Easter Pics

On saturday we went to a local church for an egg hunt. Blake did well in his age group but alas trinity was just behind the "wave" of egg-hogging older kids in her group and the church had woefully underguessed how many eggs they would need. I sent Jer out to help her and she returned with a lonely peach egg in her sweet little basket. Thankfully she handled it like a trooper and I had saved about eight eggs in blake's basket that I quickly transferred to hers. They knew they had to split the goodies evenly anway. On sunday I had to help with elementary worship so it was up to daddy to get the kids dressed in their best and to church. They were of course late but they made it and they looked so cute!!! Later we went to easter supper at a friends house and really enjoyed our time together. It was a very good day. Thank also grandma Trudy for dropping off the gifts! sorry we missed you!

 he loved wearing it on his head

 go blakey go!

hunting politely

 success!

 not so much success

 34 wks. self portrait

 Trinity's easter finery. thanks Nee Nee for the bonnet and shoes

cheese balls

 oh yeah!

 found it!

This is the best day EVER (even though almost every new day is. . .)



Good Friday yes, Sad Saturday no!

Good Friday: my family attends our church's first Easter Drive-Thru. I am surprised at how emotional I am at the crucifixion scene.

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday. I feel lately that I have let everything going on in my life distract/distance me from my "sincere devotion" to Christ. Is it hard for me to reconcile what I believe with the theology/thinking that the world would have me espouse? admittedly. Is it worth it to step out in faith and take the chance that I could be wrong? absolutely. Does God understand that I'm not perfect and doubt is often the name of my game? YES. so where do we go from here?

Fast-Forward:
It's Sunday and I'm at church, worshipping with great joy! It is comforting to be in the presence of those who are like-minded. At the same time, I am challenged to live my faith in an open way because of this very experience. I want others to share in the joy of celebrating the risen Christ. I want it to mean something to them beyond Jesus being a spiritual guru and all around "good guy". I want it to be their connection to God the creator; their response to His finished work of love when Jesus gave up his life to fulfill the will of his father. How does this interplay of the trinity show me the meaning of surrender/obedience? It is amazing to see how Jesus let God's will be done even in that one moment when he cried out for a different outcome.  How does this desire to accomplish ministry work together with my lack of spending time in the word or praying? I don't think it does. So things must always change. Less of me and more of Him! Pastor Randy gave a great message about not being stalled in our faith but in accepting and living in the unstoppable force of God's will being done in our lives. I'm ready for that! Happy Easter Everyone!

Spring

tonight the air smells like flowers. beautiful.

6 weeks till he arrives. . .

That's right. There he is!!! I was not planning on having another ultrasound beyond the regular 20 wk. but when I went to visit my mom over trinity's spring break I made a new friend who happens to run an ultrasound machine for Holy Family hospital in Spokane and. . . . . .she gave me another peek at little man! What a blessing! My due date was confirmed again, amniotic fluid level was great, and he's just perfect. Having an ultrasound this far along really makes me want to get my hands on him; I mean, he looks ready to go to me! don't you just love how he is sucking his little fingers??? He looks so much like trinity and Blake that I think the coloring will be the main surprise. Blond or brown hair? Blue or brown eyes? his face looks just like theirs so no worries about a strong family resemblance. . .mom was very excited to get her own look since she was not here for the 20 wk.

. . .and that wasn't the only surprise. My darling sister and mother worked hard planning a baby shower for me! I had no idea my poor mother that I dragged around Spokane all day would have to come home, get rid of me at my brothers, and set up an entire party by 6:30. She and Natalie had the house so cute and of course they had cupcakes with my favorite rainbow chip frosting. It was great to get an evening with friends that I haven't seen in a while. What a blessing to have such support that has carried through my childhood straight into my own foray into mothering. Who would have thought that the same people would still be so vital in my life? it really is something special. Thank you to everyone who made it and to those who couldn't but were there in spirit. I WILL try to get cards out soon. =) now for some pics of the baby booty. . . I mean the stuff I got, not the baby's bottom. lol!

 all the new clothes and blankies washed and waiting!

 most awesome blankie by nee nee #1

most awesome blankie by nee nee #2

so the end result was a truly fabulous week at my parents with God's gracious hand very evident in my life. In fact, I even got to sneak my friend a bunny! she has been wanting one for over a year and I was sure someone from "the country" would have some babies this time of year. I was right! All we had to do was break her husband down (which wasn't that hard really). He however, wanted me to make her think he said no. Well that was easy because mostly he had. mwahahahahah, I love getting my way. I am taking it over to her in just a few minutes and it's a SURPRISE! I can't wait to see her face.