Easter

***WARNING... lots and lots of pictures***

Easter recap, hot, fun, hot, and more fun!  The boys enjoyed baking cookies with Aunt Jessica the night before and coloring eggs. We made a special egg just for Big Papa!




Easter day we enjoyed a wonderful family lunch at Big Granny & Papa's. I do believe it is the first time that our entire family, cousins... everyone has been together in many, many years. The kids had a lot of fun playing together and looking for eggs.



Looking around at the family we are so blessed with, I couldn't help but wish that Papa was more aware who each one is. He watched them all play but in my heart I know he wasn't really sure where he was or who all of these people were. Regardless of that, I was so very thankful to spend another family day with him.

Kindergarten egg hunt

Carter's class enjoyed a fun little egg hunt during school. It was so cute to watch them run around looking for the eggs with their name on it.

Easter Lilies

As a child I remember this time of year wondering why it was the Easter Lilies were only in some areas.  I always thought about how pretty they were and I loved picking them and filling the window of my mom and granny's kitchen.

Sunday as we were heading out to Big Granny and Big Papa's I pulled off the side of the road and picked these beautiful flowers with Carter. He had a big bunch in each hand for Mom and Big Granny. When we arrived at their house he couldn't wait to give them there fresh flowers.

It's my hope to make this a yearly tradition with my boys, picking Easter Lilies and sharing the meaning of such a special holiday.

He is RISEN!

What does Easter mean to you? To me it's the vivid reminder that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for our sins. That Friday afternoon He died on that rugged cross to save me from the endless days of Hell. On the third day, the tomb was empty and my Savior was alive! What a story, what a price, what a gift to you and me.

We woke up early Easter Sunday to get ready for church. Growing up as a child I can rarely remember a Sunday, yet alone an Easter that we weren't in church. Church has always been a part of my life but I have not had a church home in several years. When I married and moved to a different town, I just didn't feel I had a church "home".  My dear friend Rosalind has been encouraging me, and inviting me to the church they attend. We started going a little over a month ago and from the moment I entered the doors I could feel God telling me, I've missed you... welcome back!  I can't begin to explain to you the feeling of being in church, learning the word of God, and being around other believers. We've been several times now and each time I've felt welcome, each time I've felt as if I were at my "home" church. Easter Sunday was no different. Travis and I dropped the boys off at their classes and found ourselves a pew. I'm not a back row kind of gal, so we found ourselves a seat right in the middle. I'm sure it belonged to someone but no one seemed to get huffy or puffy. By that I mean, if you know any good 'ole Souther Baptist person, you know... we have our seats! :)

Bro. Mark preached from the book of Revelation on Easter Sunday. The message was about not having fear. We serve a risen, living, Savior. Sure there are those of us that face fears everyday. As a child of God though, we have no reason to fear. He holds each day in His hand, every moment, every situation. He knows what battles we will face, and He knows the ones we will overcome and rejoice about. I feel so blessed that I am saved, and I do have a personal relationship with Jesus. I fail each and every day, there are always areas of my life that I struggle with. Luckily, God hears my cries and carries me and holds my hand each step of the way. I pray that as I do face struggles that I will remember that God holds my every moment in the palm of His hand. It's also my prayer that I don't forget to praise Him in the good times as well.

After church, our Easter was spent at my moms. We enjoyed a delicious lunch as always. The boys had fun playing in Nana's back yard with Jasmine, mom's German Shepherd. Sitting in the cool Spring breeze, enjoying the laughter of my children, the time spent with my sweet grand-parents and my mom, I couldn't stop thinking about how good God is to me each and every day. I'm blessed beyond measure. I am grateful for the little things in my life. The Sunday lunches, the little weed flowers Carter brings me, the moments I get to watch my Papa sit quietly with his hands folded in his lap, the 'advice' my dear little Granny has to offer. Days like this Easter Sunday are so appreciated and loved. Carter enjoyed hunting eggs, but when we put a frog in one of the plastic eggs and told him to give it to Nana, that was the BEST!!!!

A weekend full

We've always got something going on around here, always. But this weekend was a little busier then most. We had an Easter egg hunt at the church, then we went to the train days event, watched the parade, then to Hilliard, then to Yulee, then to a birthday party. Are you still with me? Are you exhausted just from reading that? If so, imagine how we felt! :)

All in all, it was a wonderful day spent with my little family. It's not often that we spend an entire day like that together. There's always cows to be fed, or split schedules and today was just nice to be with the loves of my life all day!  We started out at the Easter egg hunt. It was bright and early at 9:00. We were a few minutes late, but not too late for the hunt!  Carter said he was so strong, he could find all the eggs. Little Tucker, well his first egg was a real egg which he stuck his finger straight through! He wasn't overly impressed with the egg hunting. He just kind of wandered in circles like okay, what's the big deal? Carter on the other hand was like superman flying around the city looking for the next little egg in need of his super powers! Carter's basket was overflowing with eggs! Tucker was over it after about the third or fourth egg.


After the egg hunt, we made our way to the Train Days event that was going on in our little town. There were vendors with everything from metal works, to quilts. There were old antique displays of all sorts of things. They also had a parade which both of the boys enjoyed very much. Tucker waved to almost everyone, which of course melted my heart completely!


Carter sat on the curb holding his ears until the fire trucks were gone. Then his super powers were back to catch all the candy being handed out!


Being at the train expo reminded me of Papa Joe and how he would have loved to see Carter running around playing. As we walked through the train car, I couldn't help but think of the stories Papa would have told Carter if he were with us.


After the parade we made our way to my favorite little craft store in Hilliard, B&B Crafts. Oh mercy how I could spend hours in that store. It's a primitive country type place. I'm in the process of redecorating my kitchen and living room and let's just say I could do all I needed through this little place. If you're a local that reads my blog and you've not stopped in B&B yet... what on earth are you waiting for? Beth is there from 11-6 each Saturday. If you sign up for her mailing list you get a great coupon once a month! I have found myself in that store every Saturday that I can!!  Each time I go I'm there for at least an hour. She has everything from decor, to the most delicious smelling tarts and candles. Like I said, if you're local, make plans to go by this Saturday!!

From Hilliard, we headed to Yulee so that Travis could meet with some of the Purina feed sponsors. He is all about this cow business that I still no very little about. I live on a farm, but really who am I kidding? I have no clue! :) Who cares though, at least I can say I live on a farm! I love it too. Love the sound of those cows mooing in the evening, the view from my front porch is one I wouldn't trade for anything! Maybe one day I can say I know as much as dear Granny Noni!

This is Tucker eating his hotdog out of his stroller seat. Lovely, huh?!

After our little stop in Yulee, we headed back towards home but not before stopping off at the park for a birthday party! The boys had a great time. Carter ran, and ran, and ran, and ran. Oh the energy that child has. Tucker wasn't too far behind him. We made our way home around 4ish, and it wasn't long after that we were all out!  It was a wonderful day, and I hope we have another fun filled day just like it soon!