My budding pianist

He was really enjoying himself.



I fully intend on having all my kids take piano lessons, even, or especially, my boys.

Easter 2011

I took the girls to the Owasso Egg Drop Saturday morning. Not sure what an egg drop is? Check this video out. Keep your eyes open for two familiar faces.

Helicopter Egg Drop Brought Out Hundreds In Owasso

Isabelle



Eliza

After a feverish shopping trip to the mall later that evening, making our final purchase as they shut the doors to Children's Place (who knew it would be so hard to find a plain, white collared shirt for a little boy?) we finally had complete Easter outfits for all three kids. Not an easy task. Grandma had decided to make Easter dresses for the girls, letting them pick their own colors. Izzy ended up choosing red and Eliza went with the old standby - pink. The skirts of the dresses were my favorite part - they were the bubble-style skirts. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of them in the dresses. The dresses still needed work when we got home from the mall, so I pitched in and helped. We finally wrapped it up in the wee morning hours.

As if on cue, Duke woke up to eat just as I was lying down for the night. Seriously kid, when is this sleeping-through-the-night thing going to happen for you (and I)? After feeding him and laying out the Easter baskets and new dresses, I was finally ready to turn in. Duke woke up just a few hours later to eat (again!) and, too tired to do anything different, I went and slept in his room. With a few hours of sleep, I finally felt human again, and looking at the clock, I was surprised to see it was 9:48. I wondered how I was spared the early morning wake-up call and went in search of my two older children. They were in their bedroom watching a movie, with Taber. Bless his heart. He let me sleep in.

As soon as breakfast was cleaned up, we dyed eggs. It was a first for our family. Our eggs certainly weren't flawless or beautiful and we cracked quite a few of them, but we had fun doing it. I've always been too nervous to put dye and my girls in the same room before, but I felt like they could handle it this year. And they did a pretty good job.

My favorite is the blue one at top :)

We had to rush to get ready for church in time, but as we sat there all together and sang the opening song, "He Is Risen," I was filled with love, happiness, and gratitude. I sat a little straighter and sang a little louder.

My sweet baby boy on Easter Sunday
10 months old

All throughout the weekend, we'd periodically ask the girls, "Why do we really celebrate Easter?" And they'd answer, "Because He died for us." And then we'd talk a little bit about Jesus and the resurrection. We wanted to make sure they knew that Easter is more about eggs, candy, bunnies, and baskets.

Looking back on the weekend, I realize that I may have needed that reminder just as much as they did. Easter is not about new clothes, shiny shoes, creating the perfect Easter basket or an elaborate feast. It is a celebration of Him who gave us life and who has power to give us life again. If you see me next Easter, would you mind tapping me on the shoulder and reminding me of that?

I Am So Making One of These...

...for Easter next year.

Recently discovered a lovely blog where I saw this wreath and accompanying tutorial posted. I'm blogging about it on my blog, hoping I'll remember the idea when next Easter rolls around.

Inspiration

Came across this song at her blog the other day. Listening to it makes me feel like chasing after my dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.

Dreams like

running a marathon,

learning to play the guitar,

living in France again someday,

going back to school for a Master's degree,

opening a bakery/wedding cake shop/cafe.

Just to name a few of the biggies.

And not let anything, or anyone, including myself, get in the way.