For some reason I couldn't get my new phone to work properly on Easter morning so some of the pictures are kind of blurry. But cute kids can be found, blurry or not :)
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| Easter afternoon - totally exhausted! |
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Easter on the Lake
We had a great weekend and I guess the last two days have been busy because I'm shocked that tomorrow is Wednesday already. We went to church on Saturday night so Sunday, after tearing into our Easter baskets of course, we packed up and headed to Lake Georgetown. The kids had a blast playing in the water, fishing with D. and eating every last snack we brought.
For some reason I couldn't get my new phone to work properly on Easter morning so some of the pictures are kind of blurry. But cute kids can be found, blurry or not :)
For some reason I couldn't get my new phone to work properly on Easter morning so some of the pictures are kind of blurry. But cute kids can be found, blurry or not :)
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Easter 2012
We went to our Easter service tonight, which was wonderful. You can watch the services live (there are three tomorrow on Easter Sunday) here. Some people gave some powerful testimony, there was great music and a good message. Blaine had a great time in his class and even though he doesn't participate with the other kids during the circle time, his teachers always comment that he "hears and gets everything" they teach. We know this is true because he comes home and tells us everything that he learned, even though he was playing with Play-Doh the whole time. He told me the other day that "Jesus' friends got him a donkey and he rode it into Jerusalem and the rocks cried out and then they waved palm branches at Jesus. See this Mama - I made a Palm branch!" And a beautiful palm branch it is!
The Easter baskets are out and David just hid the eggs. I'll post more pictures in the morning when we're all tearing into our candy :) My mom always put crumbled up dollar bills in our baskets as "Easter grass" - my brother and I loved that. Luckily Blaine thinks shiny pennies and quarters are the best gift ever, so his eggs are filled with quarters. Great Grandma Crower got Hannah an Elmo book so I'm pretty sure Boo is going to see the book and forget about everything else I put in her basket. Her other Great Grandmother, Nana, sent her $10 and she seriously screamed, "MONEY!!" when she opened her card and pulled out the bill. She's one year old and knows what money is... She already loves shoes... I think we're in trouble! :)
Tomorrow we hope to sleep in until 10:00 am or so... HAHA!
Isn't that the truth? I think the latest we've "slept in" is like 7:58 am. Hey, tomorrow's a new day - maybe it will happen! If we don't sleep in I expect that the hidden eggs will be found, I will consume more candy than I should in any given morning, and we will watch a few (no, several) Curious George's before 8:00 am. Then we have plans to go to the lake.
One last thing I want to share is an audio message that was played at church last week as part of our Pastor's message. It is titled "That's My King!" The sermon was preached by the late S.M. Lockridge, but I'm not sure when. I love it. I would not have the blessed and gorgeous life I have without my King. I'm so grateful this Easter.
The Easter baskets are out and David just hid the eggs. I'll post more pictures in the morning when we're all tearing into our candy :) My mom always put crumbled up dollar bills in our baskets as "Easter grass" - my brother and I loved that. Luckily Blaine thinks shiny pennies and quarters are the best gift ever, so his eggs are filled with quarters. Great Grandma Crower got Hannah an Elmo book so I'm pretty sure Boo is going to see the book and forget about everything else I put in her basket. Her other Great Grandmother, Nana, sent her $10 and she seriously screamed, "MONEY!!" when she opened her card and pulled out the bill. She's one year old and knows what money is... She already loves shoes... I think we're in trouble! :)
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| Hannah's Basket |
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| Blaine's Basket |
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| Mama and Daddy's Basket :) |
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| William, Blaine, Siri, and Hannah after they decorated Easter eggs this week. |
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| Decorating eggs! |
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| The bluebonnets on Lake Travis. I love them :) |
Tomorrow we hope to sleep in until 10:00 am or so... HAHA!
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| A friend posted this on Facebook and it cracked us up. |
Isn't that the truth? I think the latest we've "slept in" is like 7:58 am. Hey, tomorrow's a new day - maybe it will happen! If we don't sleep in I expect that the hidden eggs will be found, I will consume more candy than I should in any given morning, and we will watch a few (no, several) Curious George's before 8:00 am. Then we have plans to go to the lake.
One last thing I want to share is an audio message that was played at church last week as part of our Pastor's message. It is titled "That's My King!" The sermon was preached by the late S.M. Lockridge, but I'm not sure when. I love it. I would not have the blessed and gorgeous life I have without my King. I'm so grateful this Easter.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Valley of Darkness... and Fun!
