Easter Sunday

Since 2009, Easter Sunday reminds me of my baptism on Sunday, March 29, 2009. 

It was a sermon leading up to Easter, that had my heart pounding, tears rolling down my cheeks and had me walking forward to be baptized, and to hand my life over to my savior. 

I know I am still growing in my walk with Jesus, and that has been proven to me this year. 

I have finally began to open my bible and read it. 

I reluctantly admit that, as I have always wanted to be a person who knows the bible. 

(I have always struggled with where to start, I've tried to open it up to Genesis, and just start reading through the whole thing. I would always end up frustrated though, getting lost and overwhelmed.)

I have always longed to give advice straight from scripture to my family, a friend, a neighbor, a co worker, and especially to my children.

I am only beginning, sure I know some stories of the bible, but to actually read it, and apply it to my life is my ultimate goal. I want to know Jesus, I want to know who God wants me to be. 

I know now, that the way I need to do that is through prayer, and His word.

I heard somewhere recently, if you want to start reading the bible, and stick with it, start with Jesus. 

It was perfect timing (as He always has huh?) 

because our church series started Beautiful Jesus, a study of Mark.

Since then, I have been reading it (almost) every night before I go to sleep.

It has been amazing how much closer I feel to Him, reading it and then hearing it preached on Sunday mornings. 

Words cannot describe how beautiful our Jesus is. 

Our God loves us so much, that he sent his one and only son to Earth to die for our sins. 

Our debt is paid, Jesus paid it all.

From one of my favorite songs:

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

 “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” – Isaiah 1:18

We were excited to celebrate this weekend! 

We had an amazing service this morning, a powerful video, sermon and wonderful music. 

After church, it was time to see what the Easter bunny dropped off at our house! 

Sweet Rhetter man fell asleep on the way home, but woke up happy and ready to see what the Easter bunny brought him! 

Case man was super excited, as we had been talking about it for a couple of days now, and he knew he was hopping by our house while we were at church. ;)

After opening the door, the boys found a trail of m&m's leading to their gifts! 

Such precious memories! 

Love these little candy loving boys so much! 

We are breathtakingly blessed. 

Had to share a funny story from tonight's bedtime routine with Case:

I was trying to explain again to Case, in three year old terms what Easter was all about. 

Mommy: "Case, who do we thank every night for what he did for us?"

Case: "JESUS!"

Mommy: "Yes! Well, Jesus came to Earth for us, and took all of our sins away."

Case: "Huh?? He took my stuff away?!"

Mommy: (Laughing, because how funny a three year old mind thinks! What he took my toys away, whoa hold on! ;) "No, no, sin means trouble. Like when you are in time out?" 

Case: "Ohh"

Mommy: "Jesus came to Earth to take all of our troubles away, Jesus and God love us SO much!" 

Case: "Ohh yay!"

:) 

We made beautiful memories this year.

Praying we all know the true meaning of Easter,
and that he has touched hearts that haven't been touched yet today.

Fourth of July

Celebrating our country's birthday, is always one of my favorite times of year. 

Our pastor led a wonderful sermon this past Sunday, reminding us how very blessed we are to live in our country, and reminded us that instead of God Bless America, maybe we should think about how 

America Can Bless God.

We are so unbelievably blessed to live in the country we live in,
and it is so easy to forget how truly fortunate we are. 

This year we celebrated on Sunday night in the park behind our house, we picked up some fireworks after church...and after our latest trip to the Legend's Game, Case remembered fireworks and was pretty excited.

He's saying "BOOM!" ...and please ignore the dying grass behind him. ;)

Rhett didn't really care about the fireworks, but was pretty intrigued by an orange bucket. :)

We had planned on heading to a cook out with friends on the actual fourth, but poor Case man came down with a fever of a 102.1 that day. So, the boys went to bed very early, and Matt and I just snuggled on the couch and watched the New York fireworks show on TV. 

:)

White Christmas

Christmas was a whirl wind as always!

Christmas always comes and goes way too fast for my liking. The build up is so much fun, I love making lists, decorating, and shopping. I love wrapping presents, drinking hot chocolate, and finding Christmas movies on TV in the evenings to watch with Matt and Case. (Rhett just slept through them this year ;) I love listening to Christmas music and getting excited about spending time with our families. I love sending out Christmas cards, and receiving them in the mail. I just love it all!

We talked to Case about how it's Jesus' birthday, and got to hear Case's sweet voice say

"Hap-pee- Birt-day-Dee-Jus"

Matt and I were so excited for Christmas with little Case man this year. We started some new traditions we hope to keep every year, and started talking a lot about Santa, in hopes to build a few memories for next year when it will be SUPER exciting! We're not sure he knows who the big guy is yet :)

It was so wonderful holding both of our sweet boys in our arms this Christmas. How amazing that we have two sweet little boys to enjoy the holidays with now? It makes them so much more special.

This year we started the Christmas festivities in Ashland.

We stuffed our faces with yummy goodies, and cuddled and relaxed under blankets. Matt helped his Mom cook this year, and we had a delicious breakfast. (like we do every year) Case was so much fun to watch, he's starting to understand this whole present thing! :)

 This is what our littlest man was doing Christmas morning in Ashland. :)

 Sweetest moment of the morning! 

We drove home that evening so that we could wake up Christmas morning at home with our two boys. I still can't get over how wonderful that sounds. Our two boys.

Christmas morning was wonderful, just as we had hoped. We carried Case down the stairs, and as soon as he spotted the tree he wanted down and ran over to see what Santa had brought him! 

Then the littlest man finally woke up to join the fun...

 Stinker. :)

We put together toys, and played and soaked it all in. We loved every single second. I know these years are going to fly by, and I am just so thankful for all of my boys! Even that big brown one named Gunner! :)

After the morning time fun, we packed up and headed over to Amy and Tim's for lunch. Or as Case is currently saying "Mimi and Cy's!" We always say "Case do you want to go to Mimi's? Do you want to go to see Mimi, Cy, Griffin, Avery and Uncle Beel?" and he has just stopped at Cy lately! 

Amy made a wonderful lunch, too bad I completely botched the brownies...

seriously...look even Case agrees...

HA! I told Amy I should have brought the frozen bread!

...so we brought some cookies that Matt baked. :)

We had so much fun, and it was so nice to see everyone including my brother Ryan and his wife Virginia. We don't get to see them nearly enough, they are all over the place! :) 

Oh Christmas, I love you. 

So thankful for all of our wonderful blessings, and especially thankful for the gift of Jesus.