Happy Easter

The reason for Easter, hopefully we all remember the suffering and torture that is beyond comprehension in our society that Jesus went through so that we could spend eternity with Him, in Heaven. Kinda makes the little trials of this life seem a little less important when you focus on the big picture doesn't it?

Ok, and although I believe we should be serious and revere the Easter story, I was teaching it to a three year old yesterday. We had stickers with Jesus, an angel, the tomb and stone, and three crosses. So I tried explaining it on a level that a three year old would get that God loves us more than anything and I think she got part of that, but the rest of the story... Her dad comes to pick her up, she gets her sticker picture out and "Here is the hole that God got stuck in and this angel had to come and move the rock so he could get out" and then she added something about because He loves us. Oh to be that innocent...

Happy Easter, I'm off to my favorite 2000 acres for the next four days as soon as kids leave tomorrow, where (hopefully) I will be able to attend the most amazing sunrise service (at Petit Jean's gravesite overlook actually at sunrise, with the pastor whose church I attended the four years I lived there). And if I'm lucky, I'll make it to the grotto....pictures promised on my return.

Emily (like there's ever anything else on here:)

Doesn't she look like she's up to something?

Readign a book

Yes, that is a Barbie dress on her head, not sure why, but she tried to put the pants on her feet too (that didn't work as well)

Still reading a book (she's talented and reads upside down too)

Still being silly

Was enjoying the nice weather so much she got her blankie and laid down on the deck (never went to sleep but curled up for a while.)

Playtime

It seems like I keep thinking I should get out the video camera and last night I actually had it handy when Emily was playing and just got a little bit of playtime on camera, so I thought I'd share. Yes, we have barbie clothes, she was playing with just the clothes yesterday when I decided if our Barbie's dressed up for a party they would have to be going to an 80's party:) The clothes are a bit outdated, but little kids dont care. Emily prefers them naked for that matter, none of her dolls or the barbie she likes to play with actually wear their clothes!

I'm glad I'm not a possum

Ok, so why you may be wondering? Is it because they are often seen smashed along side the road? Nope. Is it because they steal chickens from their cozy beds at night when no one is watching? Nope. Is it because they have to play dead when scared to avoid being eaten by larger more vicious animals? Nope. It is because, possums have 52 teeth. Human babies only get 20 (I hope that is right!) and I've had all the fun I can take with teething. We use tylenol, baby oragel and have recently tried homeopathic teething drops (which havent been too beneficial but hey we'll give almost anything a try some days!)

Soon, hopefully we will have a wonderful mouth full of teeth and all will be well...and maybe cold and flu season will get over and we'll actually be able to go somewhere without having to cancel our plans because of irritability and illness!

With that said, Emily is tugging at my leg again.....

Posing

Saturday we were going to Emily's cousin Rebecca's 18th birthday party (well, dinner with family) and since circumstances have made it where we really couldnt afford to take her a gift, Emily drew a card and posed for several pictures which we printed so Rebecca could put them in her locker. (And later that evening we eventually made it home through the snowstorm...on the first day of spring, what's up with that?)

Kendall and Emily kissing.

She was dancing

BLowing kisses

more blowing kisses

just plain goofy girl

Pictures since I haven't put up any lately

Emily and one of her playmates enjoying a snack (ok, does anyone else see how when one gets a cold we ALL get a cold around here?) This little girl's parents always comment on all of Emily's hair...they are the same age and yes, Emily has slightly more hair!

Oh, I got to go outside, so much to do, so little time!

There was mud-eating....

And tonka truck riding (so now do you see why I thought she needed a little 4 wheeler or something to ride in the backyard?)

A favorite snack is pretzels...unfortunately she grinned with her mouth wide open and full of them!

Butshe was cute in her little hat:)

Saturday...the calendar says it will be spring on Saturday. I sure hope so, I'm tired of cold weather!

Thoughts

I found humor the other day while Emily was sitting on the potty. Isn't it strange how we spend a year and a half hoping and praying that our children don't go potty while we have their pants off and then we spend the next phase hoping they won't go with their pants on?? Anyway, I let her sit on her potty if she wants to but really havent started potty training yet, or even figured out how to start, I just had that thought.

I have a cold. Not a bad cold, not a horrible cold, just a cold. But for the first time in 2 years I was able to go to the medicine cabinet and take whatever I wanted without having to contemplate if it was ok for Emily. Yes, mission accomplished, and who would have thought it woudl be at 16 months the way the entire breastfeeding started out!

Other updates...our Easter weekend plans are fully underway with a camping trip to Petit Jean in the plans, whether or not I'll be able to find the time to hike 7 hollows is still to be seen, although that is what I'd love to do!

I have a few pictures on my camera but not on the computer yet, but we have gotten to play outside some lately, just not today. Emily LOVES playing outside and has completely figured out the slide by herself. (and she's little miss independent) Oh they grow up so fast!

And basically its naptime and I think watching teh kids was making me sleepy so I thought I'd type a little so I dont fall asleep!

Cousins

Blaine had to do a program for us...of course Emily kept wandering off and Kendall kept trying to play with him.

He was reading her a book.

And he pushed her all the way from their trailer down to the house on his knees, across mud and rocks, but Emily wanted him to so he did:)

Emily got to see her cousins Blaine and Cameron this weekend. Blaine adores her, I think Cameron more tolerates her since he has to share Grandma with her:) Anyway, I didn't get many pictures, but here are a couple. Emily kept getting her shoes, coat and hat and begging people to take her outside.