Swimmin'

Summer for us means beach baptisms, the pool, sunsets, and lessons. 

We were so delighted that Josh learned to stay afloat this season and swim without floaties! 

He went from crab walking the pool edges to being "in the mix." 

 

Aidon loved the pool as always, and this year, tried to become as tan as his brother, to no avail; Aidon is as wonderfully made just the way he was created.

 On the last day of class, here are the pals  that were at the local pool, learning swim strokes with us:

Psalm 107:35 He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs;

Soaking in the Sun

We are thankful that we have fewer weekly commitments and more freedom in our schedule. It has allowed for moments that God has planned for us. 

 Here are pictures from a spontaneous pool swim for the cousins. Thanks Grammy Mary Ann and Gramps Al for bringing us together! Fun fellowship :-)

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Heartstrings

There is something about being faithful to make time to just "be together"; it creates an unsaid feeling of "you are special." It's been wonderful seeing these four grow up together, despite the many miles apart.

The boys were so blessed that we had a sleepover at their godparents' home and could hang out with their godbrother and godsister.

We were impressed by musical talent at the drums and bells.

And topped off the afternoon with beach time....

....and crab catching

Looking forward to next time!

Check out what I'm learning

Josh's school has lots of hands on fun and dramatic play opportunities. Big brother and I looked forward to visiting during Open House to see Josh's artwork, creations, and work. Here's Cowboy Josh himself in the Western Themed room:

Yee Haw!

Brother Aidon is no holds barred to jump in on the fun.
 

Ride 'Em Cowboy!

Hanging out with Clifford after the inflatable jumpie

Each of us had hoped that they would have a garden themed room again, because last year both boys truly enjoyed digging deep in the dirt to find earthworms and play with God's creatures.

Enjoying getting dirty and finding worms

A special memory I have from this year happened in the month of April or May.

Aidon and I arrived to pick up Josh from school and one of Josh's teachers sought me out to share something about Josh. She basically wanted to encourage me in whatever we were doing at home. Her observation was that Josh had a strong knowledge of the Bible Stories presented.

I matter of factly responded, "oh, his dad reads him the Bible every day." To that the teacher touched my arm, with tears in her eyes, and said, "No. It's more than that. Josh understands the spiritual truths in the Bible." Of course, that comment tugged hard on my heartstrings.

Humbled, all I could think to say was, "It's not us, it's all Him [pointing up], that's the Lord." And then of course I thanked her for her words, and shared that often as a mom, it often doesn't feel like one is making a huge difference.

I think that's because it IS all the Lord. To Him be the glory.

I am thankful to be a witness to the work Jesus is doing.

Sizzle!

Our family was blessed with a gift card to Smashburger: first time to dine at this burger place.  I won the gift certificate at an annual raffle for Moms of All Seasons.  

Josh loved the hot dog and fries

The double blessing was that I was given tickets to enter the raffle from someone special who never revealed themselves, totally secret. Sweet gesture of kindness. How meaningful is that?

the burger aficiandos

Thank you "secret pal" for this fun dinner out!

It's all His timing...

I just receive a gift from the Lord and a family friend.

What is cool is the spiritual picture that is in the timing of all this.


What are the odds that after our friend has mentioned this car was for me; that the Lord would have our friend wait until - just 2 week before - I had personally surrendered over trusting the Lord for provision.
As I surrendered the control of that, the Lord has given me this fleece to affirm and bless this step of faith that God would provide.


Part of our being able to growing in faith is receiving from the Lord. I receive this gift from the Lord with a heart full of joy and excitement that He is doing this specifically for me. That the Lord will bless me for this step of faith that He will provide for the family if I release things for his control and surrender my family and all I have and am to the Lord.

I had been stumped for days about how to receive this gift, because our friend, wants no glory to go to him, but all of the glory to Him, our Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus!

He is Risen!

The kids made t-shirts: a Resurrected Jesus!

We ventured out to the Sunrise Easter Service for the first time this year! The worship was great as usual, and extra special because the guest worship leader, Phil Wickham, is someone each of us is a fan of. We were blessed to worship our King as a family. We thank God for the day off together!

After service, we enjoyed Danish pancakes :-) a heat and serve Trader Joe's item that adds simplicity!

Both the boys were so appreciative to receive their Easter baskets, which makes it even more fun for the giver. Our family tradition is that our Easter basket brings it all back to Jesus. Pete gave us an amount we could spend, and the boys' helped pick things out. It was a good lesson for us on wisdom on spending. The boys had an easier time putting things back on the shelves than I did :-)

Aidon picked a bible keychain and magnifying glass, and said, "If I'm ever lost, I can go to my Bible!". Josh loved the light-ring, and he danced around with them on his fingers. I was reminded by one of the boys, "Remember to put scriptures in the eggs, Mom." This was music to my ears: we started putting scripture in and on the plastic eggs when Aidon was 1 years old. We pray that they both continue to seek God's Word.

This version of star wars, ended up being so appropriate. It was about the Moses & Pharaoh, and included an explanation of the Passover Lamb.

These balls "light up": Jesus is the Light of the world and the bright Morning Star

Another favorite tradition is waking up to an easter egg hunt!

They both seem just as excited to wake up on Easter morning as they are on Christmas morning. We love that!

Opening up the "God is Light" rings

Opening up the miniature bible

Candy!

A boomerang yo-yo: it always comes back! Jesus never let's go. He's always with you.

We traditionally have an outdoor easter egg hunt too, which is fun because there are many eggs and lots of hiding spots

Egg-citing Easter Party!

This Easter Celebration touches my heart because it brings the Easter Message home.

Here the kids' are eagerly awaiting the Easter Egg Hunt

Excited at the "catch" so far!

Feels good to have found so many eggs!

eggs everywhere!

More pictures of the pickings

The kids found the eggs were empty - which reminds of the empty tomb!

Jesus is Risen! He is Alive, Just as He said!

The story book was an easter egg devotion and the stuff inside the eggs reminds us of  the events from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection.

For God so loved the World that He gave his only son, that whoever so believed in Him would not perish, but have eternal life.

The craft was a resurrection t-shirt, which the boys chose to wear on Easter Sunday! see the next post :-)

Our Friday was good

Fossils above show the directional movement of flood waters

  We are feeling so blessed that the four of us could be together today! We do not take lightly what our sins cost Jesus.We spent the afternoon touring the Creation Museum.

We learned about Day 5 and 6 of Creation in the Garden room.

Fully engaged minds

 Petting a ball python snake gave hands on appreciation for God's creatures.

Pastor Ray Bentley: "Today is Good Friday, and why do we call it good? Because on the third day Jesus Rose from the dead!"