Easter Blessings

Easter weekend was a wonderufl time with family anf friends.  We have a lot of fun coloring eggs and hunting for eggs.  We ate Easter lunch on Saturday and enjoyed good time with friends.  Saturday night, I tried a new Easter activity to explore the real meaning of Easter with the boys.  I found several creative ideas to tell the real Easter story.  The one I liked for the boys this year started with them finding rocks.  I gave them empty Easter baskets and told them to find 5 rocks.  They brought the rocks inside and we sat down and read the Easter story. We wrote on the rocks bad choices that we make.  We talked about Jesus dying on the cross to take away those bad choices (sin). 

After we talked about each rock and what was written on it, we put them back in each Easter basket and covered it with a red cloth representing Jesus.  When the boys woke up Easter morning, they found a new basket with Jesus' name on it.  All of the rocks were in his basket and the cloth still covered the other baskets.

Thw boys found new good things in their baskets.  The rocks were gone and replace by good things.  The boys enjoyed looking through their baskets.  The best comment was from David who exclaimed, "Wow, God gave me hot wheels cars for Easter.  God knows I like hot wheels"

Wow a wonderful Easter!!!  He is Risen!!!

Birthday Fun with Nathan

So far for his birthday---pizza dinner party with family and friends, cool presents and the beach.  Oh yea and chocolate molten lava cake for dessert,

A quiet moment

I am sitting in a very quiet, dark hotel room listening to the breathing of three sleeping boys.  Today is Nathan's 8th birthday.  Hard to believe 8 years ago, Hank and I were in a labor and delivery room marveling over our first little gift from God.  Hard to believe that was 8 year ago.  Time goes by so fast.  I can't belive that the twins are 5 years old and will start Kindergarten in the fall.  Oh, I pray now for their future Kindergarten teachers (ha-ha).  I pray they will get to know the boys and understand their unique personalities.  I pray for Nathan's future 3rd grade teacher.  He has had Ms. Ashley for 3 years in Project Friends.  This will be a big transition for him.

I am thinking right now about what I will be doing this next year.  I have finally taken the big step to resign from directing the preschool.  The daily pressures and stresses of managing employees, balancing budgets and making decisions that impact 170 kids a day have taken a toll on me this past year.  Other factors contributed to this big decision, but I know it is the right decision.  I know because as I listen to the sound of three sleeping boys, I pray to be a good mother who has more time, patience, and physical (not to mention emotional) energy for my boys.  I want to be part of more adventures and memory making fun with my boys (and my husband).  So, what will I be doing next year with two boys going to Kindergarten and one going to 3rd grade?  I really don't know yet.  But whatever God provides from me, He knows my heart's desire to give more to my family.  I trust that He will provide.

Jehovah Jireh

Better afternoon...

Can I have a do over?

A "do-over" kind of morning... Do you ever wish you could have a do over in life? This morning was one of those times. We were late to church, David had a trantum going into church, David had a trantum leaving church, we wanted to take our two "adopted" college girls to lunch...got to Moe's late-they were in the front of the line and Sarah motioned for us to join them she had already order two of the boys meals...I took over the ordering for the family...not realizing until I was in the midst of it..that I probably ticked off many people in line by "cutting" to be with our college girls. Then I felt bad and like everone was staring at me (probably calling me names). Hank was frustrated. Tried to sit down and make lunch a nice time with Sarah and Kaitlin. David had another episode and I had to have a chat outside with him. Finally ate lunch and then David have yet another trantum over the balloon the ballon man made for him. Needless to say everyone again stared at me as I left Moes carrying a screaming child. So I am sorry to all the people in line at Moes:( and to all those who had to hear the screams of a 5 yr-old. David and I just had a long talk and all the boys are going to have rest time with Daddy while I attend a baby shower. Parenting is not easy. It is very humbling and tiring. Pray for me and for others you know who are parents (especially if they have a strong-willed child:))....