Easter Weekend 2017

Good Friday
For family devotions tonight, I read about Jesus' crucifixion as recorded in John 17. Verse 29 records Jesus taking his last drink from a sponge on a stalk from a hyssop plant (fulfilling yet another tiny detail from ancient prophecy) right before He said, "It is finished" (vs. 30) and died. After I read those verses, my mostly right-brained, usually non-detailed kid said, "The hyssop plant may also be significant because hyssop was dipped in the blood of the sacrificial lamb and used to paint blood over the door frame in a shape similar to a cross so the angel of death would pass over their house." (She was referencing Exodus 12:21-21.) Then we remembered that King David once said, "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. " (Psalm 51:7). The hyssop references all work together to "paint" a beautiful picture of God's salvation plan and shows how inspired the Scriptures really are. 

Who needs a concordance to make Biblical connections and deepen understanding when you have kids who study the Bible? Praise God for planting faith, love for God, and His truth in their hearts.

I just had to bike back to my happy place today to contemplate the crucifixion of my Lord in my place.

My happy place on Good Friday

"It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23: 44-47) #GoodFriday

Saturday 

I know some amazingly organized and ambitious Pinterest friends who are Betty Crocker and Martha Stewart (minus the jail time) all in one. But for those moms who feel like they always fall short of that perfect standard, I am here to let you know you are not alone and make you feel better about your successes. I call it my ministry of mediocrity.

I impressed myself by actually remembering to buy Easter basket gifts for the kids this year, but I forgot to get Easter baskets. I bought cards for the grandparents, signed, addressed, and stamped them a month early, but I did not remember to send them until after the mail came yesterday, so they will all be late. I bought a new Easter wreath from Pier 1 and other spring decor, but I forgot to decorate until today. I saw eggs were on sale for 59 cents a dozen at the store yesterday, but I didn't buy them because I couldn't think of a reason why we might need them. Then my daughter asked if we could dye eggs this morning. I found three in the refrigerator and she boiled and dyed them by herself while I was trying to climb out of my son's closet where a purge fest was underway in an attempt to find something that still fit him for church tomorrow. When I came out of his room alive, thanks to the Hazmat suit, I found the mantle looking cute with three colorful eggs, thanks to our dear daughter who still treasures traditions.

My mom tells my daughter that this family would fall apart if it wasn't for her here to be the mama. Why does my mother always have to be right?

Now that my husband is finally home after an unusual period of excessive (IMO) business travel, maybe I can handle this mom gig a little better.  Taking another bike ride to my happy place at sunset certainly helped clear my head.

The critters seemed excited about Easter.  Orwell wanted to look festive for the occasion, so while I was changing out the wreaths on the front door to the one covered in Easter eggs, Orwell decided to wear the other one as his Easter tu-tu, but is much too big for him.

So Orwell gave up and took a nap.  He wanted to build a fort like the kids often do, but he's much too lazy for all that effort, so he made do with a stool as his fort.

Easter Sunday

We got up early Sunday morning and rushed to my hometown, so the kids ended up looking inside their Easter bags (I could not find their baskets) in the van on the way to church.

We arrived at my home church early enough to recreate a photo we took 25 years ago at that same location.  Back then I had just met my husband during his spring break trip to our area with the USNA Glee Club concert tour, and he had returned with a childhood friend of mine (who was also in the USNA Glee Club) for Easter weekend.

Much has changed in the past 25 years, but many other things have stayed the same. My childhood church may have grown exponentially, built new buildings, and altered their format, but their love for God and others, the faithful teaching of His word, and even the landscaping around the old building remain steadfast. Our budding romance 25 years ago may have fizzled for a season, but God resurrected it, and we were married inside this old church sanctuary 9 years after this old photo was taken. I still have big and bad hair days, and my husband still doesn't smile for pictures, but at least I stopped wearing flying nun collar dresses. Each of us has been made new by Christ's redemptive work on the cross and by His Spirit's continual work within us, and we are certainly changing with the years on the outside, but our faithful God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

After a wonderful service at church in which I was dearly touched by the number of people who recognized me and took time to "visit" with me after church, including the senior pastor and his wife, it was the kids' turn for a throwback Easter picture.  They sure have changed over the past 10 years! 

