Life is worth the living just because He lives!

Happy Easter! 

We know that Easter has nothing to do with bunnies 

or eggs or candy...but the rabbit visits us anyway:)

 

Thankfully, he's a practical rabbit...bringing us swimsuits

(because we are beyond ready for the beach:) and piggy banks 

 (since both kids' banks have been broken in the last month!). 

 

A few pics from our day...

 

 

 

 

 

Easter according to Luke...

 Easter according to Emma...

And her take on Resurrection Rolls...

Spring Break 2013

Y'all. I have been so busy lately that I didn't even get to count down to Spring Break on the blog. No worries, though. I was counting down nonetheless;). Due to politicians and businessmen sticking their noses into things they know nothing about, we only got three days for Spring Break this year:/. But I enjoyed those three days just the same. 

On Wednesday I spent the day cleaning, while the kids went to school and daycare as usual. Thursday we spent the day together running some errands in the big city. Daddy let Emma choose our lunch spot...Red Lobster:).

 

 

 

The new Publix recently opened, but I hadn't made it by there yet. Justin and E needed to run to Walmart, so they dropped the boy and me off...y'all...it was a life changing experience. Racecar buggies that are light enough for me to actually maneuver (unlike the ones at Home Depot:/) plus the fact that the deli fed the boy a huge piece of ham and a huge piece of cheese and the sweet bakery lady handed him a cookie made for a glorious shopping experience with a 2-year old. Walmart...our on again/off again--love/hate relationship is officially off again.

After a short nap we spent the rest of the day outside. 

Friday...Good Friday.

We spent the morning coloring Easter eggs with

 shaving cream and making Resurrection Rolls. 

 

 

 

 

 

Everywhere we went the rest of the day

Luke kept telling people "Jesus gone!" :)

Today was a beautiful day to play/watch t-ball...and that we

did! Emma sat out an inning, so she and Luke got to watch.

Kids are in bed...baskets are laid out...Easter story has been told.

Sunday's coming...

John 11:25-26

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

To everything there is a season...

One of my favorite scriptures is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. I believe there is a purpose for each phase of life, and although we may not understand what it is at that time we do know that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Last summer Justin decided to go back to school. This was something I (and his parents:) have wanted him to do for a long time...ever since he quit to buy the barn in 2005. But it had to be his decision, and we all know better than to strike fire to gasoline. So back to last summer...I had just gone back to work for inservice. It was a Tuesday...sale day...and Justin was calling. I immediately picked up the phone thinking something was wrong. He wanted me to call and make an appointment with an advisor. A few weeks later he was registered for classes. 

We knew that it would get harder and harder for him to finish school and work as he got deeper into his education classes, along with which comes practicums and student teaching. We talked about what we would do. We prayed about it. Honestly, we didn't even know what we would do if and when he actually finished school...do you just have this fancy degree in a drawer in your house and go on with your life? Do you look for a teaching job in these tough times?

Anyway, we prayed and decided that God would work it out. And He did. We got an offer on the barn. One we felt led to accept...one we feel that will keep us in His will. What will our lives look like a year from now? I have no idea. My mama asked me if I was worried about "making it." Honestly, until she said that I had not even thought to worry...and still haven't. We will be fine. Justin will continue to farm...like he always has. I will continue to teach...like I always have. And God will continue to provide...like He always has. 

Tuesday was our last sale, and the deal was sealed today. We had a great eight years, and we will certainly miss the people we met and the friendships we made. But we won't look back...

 

Kindergarten Registration

Y'all. How is it that the baby girl I gave birth to five and a half very short years ago is ready to go to Kindergarten? I sent the following picture to her non-emotional father with a sad face...

 

 His response, you ask? And I quote..."Did u want to have kids and they stay babies forever!!! Ur like a kid getting a puppy it's all fun when their little but u don't want them grow into big dog." (I won't even get my red pen out for his grammatical errors, ha!) Then a few days later I sent him a pic of her first "school picture" proofs...

 And he says that tore him up:(

BBC Egg Hunt

This afternoon we had our annual churchwide Easter

egg hunt...look at all those kiddos!! We are blessed!

 

Afterwards the kids had cupcakes and chips...and these two

may or may not have been dancing inside the Baptist church;).

