Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. This coming weekend is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. Do you celebrate Easter in your home? What was your favorite Easter tradition as a child?
Yes, we have always celebrated Easter.  In recent years we have attended a sunrise service at our church.  I have done various activities with Caleb through the years. Over the past few years he's done a scavenger hunt to find a few prizes, usually that weekend, not on Easter Sunday and not necessarily eggs with candy.  Last year we did a glow in the dark hunt for eggs with money.  I think we will do that again this year. We color eggs too.  On Sunday we go to church services as usual.

As a child we always colored eggs.  My Mom would always boil so many to dye.  We'd write on them with crayons too before we dyed them.

2. George Weinberg is quoted as saying, 'Hope never abandons you, you abandon it.' Agree or disagree? Share your own thoughts on the word hope. Yes I think a lot of people just give up and think there is no way out, no one cares, no hope.

This is a verse I like about hope from Romans 8:23--25  "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

3. Weigh in with a yay or nay on the traditional Easter candies. A solid milk chocolate bunny? Cadbury Creme Eggs? Peeps? Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs? Jellybeans? Coconut Cream Eggs? Of the candies listed, which one would you most like to find in your Easter basket?
I would give a big nay to Cadbury Creme Eggs, probably the Coconut ones too.  My Meemaw loved the Cadbury ones, and I'd get her a couple every year when I'd start seeing them in the stores. It always makes me think of her to see them. The rest I do like, particularly the flavor of Starburst Jelly Beans, not the other kinds really. I'd like to find Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs in my Easter basket.

4. When did you last feel 'like a kid in a candy store'? The first thing that came to mind is when I see stationary/note cards on sale. I have a big collection and just can't resist getting more when I see them on sale, like the $1.50 bins at Michael's marked down to $.50. :)

5. What's something you know you do differently than most people? Does that bother you? Does it bother other people?  One thing that came to mind (after reading Joyce's answer) was that I don't have a smart phone. My cell phone just makes calls, it doesn't text.  Some people find that odd that I don't have texting.  I have an iPad Mini I can use at home for texting and such and when we are traveling I use my husband's iPhone.  I just haven't felt the need to have a phone for it so haven't gotten one yet!

6. Palm Springs CA, Palm Beach FL, or the PALMetto State...of the three mentioned, which sunny spot would you most like to visit right now? Which have you visited at one time or another? I've never been to any of these.  I'll pick Florida as one I'd like to visit because I do hope to go to Florida someday.  I've not been to California either, but Florida is higher on my list.

7. If you could change the length of a day would you lengthen it or shorten it? Tell us why.  What a question!  There are times in the past when I'd think it'd be nice to have a few more hours to get something finished but typically I am not like that. I am fine with how things are now.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
The baby appointment went well yesterday.  The doctor was laughing as she listened to baby's heart and was watching him or her kicking around in my stomach.  22 days!

Have a day of blessings!
  

One year

Today is a sad day of remembrance for our family. On April 19, 2103 I found out I was having a miscarriage, our second miscarriage...our third child.

We've made it through all the firsts. Since we passed my due date back in November, I've been thinking of all the things that would be different if a baby was in our family. There have been so many things I've missed and thought of the "what ifs." 

I suppose Easter will always remind me of this pregnancy. Last year Easter was at the end of March, and we revealed the news to Caleb that he would be a big brother with an Easter scavenger hunt. His last prize was a wrapped box containing a big brother shirt. We watched the video of his reactions earlier this week, and I will forever cherish his excited shouts that day. I'm so glad we decided to tell him so he could be part of our happy secret for a couple of weeks.  Then on Easter we went to tell my Mom. Now this year Easter weekend is on the anniversary of the miscarriage.   I remember thinking last year how Caleb would get to teach the new baby how to color eggs and we'd have fun finding them outfits for Easter.

It still is unreal to me that I was actually pregnant again. The pain has eased, but it never goes away completely.  My heart is healing; I've kept a written list of moments I feel were part of my healing over the past year.    Once again, just like after our first loss, I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned through this journey. They've been different lessons from the first time. I still don't understand and have many questions and have gone through so many up and down emotions. I know though God cares about me, and I love Him.  I continue to hold on to that.

