Easter Fun

Grayson and I have always had good intentions to dye and decorate eggs, but we actually got it all done this year! We both had a lot of fun doing this together. It gave us a chance to talk some more about the other Resurrection eggs that we have been going through. Grayson is really enjoying learning about it and is really getting into our family devotional time. He remembers everything! I won't even try to quote his prayer from Easter Sunday night, you'll just have to take my word for it. Trevor and I opened our eyes to look at each other in the middle of his prayer. His gentle nature really comes out in his prayers. Oh the sincerity adn the faith of these little ones! What a lesson for me every time I hear my little prayer warrior pray. Dear God, may he never lose that ability and desire to talk so openly and share his heart and his feelings with You!!

Of course Mommy wasn't allowed to even touch the yellow eggs!!

Easter morning, Grayson knew the Easter Bunny had come to visit. He had left stuffed eggs, a basket, and chocolate eggs all over the house. We didn't have a lot of time, but Grayson collected a few and looked through his basket before we headed off for church.

Grayson looked so handsome Easter morning. We'll get some other pics done for his birthday. We even did a tie this year. No more little boy, no toddler, a true preschooler!! Trevor and I both served in Kids Thang and had gone to service Saturday night, but we snapped this quick photo of the 3 of us in the green room! We had 9 children accept Jesus as Savior Sunday morning!!!

Our joint small group had a late afternoon egg hunt, games, and light potluck supper. thanks to Dave and Sue for opening their home for all of us to come and enjoy. Although we had already had a really long day, including a birthday celebration, we managed to keep Grayson awake long enough to hunt for a basketful of eggs, and have a little food. And thanks to Sue's green thumb, I have some good shots of Grayson hunting for his eggs!!

I love this shot I captured of Grayson!!

Yes, a yellow egg for the games too!

Busch Gardens

Who doesn't love March knowing that that means, along with other things, the opening day of Busch Gardens!!!! Due to our passes, we could have gone last Sunday, but thought the weather was a little chilly. Friday was the first day so we headed up with Grayson for just a couple of hours in the late afternoon, early evening. Of course our first stop was the train. We rode it around and did the kids playplace. Grayson loves to climb and after getting over his fear of the high ropes course section last year, he was anxious to do it this year again. We hit a few other rides, and stopped by to check out Griffon. It was a great afternoon-short and sweet. It is good to have them back open. It's one of our favorite things to do on Friday afternoons and Sunday's after church in the Spring months, before the crowds get insane in late June!! We love that it's so close that we feel like we can just for 2-3 hours and it was worth it for the day!

"It's the blue train!"

I never could get a shot of Trevor and Grayson's faces with that center pole!!

For those of you who love it like we do, or others who may want to know...they are having Glory in the Gardens the first 3 Sundays of May. They are bringing in a stellar line up of Christian artists to perform. The park admission for the day is good to get you into the concerts too!! Check out the website for more details on who will be here and when. It's about time they did something like this. Two of my favorites will be there on Mother's Day!!!

Oooops!

I went to climb into bed the other night. I didn't bother turning the lights on as I was already in jammies and Trevor would follow later, check in on Grayson, etc. I went to pull back the sheets, and climb into my side only to find a nightime visitor!! Good thing I didn't plop in like normal!

Early visit from Easter Bunny

My mom is really on the ball, as usual. She knew she would be in FL with my Dad for Easter, so she sent Grayson's Easter basket on early. Last year, Grayson's birthday was on Easter Sunday, so with a lot going on we allowed him to open his Grandpa and Gran basket on Palm Sunday. We decided to do that again this year as Trevor's birthday is on Easter Sunday plus our small group is getting together in the afternoon.

Grayson loved digging into Easter treats a little earlier!! Thanks Grandpa and Gran for a fun basket, filled to the brim with all of his favorite things. He loves the light-up Curious George in his bubble bath, and loves his new Disney computer game. Of course he loved opening the eggs with the "dollars for his treasure chest!!" He had a great time counting the rolos, although when he got to 20 he didn't know quite what to do! Thank you bunches!!