We also took a some rushed family Easter pictures before the kids changed into play clothes.

The boys played Pokemon card games, and Tessa practiced her face painting skills when the kids weren't feasting, hunting eggs, or checking out all the great gifts in their Easter baskets from Nana & Pops!  What a fun day it was!

Our boy spells happiness "H-A-M"  Nana's spiral ham made him very happy!

Hallelujah!  Christ is risen indeed!  As I wrote earlier this week, the Resurrection changes everything!

Because of the Resurrection, when we are mocked, falsely accused, or slandered, we are not shaken or offended but continue to love and pray for those who oppose us.

Because of the Resurrection, when believers around the world are persecuted, even slaughtered (just yesterday in Egypt even), the gospel keeps spreading, faith keeps increasing, and the church keeps growing.

Because of the Resurrection, injuries and diseases may break the body, but they cannot break the spirit.

Because of the Resurrection, when human liberties are trampled by corrupt rulers, the soul keeps soaring freely.

Because of the Resurrection, death means “see you later” instead of “goodbye forever”.

Because of the Resurrection, thieves may steal our possessions, and injustice may take away our livelihood, but nothing can rob us of our joy.

Because of the Resurrection, the meek and lowly will be raised up, the sick will be made well, the weak revived, the lonely comforted, and the lamb will lie next to the lion in peace.

Because of the Resurrection, love wins in the end!

Because of the Resurrection, our chains have been broken, our sins are forgiven and forgotten, and we become new creations.

Because of the Resurrection, we stand firmly on the solid rock and have certain hope in that which lasts forever. 

Because of the Resurrection, there is no fear of death or condemnation for those in Christ.

Because of the Resurrection, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us to the cross, the grave, and back to life here and to Heaven again. 

Because of the Resurrection, death has been defeated, and we get to live with Him in righteousness forever, if we so choose.

Fall Festival and Trick-or-Treating for Halloween 2016

FALL FESTIVAL

Too old for the Fall Festival, she gladly volunteers her time to help the kids enjoy their night.

You might be friends if you show up at the fall festival wearing the same costume and didn't even plan on matching.

If you are wondering where my son's face mask/sash is.....well...that's a funny story. I came across that black piece of fabric in the laundry room with 4 ties and could not figure out what in the world it could possibly be (never realizing it was part of a costume). After examining it more closely, I decided it was the perfect shape and fit to tie around Muffin's behind as a sort of bunny diaper.

When I saw his friend wearing one just like it tonight, I finally realized what it was. Oops! Lucky for him I never got around to using it on the bunny, so he will be all set on Halloween.

The thoughtful consideration of kids like our boy by our church fall festival coordinators means that I did not get to eat a pile of Reeses cups that night.

I know it isn't nice to make friends jealous, but y'all, I just had to share. Look who showed up at church tonight and agreed to take a photo with me. And get this - he didn't even require me to first give large sums of money to the CF or other slush fund to gain access to him.

 

HALLOWEEN

Muffin dressed up as American Girl doll, Felicity.

I'm not sure what our daughter was supposed to be dressed up as, but whatever it is, I would not let her out of the house wearing it on any other day of the year.

The kids had another candy weigh-in competition this year.  For the second year in a row, the first born won!  He had 3 pounds, 2.6 oz.  She had 4 lbs., 11.6 oz.  Given how terrible candy is for the immune system and overall health, I'm not sure if the winner is really the loser.

2015 Christmas Celebration #5: Christmas Eve

My husband's family has lots of wonderful Christmas Eve traditions.  We all attend Christmas Eve serve at his parents' church (though I usually have to watch it from the overflow room because the music is deafening to my overly sensitive ears).  We usually pose for a photo at the church. 