We have been in "the valley" (south Texas) since Friday visiting Nana and Ray. We flew in and headed straight to the beach but never made it because the traffic got bad (really bad) and the kids were at the end of their ropes. And that's a bad combo for us. We were still about two hours from the beach (but only about 5 miles) when Blaine and Hannah started having meltdowns so we called it quits and headed back to Nana and Ray's house. After we decided to turn around we stopped for food and to stretch our legs but only after Blaine stopped screaming (with tears), "I want to go to the beach! I want to see sharks! I don't want to go home." Poor thing, my heart was just breaking for him. We've been talking about the beach for a couple weeks now and when we had to turn around he was just heart broken. Our saving grace was the pool when we arrived in Edinburg which Blaine was happy to occupy. Everyone but Hanny and I swam and if you're wondering why I didn't swim let me tell you why...
The title reference "valley of darkness" is an exaggeration but boy has it been rough for me. Both kids were diagnosed with Herpangina last week. Hannah had it worse than Blaine but neither had symptoms that moved beyond blisters in their throats and high fevers. Thursday I started feeling bad and by evening I had a high fever, sore throat, chills, headache, stomach ache and basically felt like I'd been hit by a freight train. I prayed for healing and though I wasn't healed completely I was able to get up in the morning, get ready, finish packing and get on the plane. We made it to Edinburg and then had the whole beach saga. Honestly I was feeling pretty good until about 6:00 pm when my fever came back. My throat started hurting more and as my fever came on my hands and feet started hurting. By Saturday morning my virus had turned the corner from Herpangina to full-on Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease. Not only do I have painful blisters in my mouth, and throat but I have a painful and itchy rash on my hands and feet, no appetite, a headache and a stomach ache. Honestly, I have never been in this kind of pain for this long before. In fact I'd give birth (naturally) over this any day! And because I am still breastfeeding I have to eat and drink to produce milk and this is no easy task. Nana worked hard to make me all kinds of soft foods, stuff that was easier to get down. Mostly, I am shocked that this virus can cause this much pain and discomfort. I've had influenza before, had bad sinus infections, allergies that have lasted months on end, given birth to two 8+ pound babies and this really takes the cake. Not being able to walk or use my hands or eat is really testing my patience and causing me great mental distress. Ugh - but enough about me!
Despite my leper status, I/we had a great time in Edinburg. It wasn't all "valley of darkness" but very much a valley of fun :) Nana and Ray have a beautiful home on a golf course in a quiet community down in Edinburg. We were comfortable and felt right at home and want to thank Nana and Ray for their hospitality. Blaine spent a lot of time at the pool - which he loves of course and Nana spent (it seems) most of the weekend in the kitchen cooking for us. Last night we had yummy steak and shrimp kabobs with fresh corn on the cob, bread, and a cold shrimp salad. Today we had ham and twice baked potatoes, vegetables, fruit salad, rolls and chocolate delight (a family recipe that is truly delightful!) The Easter Bunny found Blaine and Hannah in Edinburg too. Ray... I mean, the Easter Bunny, dropped off the kids' easter baskets on the front porch and rang the door bell as he hopped away. Blaine thought that was neat and then tore into his basket, grass and all.
Our flight back was good though David can't find his driver's license so he had to go through additional screening at security. And actually (this will make my dad proud) it was David's Michigan Fishing License that got him through security because it was the only form of "ID" he had that had his address on it.
As I sit here typing, with my hands and feet on fire, I can't help but pause and pray for those that are in chronic pain or are facing illnesses that are life threatening. I know that this virus will likely leave my body in the next week and God will restore me to health again. I have faith that will happen and though I've complained about my disease a lot in this post, I have not forgotten the blessings in my life. Today I was reminded constantly of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, his beautiful resurrection and how he calls us to be in relationship with him so that we no longer have to bear pain, hurt, frustration, resentment, bitterness, you-name-it. My pain and discomfort is so miniscule compared to what He endured and to what countless others are facing today.
Happy Easter everyone! I would sure appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery and additional prayers for those that you do and do not know that are experiencing chronic pain or are facing life threatening illnesess. God Bless.
The title reference "valley of darkness" is an exaggeration but boy has it been rough for me. Both kids were diagnosed with Herpangina last week. Hannah had it worse than Blaine but neither had symptoms that moved beyond blisters in their throats and high fevers. Thursday I started feeling bad and by evening I had a high fever, sore throat, chills, headache, stomach ache and basically felt like I'd been hit by a freight train. I prayed for healing and though I wasn't healed completely I was able to get up in the morning, get ready, finish packing and get on the plane. We made it to Edinburg and then had the whole beach saga. Honestly I was feeling pretty good until about 6:00 pm when my fever came back. My throat started hurting more and as my fever came on my hands and feet started hurting. By Saturday morning my virus had turned the corner from Herpangina to full-on Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease. Not only do I have painful blisters in my mouth, and throat but I have a painful and itchy rash on my hands and feet, no appetite, a headache and a stomach ache. Honestly, I have never been in this kind of pain for this long before. In fact I'd give birth (naturally) over this any day! And because I am still breastfeeding I have to eat and drink to produce milk and this is no easy task. Nana worked hard to make me all kinds of soft foods, stuff that was easier to get down. Mostly, I am shocked that this virus can cause this much pain and discomfort. I've had influenza before, had bad sinus infections, allergies that have lasted months on end, given birth to two 8+ pound babies and this really takes the cake. Not being able to walk or use my hands or eat is really testing my patience and causing me great mental distress. Ugh - but enough about me!
