Easter 2009

What an amazing time of year! I have always loved Easter as a kid and this year my love for it was rekindled. Easter, to me, marks the start of spring. It is the 'official' benchmark of new life. I recognized more of a difference this year, most likely because I have spent 4 months in winter; cold, snow, ice, and bone chilling wind for months. I am grateful it is over (although there were moments of winter I thoroughly enjoyed). The drastic change between winter and spring is actually noticeable here, opposed to the slightly varied temperature change that we were experiencing in FL. With all the physical signs of new life around me it seemed to parallel our New Life in Christ. Our lives are like the bleakness of Winter-No hope, no sun, gray, depressing. Even the most enjoyable moments of winter are nothing compared to the Glory of Spring. When spring comes it is an AMAZING transformation. Things become green and lush. Birds return, babies are born. People crawl out of their homes that they have been holed up in for months and experience sun...fresh air. Our lives are bleak and doomed to an eternity without God. Yet, because God sent His Son to die for our sins, a blameless Lamb sacrificed on the Altar, and because the Son chose to obey the Father, we can have an abundant live here on Earth and spend eternity in Heaven in the presence of God! We do nothing to earn this, can do nothing to repay it, yet we are loved beyond measure and when we choose to accept this gift we are welcomed into the Kingdom of God. Praise to the Lord!

Check out an aweseome Easter Message from Oak Pointe Church.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=53394653&id=217270258






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Olivia dying Easter Eggs






Olivia's first Egg Hunt (it's a long video-just a heads up)

Sleepy Puppy

Papa

I took the kids to visit my Grandpa last week. It was such a great time. I am so glad that we were able to go for a few days. Olivia quickly found Papa's poker chips and played with them all weekend! I wonder if I should be worried! I told Papa as long as she plays 'Freeze 'em' then we are fine. It was such a relaxing weekend.

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The Sheep Whisperer

The weather was awesome on Saturday, high 40's (yes, the high 40's is awesome weather!), so we took Olivia and Josh to Kensington Park. We did a picnic lunch and hung around the Farm Center. Olivia had a blast and loved being able to pet the animals. She made us proud as we approached each animal correctly identifying each animal and it's sound. We have a genius on our hands folks. Her favorite is the sheep and just couldn't get enough of them.

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Self-Portrait

So, I found this picture on the camera after I caught Olivia on the counter with the camera! She is a sneaky one!!

Michigan Roads

One thing that I forgot about Michigan is how stinkin' terrible the roads are, especially this time of year. With the weather changing so much, the roads just can't handle it. While driving to bible study yesterday I hit a particularly bad patch of road. The potholes had potholes. After getting through it, I heard a little voice in the back seat...."whoa!"

Now you know roads are bad when a 20 month old says whoa after hitting some potholes!

Getting Culture

Two of my cousins (my Mexican cousins) came to visit today. Cecilia and Angie came to spend the day with us. It was great...we hung out, played a game, went to a play/coffee place. I thoroughly enjoy being this close to family and having them be a part of our lives. Angie is one of the funniest people I know. As they were getting ready to leave, I sincerely told her how great it was that they could come visit...

Angie: I know, it is good for Olivia and Josh

Me: It is! I love that we are so close now.

Angie: It is good for 2 reasons. One, we are family. (Me: That's true!) Two, Olivia and Josh get culture!

So a very big Thank you to Angie and Cecilia for our day of culture! I look forward to more!

*click on the picture to view the entire album