Homemade soup and sliders are the traditional meal followed by birthday gifts for Jesus.  My mother-in-law makes a charitable contribution in honor of each family member (and because of Jesus's gift to us) to the non-profit ministry that is most meaningful to each family member based on his/her life story.

Then we read the Christmas story, sing a worship song (I think?), and open our matching Christmas PJ's.  This year, Kate selected the PJ's, and she went with a Star Wars theme since everyone was so excited about the release of Star Wars 7 that week.  Most of us were Storm Troopers.  Sophie, the one-year-old got a Darth Vader suit and Grandpa represented the Light in his Obi-Wan PJ attire.  The older girls got Princess Leia PJ's, so Grandpa wasn't the only one representing the good side.

The Oklahoma sunset was gorgeous that evening.

 

2015 Christmas Celebration #4: Travels and Pre-Christmas Traditions

We tried to book our tickets to Oklahoma for Christmas too late this year. The price to fly one person was more than the cost to drive all four of us out there, so we loaded up the new van and drove straight all the way through the night, stopping only for 30 minutes at a rest stop for a quick power nap.  It only took us 18.5 hours to drive over 1250 miles there.  When we have driven during peak hours 8 years ago when the kids were still babes, it took us 22-24 hours of driving plus a few hours spent at a hotel unable to sleep.  But after doing that straight through drive both outbound and inbound, the all nighters had completely messed up my sleep schedule. My body wants to go to bed around 7am, so it's been a huge struggle to adapt.  I've averaged four hours of sleep ever since when I know I should be resting more (not hardly at all) for our upcoming dream trip overseas.

Despite the sleep issues for me, the car ride was not so bad.  The van provided a much smoother ride, and the kids had their books, laptops, and ear-phones. Mostly, we all listened to some action packed audio books (Babylon Rising series) that we had listened to before but still found so exciting and relevant that we could not sleep while the CD's were playing.

 

At approximately 1:30 in the morning during our journey to Oklahoma, we stopped for another bathroom break and gas refill at a truck stop.  I took my son into the adjacent Wendy's restaurant for a middle of the night frosty because it's never too late for chocolate.  I was informed that they don't serve frosties at that hour, however, so we decided to try again at 4:00 am.   While I understand very well through past experiences working at ice-cream and yogurt shops that the soft serve machines must be cleaned and sanitized every night, it still seemed all kinds of wrong that I could not fulfill my late date frosty promise to my favorite son and rack up some much needed mom cool points.

When we arrived, all the old traditions began.  We can always count on my husband's family to make our visit extra special with every tradition from the schedule of events to the meals served each day kept consistent.  On the first day we were there, the guys and kids and one gal went to see Star Wars 7.  I slept most of the day after the road trip and enjoyed Wild Horse Mountain BBQ, which is probably the best BBQ in America.  They have to travel several hours to get the take-out BBQ, but it's a tradition (since the family lived only 10 minutes from the restaurant) and a family favorite, Wild Horse it is every year we come to OK for Christmas.

The next evening was a little different but something I hope can become a new tradition.  Usually my husband's parents will keep all the kids while the couples go out for a date night.  This time, the guys played laser tag and went out to eat while the girls got manicures/pedicures and went out to a fabulous sushi restaurant.  They all live close and know each other well, but I was thankful for the opportunity to get to know my sisters-in-law better without the guys around.  The one unmarried brother FINALLY proposed that day, so we wanted to celebrate with his fiance' - yet she ended up picking up the tab for all of us.

One night every Christmas, we all go to the home of the brother who married first.  He now has four kids and works as a physician just like their father and grandfather.  He's a fabulous cook, so he always prepares a taco bar (steamed chicken, pork, beef) and homemade chocolate chip cookies at their parade of homes builder's showcase home. The home is so gorgeous that each time we go, I come home with lots of inspiration to improve our home as well.  This past January set a record for extreme makeovers in our house after visiting this house.

