Easter Pictures

My family was looking pretty good on Easter Sunday. Although that's far from what Easter is about, I wanted to share our pictures for our friends and family far away. Plus, I had excuse to take boogoodles of pictures of us all dressed up looking cute. Normally, Paul doesn't tolerate such things.

Getting a picture of a 3 year old and a 20 month old together is nearly impossible.

It's nice to have a picture of just me and my love. Thanks Elise!

MiMi and Poppy came to visit.

My precious babies!

Throw me something, Mister!

We got to celebrate our first Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and boy, it was exciting and fun. I've never been to Mardi Gras celebrations anywhere else, but I can't imagine that anyone can do it better. If you're like me when you think New Orleans and Mardi Gras, you think indecent exposure, inebriation, and all things not meant for families with young children. However, that's not the case. Sure, if you found yourself in the middle of the French Quarter strolling down Bourbon Street, then Mardi Gras would be rated R. There are soooo many parades that are great for families, and now my children may never enjoy another parade outside of NOLA again.

Mardi Gras is a huge deal in NOLA. The carnival season begins on January 6th, 12th night of Christmas, and from that time until Fat Tuesday the evidence of the celebration is all over. King cakes in stores, aisles at Walmart devoted to all kinds of Mardi Gras decor, and houses decked out in purple, green, and gold. The two and half weeks (although this year it was three weeks because the Super Bowl fell in between) before Mardi Gras day are packed full of parades. Each Krewe has their own parade and there are a lot of Krewes.

I had the chance to go to some parades with some other ladies the Thursday before Fat Tuesday. We went mainly for the Krewe of Muses parade, but enjoyed a couple others that rolled before. The Krewe of Muses is more of a PG-13 parade so that's why I went without the kids plus it was past their bedtime. The Muses have a special throw of sparkly, decked out shoes. You have to work really hard beg a Muse to hand you a shoe and make sure that the throngs of other people around you don't get what was intended for you. I didn't get a shoe, but got some other neat throws and had a lot of fun on my girls night out.

There was a lull in the parade so people just filled the street and started dancing. I learned the wobble (I know I may be a little late on that).

 



My throws from the Muses, not including a few magnetic dry erase message boards and some doubloons.

 

 

 

 

The Saturday before Fat Tuesday the whole family went to some parades. Our original intentions was to go to the Krewe of Iris and stay for the parade that followed, the Krewe of Tucks. We ended up skipping out on the Krewe of Tucks as it was delayed for a while and made our way to the Krewe of Endymion. Endymion is a very popular parade. It has a lot of riders that send out a lot of throws. Having some cute kids and getting the attention of the riders is key to getting some good throws.

People get to the parade route and set up there spots early hours before it is scheduled to roll. Many people have retrofitted ladders with seats on top for the kids to sit in for ultimate parade watching and throw catching.

Motorized Cooler-cycle. You never know what you are going to see.

We are so going to have to get one of these for Parker and Ellis.

Ellis and I worked together to get some great throws.

Paul and Parker made a great team. Paul is such a good dad. He had some very sore shoulders at the end of the day.

This one is just for Uncle Michael.

Isn't she cute with her beads?

People were everywhere.

Budweiser Clydesdales



The parades are not just floats, but there are sooo many marching bands and other groups mixed in.

In the parades that roll at night or into the night, they have the city's homeless carry flambeauxs as a way to pay tribute to how the parades used to be lit. The homeless take tips from the revelers as they pass.

 

This guy just stopped at this man and took the spoon from him and helped himself to a bite of jambalaya. I would have thrown it away after that, but he kept on eating his supper.

Endymion has such pretty floats.

Our beads- approximately 60 lbs of them! Yes, there are some unopened bags of them that they would just chunck at you. And yes, you have to watch out because they are chuncked at you and do hurt if you get hit with them.

The toys we got- plush animals, balls, frisbees, cups. Some toys didn't make it in this picture. That's what happens when you have little ones.

More of the throws. Notice the light saber, Parker's favorite. Sadly, it has already broken. We also got a t-shirt that's not pictured. You never know what you're gonna get.

Not all the beads are the generic kind. There are some special beads and these are what we got.

