God's many blessings

The week before Easter kicked off with sickness.  First, it was me.  I have not felt that sick in a very long time!  But in the midst of it, I was quite thankful that the worst of it was on Saturday night and Sunday.  Michael was home and could take the kids to church so I could even have quiet at home that morning!  I was able to sleep almost all day.  Monday came and while I was still feeling a bit weak, I could function.  Then, I had a very good night's sleep on Monday night.  Tuesday came around, and due to all the sleep I had had while sick, I had a hard time going to sleep that night.  I was still awake at 12:30 or 1:00 when David came downstairs to tell me he had thrown up.  I was so thankful that it happened then after quite a bit of sleep because I had a long night ahead of me.  Michael had suggested that there was supposed to be a rare blood moon that night but we had no intention of staying up to see it.  I got a treat!  :)  I was up and got to see the majority of it while nursing a very sick little boy all night. 

David fortunately was feeling much better by morning hours and he never stopped that day...in fact, he was more wound up than ever and running on even less sleep than I. Hah!  To be young...

There are so many more blessings to recount: the girls never got seriously sick other than 24 hours of a low fever and the other one who threw up (perhaps brought on by feverish crying) one time 5 minutes from my sister's house; a sweet time with my sister that was only marred by sickness on Sunday; complete healing for Michael (who also suffered some of the same symptoms as me) at some pretty significant times; God's very clear direction in a few important areas--more on that later. 

God has very much shown himself in our lives over the past two weeks despite some pretty difficult circumstances.  I am so thankful to have Him as my Heavenly Father!

water fun... or summer is here!

We enjoyed a lovely morning at a local splashpad.  It brought back such memories since it was built around the time that David was born and I remember often coming here with him when he was little!  The two older kids loved it!  (well, E loved it but was more hesitant to get in the water--as seen in some of the pics I captured)  David ran around doing ninja moves on the spouting water.  Abigail was a bit less enthusiastic but she too enjoyed the weather and being swung through the water by Mommy.  She also found a friend to hang out with...(see the rather large grandpa that is seated on the side--she adored him and got as close to him as possible).

Even though I have seen the "forgotten" purse many times and know it is only a cast sculpture, I saw Abigail reaching for the phone in the purse out of the corner of my eye and almost chided her for touching someone's stuff.   Another time, I caught myself trying to avoid getting into someone's things myself.  It is so lifelike! 

the empty egg

We went to my sister's house for Easter.  She is in a particularly pretty part of Texas.  And wow the weather was perfect!  Too bad the rest of us were not...several of us battling sickness throughout the visit.  Thankfully, we were all sickness-free on Saturday.  We had quite the easter egg hunt that day.  It may seem as if just throwing eggs willy-nilly across the lawn would be too easy, but with 5 acres, it was hardly so.  In fact, my sister and kids found 10 more eggs in the last few days.  We decided for the sake of time and a few other reasons to leave the eggs empty and used as redemption only.  How appropriate though that the eggs held nothing, just like the tomb on Easter morning!  Thank the Lord, He HAS risen!

The kids and hubbies had some time to go fishing on Saturday pm.  The girls then had their opportunity to go down to the lake just to look on Sunday afternoon.

We loved meeting our newest nephew, Teddy!  David and he quickly bonded.  Elizabeth was in heaven dressing up in the older girl's dress up clothes and playing with their dolls.  Hopefully, we can see each other again soon (and under healthier circumstances. :) )

And on the way home, we stopped at a gas station for a quick bathroom break.  The field of bluebonnets behind it was worth every moment lost!  (too bad the kids did not really cooperate for a sweet family picture)