Happy Easter!

Easter 2011

This year we had a wonderful Easter celebrating our risen Savior. On Saturday we headed to a local event for the kids. Dave and I took turns waiting in line for Savannah to get her face painted. Dave was completely calm the entire time . . . me on the other hand, not so much. I ended up going to Harris Teeter and coming back to find them still waiting in line. The total wait was over 50 minutes!!

Savannah with her fancy Hawaiian flowers. She wanted the cross, but we talked her out of it since it was a super complicated design.

Preston just chilling out with his daddy

Quick picture with the Easter bunny

Then on Sunday, we started the morning with the annual Easter basket search. Savannah quickly found Preston's basket and then after a little searching, hers too. They enjoyed some chocolate with breakfast and then it was off to church. After church we headed straight to Burlington. We got there before Grandma's church was over so we headed to Pawpaw's for some golf cart rides and pictures. I was so bummed that most of my pictures were completely overexposed, but I tried to salvage a few of them . . .

Easter egg hunt at Great Grandmas House

A Proud Mommy Moment

Today we were in the checkout line at Harris Teeter and the following converstaion took place between the bagger and Savannah:

B: So what grade are you in?
S: I'm in preschool
B: Well what are you learning in preschool?
S: (after thinking a bit and me wondering what in the world she's going to say) about Jesus
B: Oh yeah? What else?
S: About how He died on the cross and how Easter is so special!

If I ever doubt (and I don't, but if I ever did) that much is being learned through WEE school and our church's awesome Sunday school program, I hope I'll remember this precious conversation and how openly Savannah shared her love for Jesus.

Happy 60th Mom!

Today my mom would have turned 60 years old. Although I'm pretty sure birthdays aren't celebrated in Heaven, I bet every day is a party for her! There are days when I miss her terribly . . . miss her voice, her hugs, her calls, and her getting to know these precious children, but in the darkest of days the Lord is always faithful to remind me of two things. 1) Mom is amazingly happy and healthy in heaven and 2) I have the promise of one day seeing her, hugging her, and loving on her again in person. For now we will continue to love her from afar. So here's a big Happy Birthday to the most giving woman I ever knew. We love you mom!!

Kindness

Last week we experienced three random acts of kindness, 2 from complete strangers!

The first act was from my aunt who stopped by to pick up some items on her way to FL. As a treat for the kids, she left a beautiful strawberry plant, a Princess watering can, and a superhero shovel for Preston. They were SO excited to get an unexpected gift and today was even more exciting when we were able to pick our first strawberry! Yumm-o!

Then, on Monday we were rushing to dance class and I tried to make time to stop and do my CVS run before ballet. Bubbles were free with ECBs, but the limit was 1. I decided that since the kids were with me it couldn't be an Easter basket item after all, and that we would get a blue bottle because now bubbles or "bubbbb" are one of Preston's favorite things. At the checkout an elderly lady in front of me who saw me shopping for the bubbles earlier purchased a bright pink container of bubbles and turned around and gave them to us! I didn't realize what she was doing but she before leaving she asked the cashier for a separate bag and a rubber band which she secured around the top to make sure it didn't spill. It was just precious how she gave it to Savannah, whose face just lit up. Sweet, sweet lady!!

Finally, Friday rolled around. Let me just say it was a Fat Friday for me. I ate horribly last week and was up a whopping 5 pounds from my lowest point! Never the less, I drug myself out to run before Dave went to work. I was running in an adjoining neighborhood when I noticed a car going super slow beside of me with the window rolled down. I took my headphones off and the lady stopped me to say "I've seen you running for weeks now and wanted to let you know that I've noticed a huge difference. Your hard work and persistence is really paying off." Really?? It was super sweet of her to stop on her way to work and give me such a nice compliment, especially when I was feeling so down.

Lord, help me to show kindness to others this week, those that we know and those that are strangers. Help me to be a better example of You through my actions and words this week.

Ice Cream with Dave

This is what the kids look like after having ice cream with daddy.

I had a MOPS meeting last night so Dave picked the kids up from church and took them to Ben & Jerrys for free cone day. When I got home I asked it how it when and this is what he said:

* It was hard to keep the kids in the long line

* Everyone chose chocolate varieties (dads don't think about stained clothes and caffeine)

* The kids were sort of a mess, so much so that an employee took Preston's picture to put on the wall. Next time you visit B&J at the Arboretum, look for him!

* He tried to get napkins but it was so windy that most of them blew away (that explains the chocolate faces in the picture)

*Afterwards they went to the running store to register for Saturday's race and lady working there liked their chocolate faces.

I guess every kid needs a night out with daddy every now and then so you don't have to worry about being clean!

Shoes

One of Preston's few words is SHOES and boy does he love them! I took these pictures the other night after dinner and wanted to share the cuteness with you. :)

Like my new shoes, mom??

Yep, these are my shoes!

As a side note, Preston's speech is rapidly improving . . .well, maybe not the quality of words, but definiltey the quantity of them! He really tries hard to imitate what we are saying and is making progress in helping us understand exactly what he wants. The new play therapist started this week so we now have two in-home speech sessions a week. It's a lot ot keep track of, but we are loving the progress he is making!!

Happy Happy Birthday Grandma!!

This past weekend we surprised my grandma with a birthday party to celebrate her 80th birthday! It was such a special day for a very special woman. When she arrived home and walked in her front door we all (about 40 people) yelled "surprise" and I thought she was going to faint. She almost cried and then was just shaking.

Just walking in and wondering what in the world was going on!

There are so many special things about my grandmother, but probably the thing that stands out in my mind the most is what a servant she has always been. She is always the first to bake a pie to deliver to someone, visit friends and family that are shut in, and do whatever she can to help others. When Pawpaw was alive she would always have his meals ready and even if he was working in the yard she would have a glass of ice waiting for him. I think the only time I ever saw them argue was over who was going to vacuum (they both were willing to do it).

I had the privilege of growing up in her backyard and spending just about every weekend at her house. There are so many good memories that I will cherish forever. She continues to lead a life that not only sets an example for us to follow, but also a life that makes the Lord smile. I pray that when I turn 80 I'm as happy, healthy, and loving as she is.

Look at the joy in her face watching the great grandkids blow out her candles!

This little boy sure enjoyed his cake!

Maddie and Savannah

Happy, Happy Birthday Grandma. We love you!!

Deborah, Dad and all of the grandkids