Beach Bums.......

A few weeks ago we were in Jacksonville visiting my family. My parents, and my brother and sister-in-law live there. We spent the afternoon at Hugenot Memorial Park which sits on the coast. Beach photos are some of my favorites. I spend most of my time with my camera in hand trying to get the good shot. The kids love the beach and this was Mason's first visit. Last year, we treated ourselves to a month at Cocoa Beach in a condo there. We just commuted into work which wasn't too bad. That was quite a treat for us and created memories of a lifetime. Anyway, these are some of my favorites from this day.......


Trying out my black and white feature on my camera

Just the day before, Mackenzie had picked out this bathing suit....one with purple monkeys and a leopard print skirt to match!

One of fun things about Florida....its a treat to find a whole, unbroken sand dollar.

That's my brother, Tim, in the background

Mason got braver and braver in approaching the water

Madalyn searching for tiny little clam like shells

We're heading back there for Memorial Day...stay tuned.

Crafty Kids.......

Matt was out of town this weekend on his annual "guys only" camping trip. I survived my first weekend alone with all three of my bugs. By Saturday night, I was a little stir crazy so off we went to "Denny's Kids eat free Saturday nights" where you get two kids entrees with each paying adult........who can beat that? We played hookie from church since we aren't yet leaving Mason in children's church and one of us usually sits in the lobby with him. So we did craft time instead. There is a website at www.dltk-kids.com with lots of crafty ideas that I use a lot. The crafts are fairly easy and they range from simple coloring pages to more elaborate things like cross stitch patterns. Well here are the results........


Madalyn slightly irritated I have interrupted...


Mason entertained himself with a crumpled up piece of paper and a blue chip clip....

Proud of their masterpieces.........

Easter Continued.....

As I was loading these pictures, I realized that our focus that day was church...imagine that....focusing on Christ on Easter! LOL. Anyway, it was a beautiful day and worshipping outside is just the best. Madalyn did great up on stage with the other kids. Matt and I were asked to participate in "cardboard testimonies" where a part of your testimony, including how God has entered that and redeemed it, is written on a board. You'll see what I mean. To see the whole video of this part of our service, go to www.gracefellowship.typepad.com The Easter video will be on the front page. I haven't figured out how to put it directly on my blog so you'll have to use the link.

Later, we had Easter dinner with our good friends, Brad and Becky, and their kids who our kids are best friends with. The kids loved their Easter baskets and Mason loved throwing the grass most of all. The Easter bunny always brings bathing suits, a new pair of goggles, candy, and this year, new sandals. The Easter bunny had a gift card to Target thanks to my Uncle Mike and his girlfriend, Janet so the baskets were a little extra special this year. After dinner, we came back home to spend some time with Matt's cousins in from Ohio.

Before service at Lake Eola in their Ethiopian dresses

I love how "African" he looks in his outfit

The kids lead worship with "Oh Happy Day" complete with hand gestures

Our card says, "Jesus turned our infertility into love from China and Ethiopia" www.gracefellowship.typepad.com

Beautiful....

So photogenic even with a bit of candy tucked in her cheek

Going through their loot

The grass was definitely the highlight for Mason

BFF's.....Jake, Mason, Luke, Madalyn, Riley, and Mackenzie

Hope you had a Happy Easter.......Ours was a really good day, joyful, simple, celebratory... He is Risen........

Easter...

While it is not yet officially Easter day, I find myself reflect on what it means to me. Our church, Grace Fellowship, is having service outside at Lake Eola. The kid's ministry will be leading off worship and Madalyn wanted to be part of it so she will be on stage tomorrow to sing "Oh Happy Day" with all the other kids. Matt and I are also participating in what is called "cardboard testimonies" (you can see examples on youtube). Our card says, "God turned out infertility into love from China and Ethiopia". All that being said, tonight was rehearsal for both those things. To see Madalyn up on stage singing her little heart out for Jesus was a reminder of God's sweetness. Mackenzie and Mason aren't yet quite able to grasp what Easter means but Madalyn has a true sense of what happened.

Worship is my favorite way to connect with God above reading scripture, bible studies, and even prayer. Music reaches me in ways nothing else can and worship OUTSIDE........well that's just pure heaven. So, I am looking forward to celebrating that not only did Christ take on my sin and set me free, but more importantly that he has risen!

So, tomorrow as we are searching for eggs and eating ham, may you feel the peace that comes with knowing that Christ has painstakingly taken on our ugliness simply to have relationship with us and to ensure we have eternal life with Him. I am loved.

Fountain Fun

A few nights ago, we grabbed some dinner and decided to take the kids to this park area called Crane's Roost. It's actually an area where you can shop, eat, stroll, listen to music, and watch the fireworks every July 3rd (yep, the day before) and see Santa in December. They have a fountain there and they had a blast playing in it. Once it gets dark, they light the fountain and put it to music. It's quite cool really. I think they were most excited about getting wet.....



And while I love a picture perfect smile, I like candid shots the best. There's a bunch, hang in there......









She's pretty wet by now and found it very fascinating that the wind was blowing up her dress.




Freedom.....




to do somersaults in the park.

cute patoots

Hard to tell if they are pushing or pulling don't you think?

From this, it looks like they pushed but this is just from his perseverance in splashing.

The light show begins....

I love Mason's face here.

Classic Kenzie.......

Hippoty Hop, Easter's on it's way. Stay tuned................

Date Days........

The girls have recently been on Spring Break. Because their schools are in two different counties, they were off two different weeks. But it worked out fine. I was able to take them each for a day and do something special, just the two of us. Mackenzie's day was last week and she wanted to go the Animal Kingdom (we have passes). When she was littler and before Mason was here, it would just be her and I on Fridays while Madalyn was in school. Every Thursday night, we'd go over the next day and she would always say, "I hang out wif you mama?" somewhat as both a statement and a question. Anyway, here's our day at Disney.......
Ready to go with autograph book


A true princess




On the Safari ride


In front of the "Tree of Life". This is a Disney made tree with hundreds of animals carved into it. Animal Kingdom's icon.


Crazy girl with her 3-D glasses on for "It's tough to be a bug" movie


One of those crazy huge lollipops I hate to spend money on. But it was date day you know and dates are supposed to be special.........

This week was Madalyn's turn. We had originally planned to go rollerskating. Now, mind you, I've not been on skates (REAL skates, not in-line skates) since I was 14 I think and Madalyn has never been on them. I was both excited and anticipating bruised bottoms. However, when given the choice between this and manicures, my girlie girl, true to form, picked the pampering. She was very excited..........






Ahhhh, now I know what mom's talking about....no kids, silence..........


I gave her some options in color and she picked an iridescent lavender and then the tech painted two little white daises on her thumbs.

I forgot how much I like having my nails polished

So that's date day with my girls. How fun.

Food Friday 4/10

Friday: Skillet penne with sausage
spinach
watermelon

Saturday: eat out before rehearsal for Easter Sunday

Sunday: Easter dinner
Ham
baked mac n cheese
sweet potatoes
green beans
rolls
raspberry squares

Monday: Spaghetti with marinara
green beans
garlic toast

Tuesday: Chicken patty sandwiches
tater tots
applesauce

Wednesday: Marinated Flank Steak
pierogis
salad

Thursday: Crock pot Italian pork chops
baked potatoes
broccoli

Bon Appetite................