Today I remember a year ago and am thankful for those who have supported and loved us through the pain.

Have a day of blessings!

A cross we made

Back at Christmas I read an idea online (probably on Pinterest) to save the trunk of your real Christmas tree and use it at Easter to make a cross.  We saved ours and Caleb enjoyed cutting the branches off of it. 

I remembered this week that we saved it so we made a cross out of it for our family lesson. 

It is a great reminder of the sacrifice made for each one of us on the Cross by Jesus.  He suffered so much on the cross for us, and we need to always remember that He paid the price for our sins.  I think sometimes we forget. 

Happy Easter!

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

As we approach Easter weekend, I have been thinking of Christ's sacrifice.  I'm thankful for the cross and the hope we have because of that. 

This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband's meeting being in town this week.  It was at his office and some others had to travel in for the training.  I was thankful it was here so he didn't have to travel away! 

~ my sweet boy working so hard at school and this six weeks making the A honor roll.  He worked hard to bring it up his math grade from the 3 week report as well as from the last 6 weeks.  Also, he received a postcard in the mail this week from his PE teachers praising him for his behavior and positive attitude in PE. 

~ cool days and a little bit of rain.  We even had freezing temperatures again this week.  We are all praying for more rain. 

~ getting to see some of the Robertson family (from Duck Dynasty).  They gave a wonderful talk and Caleb was excited to see Uncle Si. 

~  getting some vegetables for our garden.  I hope they grow! 

Have a day of blessings!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What are your plans for Easter? Are you cooking a big lunch or dinner? Dyeing eggs? Attending a sun rise service? Eating too much chocolate?  We are going to a play presented by a local church.   We always dye eggs together. The past couple of years I've made a scavenger hunt on Saturday for Caleb to find some surprises.  Since we've lived here, we have been attending a community sunrise service followed by our regular church services on Easter morning.

2. What is something you feel too young to do?  Be forgetful.  I mailed an Easter card to a friend on Monday.  Then I thought to myself did I already mail her one last week with the ones I already sent?  I got one in the mail from her, and she said she forgot if she had mailed me one already too.  It was kinda funny!   

3. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..." 
Of the characteristics mentioned in the biblical definition of love which do you find most difficult to live out and why?  Probably not being proud.  I feel I have to be on guard against being prideful.

4. What's a springtime flower you associate with your childhood?
Iris....We had a spot where we backed up to turn around in our driveway.  In a little corner by that were always irises....purple, white, and yellow.  I have some of them now.  They were from my grandmother's and aunt's houses. 

5. Ever sung karaoke? If so, what's your go-to song? If not and you're given the opportunity, would you? No I don't think I have.  I don't think I would willingly!

6. What is something you keep in a basket?  I'm trying to think of baskets in my house.   I have a plastic basket I keep in a drawer with pens/pencils in it.

7. When was the last time you felt foolish?  One day recently when Caleb and I were playing  I played a trick on him.  I don't really know why I did it, I felt bad afterward because he didn't think it was funny, and it upset him which I hadn't expected.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.
This makes me smile.  It is in my bathroom.  My husband drew the picture for me for Christmas.

Have a day of blessings!

Song: "Not Guilty"

Over the weekend I heard this song called "Not Guilty" on my iPod. As I listened I thought this is really the message of Easter and the Resurrection. I hope you enjoy listening to it today.

Whatever you are going through today, remember that God loves you and gave His Son for you.  It is something hard to understand but such a wonderful gift. 


Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday

This week's topic is a little different. Here is the prompt:

What comes to mind when you "flashback" to that Friday almost 2000 years ago? Have you spent much time reflecting on the events of Good Friday or is it generally a regular day and Resurrection Sunday is the focus? Thinking through the events of that long night and day--the trials, the scourging, the frenzy of the crowd, the walk to Golgotha, the raising of the cross with Jesus Christ suspended from its beams, the vigil as they watched and waited for Him to die, His agony, His tender words to His mother, her grief, the darkness, the soldiers gambling for his clothes, the mocking of one thief and the repentance of the other, the finality as He said "It is finished," the grief as his disciples lowered his body and prepared it for burial--what stands out as vivid and touching to you? Where does your mind usually "park" when you reflect on the crucifixion?

My Flashback:
There are so many parts of remembering this day that are so hard for me to think about or imagine.  You can read the account in Matthew 27.  One part that always sticks out in my mind is how Jesus is mocked.  I just can't imagine how it must have been for Him to already be in such physical pain on that Cross and have those who were passing by mocking and insulting Him.  How hard this must have been for Mary and the others to witness.  .  One part that always sticks out in my mind is how Jesus is mocked.  I just can't imagine how it must have been for Him to already be in such physical pain on that Cross and have those who were passing by mocking and insulting Him.  How hard this must have been for Mary and the others to witness. 

When I read about the two criminals who were hanging on either side of Jesus, I am touched by Jesus' concern for them and His promise that the one would be with Him in paradise.

From reading these passages that tell what happened that day, I think we can learn from Jesus' example.  We haven't had to face anything to even begin to compare with what He faced in that moment, but do we even come close to acting as He did on the Cross when we are faced with minor, petty things in life?  Also, in our times of pain and hurting do we reach out to the other ones hurting around us, like Jesus did to the criminals?  Just some things I think about when I think back to His sacrifice. 

Thank you for visiting today.  Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday

Week #3 of Flashback Friday! Here are the questions we were asked this week over at Mocha With Linda.

What was Easter like when you were little? For example, did you receive a basket with toys and candy? Was the Easter Bunny part of your family's celebration? Did your family integrate both secular and spiritual aspects of the day? Did you dye Easter eggs. . . .and did your family eat them afterwards? Did you usually get a new outfit? (Post a picture if you have one!) Does any Easter stand out particularly? You might also share how your Easter today is similar or different to your childhood?

My flashback:
As a child I remember many things about Easter. I remember knowing the reason we celebrated was that our Savior is risen. We got new matching clothes. My Mom always fixed an Easter basket for me. I collected bunny rabbits and probably got many of those in my collection from my basket. She always put in a package of Peeps. I never ate the whole pack, usually only one or two, but I loved to get them in the basket every year. Also I remember a pack of egg shaped bubblegum that were different colors and in a little tiny plastic egg carton. We sometimes had egg hunts with cousins. We colored eggs each year. I liked drawing on them with a crayon. I'd always write Mom on one and Dad on another. I guess sometimes we ate them. Another memory is going to visit my great grandparents. We made this trip often on Easter weekend. I guess it was a tradition because many times on Easter we were at their house.

We've continued many of these same traditions with Caleb. We color eggs together. I have pictures of him through the years holding up his hands to show me how dirty they are after he colors the eggs. We let him hunt eggs, and we give him an Easter basket, which he knows is from us. We want to teach him that our risen Savior is really what we are remembering.

A local university puts on an Easter pageant each year. I went one year with my class when I was teaching at a Christian school. Last year I thought I would take Caleb. I knew the play was not graphic but wasn't sure how he would handle it. He seemed to enjoy it, but when they got to the scene with Jesus carrying the cross, he just couldn't watch after that. He turned his head and it brought tears to his little eyes. It really touched my heart that he was so touched by it all. It's something that's hard for him to talk about. We have Easter books, and he doesn't like the pictures of the cross. I'm glad he's sensitive to the suffering Jesus faced.

I look forward to reading others' Easter flashbacks.

Have a day of blessings!

Book review: "The Flowering Cross" by Beth Ryan

I received The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan from Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze reviewers program.

In this nicely illustrated children's book, young Katie is a friend to her elderly neighbor, Papa Jack, someone everyone else sees just as a mean man. When she goes to pick some of his flowers for the "flowering Cross," she invites him to Easter church service and he says yes.

