All the Good

We were on our way to church Friday when Silas said, "Mom, why do they call it 'Good Friday'? I think it should be called Hard Day because it was hard for Jesus. It wasn't good."

I didn't do anything spectacular for Easter this year. But I had honestly been praying for natural, everyday ways to talk with the children about the realities of this weekend that means so much to us who believe. 

Earlier in the day Friday, Simeon fell off his bike into a thorn bush. He got just a few mild pokes but I called the children over and we talked about how it was likely the time of day that the soldiers were making a crown of thorns and pressing it into the head of our Savior.  They wondered aloud how that must have felt. A hard day indeed. 

Tonight, after a weekend full to the brim of remembrances, deep theology, solid teaching, and powerful worship, I can't help but think...

I so often want all the good with none of the hard. 

But the call is to obedience. The call is to something far beyond me, far beyond us. And I so want to know, when it's all said and done, that I didn't miss the whole point. 

Even when that means hard. 

As we drove on to church Friday evening, we got to talk all about the wonder of the cross...that it was terribly hard and agonizing and so sad that Jesus even had to endure it. But we also got to talk about all the good that came because He was obedient. 

He ushered in all the good because He was willing to choose all the hard. 

It's the same for us, really. I know the hard is worth it. Not easy, but worth it. Because finding Him in the obedience is all the good. 

Resurrection Day is something to celebrate!

And I'll let you in on a little secret. When I can't get all the kids to smile at once, I give up and tell them to run!

And this, just because it is simply sweet...

He is risen!

Two

I suppose it is appropriate that I would be rocking him back to sleep as the minutes turn him from one to two. 

I would guess I saw the midnight hour as Silas turned two; I did have ten-day-old twin babies after all. 

And there's a good chance I watched the clock as Sim and Lieren turned two; Blaise was just at 8 weeks and I am sure the full night sleep had not yet come. 

So Blaise must not have wanted me to miss the moment. 

I wouldn't have wanted to miss this moment. 

Our baby is two now. 

Ballet Dreams

Lieren is not yet in ballet but says that she wants to be a ballerina when she grows up. So when I saw that a local ballet company was doing "Cinderella" this weekend, I knew immediately I wanted to take her. We don't do very many girly things around here like this so it was an especially-special day. I told her on Wednesday that we were going and she could hardly wait!

We dressed up...

Then got there early so had a few minutes to act silly before it started...

They announced right at the beginning that you could pay a little bit and be part of a meet-and-greet with the ballerinas afterwards. No question. We were first in line at intermission to sign up. 

Lieren watching as the Second Act began...

She really hung in there until about the last 10 minutes then started asking when she would get to meet Cinderella. 

The meet-and-greet was so sweet. They had juice and cookies and the characters came around to interact with all the little girls. 

The Fairy Godmother...

Stepsisters...

Stepmother (who was beautiful and SO sweet!)...

Then the true highlight...they took the girls up on stage to meet Cinderella. I am not sure I knew Lieren could smile so big!

She wanted to dance on stage while we waited our turn...

Then she got to sit in the magical pumpkin carriage and talk to Cinderella herself...

And of course give her a big hug...

The whole thing was priceless. I wouldn't trade that memory ever. It really was like a dream come true for Lieren. What a gift to have such a girly-girl. 

Hello, Spring

Anyone?

Anyone want to come help today? Anyone?

Sister Love

Yesterday I took the children out for a shopping spree. We took lunch with us, missed rest time and hit the library, TJ Maxx, a shoe store, 2 places at the mall, and Old Navy. I told Shane last night that I hadn't felt so accomplished in a long time. I got several things the kids had been needing and did a return. Best part was, we had a great time together. The kids hung in there with me for the whole outing and begged to stay out when I told them it was time to head home. 

It's crazy to think that someday in the near future, all afternoons will be opened up to us. We have a while before Blaise drops his nap but yesterday reminded me that the day will come. Whatever will I do when we are not tied to this nap schedule? After almost 6 years of naps, I can't remember life before it!

Anyhow, while we were out I noticed a bit of sister love along the way...