Give me one good reason

After a long day outside the kids came in adorned with black finger nails, a tell tale sign that it was a good day.  It's also a dead giveaway that a bath is in their near future. 

They love the tub but it can also be a battlefield of sorts.  It's either a lovely experience or one in which they decide to argue and splash and get in one another's space.  Today was rather lovely.  Both littles played gleefully amongst the warm bubbly suds and their mama just allowed them to self entertain.  It finally happened, as it usually does....

"Hey give that back!  Collin has my tooooooooy!"  

She then splashes him with a face full of bubbles.  Why does it always have to end this way?!

Alright, pull the plug we're getting out!

Why mommy?

Because it's time to get out.

Why?  Give me one good reason why.

I have to insert that he was in no way trying to be disrespectful, but rather simply grasping for an answer to a question he found to be very valid.  

I do not think I have ever said the above... give me one good reason why... which leads me to question where does this kid come up with this stuff?!

A bachelor

Collin spent a good part of the day with Nana, Jessica and Jaiden.

They went bowling, out to eat and then to Aunt Brenda's to play.

Collin spent most the night telling me about his adventures.

He said it was the best day ever.

So sweet.

Nana had briefly mentioned that her and Collin had a conversation about marriage during their car ride.  He apparently asked a few questions and Nana told him that when he grew older he would find a wife, fall in love and they would get married.  He asked about me marrying daddy and even about Papa marrying Grammy.  While talking about Grammy and Papa, Nana said that was a long time ago (speaking of their wedding?) and Collin replied "yes, ages".

So funny.

Fast forward to bedtime..

 I get the sweet bugs tucked in and barely get my feet up when I hear Collin sobbing on the steps.

"Mommy I don't waaaaaaaaaaant to get married when I grow up"

Of course Madelyn is quick to come to his rescue, anything to get out of bedtime.

I scurry her back to her room and try to get to the bottom of why Collin is so upset.

He is literally sobbing.

"I just don't want to get married mommy, I don't want to."

"Well buddy that is certainly ok you don't have to get married, not everyone does."

"Well how can I not?"

He is basically asking how can he be assured he won't get married.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to.  But why are you so very upset about this?"

A few sobs later...

"I just don't want to leave this house and move to a new one with someone else because I will REALLY miss you and daddy."

And there lies the truth, people.

Be still my momma heart.

"Oh buddy, you don't have to get married and you don't have to leave.  You can live with mommy and daddy for as long as you want."

And that was it.

He was satisfied.

A bachelor forever?

I will print this and give it to both you and your bride on your wedding day.  Pretty sure I will be the one sobbing as I watch you happily leave this home for a new one son...

Easter photo dump

Why has it taken me so long to post our Easter photos?

Well, I really have no good reason.

So without further ado...

The Easter photo dump,

the one you have all been holding your breath for...

 There is not one nice photo of me with the babes.  

I spent most of our photo time bargaining with one or the other to come take a picture with their momma.

So this is the best we got, but it tells the true story...

 Oh but everyone will sit with daddy.

Whatevs!

 Makenzie got such a huge kick out of Madelyn.

She just couldn't get enough of her!!

 Isn't she just adorbs?!

 Easter egg hunt

Mads was first out of the gate!

 Every time she would shout

EASTER EGG

as she proudly displayed her trophy for all to see...

 Look at this sweet face...

Lil Claire bear...

Dessert with Gran Fran...

What an EGGcellent day!

Everything I Need

I was going to post today about Easter eggs.  

We had a day full of egg~cellent fun.

But then I thought "Eggs?  Seriously, you are going to post about eggs?"

I can't post about eggs.

Not today.

I watched this video today.
Click to watch.

You must watch.

I watched.

I wept...

I mean truly wept.

Horrific images...

and yet so very beautiful.

A portrait of the greatest love one will ever know.

He hung there for ME.

God allowed it, all the suffering, the torment...

He allowed it to happen to HIS son, all for ME.

Humbling.

So very humbling.

I just can't get it out of my head.

He hung there for ME.

If you have children then you know the love that a parent holds for a child.

Imagine sending your child, your perfectly innocent child to suffer and die for the sins of others.

Unimaginable right?

But God did it.

He sent His only son, his perfectly innocent son to suffer and die on a cross next to thieves so that you and I could be saved from eternal suffering.  

If you are not humbled by that then I am amazed.

I am a sinner, saved by grace.

He is my savior, my king.

He is all I need.

I know him.

I love him.

But do you?

He carried that cross for me, but it was also for you.

He bore my burdens, but he also bore yours.

God sent him for me, but also for you.

You can also be saved from eternal suffering.

He already paid the ultimate price.

He suffered.

He died.

HE ROSE.

HALLELUJAH HE ROSE.

He is ALIVE!  

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

It was my sin that held Him there.

"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed."
Isaih 53:4-5



...they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand.  And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"  And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.  And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. 
Matthew 27:28-31

His wounds have paid my ransom.

"He said, it is finished and He bowed his head and gave up the ghost"

John 19:30

"By his wounds we are healed"
Isiah 53:5

Happy Easter~

Round 'em up!

Tonight was a big night for the handsome little guy that lives in our house!!

KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP!!

I can hardly believe that a full school day is just right around the corner for our first born.  My heart thumps hard as I think about letting him begin to spread his wings farther than he ever has before.  Whew, that is hard on a momma's heart.  I can already feel the sting of my hot tears that will come along with the first day of school.  It always seemed so far away, kindergarten, and now it's a mere few months away...
Luckily for me, his classroom will be right across the hall from mine, otherwise I may be taken away by ambulance on the first day of school.

I do not know where my children get there dramatic side from, clearly not from me...  :)

Enough about crazy mom.


Little Miss went with us.

 Look out kindergarten, she will be here in just a few years.

 This pose was all his idea.

 We found out that one of Collin's Sunday school buddies will be in kindergarten this year at our school!!  Super excited about that!!  They were so cute holding hands and just being pals!

 Ready for the bus ride!!
Keaton and Collin sat together and when we exited the bus Keaton told the bus driver "we talked about stuff".  I'm sure it was super important.  :)

 Elmo was there!!

What a fun night.
Ready or not, here it comes!!

Success

On our way out of church today Grammy and I chatted about meeting up to get the kid's Easter outfits.  She said she would pay but wanted me to pick them out.

I know, she is so totally fab.

So not long after lunch I got a text that she was on her way to the Maxx.  I packed up my little fashionistas and off we went.

We had a crash course in shopping etiquette while in the car.  

For some reason I was having horrible flashbacks of this humble pie experience.

Every once in awhile I remember it and it rattles my bones.

I really wasn't in the mood for any pie today.
And just look at the two silly rascals I am dealing with...

Collin as an "elephant" and Madelyn a "banana".
Pretty creative don't ya think?!

We successfully shopped with Grammy and I was pleasantly pleased with the behavior of our sweet littles.  Neither hesitated to show me the treasures that they found and were eager to spend money they don't have.  :)

We left the Maxx with two coordinating Easter outfits and a few other goodies as well.  Success on various levels.

One quick stop at Meijer and we were going to be headed home.

The parking lot was ridiculously busy so I carried Madelyn as I held tight to Collin's hand.  People were gracious as they stopped to let us pass or held doors for momma arms that were full.

I have to admit that shopping with two small, well behaved children kinda makes me feel like super woman.
I mean yes, at any given moment all could crumble as I know all too well how quickly they are able to serve up a big ol heapin piece of humble pie, but in those moments where all is well I pretty much feel like I'm wearin' a super hero cape.

Am I the only one?