After dinner, everyone goes upstairs into their music room and forms a family band.  They trade instruments and just have a fun time.  My father-in-law played in rock band during high school and college, so it's fun to see him strumming the guitar with his grandchildren.

Speaking of inspiring....I'm always inspired by the gorgeous artwork and extravagant Christmas decor (as well as modern decorating style) we find out Grandma and Grandpa's house.  She's the daughter of a famous sculptor, and I can really see his talent passed down through her.

 Grandma's critters are always fun for the kids.  She only had one critter in rehab that week.  Our daughter taught me how to feed her.

Grandma's fat and furry, feathery critters

So which is crazier about this photo of our dashboard when we returned?

1) The fact that we traveled all those miles (2352.7) in just two days of travel without stopping at a hotel during either leg of the trip with two kids (and a bunny during the last hour of the trip).

2) That the temperature was 78 degrees on December 27 when we arrived back home

 One of our son's closest friends and his parents recently moved here from South Africa.  His mom posted pics of the temperature here where it is supposed to be winter, and the weather there where they should be having summer.  It was warmer here than there. Too crazy.

Here vs. There

2015 Christmas Celebration #3: Meager and Modest

Compared to all the other Christmas celebrations and traditions the kids' enjoy with their extended family filled with travels and adventures, our little family's traditions probably seem measly to the kids in comparison.  They do not complain, though.  They are also discovering that traveling reduces our gift budget by almost $3500 each Christmas (an expense most of their friends' families do not have since they live within a few hours driving distance from extended family), but they would rather see their cousins and grandparents than have more toys than they have time to use or room to store.

Our traditions include nightly advent readings with candy and Bible verses inside each drawer or door of the Advent lighthouse, cinnamon rolls for breakfast, stockings and gifts representative of the gifts the three wise men brought Jesus.  In addition to a simple stocking, they receive three other gifts.  Their myrrh (burial spices) gift is something they put on their bodies and should remind them of Jesus' death on our behalf.  Their frankincense gift is one that should draw them into deeper worship and intimacy with Christ.  We gave ourselves a family trip to Israel as our Frankincense gift this year.  The kids specifically asked to see Bethlehem and to float on the Dead Sea, so we just bought option excursions to do both.  The gold gift is something they value highly - usually a big item from their wish list.  Our son got a full size bed which somehow turned into a room makeover since he needed new bed linens which didn't match the rest of this room.  He went from a nautical theme to a Star Wars theme.  Our daughter's gold gift included some expensive shoes and a laptop my husband refurbished, but she must share it with her brother.  She's also getting my computer desk and L-table following my office extreme makeover.

Orwell experienced his first Christmas this year. He knocked over the tree, dismantled it, and kept it sagging all season long.  He found a shirt in his stocking that read, "Who rescued whom?"  Watching him try to figure out why he felt something pressing on his back when we put the shirt on him had us all in stitches.  That cat is too funny...and doesn't seem to mind when I laugh at his expense.

2015 Christmas Celebration #2: Christmas Miracle

I can't stop thanking God for the Christmas miracle He worked in the life of my daddy the week before Christmas.   It is only by God's intervention and perfect orchestration of a detailed sequence of events in which the right people were put at the right place at the right time and given the wisdom and inner promptings to go past standard protocol and do extra testing followed by perfectly timed surgery by skilled medical professionals that he is still alive (and kicking).

Doesn't he look handsome for a man in his mid 70s, especially considering that he just went through major surgery less than 12 hours before a rupture that would have taken his life? Having him with us for our Christmas celebration was the best gift any of us could have received.

 Stockings and Gifts and Nana and Pops' House

My parents kept Muffin for us during our trip to Oklahoma, so we dropped Muffin off with them while there for family Christmas.  Muffin was so excited to see Pops again that she jumped out of the gift bag and straight into his arms.

Debo hosted the family gathering this year giving Mom a much needed break after spending the past by Dad's side at the hospital.

It was so awesome to have the entire family there including Jeff and his new wife and Scott, too!