Tulips...

I planted these tulips in the Fall and they literally bloomed like this on Easter morning.  We left for church and they were closed and got home and they were beautiful!  I have been loving the song by Andrew Peterson this season- Rejoice- it resonates with what is going on in my soul.  As the winter is over and flowers climb through the snow- my soul seems to be refreshed by this newness of life that I see all around and I am reminded to "Rejoice."

And when the winter is over
The flowers climb through the snow
The willows weep and the clover bloom
Then all at once you hear a song
That's stronger than the noise

Rejoice

And when the peace turns to danger
The nights are longer than days
And every friend has a stranger's face
Then deep within the dungeon cell
You have to make a choice
Be still and know that the Father
Will hasten down from His throne
He will rejoice over you with song

So set your face against the night
And raise your broken voice

Rejoice

Jeremiah's First Trip to the Dentist...

Jeremiah took his first trip to the dentist.  He literally talked the lady's ear off while I was getting my teeth cleaned and was a brave boy for his first visit.  His favorite thing- picking an item out of the treasure chest.

Good Friday

It's Good Friday... The week always seems to fly by.  The kids and I after running errands and getting ready to cook for my parents coming, sat on the couch and listened to David Suchet read the Jesus Storybook Bible for kids- I love that little storybook Bible and love listening to David Suchet read it!  We then took Jesus and wrapped him in linens- toilet paper and put him in our tomb in our Resurrection Garden and sealed the tomb shut and put doors by it.  It is good to stop and let our hearts reflect on Christ- the weight of the cost of our sin and the sacrifice of Christ! 

Love these lines- "The great mountains shook.  Rocks split in two.  Until it seemed that the whole world would break.  That creation itself would tear apart.  The full force of the storm of God's fierce anger at sin was coming down.  On his own Son.  Instead of his people."
"And for the first time- and the last- when he spoke, nothing happened.  Just a horrible, endless silence.  God didn't answer.  He turned away from His Boy.  Tears rolled down Jesus' face.  The face of the One who would wipe away every tear from every eye."

Palm Sunday

The kids sang this Sunday for Palm Sunday- they waved their branches and shouted "Hosanna."  We didn't know how Jeremiah would do but being the extrovert that he is- I think he loved being on stage in front of everyone.  Jeremiah is standing next to his little love- Libby.  They are so cute together and Jeremiah just talks about this sweet little friend all the time. :) 

Calvin and Hobbes...

I have been finding Jeremiah lately reading Calvin and Hobbes in our bedroom.  He doesn't really know what is going on- but he loves to look at the picture! :)

Josiah- 1 year...

IHOP Free Pancakes Day...

Power of Praise Panel...

This weekend, I was on a panel called the "Power of Praise" panel.  I learned a lot from these sweet sisters and brother!  I think the thing I was challenged in the most was to make praise and thankfulness a part of my daily life in the daily challenges that it might overflow more in the big trials of life.  It always good to think about how to praise the Lord and guard ourselves with gratitude.

Birthday Getaway...

 A few weeks ago- we went to Dayton to go overnight with the kids to a hotel.  We had fun splashing in the hotel pool and getting away as a family- a great blessing!  We went to Wright Patt Air Force Museum to see the huge airplanes- Jeremiah loved the airplanes!  They were so neat to see!  We even went to a little story time on satellites and constellations.  We will definitely be back again- it was free and a fun place!  Daddy could have stayed there the whole day to read on the World War II room.   

Glasses and Shots...

The kids got their 3 and 5 year old check ups last Friday!  Jeremiah was so brave for his 2 shots- he didn't even cry!  Lydia was brave too in her check-up.  We decided to get little kid "frosties" afterward to celebrate bravery!