Easter Pic

I know that it has been almost a week since we got to celebrate our Lord's Resurrection, but I couldn't let it go by without posting a picture of the family. Church was wonderful. My friend, Debbie and I sang "I've Just Seen Jesus". I don't think we really did the song justice, but what a message and to think about that time. Can you imagine what was going through everyone's minds when they saw Jesus on the 3rd day. I can't imagine. I can't wait for the day when we can all say "I the Lord...seated on the throne...exalted...." It was not without it's excitement. Let's see Benjamin went to church with dog poo on his shoes and we didn't know until he got into his Sunday School.....I guess it had dried and then he stepped in water and it magnified it's "scent"....then he got a hole in his pants. That kid...I tell you what. We attempted a couple pictures, but with our five kids....yeah. 'Nuff said. :) So, here's one of all of us and one of just Brad and I. At the spur of the moment we had some friends come over for Easter Supper. It was really nice. The kids had a blast and Brad and I really enjoyed getting to visit with some other "adults". We had ham, sweet potato souffle, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, broccoli casserole, rolls, fruit salad, cake, tea, and coffee....Mmmm...

The little things in life

It's definitely the little things in life that make me smile. Yesterday I went to buy the girls mattresses but the store was crazy and would only take credit cards and checks, not cash---and I only had cash. (Benjamin just brought me a tube of his toothpaste...) I went to another store and wasn't impressed there so I ran across the street to Lowe's. I was picking up an organizer for on top of the fridge and I checked out the clearance aisle and found a bistro table and 2 chairs sitting there. It was marked down to 200 bucks, but I talked them down to 170. :D So sitting up on the deck off mine and Brad's room is our nice little bistro set (and he doesn't know yet). He's on a business trip and due home this evening. I hope to be able and surprise him with it. It's 53 out right now and I know that it will be chilly by the time he gets home, but maybe I can have some cups of hot chocolate waiting us.

I'm sitting on the deck right now and Benjamin is with me. He brought me a present too! He was so proud of himself. He came running out on to the porch with my makeup bag. He said, "It has all that you likes!! Open it!" He's so funny. He and I were laughing at Emma because she was chasing a bag out in the yard. The little things...Let's see, the things to make me smile today:

Serenity (in case you didn't know, that's my Espresso Machine)
Haeley is so proud of her sunflower seeds that she has planted. All together I think we have 40 some sunflower sprouts.
Listening to Benjamin sing his "ABCs"---he's actually gotten better at them too!
Getting to see Justin wanting to learn and watching him try and make better choices. He's really trying to control his temper and not lash out. I'm trying to teach him that even when other kids push his buttons he has to control himself.
I love listening to Gabe and Justin beg Jasmine to draw things for them. As far as they are concerned she is the best artist that there is. (And she's pretty good if I do say so myself!)
Having a husband that loves me beyond what I deserve. He really is such an amazing man. He works so hard to provide and take care of us. I don't know what I did right to get him.
Seeing Spring start to bud--I love it! My lilies are taking over and I can't wait to see them bloom. It's gonna be so pretty!

Okay, signing off---gotta get some stuff done.

Trials...

The book of James has been one of my favorite books for years. Since I heard Ginny Owens song "If you want me to" verses 2-4 have meant a lot. But then I started reading on and the whole book is full of wisdom and comfort for me. There are times when we face trials and we don't know why, but I know that if I cling to the truths that are in the Word that I will be able to push through.

James 1:2-8
2. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4. And let endurance have [its] perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8. [being] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Another passage that I have loved for years is Proverbs 3:5-6. What an encouragement to read, " 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." I will freely admit that I do not always trust in the Lord. I put my trust in circumstances and people. All things that can and will let me down. If I place my trust in MY Lord, what a peace and comfort that will bring. It is my desire to serve the Lord more each day and to place my trust with Him. I love you Lord.

What Haeley thinks of me

1. What is something Mommy always says to you? Yes and No

2. What makes Mommy happy? Um. Coffee or soda (not so much the soda)

3. What makes Mommy sad? To yell at us, because you don't like to yell at us

4. How does Mommy make you laugh? Justin

5. What did your mommy like to when she was little? You like to be pulled behind a speed boat on a tube. (SWEET!)

6. How old is Mommy? 27

7. How tall is Mommy? 5'11"

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to watch on TV? Uhhh...I don't know what it's called.

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around? Uh....go on her laptop

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? A person who know how to pull behind an awesome outfit with a hairstyle and make-up

11. What is Mommy really good at? Cartwheels and round-offs

12. What is Mommy not very good at? Yelling

13. What does Mommy do for my job? You're a cook

14. What is Mommy's favorite food? (she's scrunching her face up like a rabbit thinking) Starbucks chocolate maybe?

15. What makes you proud of Mommy? How beautiful she is

16. If Mommy was a cartoon character, who would I be? Yoshi

17. What do you and Mommy do together? Shop

18. How are you and Mommy the same? We both like short hair

19. How are you and Mommy different? Mommy doesn't want me to have short hair; I want to have short hair

20. How do you know Mommy loves you? She gives me cool things

21. What does Mommy like most about Daddy? That he's strong and handsome

22. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go? Starbucks and VA to visit your parents

What Jasmine thinks of me

1. What is something Mommy always says to you? To get dressed

2. What makes Mommy happy? When I obey you

3. What makes Mommy sad? When something bad happens

4. How does Mommy make you laugh? When one of asks us like a really weird question to ask

5. What did your mommy like to when she was little? Ummm.....I don't know

6. How old is Mommy? 27

7. How tall is Mommy? Ummm....like 5 feet or something. 5' 10"

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to watch on TV? Ummm....like "Days of our Lives" and this other show (In my defense, I've not watched "Days" in weeks)

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around? Party

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? Being a good Mom and how much coffee you can drink

11. What is Mommy really good at? Being a good Mom

12. What is Mommy not very good at? Mmmm. Forgetting about coffee

13. What does Mommy do for my job? To take care of us

14. What is Mommy's favorite food? Um. Japanese food (YAY)

15. What makes you proud of Mommy? Um. The food you make

16. If Mommy was a cartoon character, who would I be? Queen Esther

17. What do you and Mommy do together? Shop

18. How are you and Mommy the same? We're both girls

19. How are you and Mommy different? Um. You're taller than me.

20. How do you know Mommy loves you? Because you say it every night and how you say it I know you mean it

21. What does Mommy like most about Daddy? Um. That he's a really really hard worker.

22. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go? Starbucks