 

 We were planning on taking in some parades on Fat Tuesday, but since both cars were broken down and Ellis was sick we watched some of the parades on tv. We had so much fun. We look forward to many more years of celebrating the carnival season in New Orleans.

Life Lately

Things have been pretty crazy for our family lately. Our time home is filled with preparing for our move to New Orleans which will happen 11 days from now. That coupled with sorry internet service has resulted in my lack of blogging lately. Nonetheless, I wanted to give a quick update on what's going around here.

Paul worked his last day at the Sumter Chick-fil-a today. Although he will still be working for Chick-fil-a in NOLA, he was very glad to be done. I am glad that he won't have an hour commute one way to and from work each day although city traffic will now be an issue in his commute.

We are living amongst towers of boxes. Packing, getting the house clean, doing laundry, and keeping the kids alive is how I spend my days. The house is becoming less of a home as more and more of our stuff is packed up in boxes. There are so many feelings flooding my mind...excitement, fear, saddness, happiness. I can't wait to see what are apartment looks like. All I have seen of it is the outside and some floor plans.

We have talked with Parker a lot about our move. I'm not to sure how he is going to handle this, but he already has staked his claim that this is his house. He doesn't like the idea that someone else could be living here and we will be living in a new house. He is excited about the playground that will be outside of his new home. We have caught him peeing in places like the trash cans and the bath tub instead of the toilet. We think it could be related to anxiety about moving. My sister said he is just marking his territory. Haha!

Ellis is thrilled about all the boxes she can climb on. I thought Parker was bad about climbing, but Ellis is worse. Since she is still so young, she doesn't really have any clue as to what is going on.

We have been getting ready for Christmas. The presents are bought and wrapped. We've talked about the first Christmas over and over again while looking at our Nativity scene. We've celebrated with our family and friends at church celebration and have discussed our family Christmas plans. In our family, we decided to not do the whole Santa Claus thing, and we also only give our children only 3 gifts. It makes Christmas so much simpler and helps keep the focus on Jesus. Parker has asked me so many times, "Is it Jesus birfday yet?"

It's getting late some I'm going to end our little update. I'm hoping to get a chance to blog some more. Merry Christmas, y'all!

Pancakes

We have a tradition in our house to make pancakes for breakfast with a candle for the birthday person. This year we will be at our house on Christmas morning for the first time, so we decided to make pancakes for Jesus's birthday and Parker will get to blow out the candle for Jesus. This morning I was making pancakes for breakfast and we had the following conversation.

Parker: (running into the kitchen) It's Christmas! We eat pancakes for Jesus birthday.
Me: No, buddy, it's not Christmas quite yet. We are just having pancakes for breakfast just because.
Parker: I like pancakes.
Me: I know you do. They are your favorite breakfast food.
Parker: Jesus like pancakes too
Me: I'm sure he does.

Parker is so excited about celebrating Jesus's birthday. He keeps asking me if it is Jesus' birthday yet and telling me that Jesus likes pancakes on his birthday. Although he is looking forward to opening presents on Christmas, it just makes me so proud that he is just as excited about Jesus's birthday.

Dear Parker (a special 3rd birthday letter)

Birthday pancake tradition continues

My Darling First Born Son,

You simply cannot be 3 years old! Time has flown by since you were a snuggly rather large little newborn baby boy. I was looking at pictures of you the other day from a year ago and could not get over how much you have changed. You have definately lost all of your baby look and have taken on the full fledged little boy look. Even though you are now a big three year old boy, I still want to hold you and snuggle with you like were still the little 9 lb 8 oz baby, and most of the time you are willing to appease this desire. You have the ability to melt my heart with one look. You take care of me and kiss my boo boos. You make me so proud as I watch you come along side me and help. You have been such a great big brother to Ellis. She is such a blessed girl to have you watching out for her and playing with her. Daddy is one of your best buds. You bring such a sense of joy to his heart as you mimick his every move. Watching you learn and grow has been so special. You soak up the world around you like a dry sponge submerged in a bowl of water. It is thrilling to know that the same desire and curiosity you have for life now can catapulte you onto greatness as you continue to grow. You are also learning about our awesome God. We pray that all that you are learning right now about God and His creation develops into a deep trusting that His great love is the only way for salvation. You are so special. I just can't put into words what all you mean to me. I love you with 100% of my heart! What a blessing you are to our family.