This book shows how showing Christ's love can make a difference in the hearts of people today and the role children can play in showing His love.

One thing I liked was that at the bottom of many of the pages was "Faith Imprints." This gives parents a faith lesson in one or two sentences along with a Bible verse to share with the child as you read the book. It also has directions at the back to make your own flowering Cross. This book is for young children in the message it presents. This would make a nice gift for a little one's Easter basket.


Have a day of blessings!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze Reviewers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Song "In Christ Alone"

I was so glad to find this song to share today. I was reminded of it because we sang it at Women of Faith.

This weekend we are remembering Christ's death on the Cross and that glorious resurrection morning. As the song says ("Here in the death of Christ I live") because of His death, I can live and also because of His sacrifice "Sin's curse has lost its grip on me." We have the greatest reason ever to be thankful and rejoice. Christ conquered death and rose from the grave. We can put our hope in Him.

I pray you are blessed today. Thank you for stopping by. Visit Spirtual Sundays to read encouraging posts.
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"As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.' " Mark 16:5, 6

Thankful Thursday: Sacrifice

I took Caleb to see a local production of an Easter pageant. I went to this same production when I was teaching at a Christian school. Knowing what he knows of the story of Jesus I thought he was old enough to understand the play. He loved the part with the donkey and palm branches. He is a sensitive boy, and I didn't know how he'd respond to the crucifixion scene. It isn't anything too graphic really but I could tell when the soldiers came out and pushed down the Jesus character it was upsetting to him and he couldn't watch. He held on to my neck, giving me a hug, during the rest of the scene. I told him that was okay for it to make him sad. It is a sad thing that happened and to think about Jesus going through that hurts our hearts. As we watched the rest of the play, we clapped and Caleb had a precious smile on his face as he saw the angel that came at the site of the tomb when Jesus was no longer there.

Watching this play and sharing it with Caleb, trying to see it through his eyes, gave me a new appreciation for that sacrifice. Jesus so didn't have to go through what He went through. He knew what the people were going to do to Him. Yet He still came. That is what is so beautiful to me. He came and He gave. He is our ultimate sacrifice. I'm so thankful to be reminded of this sacrifice as we celebrate Easter.

Other things I"m thankful for this week:
~ my husband's elbow being okay. He had a fall last weekend and Caleb's Easter party at the park. He noticed a swollen elbow Monday evening. We went to the dr. on Tuesday. It is okay just full of fluid. The dr. gave him a wrap and we're waiting for it to go down.

~ watching Caleb at tball practice.

~ fun happy mail! It brightens my day to get a card or letter in the mail.

~ books. I'm having such fun with the book reviews I've been doing.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend! God bless you! Join us for other Thankful Thursday posts this week at Women Taking a Stand.

******* Visit here for my book giveaway!********
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"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6

Laced with Grace Giveaway

I read about this wonderful giveaway hosted by Laced With Grace. I'm a past winner and wanted to share this giveaway with you! Go by and leave a comment to try to win a great prize package including a Veggie Tale DVD, Resurrection eggs, journal, Fireproof novel, and two versions of Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. These ladies are so generous! You will also be blessed by their daily devotional thoughts.

Friday Favorites: Resurrection Song #3

I saved this favorite for this Good Friday. When I hear this song it always puts a smile in my heart. It is Up From The Grave He Arose. I like it because of its message that Christ arose. Death could not hold our Savior in the grave. Also, I like to sing the beginning part slowly and then pick up speed at the chorus.

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Easter!
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"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." Romans 4:25

Be blessed!

I watched a beautiful presentation this morning at Married to the Preacher. I am putting it here so you can watch too. I appreciated the thought-provoking questions asked for each stage of the "Journey to the Cross." Hope you enjoy!

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"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."Matthew 20:28

Our Saturday

We got to sleep late this morning and that is always nice. The boys worked on cleaning up the garage most of the morning. We got JMP a peg board organizer to hang in there so he had to rearrange and remove one of his wall shelves so he would have enough room to hang it. Caleb is his little sidekick in all of his projects. We filled the eggs (which I did find some cheap ones this week at Card & Party Factory). Caleb didn't need much help filling the eggs this year either.

