Easter Highlights

Sunday's service, with the reminder that we are not just celebrating the cross 

but more-so the empty tomb, was the best way to begin our day. 

The worship singing was especially meaningful. 

Family came for dinner, happy to see each other after spring break vacations. 

Tehya came a bit early, eager to help.

Evy gave us each a handmade card with a heartfelt message. 

I know that these special mementos have their season, 

so it tears me up. 

Jack still accepts help at the buffet, making sure he's okay with  everything that lands on his plate. 

And how did they all get so big? Three of them (plus the one in Indonesia) showing off braces. 

Tehya and Paeton flip back and forth between being adults or kids. 

It was a wet day, so we decided to hide the baskets in the basement and crawl space,

My H and Tehya had cordoned off the stairs to keep everyone away until it was time.

Teddy volunteered to do the ribbon cutting,

saying, "I've wanted to do this for my whole life!"

There were some really good hiding spots, so good that clues were necessary!

One of our neighbors gave us an amp with a mic that they did not need anymore. 

It was just what some of the girls needed for their creative outlet,

while the boys played hockey in the crawl space and later sat in the hot tub to chill. 

Jack is always right there with the big boys. 

For Faspa the girls brought together charcuterie style food ...

and of course, there was the Paska station where everyone added extra icing and sprinkles. 

In a few days my H and I are heading to Israel, a dream come true for him!

We will see the places that take us back to Bible times,

to see and experience the places where Jesus walked. 

I hope to post some highlightes of our time as we go. 

 

Shopping my Closet

 

The wonderful thing about living with seasons is that we get to switch out our wardrobe every 6 months or so. Or am I the only one who can hardly wait for the change?

One morning I decided this is it. I have to see what my options are. I was not planning on a post. This is just an exercise that helps me not to stand in my closet and say I have nothing to wear. If I take pictures, it helps me realize, that I have options. 

So, when I looked at these, I realized that I could share another "9 pieces / 9ways"... for old times sake. Please don't roll your eyes. The only thing to make this combo 9 pieces, is that I would have to switch out the goldish t-shirt for the pink and not wear the blue hoody under the jean jacket. But, all in all, this is a little taste of variety that, as you can see, could be mixed up even more. This includes an outfit for travel, casual cream colored jeans, no wrinkle palazzo pants,  and a skirt that is handwashable/no iron. Packing to go to a warm place, I could add a sundress and a pair of jean shorts. 

Only God

 I can't help but look at this as a miracle.

Tiny shoots, perfectly shaped like rosebuds.

New life, and so beautiful!

Nature shows us who God is,

by creating life out of death. 

God's word tells us that, although we will die,

if we believe in Him, we will pass from death to life.

John 5:25

Simple theology, I can believe 

because God has proven His power over death,

not only in nature, but by raising Jesus.

Renowned singer, Andrea Bocelli,

shared in an interview that the reason he believes in God

is because he cannot attribute the miracle of life to chance.

This is what I see when I look at my beautiful sedum springing forth

or remember the joy of holding a newborn baby.

Life is a miracle,  the hand of God.

"Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not only in books alone,

but in every leaf in the spring-time." ~ Marting Luther

Marching On

And so quickly it's time to celebrate another run of birthdays!

You know that I love the sense of anticipation while setting tables!

We met at the bowling alley and formed our teams.

Here we have the Go Pros!

Shaun and Ben both have birthdays this month. 

Papa with the girls named their team "Pickle Bros" (Go figure!)

The birthday girl in this group being Natalie.

And me with the boys ... "the Strikers"

(which in reality did not describe us well)

The birthday boy is Landon.

After bowling, pizza and cake was the perfect reward for all! 

I love the interaction happening here.

When Natalie was little she often talked about her desire when she grows up, to be a princess.

Well, at 17, she's almost grown up and we can easily see her as being just that. 

Meanwhile, I have to insert a photo of our pretty birthday girl in Indonesia,

who turned 15 this week. She looks like she's in a movie! 

And zooming back home, Landon blowing out 15 candles as well.

He was born on March 17th - in case you are wondering about the bowtie. 

He grows every time I look away! Seriously, quite handsome too! 

I didn't get a photo of Shaun with a cake, but we didn't miss singing for him. =)

Now ... the one that has an extra tug at my heartstrings!

I think back to this day, 

March 3, 1983, when we welcomed our baby boy into our family,

and my heart just swells with joy at remembering the surprise and excitement all around.

I thought life with girls was perfect, but I didn't know it could get even better

experiencing life from a boy's perspective,

the curiosity, enthusiasm and taking risks.

I learned to love things, because he did. 

It was like observing a shadow of his daddy

and watching him grow.

So, with all of that in the distant past now,

 it is still hard to believe how days and seasons have flown by.

Ben, on this special day we give thanks for the memories

and for all that you are today,

a protector and lover of your family,

sensitive yet strong, and honoring  God with your life. 

May He shine His face on you and

protect and bless you as you enter a new decade. 

Love, Mom and Dad

 

It's not Spring Yet

It is a funny thing how we, on the West Coast, start dreaming of Spring 

as soon as the calendar turns to February.

I begin to bring tulips or daffodils home from the grocery store.

The yard gets a good clean up, raking to reveal bright green shoots

and we begin to notice tiny buds sprouting on trees.

This year, the lobelia going up the trellis, was surely not to be outdone,

so we decided to wrap it in plastic.

It's a good thing we did!

Because last night while we were watching TV,

we looked out of the window and saw that,

very quietly, our world had transformed once again.

I opened the front door and got a better look.

And a peek toward the back from the stairway.

Surely, a season with it's own beauty. 

A time to keep a fire going and keep dreaming. 

 

Look Alikes?

My friend from many years back recently, out of the blue,  sent me some photos -

photos that I did not have, so it was fun to share them with my granddaughters.

For some reason, seeing myself, took me back to how I felt at that age

and just maybe allowed me to get a glimpse into their stage of life. 

The funny thing was, when Kristal saw the photo

she immediately took a photo of Natalie, right then and there ...

no fixing hair or taking off her jacket ...

and we had a chuckle about the resemblance. 

It truly took me by surprise. 

Forty nine years between us

and yet, not as much has changed as I thought.

She likes high waisted, bell bottoms or wide pants,

peasant tops, cute floral dresses

and I've noticed that browns looks great on her. 

I look at her and think she's just so cute!

Definitely not how I felt at that age, 

but I wonder if my grandmother thought that about me?