3.28.2016

Easter 2016


Mason's first Easter is in the books. He got a movie to chew on, a long nap, mail, and chewed on Easter eggs during the egg hunt. I'd say that's the best Easter ever! 



Ethan's fourth Easter was filled to the top! I can't get over just how fun holidays are with him at this age. 

We dyed Easter eggs, painted cardboard eggs, hunted for Easter eggs, ate a lot of chocolate, and talked about the Passion a lot. 







The stories of Jesus dying at the cross, baby Jesus being born in a stable, and David and Goliath are told and retold in our house all year long. Ethan always comes back to them no matter how many other bible stories he learns. 

So all week Jesus and Him dying on the cross were part of normal conversation. We talked about why He died and how He loved both of the men with Him up on that hill. And how one of them believed and one of them didn't. How He had love for those people that were calling Him names. We talked about how you get to go to Heaven to be with Jesus: Love Him, Believe in Him, and Say you are sorry. 

The Sabbath before Easter we got to go to see the Passion play with our church family. Ethan was so excited to see the Roman soldiers. All week long he kept saying "Mama I'm so excited for sabbath". Him and I talked non-stop during the play about what was happening in each scene. Such meaningful conversations and what a blessing that I had that time. A few times I hoped that the people around weren't disturbed by all of the words. But then decided that it was my assignment that day to talk about God with my four year old and answer all of his questions and listen to him tell me all of the stories. 

It's great fun to get to do more holiday crafts and activities with Ethan but my favorite part is getting to add more details to his favorite stories as he gets older. 

As the week got started I had grand plans to do the crafts and all of the activities. But then life happened and there it was days away and the candy hadn't been bought. So Jen and I made time during a workday to do some shopping. Then I adjusted my expectations. Mason didn't need a bib or candy or a big basket. He would be happy with something to chew on. See picture above. And Ethan was so excited about the play and the story and the hunting for eggs that a piece of chocolate would be enough. I didn't buy the Easter plates or napkins. I didn't make the cute silverware carrot roll ups. I didn't plan a big get together with lots of food and snacks and desserts. We kept it simple. We kept it special. I didn't even take that many pictures. I tried to stay in the moments. 

It's easy to get caught up in the Pinterest world and lose sight of the love. I've learned to be okay with dreaming of all of things but accepting the reality when the dreams stay on Pinterest. Celebrating Easter from a hospital bed last year with baby Mason in my tummy helped me keep a healthy perspective this time around.

A year ago ... 
I got a few hours with Ethan and watched him look for eggs hidden around my hospital bed. I focused on seeing the blessings of health instead of the things we were all missing by me not being home. 

This year ... 
We were all together celebrating the price paid on our behalf. 
We were all together thanking Him for being our Redeemer. 

We were all together. 


3.24.2016

A Melting Heart

Life moments with the brothers are all giggles and play. 

Mason can be in the middle of an end-of-day grump fit and in walks Ethan - instant silence and smiles. Followed by giggles and play time.

I was hoping their bond would be strong. Getting to see it form is an amazing unexpected gift.

Mason gets so excited when Ethan is near that he squeals and bounces with excitement. And Ethan laughs and loves the hardest with his brother. 

One evening this week they had been playing and chasing each other. To sum it up: I had two hyper delirious boys on my hands that needed sleep quick. Somehow I get them both in pajamas and ready for bed. I turn Mason's lights out, his white noise on, and Ethan goes to his room to wait his turn. I'm rocking Mason trying to get him calm before laying him down when in walks Ethan. He's singing in a super soft, low voice. The song is "You Are My Sunshine". That's the song I sing to Ethan each night. Mason of course thinks it's playtime again. Ethan finishes the song and gently kisses Mason on his arm. Then he looks up at me and smiles. Then out he walks. My Mama heart just pretty much melted right then and there.

They are two similar but different boys. Yet their personalities compliment one another and go together perfectly. 

I'm thankful I get to be close to watch it all happen.

Now getting a non-blurry picture of the two of them smiling - well that's a completely different story. 






3.23.2016

A Spring Evening

I sat on my comfy couch while the sun began to set.

Just the two of us in the house.

The Voice playing on TV.

My arms holding my sweet baby boy. A healthy baby boy who soon turns one.

I admire his beautiful face.

Long, dark lashes.

Sweet chubby tiny toes.

His breath slow and soft and relaxed.


My mind goes back to a year ago ...

I sat on a hospital bed ... 
the Voice playing on TV...
my body holding on to a sweet healthy baby boy...
breathing through one more day.


The last year has been fast.

Filled with love.

Filled with transition.

Filled with new learnings.

Thinking of the time when my world was paused brings lots of emotions.

Emotions I'm still processing.

For eight weeks Mason and I were spectators of the world.

For eight weeks we listened and observed.

For eight weeks we were prayed for continuously.


Tonight I stopped ...

     and breathed in the calm.

     and felt all of the love.

     and let the gratefulness spill over.


Tonight I thanked God.