Caleb had an early nap and we took him to the church Easter egg hunt. He said it was at the park where he had his "cupcake party." It was funny to me he had the distinctions in his birthday parties! The kids all played on the playground while the eggs were hidden. We had to walk over a bridge to get to the field. When they shouted GO, Caleb was off! It kinda made me stop and think of how he is getting big and he doesn't need our help anymore for this! I remembered a couple years ago when Daddy had to go with him to find the eggs. Today he was halfway across the field as we were lagging along behind. We stayed for the devotional time and then grabbed Caleb some snacks and headed home to the birthday party for our neighbor friend. It was his fourth birthday. I was thinking how soon it will be that some other little boy will be having a birthday but that is still a few months away for now! They had a pinata. Caleb had never been to a party with a pinata and was full of excitement to get a turn to hit it with the stick.

I had a proud mommy moment at the party too. The kids were all playing with some toys and riding toys through the yard. Some of the boys were going out in the street. One of our rules is for Caleb not to be in the street, and anytime we see kids in the street he makes an announcement about it. He was playing with the little birthday boy on one tricycle type toy that had a seat so they both were on it at the same time. At one point the brother of the birthday boy was pushing them around. He got down the driveway near the street, and I saw Caleb put his feet down and tell him no he would not go in the street. It made me so proud that he made the right choice and knew not to go in the street even with the others around him doing so.

Another moment that was cute was when they passed out the plates of pizza. Caleb had been eating his chips and I told him to eat some of his pizza too. He said he hadn't prayed yet so I told him he could. Then he was looking around saying the others weren't closing their eyes. I told him it was okay, he could go ahead and pray.

We have had a good Saturday. I'm glad we can do these activities together and enjoy them as a family.

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"I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is written within my heart." Psalm 40:8

Friday Favorites: Resurrection Song #2

For today's song I've chosen When I Survey The Wondrous Cross. The words to this song are very powerful in my opinion. It seems we see crosses all over....as art, decorations in homes, and especially jewelry. I've always wondered why people have such things in their homes, maybe as a reminder or just because they look pretty? I don't know. I do know though that the decorative crosses we see are not what the real cross was like. There was nothing aesthetically beautiful about it. But to know the purpose of the cross is such a powerful thing.

When we remember the cross and consider what happened there, how can we not be humbled? He gave His everything for us. Who are we to boast in ourselves, our accomplishments, our bank accounts, our knowledge? What would we be without His sacrifice? Has there ever been a greater love than when Christ hung on that cross? Nothing we could offer could compare to what's been already done for us. All He really wants anyway is each of us to come to Him to be totally and completely His. That is what this song means to me and reminds me of when we sing it.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend! We're looking forward to ours.
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"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." ~S.D. Gordon

Easter treats

Caleb has an Easter party with the church group this weekend. They've asked each child to bring a dozen filled plastic eggs for an egg hunt. No big deal! I saw in the Walgreens ad last Sunday they had eggs for 59 cents. The coupon said 6 to 26 eggs. When I got there they were packs of 6 large eggs or 24 teeny tiny eggs. I decided to look at Walmart for the medium sized eggs since we were going there today anyway. They had a bag of 48 medium sized ones. The smaller packs were all character eggs...camo, Cars, Princesses, rainbow, sparkly, etc. And of course they cost more! Then on another aisle were several rows of filled eggs. I saw these last year but didn't realize they were so popular. There were $4.88 for a dozen I think. They have so many variety of these! It was rather ridiculous to me. Is it that hard to fill eggs? I really can't see how it can be a money saver either at that price. So what is the point of the pre-filled eggs? Are people too lazy to fill their own eggs anymore? I thought it was fun to choose candy and fill them ourselves!

We'll look again tomorrow for a dozen plain, solid colored medium sized eggs!