What is Seen is Temporary

We decided to turn our little house adventure into a family project. My parents are building and we came up with the idea to lay a bible in the foundation of their home before the slab was poured. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't a little envious of how NEAT that opportunity was! So when the hole in our home just so HAPPENED to be in the middle of our living and dining room, we knew exactly what we wanted to do. We sat down with the kids, came up with some verses, highlighted, drew hearts, underlined, etc. Then we all signed our names in the bible, put in a family photo, poured the concrete, and laid our floors down. Just like that, our house is now built around some of God's promises :) We know that the physical pages of the bible hold no power, but it is a good reminder for us every time we pass that spot, or host dinner in our home, or have family meetings in our living room when the kids are older, of what our focus should be as stewards in this home. 

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 1:22

For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
Hebrews 3:4

 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,  far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:18-21

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.

Isaiah 32:16-20

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,  Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah 58:11-12

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:8-11

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13-14

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 9:9-10

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Matthew 19:14-15

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Job 1:21

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Easter 2015!

I LOVE EASTER! 

We dyed eggs Wednesday, and poor thing was pretty bummed out that he wasn't old enough. Sorry bub, better luck next year.

Fun times people. Fun. Times.

Saturday was our annual Easter Brunch at the country club. It's like a kids paradise. TONS of crafts and candy out, dancing with the bunnies, a buffet full of kids food (i.e. fried and small), an entire ice cream cooler rolled out with no limitations, and a darn stinking entire 9th hole completely overtaken by Easter eggs! 

Just need to ask...which photo would look better on our wall? 

ONE?

Or TWO?

#nailedit

Managed to grab one photo as soon as I saw the face paint come out. I was pretty sure in that moment that any hope of a family shot would be out the window.

Any way, my kids were so very unimpressed with this year's bunny crop...

But bring out the face paint and it's a party!

Watch this unfold...

Death grip...

Warming up...

HECK TO THE NO HE DIDN'T! 

Mommy to the rescue.

E was finally on the mend from his near bunny abduction, and all was well.

Saturday night my husband and I went to church and left the little ones with my mother-in-law. I began to grow increasingly concerned for her as the picture texts started rolling in. She had no idea how much candy they had had hours prior...

#sorrynana

Easter Sunday!

We woke up and made our annual resurrection rolls, followed by some lunch prep. 

My mom made the most adorable veggie tray, and my sister-in-law is one crafty goddess. #wellplayedladies

My girlie made her now famous Mississippi Mud Pie, and I bawled my eyes out as I made my Momo's carrot cake cupcakes. She was so very missed that day. 

Things felt "real" when my grandpa arrived without my Momo, but took a turn toward funny when baby E wouldn't let him operate his walker alone. We all joked that he was just showing off his skills now that he has graduated the walker himself. 

Gotta love babies! 

OK, so did you notice that the babies matched? Funny thing - my sister-in-law and I bought all six kids the EXACT same outfits for Easter without consulting one another, and did not notice until about 20 minutes into dinner. We are, apparently, a one-stop Gymboree shop.

Love my peeps.

It's tradition to take a terrible family photo on Easter. Terrible. Every year. Only Easter. We just own it, now! 

I really hesitate to do this, but I feel the need to prove just how serious this problem is...

Ain't none of these ever gonna see the light of day again. 

Moving on (thank God!)

Egg hunt! We leave one egg empty with a note saying "He is risen" (get it? empty egg!) so that rather than having a "golden egg", the kids don't know who "won" until after the hunt is over. Winner gets a chocolate cross.

  

He was pretty mad (he can't read) that he didn't have candy in an egg. Then he realized what was up.

   

My aunt and I handed each lady a gift we had spent hours on the week before - homemade cookbooks of my Momo's original dessert recipes. A true piece of her heart that we each get to keep with us. And while we were doing that, the kids scored yet again with - you guessed it - more gifts! This time from Gramma and Grampa, All the parents breathed a sigh of relief when said gifts did not include sugar, dyes, or things that may poke eyes out if used in a fight.

All jokes aside, this was a tough year of loss for our family, and God knew exactly what he was doing when He made our Easter invite list. My best friend's Grandfather also passed away two days prior, and her grandmother and mother were left in town with nowhere to come, just as they were, with their grief. Another man in our small group just lost everything. EVERYTHING he owned, and his job, on top of that. My husband and I were honored to host all of the hurting hearts (including our own) in our home this year. In all sorrow, there is hope, for He has overcome the powers of this world. And what better time to celebrate that hope than Easter? Just as we are. Imperfect, hurting, filled with joy, or filled with sorrow - we all have one thing in common. We have hope, because He lives!