Despite my leper status, I/we had a great time in Edinburg. It wasn't all "valley of darkness" but very much a valley of fun :) Nana and Ray have a beautiful home on a golf course in a quiet community down in Edinburg. We were comfortable and felt right at home and want to thank Nana and Ray for their hospitality. Blaine spent a lot of time at the pool - which he loves of course and Nana spent (it seems) most of the weekend in the kitchen cooking for us. Last night we had yummy steak and shrimp kabobs with fresh corn on the cob, bread, and a cold shrimp salad. Today we had ham and twice baked potatoes, vegetables, fruit salad, rolls and chocolate delight (a family recipe that is truly delightful!) The Easter Bunny found Blaine and Hannah in Edinburg too. Ray... I mean, the Easter Bunny, dropped off the kids' easter baskets on the front porch and rang the door bell as he hopped away. Blaine thought that was neat and then tore into his basket, grass and all.
Our flight back was good though David can't find his driver's license so he had to go through additional screening at security. And actually (this will make my dad proud) it was David's Michigan Fishing License that got him through security because it was the only form of "ID" he had that had his address on it.
As I sit here typing, with my hands and feet on fire, I can't help but pause and pray for those that are in chronic pain or are facing illnesses that are life threatening. I know that this virus will likely leave my body in the next week and God will restore me to health again. I have faith that will happen and though I've complained about my disease a lot in this post, I have not forgotten the blessings in my life. Today I was reminded constantly of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, his beautiful resurrection and how he calls us to be in relationship with him so that we no longer have to bear pain, hurt, frustration, resentment, bitterness, you-name-it. My pain and discomfort is so miniscule compared to what He endured and to what countless others are facing today.
Happy Easter everyone! I would sure appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery and additional prayers for those that you do and do not know that are experiencing chronic pain or are facing life threatening illnesess. God Bless.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Easter 2010
Easter was lovely this year. The weekend was extremely busy, but we all had a lot of fun and got to spend some awesome family time together. The Easter Bunny prepared two baskets this year: One for Daddy and one for Mister. I guess the Easter Bunny doesn't believe in Mommy getting an Easter basket (or maybe he knows that Mommy sneaks Daddy's candy....) Actually, this mama did get some wonderful Easter prizes from her own mama and her mama-in-law. Thanks, Moms!
Here is Blaine's face as he sees his basket for the first time at very-early-in-the-morning on Sunday.
He carefully inspects the goods that are not contained in wrapping paper or in a plastic egg.
Blaine allows mama to snap one picture of him smiling (or whatever that's called that he's doing).
Saturday was spent running errands and picking up bushes and flowers for the front yard while Omar, dry-wall extraordinaire, worked on Hannah's room. He finished the job in a few hours and now I am just putting the finishing touches of paint on it. It's coming along. Sunday we enjoyed breakfast out, then church, and then a superb dinner at David's aunt and uncle's. We enjoyed ham and turkey, gravy, homemade macaroni and cheese, creamed corn, deviled eggs, salad, stuffing (called dressin' down in these parts), and I know I am forgetting something... but you get the picture. It was all delish! For dessert we had banana pudding and Aunt Barbara's Bunny Cake (which was what we used to bribe Blaine to eat his dinner: "Dinner or NO bunny cake!") There were about 15 of us who gathered to be together and it was such a treat. David's sweet aunts even prepared an Easter basket full of goodies (a book, stuffed animal, and a carrot-shaped bat that really is a weapon for a 2-year old) for Blaine. There was an egg hunt for the kids and they all got plenty of candy and even some money (which Blaine says is "just junk"). I'll check back in with him when he's 15 and see if he still thinks money is "just junk". Here are some pictures from the weekend.
Here is Blaine's face as he sees his basket for the first time at very-early-in-the-morning on Sunday.
He carefully inspects the goods that are not contained in wrapping paper or in a plastic egg.
Blaine allows mama to snap one picture of him smiling (or whatever that's called that he's doing).
Mister digs into his plastic eggs which contained his favorite: fruit snacks and more fruit snacks.
