Easter is upon us!

I am so excited about Easter this year. Let's start with the obvious, it's Isaiah's first Easter. I can't wait to put his basket together and fill it with little goodies that he won't even remember. hahaha
But seriously, Isaiah's name means "God Saves". Isn't that what this whole Easter thing is about? It's not about bunnies, eggs and candy (even though that is such fun with little ones). It's about MY HEAVENLY DAD sending HIS SON to this messed up world so that He could beat Him to death.....ALL FOR ME! That's right, He did it for ME because He loves ME! And guess what? He did it for YOU too! How awesome is that? Last weekend it was explained to me this way, "God sent His son to walk on this Earth knowing His fate. God balled up His fists and BEAT THE HELL out of HIS SON for us. So that we can be FORGIVEN and so we can have SALVATION." If that isn't a powerful lover I don't know who is. Is HE the lover of your soul and your heart?
I have heard this song a lot lately and every time I hear it I just want to shout it out loud and dance, just like my heavenly father dances over me!

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
HERE IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST I LIVE!

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
THEN BURSTING FORTH IN GLORIOUS DAY
UP FROM THE GRAVE HE ROSE AGAIN
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

I am so looking forward to a powerful service at church on Sunday. We have a very cool testimony we are sharing. Cardboard testimony! What an awesome way to show how God is working in people's lives today. To see the sin He has taken and restored. To see real people with real struggles leaning on HIM because HE is our FATHER. If you are looking for a service to attend I hope you will join us at TBA Church on 540 A!

Birthday Wishes

Happy 1st Birthday to my bestest friends baby girl, Katelyn Jane Miskel. We love you and we are sad we can't make it to your very special party! Tell your mom to take lots of pictures for us. We love you and miss you!


Another Birthday shout out to my newest sister in law, Krissy D! We are so looking forward to your visit in July. Enjoy your special day.

Easter Cookie Recipe

I came across this Easter cookie recipe in my MOPS cookbook. What a great way to explain the love of Jesus and His resurrection to your kids while spending some great quality time together. ENJOY!

Make the evening before Easter.

YOU WILL NEED TO PREHEAT OVEN TO 300 (THIS IS IMPORTANT-DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE HALF WAY DONE WITH THE RECIPE)!

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooded spoon
tape
Bible

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus arrested He was beaten by Roman soldiers.
Read John 19: 1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar.
Put 1 tsp. vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19: 28-30

Add egg whites to the vinegar.
Eggs represent life.
Explain the Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10: 10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.
Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23: 27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup of sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He love us.
He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34: 8 and John 3: 16

Beat ingredients with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents - in God's eyes - the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1 : 18 and John 3: 1-3

Fold in the broken nuts.
Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matthew 27: 65-66

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain the Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27: 65-66

GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16: 20 and 22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow.

On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28: 1-9

The GP's came to visit!

Last week Cappy and GranDebbie came for a visit. What a fabulous time we had. Isaiah was spoiled rotten and I enjoyed every minute of having extra sets of hands. I spent one whole day being a total bum, it was great. I also got a chance to go volunteer at my school and teach some kindergarteners. I guess I will always be a teacher in my heart. It was such a fun time (even the 30 minutes we sat in the bathroom with 20+ kindies while tornadoes passed us by). Thanks Jennifer for welcoming me into your classroom and letting me teach! We also spent one afternoon walking Lake Mirror, exploring Hollis Gardens, having lunch at Garden Bistro and playing at Barnett Park. The week seemed to fly by and we are so looking forward to the GP's next visit in June. 3 months is a long time but I know my little buddy is going to keep me busy so the time will fly by. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all your help with Isaiah and in the yard. We love ya'll so much and cherish the time we get to spend with you. Here are some pics from the week. ENJOY!

Fabulous Friday

Today Isaiah and I took off on an adventure with my sweet friend, Mary, and her furry baby, Lilly! Lilly rides in style with her little stroller and Isaiah really enjoys his "playdates" with her. Today we loaded up our water and strollers and took off for Lake Mirror. What a great way to see God and all His creations. The mommy ducks were leading their ducklings around on little adventures. New life was everywhere! Our conversation was amazing. We both shared the many ways God has been working on us. I know great things are about to happen in Mary's life and I can't wait to be right there along side for the ride. She has a true servant's heart. After the lake we wandered over to Hollis Gardens. First stop was the koi pond. A little shade and some nice cold apple juice for Isaiah was the perfect little break. Then we explored the gardens. So much to see. Once we finished we strolled on over to Garden Bistro for a fabulous lunch. Both of the "kids" were so well behaved. Mary and I each ordered a smoked salmon salad with capers, hearts of palm and artichoke hearts. DELICIOUS! All of the passer bys were smitten with Lilly and her stroller. They were so surprised to see a lil pup with a pink bow riding alongside Isaiah. After lunch we passed through the water park and let Isaiah play in the water. Lilly was having no part of this.
I am so thankful for the people God has put in my life. Mary is a real inspiration and such a positive person to be around. Our conversations are always so real and so uplifting. God is working hard in her life and I will be praying for your next adventure, Mary! WE LOVE YOU! ps....Mary and I are looking to a new venture as we explore our roles as "Lakeland Housewives". Stay tuned for our big announcement!
Isaiah playing in the water.
Lunch!

Mary and Lilly

A New Path

Well, it's official! I will not be returning to the classroom next year (atleast not with Polk County). I will miss my Pinewood co-workers and students dearly but as any teacher today knows it has become such a time consuming career with all the paper work and hours of lesson planning. You can get so wrapped up that you lose your focus. My main focus has always been my relationship with my students but (as most things go) the county wants more, more, more. I'm all about being a great teacher but I think it has gone way too far. My main priority is to be a great mom now. For me, I couldn't see taking Isaiah to daycare at 7am and not picking him up until 5pm only to put him to bed at 630pm. I understand that many parents have to make this choice and I am in NO WAY passing judgement, this is just what is best for our family and God has blessed Michael with a career that allows us do to this. Financially we have made many sacrifices and they have all been worth it. We live the Dave Ramsey lifestyle to the best of our abilities (thanks Dad).
I have struggled quite a bit with this choice as I have been going through a bit of an identity crisis. I love my son very much but I was so used to being a teacher and having a career. I never once thought I wouldn't LOVE the opportunity to stay at home. It was my "dream". It has been a struggle. I have given up lots of adult interaction and have replaced it with tears, laughs, dirty diapers, first smiles, dirty bottles, play time and lots of laundry. It's such a change from the life I have lived the last 8 years. It's not about me and Mike anymore, it's all about Isaiah.
I have been praying and searching a lot for my greater purpose in life. Mike and I are involved in a small group called "Chazown" where we are discovering God's unique plan for each of us individually. I really feel like He is calling me to branch out and do some new things. I am praying to find just the right balance between parenting and outreach. I love spending time with my son and I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING in this world, but I am feeling the tug at my heart to raise him by example. I want to make a difference. When my time comes to meet my maker I don't want to have any regrets. I want to look back and know my life had purpose, that I made a difference and mostly that I had a hand in preparing His kingdom! I am looking forward to this new chapter and I am excited to see where it takes me. Maybe a part time job, maybe some volunteer or mentoring opportunities.....time will tell!

And then there were 5!

First there were three!


Then there were four!




And soon....there will be five!

We are so excited for our dear friends, the Cobbs'. Very soon they will be welcoming their newest little BOY into their family. YEAH for all things blue! Congrats Phil, Carrie, JC and Sutherlynn! We love you all!