In the Service

I know I don't want to forget.
He sat by me in the service and watched my finger as I ran it under the words of the hymn while we sang.
He looked away and I thought he was done so I stopped.
Then he's climbing in my lap.
He's pulling my finger back to the page, silently telling me to start again.
As I do, I hear his voice join the congregation.  Not with the words, he cannot read them yet.
But with the tune.
And it is a sweet sound, this little one joining in the chorus of worship.

Later, I see his sister writing in her journal.
Writing the words her daddy just spoke.
"This fellowship comes at a cost."
I wonder why she chose that to write.  What's going on in her mind, in her heart at that moment?
I do not know, but my own heart was a little fuller and a little more thankful.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!
Dinner is in the oven and guests are on their way but I had to post these pictures that our sweet friend Geneva took of the girls this morning in their matching dresses.  LOVE these shots!

Getting Ready

Just finished putting together little treats for Easter baskets.  I love doing that.
We have been busy today.  Yard sale this morning, shopping for Easter dinner this afternoon.
Then dinner, haircuts for these boys, baths, and coloring eggs.
Laying out new dresses.
Reading and talking and wondering about an empty tomb.
Preparing to celebrate!

To backtrack:
For some reason, Thursday was a particularly good day.  I took some pictures as the day went on.

A cool, rainy day- just what I like when I can stay home.

More plants growing, slowly taking over our sunniest windows.

She calls him "Jacky" and he doesn't mind one bit.  He bribes her for hugs, usually with clementines.

Girls in new colorful clothes.

He is so proud of himself.  He writes all the time.

I am possibly addicted to Starburst jelly beans.  I won't say how many bags I've bought in the last few weeks.  I will say it's too many.

I got a letter in the mail, quite by surprise, that made me smile.  A lot.  So much the kids were begging to know what was in it.

We wrapped up our day at the Maundy Thursday service.  The songs, the truth, the somberness all gave me chills.

It was a good way to end a good day.

Good Friday

This has stuck with me all week from our pastor's Sunday sermon.

"What is your greatest enemy?
Death.
Until you have a solution for that, everything you do is in vain."

God gave us the solution in His Son.

"Death is swallowed up in victory,

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?...

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

                                                           1 Corinthians 15:55,57

So thankful for this on this Good Friday.

This and That

Several people have asked me if we were having spring break this week and I said no- probably just Friday.
Changed my mind.
We're taking three days this week.  Gotta spend some time taking the house back.  It gets out of hand so easily.  Not to mention that a change of pace can be good for everybody.
I finally got myself to the gym this morning.  It has been a LONG time since I've done that.  But it's free to use the rec center and it will probably get my endorphins going so that's a good thing, right?  Wondering how much my muscles will be hurting tomorrow...
We've been enjoying this pretty spring weather- it will be so pretty for Easter.  I am looking forward, though, to the cool rainy weather that tomorrow is supposed to bring.  Maybe some homemade chocolate chip cookies and some extra reading time?

A little quote from Sam after he was asking me to explain the Trinity:
"Mom, when you are little and just turned five, some things are just hard to understand."

p.s. Tomorrow (April 3) is free cone day at Ben and Jerry's...just sayin'...

Some Cousin Time

It felt more like an early fall evening than an early spring one.
The smell of the fire was strong in the air and the sound of the kids' laughter warmed my heart.
What is it about being outside at dusk to play that makes it all the more fun?
(I'm sure the roasted marshmallows had nothing to do with it.)
The kids and I enjoyed a fun couple of days away at my brother's, near Raleigh.  We were there for a baby shower- which I got no pictures of- and for some cousin time.  Even I got some time with one of mine!
There's something extra fun about cousins.  Our kids are blessed with 5- soon to be 6- sweet ones.

Waiting on Uncle Jeff as he gets the fire going.

Grace and Lucy.

Can you tell what they are ALL holding?  Worm snakes.  These kids spent hours playing with these poor things.

Giving the guinea pigs a pat.

I had to throw this one in of Pilot Mountain.  If you are a fan of "The Andy Griffith Show" like we are, then you might know it as Mt. Pilot.  Kayla took the picture, not the driver.