Laundry Anyone?

Uncle Joel: Grayson tell Mommy what you did while she was out and I was in the shower

Grayson: Welllllll...I got the chair when the buzzer goed off and climbed up to get the clothes and then opened the door and threw Uncle Joels's clothes out on the floor. Then I climbed back up on the chair and pushed the button!!

Grayson was soooo pleased with himself telling this tale. I must admit that I was a little worried when Uncle Joel said he came out the bathroom quickly when he heard a sound coming from down the hallway. Grayson had gotten really dirty outside playing soccer and hide-and-seek while Trevor and I were finishing up at our rental house in Lynchburg. Joel put his clothes in the wash so they wouldn't stain. What a guy, right?!

Apparently the buzzer, indicating the laundry was done, had gone off while Joel was indisposed. Grayson had climbed up on a chair and retrieved his now clean clothes. He proceeded to open the dryer and take out the other clothes and replaced them with his own wet clothes!! In comes Joel, just in time to hear the door slam and see Grayson climbing back up on the chair to push the button to start the dryer. Now that's what I call a self-sufficient little boy. He does love to help out when I do laundry, but this takes the cake! Maybe I can move on to other household tasks!!

Kick in the Pants

We all need one every now and again! Last night it must have been my turn. I met with my sweet acountability partner, Denise. Over soup, salad, and sandwiches at Panera, we chatted about everything. I enjoy getting to know her a little bit more and being able to see how her relationship with God carries over into absolutley every aspect of her life. She's just like a big sister! What an encouragement she was to me last night.

She shared quite a bit with me, but the conversation that struck me and moved me to action this morning was about being a homemaker. It's not like anything she said was a brand new thought, but the just the way she talked about the pride that I should take in my home and the way that I decorate and clean and make meals is a service to my husband and my son, showing love for my family, honoring the Lord, setting an example for Grayson, teaching him lessons that carry over into other things, etc.

I immediately began to think about when I worked outside the home as a teacher. I was punctual, efficient with my time, I dressed immaculately, I was organized, and although I didn't love every minute of every day, there was enough that I absolutely enjoyed that kept me going back day after day and year after year. A light bulb went off and so today I woke up with renewed strength and vision of my role as a wife, mother, homemaker. I showered and dressed, I picked up and vacuumed, I got out the Spring decor, I baked cookies, and lit candles. Everything that I did today changed the climate in my home and effected all 3 of it's inhabitants. Trevor loved seeing all the Spring decor, smelling the candles, and loved to fact that I changed out of "leisure attire"! Grayson loved helping to decorate and bake the cookies with me. And I just loved everything. Yes, it's 8:45 adn I'm ready for bed, but I'm proud of the day that I've had.

So Denise, thanks for the encouragement. I'll pass on her encouragment to you today, afterall, isn't that what learning is for, to pass on your lessons learned to someone else!! I Corinthians 10:31 "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Even if no one else notices, God is watching and is honored by your sometimes menial tasks. Keep doing it for His glory, and He will be able to say "Well done!"

Grayson's Imagination Kickin' into High Gear

Last night, I had to check to make sure that my viseo would play in Kids Thang for Sunday morning's Word segment. I wanted to show a clip from ONe Night With the King as I'm doing the story of Esther this week. janita and I were talking when she quietly gave me the head nod to which I turned around to see Grayson. He had climbed up onto the stool in front of the other computer, had put on the headphones, and was proceeding to be the "airplane pilot" getting ready for takeoff. A full conversation was taking place. He handed me the headphones and asked me to put them on and let the passengers know to get ready for takeoff. He proceeded to punch more buttons and get ready to "fly".

Between this and his imaginary friend we have living with us now (that is another story in and of itself!), I am enjoying very much this stage of increased imagination!!