Easter is quickly becoming one of my favorite days of the year...
As much as I love Christmas, my birthday and anniversary, there is nothing that comes close to celebrating the LIFE I have in Christ. I think it has something to do with getting older...the longer I live, the greater need I have for a Savior!
And these little one make the celebration all the more fun...
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| Who doesn't love little boys in sweater vests and pin stripes :) |
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| Could they be any cuter? Okay, I'll stop... |
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| And to top it all off, my mom joined in on the fun for her last trip to Illinois before we move :) |
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| The girls...and yes, this was the happiest "Cora" face we could get at the moment :) |
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| The boys...they love their Gramma! |
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| Okay, one more picture of the girls with their purple dresses :) I have to take this moment to make a plug for passing down your kid's old clothes...We have been BLESSED to be on the receiving end of hand-me-downs since Ryder was born...first, from our dear friends in CA, and then since moving to IL, our friends here have clothed our children from the time we arrived by passing on their kid's clothes to us :) God has PROVIDED for us in huge ways and I cannot look at another picture of my kids without giving Him the glory for providing for them through our friends. In the 3 years we have lived here, I have purchased a few pairs of shoes...and that's IT! God is so good to provide. And our friends get to see their clothes worn all over again as my kids run down the halls at church...it's such a blessing to be part of a community who gives freely. Now, when Cole and Rylee grow out of their clothes, I get such joy passing them onto other families :) It truly is a BLESSING to give! |
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| They found all the eggs! |
Now, onto swinging :)
This has been a favorite activity since the temperatures have been climbing into bearable, and almost springy digits...finally!
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| Cole is my adventurer!!! |
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| Even my 2 year old hangs on tight and keeps saying, "Higher, mommy!!!" |
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| They wait on the buckets... |
Then...weeeeeeeeee!
One day (or maybe a couple days), while my mom was here, it rained....
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| But that didn't stop this crew from getting outside!!! |
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| Cole's favorite, favorite, FAVORITE thing now, is riding his bike...rain or shine, he's got to get a ride in everyday now that he's learned to ride without training wheels! |
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| So, we all joined him :) |
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| Then, Daddy's birthday was close to Easter this year! So we got to celebrate AGAIN!!! I know there are many wonderful husbands and fathers out there, but I have to say that if you ask this family, there isn't a more patient, loving, selfless man in the world than our DADDY! Happy Birthday Babe!!! |
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| This is Gramma's last picture reading to her grandkids on the couch in IL :) The next time she reads to them, we'll be in CA!!! |
There is nothing that touches me more deeply than the love God has shown his created ones in the life, death and resurrection of his only Son, Jesus. The idea that He knew this part of the story before He breathed life into Adam, amazes me to this day.
The week my mom came, we packed it with things I wanted her to be a part of with me. Days after she arrived, we had a luncheon for the staff that has worked with Cole over the past 3 years...even Dr. Novak, the doctor who did his cochlear implant surgery was there...what a moment it was to thank them for all they've done for our family in their service toward our boy.
I just kept thinking that from the perspective of a parent, the greatest act of love someone can show me, is through their care of my children. We have experienced such incredible care for Cole through his staff at CAOS, that we in turn, feel loved.
Before becoming a parent, I don't think I could totally grasp the sacrifice God made for all of us in giving His son over to death on our behalf. I've never made the kind of sacrifice He did, but now that I have my own sons and daughters, the sense of gratitude I feel toward Him runs that much deeper.
I'll leave you with the following song that sums it all up...
John and I were blessed to be able and share this song with our church on Good Friday and Easter this year. We have such HOPE because Jesus came, lived, died and ROSE again. If you hear this song, and sense a longing to know Jesus in a more personal way, please ask me...there really isn't anything else on earth I would love more, than to tell you about the One who has saved me...and you.