Saturday was spent running errands and picking up bushes and flowers for the front yard while Omar, dry-wall extraordinaire, worked on Hannah's room. He finished the job in a few hours and now I am just putting the finishing touches of paint on it. It's coming along. Sunday we enjoyed breakfast out, then church, and then a superb dinner at David's aunt and uncle's. We enjoyed ham and turkey, gravy, homemade macaroni and cheese, creamed corn, deviled eggs, salad, stuffing (called dressin' down in these parts), and I know I am forgetting something... but you get the picture. It was all delish! For dessert we had banana pudding and Aunt Barbara's Bunny Cake (which was what we used to bribe Blaine to eat his dinner: "Dinner or NO bunny cake!") There were about 15 of us who gathered to be together and it was such a treat. David's sweet aunts even prepared an Easter basket full of goodies (a book, stuffed animal, and a carrot-shaped bat that really is a weapon for a 2-year old) for Blaine. There was an egg hunt for the kids and they all got plenty of candy and even some money (which Blaine says is "just junk"). I'll check back in with him when he's 15 and see if he still thinks money is "just junk". Here are some pictures from the weekend.
On another (unrelated) note. I got a call from my doctor yesterday regarding my gestational diabetes test results (I took the test last week), and my glucose levels are elevated (138) - they want them below 130 so the elevation indicates I might have gestational diabetes. (Great!)
I have to go tomorrow morning and take a 4 hour blood draw test. They will draw my blood four times in four hours. Yes, that means I will be at the lab for 4 hours and if you know my history with giving blood - this is seeming pretty traumatic to me :( I have passed out before (which is scary), but mainly I have veins that roll and they are never able to get the needle in, which means they poke and poke and poke and move the needle around under my skin until they can get the vein, which leaves me trembling and bruised and extremely frightened of getting my blood drawn! If you saw me after my time in the hospital with Blaine, you'll remember that I looked like an addict because my arms were all bruised up from their attempts to draw blood (from wrist to armpit practically).
I am thankful that they will be doing more thorough testing to make sure that I do/do not have GD, but I am very scared to have these tests tomorrow because of the bad experiences I've had. I can usually do one blood draw fine, but 4!!!! and I'll be fasting the whole time!!! Your prayers will be appreciated tonight and tomorrow as I prepare and go in for this test.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Happy Easter Weekend
Today is Good Friday. The day, we Christians, commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The last few years David and I have spent some portion of the weekend watching The Passion of the Christ but a friend borrowed it and never gave it back and I think she's moved now, so I don't think we'll be watching it this year. However, in lieu of watching the movie, we're attending a program at Gateway Church tonight called "Portraits of the Passion" which I hope is just as moving and emotional as the movie. I think, though gruesome and awful to watch at moments, these scenes and flashes of history are crucial to experience. Christ's birth, ministry, death and three days later, his Resurrection are the foundations of my faith and to taste and see what it may have been like for Him, changes me each time I read about it and see images that try to tell the story.
At night, after saying the Lord's prayer with Blaine he says to us, "Pray for Jesus, Mama/Dada!" and he puts his little sweet hands together and we pray for everyone we know, and tell Jesus how much we love him. Blaine seems content and happy after this, and is left with a smile from ear to ear. There is nothing better than a precious angel like him praying to Jesus. And though today is a day to remember God's suffering, it is also a day to remember how much He loves us.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT
and on to a Happy Easter...
At night, after saying the Lord's prayer with Blaine he says to us, "Pray for Jesus, Mama/Dada!" and he puts his little sweet hands together and we pray for everyone we know, and tell Jesus how much we love him. Blaine seems content and happy after this, and is left with a smile from ear to ear. There is nothing better than a precious angel like him praying to Jesus. And though today is a day to remember God's suffering, it is also a day to remember how much He loves us.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT
and on to a Happy Easter...
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
"You lookin' at my double chin?"David and Blaine and I would like to wish you all a glorious Easter. And thank you, God, for all of our blessings and for living life with us (we've figured out that this life thing is much better with you in it :)
We enjoyed some family time with my Uncle Kevin, Aunt Sharron, and cousin Avery (visiting Austin from Michigan for their spring break) yesterday. We ate some BBQ, watched some movies, grilled some fajitas, and loved on Blaine. Today we enjoyed church with Nana and are now home and Blaine is sleeping peacefully.
Blaine thinks the plastic Easter eggs are balls, rather "baaa" (he doesn't have the "ll" down yet) so he's been having fun playing with those. I think next year he will prefer filled eggs over empty "balls"! :) We'll keep it simple while we can.
We will go to Nana's for Easter supper and ice cream sundae's and David will enjoy watching the Masters on TV (though I think Tiger is out of the running for the green jacket this year).
Happy Easter!
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