our Easter traditions with "Circle Time."  She put out a blanket and everyone gathered around while she read the book to us. 

 On Friday morning, we dyed Easter Eggs. This is a tradition that all the kids can enjoy, even the older ones.  The older they are, the more creative they become.

 Can you see Africa on Abby's egg?

 Our church had a Good Friday Service on Friday at noon that we participated in.  I really liked kicking off our weekend with that focus.  My favorite part of the service was the artist on stage painting a picture of the crucifixion on a huge canvas during worship.

On Saturday morning, we did our tombs.  

 Abby had her own gluten free version

 Jesus is Alive!!

 The tomb is empty!!

 We did Communion as a family with the tombs and sparkling grape juice

 Abby's Easter artwork on our bulletin board

 On Saturday night, I did Easter Story Cookies with the big kids.

We went to bed and woke up on Easter morning to these cookies and a scavenger hunt

The clues led them all over the house with some little treats at each spot

Thank you, Papa and Grammy.  We missed you this week!

We went to service together afterwards.  I knew this day was special, but it became even more special once we were at church.  While we were worshipping, Isaiah leaned over to me with a big smile on his face and whispered, "I am so glad I have a family, and I am not an orphan anymore." That just melted my heart.

At the end of the Easter Service, our church does baptisms.  They have many already scheduled, but they also open it up for spontaneous baptisms.  Last summer at VBS, Sam gave his heart to Jesus.  He had made a decision a few years earlier, but felt like he really didn't understand it back then.  When they started baptizing in the service, I could tell by the look on his face that he felt like he needed to.

When I asked him what made him want to get baptized, he said, "God was pulling on my heart."  

Afterwards, I told him how proud of him I was and that every time God pulls on his heart, I want him to listen and follow that pulling. 

What a special day for our family!

I told Laila, "Sweetie, you are so pretty.  How did you get so pretty?"

Her answer, "I was made for pretty."  

Yes, you were sweetie.  Yes you were.

We had a very relaxed Easter Dinner

Ham, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, dinner rolls, pistachio salad, and Blue Bell ice cream

Our festivities ended with our annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The 3 big kids hid most of the eggs for the little kids.  Rick and I hid the prize eggs.  There was 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for the big kids and the little kids.  The weather was perfect this year.  We are usually in winter clothes freezing during the hunt.

They are serious about this

"I found the prize egg!"

The 3 big kids climbed in this trees, got scrapes and ended up with bruises looking for their prize eggs.

Cody found the grand prize egg

3rd place prize winners

Laila won a bigger container of cotton candy as her 2nd place prize.  When she saw it, my sweet little introverted girl yelled, "Oh yeah, Booyah!  In yo face, suckas!"  I did not expect that.  She said to me, "Mama, did you know I am a fan of cotton candy?"

Easter 2013 will forever go down as a special year.  Continuing all of our traditions was so much fun.  Watching Sam take the step of obedience in his walk with God made it the best Easter EVER!