 

And, of course, what's a party without a

 friendly game of "Ring Around the Rosie"...

Emma & Kate

We had a diaper shower for Kristen and yet to be named baby boy (hurry up, please;) tonight. Ashley and I rode together and took Emma and Kate...and, of course, E was in her own version of Heaven having Kate "all to herself." 

(Disclaimer: I don't usually take her to showers

in sweats, but we went straight from practice.;)

My whole world...

(2/3 of it anyway;)...

in one pink bed.

First Day of Spring

Nana made these little gems for the kids' teachers in honor of the first day of spring...can you tell we are ready for some good weather? :) Thanks, Nana! We think they are precious!!

 

Hangin' Out with Mama

I took off half a day today to take the kids to the cow sale. Luke ended up hanging out with me for about 15 minutes until my sub got there, so he colored while the kids and I went over our phonics song for the week. Luke kept saying, "Mommy, they too loud! They hurtsin my ears!" Straight from the mouth of a babe, ha! :)

Alabama Weather

One thing can be said about the weather in Alabama...or the south in general...if you don't like it, stick around because it's likely to change. Today we had a hail/wind/rain storm, and almost had to say goodbye to Santa's present. Luckily Daddy drove by about the time it happened and stopped to save the day!!

UA Gymnastics

Emma has been watching reruns of the Alabama gymnastics meets on ESPN all season, so we decided to take her to a meet. Cheyenne went with us, and we had a blast. We will definitely be headed back to Coleman Coliseum next season...and to top it off Alabama beat #1 Oklahoma, Roll Tide! 

 

On Saturday we went to Rose's birthday party in the park...

 

...then we had practice, where E decided she'd help drag the field;).

 

I can smell spring:)

5 (or 6;) Little Monkeys...

A box of ice cream sandwiches bites the dust...

Girls' Night Out

Last night we had a little girls' night for Cheyenne's birthday. She's 8 now, and if I have learned anything about 8-year olds it is that they are too old for any of that "baby stuff" (at least that's what they like you to think), ha! The girls got pedicures and their fingernails painted, and then we went to eat at Golden Corral at the birthday girl's request. I'm pretty sure they both enjoyed themselves;).

 

 Afterwards we had to run and get E some new cleats for t-ball, and

  like any good girl she insisted on wearing them out of the store:).

 

Cheyenne spent the night and went with us to E's early morning 

 practice...she played with Luke and I actually got to watch!! :)

 

 It is such a beautiful day...and we have spring fever!!

 

Hellllllooooooo T-Ball Season!

We have missed you!!

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday {Cousins Edition}

Party, Party, Party (and other weekend happenings)

On Friday I was "sick" so Ashley and I headed to Cottontail's for a little retail therapy. (Side Note: I sent a note home to my parents letting them know that I would be "out of the classroom on Friday" so all tests would be given on Thursday. The rest of the week I heard my sweet babes telling each other that Mrs. McCollum was going to be sick on Friday...I went with it.;) Anyway, Friday wee ones across America celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday, and Mrs. Lolli's class was no different. She sent me these sweet pics...

 

 

Friday night we went to Ensleigh's swimming party, and Saturday we went to Hudson's party. I didn't get any pics at Ensleigh's party, but I got these sweet pics of two boys who melt my heart. They remind me so much of their daddies it's not even funny. And all jokes aside, if they turn out as good as their daddies did I will be a happy camper. I can just imagine what they are discussing...

 

On Saturday afternoon Nana texted the hubby and asked him if we wanted to have a date night! We went to eat at Logan's, where we enjoyed some adult conversation which consisted of our two precious children and other various topics. We were headed home by 7:30 (because he refused to stop at the new, long-anticipated Publix;), and I tried to get him to go pick the kids up. He refused, insisting we needed to sleep in, which was definitely nice...but it's funny how you want a break...you need a break...but it just doesn't seem right when you aren't all under the same roof. Needless to say my world is complete tonight as I type. My babies are tucked warmly into their beds, the hubby sits beside me in his spot on the couch, and I'm blogging when what I really need to be doing is swapping out a load of laundry and packing lunches for tomorrow.