Love,

Mama

Dear Ellis (a special first birthday letter)

My Precious Baby Girl,

What a joy it has been to have you in our lives this past year! I can't believe you a one. You should still be this tiny, cooing baby fresh and new in a brand new world. You have been a brand new challenge in parenthood. Not because you were a difficult baby because you weren't, but because I am now a mother of two. This brings all new fears. Will I love you just as much as I love Parker? How can my I have such a great love for both my children? Will there be room in my heart? I found out the answer is yes, and it wasn't hard to do. The day you were born my heart swelled with love for you, and it has only grown deeper and more expansive over this past year. I don't know how it happens; it just does. It has been incredible to watch you grow and mature into such a precious and full of personality little girl. I just melt as you play with my hair as you hug me and hold me tight. You love me so dearly. I love to snuggle with you although most of the time you are too busy exploring your world. You are curious and smart. I can foresee a life full of continuous learning in your future. You are so proud of yourself when you accomplish a new milestone. And you should be! You are a very determined little girl. I pray that as you continue to grow that you would develope a great love for our Savior. I pray that the meaning of your name "The Lord is God reigns" will be true in your life. I don't know what your future holds, but I do know that we have committed your life to the Lord. When the time comes that you understand what Jesus Christ has done for you, our prayer is for you commit yourself to Him and grow into a deep and intimate relationship with Him. As much and your Dad and I love, Jesus Christ loves you even more. We are so proud of you! Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.

Love,

Mama

God Bless America

As we celebrate our nation's independence, one might often hear someone say or sing "God bless America," but what does that really mean? I've been thinking about that a lot the past few days. We all love God's blessings- family, friends, health, safety, prosperity. America has definately experienced great blessings from God.

However, America is no longer one nation UNDER GOD. We have fallen so far from the biblical principles of which this nation was founded. It's awful! I just don't understand why God still has His protective hand around America. He has every right to just turn us over to our sinful desires and let us self-destruct.

I don't expect nonbelievers to live according to God's commands. They are doing what they are supposed to be doing, living according to the flesh. But Christians, people who have devoted their lives to a merciful Savior, should be living sold out expressing their love both with words and actions to Jesus Christ and the people He died to save.

There will come a day when the church will be persecuted in America. I'm not talking about the can't pray in schools kinda thing. I'm talking about real persecution. But then, maybe God will truly be blessing America. If the American church is persecuted, then we will see true Christians take a stand for their faith. The pretenders will slink away and not make a squeak. History shows that when the church is persecuted, growth happens. The Kingdom ignites like a wild fire.

What if God's blessings for America is for people to loose their right to buy goods and services because of their faith in Him? What if God's blessings for America means you can't provide food, clothes, and shelter for your family because no one will hire you because of your faith in Him? What if God's blessings for America is for you to be tortured until death in order for your persecutors to try to get you to denouce your faith in the God you serve?

That may seem far-fetched as you sit in your cozy home surrounded by your loved ones as you reflect on your day enjoying the safe blessings from God. It's hard to say this, but I would rather have the blessings of persecution that would cause the Kingdom of God to grow and flourish while the ones who just fill a pew on Sunday fade away or denouce their faith in God. I would rather face death for the name of Jesus Christ in order for America to see the true church of God hold high the majesty and glory of the one true King than for things to continue on in its current state. So, as I celebrate the independence of this amazing country knowing that true freedom can only be found in complete surrender to Jesus Christ, I want to reiterate the familiar sentiment with a different state of mind. May God bless America!

Adventures in Cookies

Before Valentine's Day I dabbled into the world of cut out cookies for the first time. In celebration of Valentine's, I wanted to make heart shaped, decorated cookies that would look all cute and pretty like these.

I was going to bake them while Ellis peacefully took a morning nap and then decorate them while she took her afternoon nap. Also, I was going to have the kitchen cleaned up with a nice supper waiting on Paul when he got home from work at 5 pm. Like I said that is what I envisioned, but this is what really happened.

