Eli had a doctor's appointment in Nashville today, and while it was a long trip down there and back for the middle of the week, we decided to make the most of it by having a little fun while we let the rush hour traffic dwindle. We decided on a trip to Opry Mills Mall where Eli tested out the four-wheelers.  We looked around, enjoyed a little shopping and then had dinner in the food court.  The kids loved that everyone got to pick out their own restaurant.  I guess it's the small things in life.  Haha! For Eli's bravery, we ended the night with a trip to Dave and Busters.  Haha!  He clearly enjoyed it.  Poor guy has to have a minor surgery this summer, so we felt guilty enough to let him play a few more rounds before we left.   Oh, and don't worry about Ellie.  She got to ride the Merry-Go-Round, and was on cloud nine!

Today we celebrate an empty tomb and a Savior who chose death on a cross so that we may spend eternity with him one day.  While I certainly want to show you some photo highlights from our family, I hope the words of truth between each photo will speak to your heart! “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34) “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)  “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8) "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquit

School was originally supposed to be out of session yesterday for Good Friday, but with all of the snow, it became a makeup day.  I've managed to get in a lot of extra hours this week, so I took advantage and headed to Eli's school for the Easter party. I know I'm sounding like broken record, but seriously ya'll, he has the best  teacher ever.  The first game was Bunny Nose.  They put Vasoline on their noses and picked up cotton balls that they had to shake into a bucket.   Next they had to scoop up "Buuny Tails" with chop sticks and put them in a cup.  We weren't so good at that one.  Ha!  There was also a contest to flick "Peeps" down the hallway, but I didn't get any pictures of that one.  The kiddos also took turns matching eggs and putting them together.  Eli was all about this one, even though he did cheat a few times.  The next station involved blowing plastic eggs across the table an into a basket.

Tonight my community is mourning a senseless tragedy that took the lives of a young mother and her two children who were about the ages of Eli and Ellie. From three hours away I have been overwhelmingly burdened over a family I've never met. Each time I look at my babies, I am reminded of the innocence that was lost this week. As they were laid to rest on Good Friday, I can't help but marvel at the significant of today. Two thousands years ago, Christ died on Good Friday, and  when it seemed as if all hope was gone, God shone his glory in the darkest hour...Sunday came, Jesus rose, and hope was restored!! I don't know what you're facing today, but if you know Christ, you have the blessed assurance that he has overcome the world and a new day is coming when he will wipe every tear from the eyes of those who believe. Im not usually this bold, but if you don't have that hope, I would love to share the source of mine with you. There's no need to live your life

I was planning on actually doing a "Midweek Musings" post today, but then we had some impromptu fun after school.  Of course, that warrants a blog post.   We've missed a few weeks of church recently due to illness and traveling, so I was more than ready to get back into the groove of things .  I'm going to be honest here: Wednesdays are stinking hard.  There's not enough time to go home between picking the kids up and church starting, but it's too long for the them to wait patiently. By the time everything starts, I am kinda flustered.  Luckily, we can fill in the time gap by visiting the park when the weather permits.  That's exactly what we decided to do yesterday.  I didn't tell the kids beforehand, so I think it made it extra special.  Don't tell them, but this will become a weekly tradition. SPOILER ALERT!! I am so, so grateful that spring is here for so many reason.  I have such special memories of going to the park

Well, the stomach bug has struck again.  Eric has it now.  Seriously, I am so over it! Since Eric was out of commission yesterday, I knew that I would have to keep the kids occupied so that they wouldn't disturb him. Since we're dealing with a little cold snap, going outside was not an options.  Instead, I ran by the store on my lunch break and picked up Bunny Cookies!   You know, the kind you simply put on a cookie sheet and bake?  They're about all I can handle in the kitchen, and sometimes I mess them up too.  Haha!   Lucky for me, my kids have low standards, so they were thrilled with the outcome.  Ha!  Now here's to "hopping" that this bug passes us by once and for all!!

(2009) Since pretty much the beginning of Eli, there has been baseball.  For Pete's sake, as soon as we found out that we were having a boy, we designed a sports themed nursery and bought the tiniest baseball clothes we could find.  Literally.  We left the doctor's office and went straight to the mall. (2010) The kid's first word was "Ball."  I'm not even lying.  His favorite toy was a little ball that I've kept tucked away in his baby treasures.  (2011) He learned to hit the ball off of a tee was one and could throw rocks and hit them in the air by the time he was two.  When he wasn't playing in the backyard, he was going to his daddy's softball games or watching the Hot Rods play.  (2012) At some point, he was introduced to the classic movie "The Sandlot."  That's what he dubbed the area in the back yard where the pool sits.  When it's down for the season, he plays hours of baseball on the litt

We were total slacker parents this Easter and didn't dye eggs until late Easter night.  HA!  It was just such a busy weekend that we couldn't seem to find the time.  Worry not, the kids enjoyed it when we finally got around to it. I was super organized this time and bought the kids a dozen and a half eggs each plus their every one set of dye.  At the last minute, we decided that we only needed one dye kit, but we stuck with the pre-divided egss. I also read on Pinterest that using an egg beater to home the eggs is a great way to prevent a mess.  I'd have to both agree and disagree at the same time.   That's because Ellie decided at the last minute that she was super independent and needed no supervision.  Despite the stress  her newly discovered freedom caused,  we had a wonderful evening wrapping up our Easter celebrations. 

Happy Monday, ya'll!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend and didn't get too much SNOW.  What?!?!  Snow?  So over it! We had a great weekend in Lexington celebrating baby Austin.  Eric stayed behind to get caught up on work, so the kids and I headed up Friday after work.  They were thrilled to get a second weekend with grandparents! Saturday morning Mom and I took the kids to pick up the last minute items for the shower while Dad ran a few errands for us and helped set the table for our circus themed shower, "Under The Big Top." We had a merry-go-round cake, cotton candy, Cracker Jacks, peanuts, and popcorn.  It was such a fun little theme...which was inspired by Austin's nursery! After the shower and catching up with family, we watched the UK game (heartbreaker) and headed to Lexington for dinner at Sir Pizza.  I was supposed to sing at my dad's church on Sunday, but I woke up sick.  Mom and Dad took the kids to church and then took

I am trying so hard to be a better blogger, and while I am certainly being more consistent, I'm still not into a solid routine.  In due time, ya'll….in due time. So instead of going another whole week without an update, here's what I've got for you.  Last Friday night, Eric and I met his parents in Central City so that they could watch the kids while we knocked off some "To Do" items on our Spring Cleaning List.  After dinner with his family, we came back home and crashed on the couch where I proceeded to binge watch Fuller House.  It was a childhood favorite, and surprisingly pleasant this go-around.  Saturday Eric worked outside before the rain came while I cleaned out the linen closet.  I'm too embarrassed to show you the "before" picture, but let's just say that I can finally fit my vacuum in there.  Once the rain hit, we went to town to run a few errands and even did grocery shopping sans kids…it was as amazing as it sounds