I loved the hand drawn cards, the hugs and all the “Happy Mother’s Day” wishes.  I really appreciate the flowers the the kids’ Sunday School teachers had for the kids to give me…but the best gift of all was on this paper…

and it was this in particular…

“I know my mom loves me because I am me”.  Through all my faults I do pray the each of my children know that I love them because they are themselves.  This was the best gift I could receive…the glimpse that in my imperfections that somehow Cade has gotten that I love him unconditionally…simply because he is Cade.  I love you, Buddy!!

I hope your Mother’s Day was blessed as well!

Sometimes it feels like it takes just as long to get the kids ready to go for a walk as it does to actually take the walk…but it’s always such a good thing when we get out together.

It’s in the 50s today so Sawyer is ready to go with his bear hat.

Addie trotting along…she loves to be outside.

Cade and Ella were excited to take their bikes.

We even met some furry friends along the way…

which led to a fearful Addie with some comforting older siblings.

I’ve never seen her get in the stroller faster…and Sawyer found it humorous.

I hope you’re enjoying the sun in your neck of the woods.

Blessings to you,

Finding ways to celebrate Easter is always fun.  This activity is one thing that the kids really like doing, and for younger kids it can really make it real that Jesus is not in a tomb anymore.

All you need is marshmallows, melted butter, a cinnamon sugar mix and a tube of crescent rolls.

The marshmallow represents Jesus (we talked about white representing his purity).  The butter and cinnamon/sugar mix represents the oil and spices that covered Jesus body after his death.  The crescent rolls are the tomb.

Roll the marshmallow in butter.

Then roll it in the cinnamon/sugar mix.

Place the marshmallow on the open crescent roll.

Then wrap the roll around the marshmallow.

Make sure you seal the seams well.

Then put your tombs on a cookie sheet (I always forget to put some aluminum foil down…but I would recommend doing that).

Bake according to the package directions…and then open your tomb.

This is the part that the littlest kiddos are always so amazed at…”Where did Jesus go?”.  What a great opportunity to share with them that “He has risen, indeed!”.

And Sawyer, well, he was busy playing on the floor.

We did this activity last year too.  It’s here.

Blessings to your family this Easter!

I love perennials!! I love that most of the hard work I did in the previous years shows itself in the following years! As the kids and I were weeding today we were talking about the difference between annuals and perennials. It was such a neat time because we were able to talk about the principle of sowing and reaping. I used it to talk to them about what we think about, and watch, and listen to, and how that determines if we have “ugly flowers” or “pretty flowers” in our actions.

No matter who wants to deny it, we all live under the law of sowing and reaping. I think remembering this is vital to my sanity some days. Take heart moms (and dads)! It matters that you have played games, read books, changed diapers and fed your children. You maybe almost got hit with the ball while batting and playing house wasn’t super entertaining for you, but you are sowing. Role playing how to treat your sister…AGAIN, matters. The reaping may be a long time in coming, but it will! Jump in with both feet. I’ve heard that “It goes SO fast!”.