I really wanted chocolate chip cut out cookies, but chocolate chip cookies are drop cookies meaning they don't hold a specific form. Sugar cookies are alright, but I really wanted chocolate chip cookies that tasted like these.

I scoured the internet for a recipe for chocolate chip cut out cookies. I found one on a blog (click the link for the recipe). I put Ellis down for her morning nap. Usually, Ellis goes to sleep with no problem and sleeps for about an hour. Of course, that's not what happened. She cried and cried. I carried on with my plan to get the cookies baked. I had a little help from Parker. Mostly, I just tried to keep him from eating cookie dough. I finally got the cookies baked and got Ellis to take a little nap.

The cookies looked nothing like I thought. They didn't have the yummy golden color of a chocolate chip cookie. I tasted a crumb that broke off one, and it tasted like a sugar cookie with chocolate chips inside. Not what I was expecting. Since the cookies didn't taste like I wanted, I decided to ice them instead of using frosting like I had originally planned.

I put Ellis and Parker down for a nap in hopes of icing the cookies while they both slept peacfully. Apparently my children have a special gift of knowing when I really need them to sleep because I have something to do that needs my focus and then enjoy ruining my plans. Ellis again cried and cried. I had to put Parker's gate up so he would stay in his room because he was not interested in sleeping. Ellis eventually gave in and went to sleep. And while I was making this mess in the kitchen,

Parker was making this mess in his room.

With some trouble, I did manage to get the bottom layer of icing on the cookies. It wasn't perfect but after a few duds, I managed to get a somewhat decent looking cookie.

I let Parker out of his room to play with the leftover icing while I cleaned the kitchen and waited for the cookies to dry.

Parker enjoyed playing with the icing, especially the part where I let him eat it. At this point, it was time for supper. Since my kitchen was still a little messy and Paul had called and said he would be working later, a frozen pizza was the answer. After supper and putting Ellis to bed, Parker and I decorated the cookies. Since this was my first time decorating with royal icing, I had trouble getting the right consistency for decorating. I tried doing some writing, but as you can see it didn't work out well.

I tried a few more things, and when all else fails with icing, try dots. Dots ended up looking the best.

These are Parker's decorated cookies.

Parker had been talking about these cookies all day. So he was very happy when I told him it was time to eat them. Although they didn't taste like I wanted them to, Parker really enjoyed them.

Making these cookies ended up being quite the labor of love, but I enjoyed being able to show my family love in a small way.

Simple Christmas

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, celebrating the birth of my Savior is one of the most exciting times of the year.  However, for many Christians, and for non-believers as well, Christmas tends to be a stressful time of year. I am determined that not be true for our family. The American Dream has stolen the joy of celebrating the miraculous birth of our Savior who laid aside his rights as God and became flesh in order to provide the way for salvation to a helpless and hopeless, fallen world. It makes me mad how Christians get mad over stores selling "Holiday trees" or only saying "Happy Holidays," but they are no different from the rest of the world in their Christmas celebrations except for the fact that the post "I'm keeping Christ in CHRISTmas" to their facebook statuses.
Through what God has been teaching me, there were somethings I wanted to change about our Christmas celebrations this year.
1. Celebrate Advent. I'm not talking about the kind where you open a little box or envelope and get some piece of candy or other trinket. I'm talking about the kind where you emphasize the "coming" (which is what Advent means) of the Savior both in flesh as a little baby and His triumpant return. I'm a little behind on this one. I want to create a banner with an envelope for each letter of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" (I know that it is 25 letters, but one extra won't hurt.) I'm going to put a verse with a special corresponding activity for each envelope.
2. Cut down on the gift giving. I just feel guilty getting more stuff when I already have so much, and all the people to whom I would give gifts are in the same boat. Let's face it. Even most of the poor in America have way more than we really need.  Our family decided that we would only get gifts for the children and use the money we would have spent on ourselves to bless those who are in need.

We are doing this in addition to some of the things we are already doing like we give only 3 gifts to our children. We don't do the whole Santa thing. (To read more about this, read last year's post )
With all this, Christmas feels a lot more simple, more real, more pure. I know there is more we can do to focus our minds are the truth of Christmas, so I'll just keep praying that the Lord continue to make the changes in me that He needs to in order to do that.

Thankful

On this Thanksgiving Eve, I wanted to take time out to list some things I am thankful for.  Notice I said some, if I listed everything this would be the blog that never ends.
1. First and foremost, I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him I would still be a slave to sin, but now I am free. I have a freedom beyond any ideals of the freedom of a nation like America. It's so much deeper.
2. I am thankful for God the Father. God is creator. He is so powerful that He spoke the world into existence. In His power, I find peace and rest.
3. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit. He is God living in me. I can't fathom the depth of what that means; that I have an omnipotent, omniscent, sovereign, holy (I could go on...) God who reigns in me molding me into the image of Christ.
I know that all three-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- are one but I wanted to make a distinction of the gratefulness that I have for each.
4. I am thankful that I am poor. I know that sounds odd, but I struggle with wanting financial security. The fact that we don't have a lot of money has allowed God to painfully strip away the idols that I had placed before Him. I am learning that my security lies in Him and Him alone. He is ALL I need.  Even if I died naked and starving living in a cardboard box that would still be true. The things of this world can no longer satisfy me the way that God does.
5. I am thankful that my life has not turned out the way I had planned. God in His infinate wisdom knew what was/is best for me.
6. I am thankful for my marriage. I love Paul so much and in so many ways. He is such an amazing man. God is strengthening our marriage as He is growing us individually and as a couple.
7. I am thankful for my children. I can use the plural form because we were blessed with our second child, Ellis, this year. Both of our children never cease to amaze me. I often watch them, and I am in awe at the blessing they are.
8. I am thankful for my family. I can't even begin to list all the reasons why. They have been so good to us and have sacrificed on our behalf.
9. I am thankful for the work that God is doing in my life. I had gotten to a place where I wasn't really growing in my relationship with Him, but now, that has changed. God is so amazing! I just want to know more and more of Him.
10. I am thankful for Bethany Westville Baptist. We certainly didn't expect to end up here, but we have been so blessed to be welcomed into such a loving church family.
11. I am thankful I am able to read. I can read God's Word which is transforming. I can read many books that although aren't Scripture are still used by God to challenge me and mold me more and more into the image of Christ.
12. I am thankful that I am nothing. I am helpless and hopeless apart from God. Anything I am, say, and do is only through Him. I like that I am nothing. It is such a relieve to realize who God is and who I am in comparison to Him.

Happy Birthday, Parker!

My sweet baby boy, In your 2 years of life, you have brought me some of the greatest joy I could ever know apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ. I can't believe it has been two years since you were a tiny newborn that I had to wait to hold because you were in the NICU. You stole my heart since the moment you were born, and it has been amazing to watch you grow and change into a precious toddler. I love the little boy you have become. You still love to snuggle, even as you develop your independence. I love your curiosity as you sit and study new things like how you checked your sister out up and down the first time you held her. I love how you like routine and how you keep things neat. I can't help but laugh how you will even pick up afer your daddy. You do such a great job teaching your daddy how to pick up after himself. It makes me so happy to see how you love your daddy so much. You are his best buddy. Even though you have become a daddy's boy, you still come to me when you need comfort. I just melt everytime you give me hugs and kisses. A kiss on the cheek doesn't cut it; you like to kiss us on the lips. You show your love to us and others very passionately in your own special toddler way. I will never get tired of your affection. You will always be my sweet baby boy no matter how old you are or how big you get.

Easter Celebrations

For our Easter Celebrations this year, we got to join in my sister's church's Easter egg hunt. This was Parker's first Easter egg hunt since last year he wasn't old enough or mobile enough to hunt around for eggs. Then on Sunday after celebrating the resurrection of our Savior at church, all the family joined together to, of course, eat.

Parker had to inspect each egg inside and out. He did not like it if it had any grass stuck to it. I had to keep him focused on the hunt.

Checking out his stash with his cousins.

This is a favorite activity for the kids. Parker is having to learn he has to share his Pop Pop.

I tried to get some good outdoor shots but he was just too curious with his surroundings.