Easter around our house, 2013.

Hope yall had a blessed Easter!! 

He is risen indeed. 

CHICKADEES!! (a last minute Easter treat!)

Here's a fun Easter treat I shared last year - thought I would repost!
It's great for school Easter parties!

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If you need an easy and yummy last-minute Easter treat..

Meet my Easter Chickadees!! :)

what you need:

Double Stuffed Oreos (I used the "golden" ones)

yellow icing

pretzel sticks

colored marshmallows (I used the pink and orange ones)

mini chocolate chips or candy eyes

optional: coconut mixed in with icing to make the chicks look "fluffy"

put the icing in a bowl and stir it to make it fluff up a bit.

spread it on the oreos...you can cover the sides (a bit messier!), or just on the top.

add the mini chocolate chips or candy eyes

tear the marshmallows in half and add that as a "beak"

then stick the pretzels into the oreos as legs.

and there you have your little chicky!!! :)

Abigail loved these
(well, she licked the icing off!)

and it was a hit at her MDO Easter party last year!

(gosh I can't believe those chubby little hands have grown so much since this pic!)

{chirp! chirp!}

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Y'all have a great weekend!!

nine.

8.9.03

The day my life changed forever.

They day we committed to health and sickness.

The day we devoted our faithfulness to each other.

The day we said we'd be rich or poor together.

The day we worshipped together as husband and wife for the first time.

The day that God had ordained for US to start OUR life with Him as one.

Y'all have no idea. NO idea, what kind of man I married.

(well, if you know him well, you have an idea.)

I had no idea what kind of man I married that day.

I was 20, blinded by love, just wanting a life of our own.
I knew I loved him deeply,

but I had no idea the amazing journey God was about to take me on with this man.

We've been through a lot.

a. lot.

Lots of sickness, lots of financial struggles, several devastating losses, lots of uncertainty.

But also lots of healing, lots of deliverance from strongholds, lots of miracles, and just a journey of faith that has tested us, but also held us together.

I can honestly say that I am broken, just broken, sometimes with feeling like I do not deserve this man as my husband.

Parker...

He loves well. SO well.

He is the most amazing Dada.

He is the most grace-filled person I know, and forgives me well when I act in my flesh.

He leads me well, ALWAYS pointing me to truth and to Jesus.

He dreams with me...big dreams and little dreams.

He encourages my passions and desires.

He works incredibly hard for our family, and allows me the blessing to stay home with our girls.

He isn't afraid to speak truth when it is needed.

He defends his family against attacks of the Enemy and isn't ever afraid to rebuke evil.

He teaches me well, about life and about the Lord.
He is by far the most obedient person to the Lord's voice I have ever known.

He is so incredibly smart.

And so incredibly humble.

(I could go on and on...)

He has no idea the impact he makes on people around him, and on me as his wife.

I am thankful that we are not just married, but that we DO LIFE together.

That's one thing we do get right in our constantly growing marriage...

we do life and share life together really well.

Thank you Parker, for loving me so well.

I am honored to be your wife and am so happy to celebrate 9 years with you today.

I love you baby.

YOU, Daddy...

YOU introduced your newest princess to her big sister.

YOU experienced the zoo for Abigail's first time.

YOU have held your sweet Bethany tightly and felt her snuggly self grow to love you.

YOU have sat next to Abigail as she has learned to swing like a big girl.

YOU brought all 3 of your girls (mama too!) flowers on Valentines Day...

even tiny Bethany got a bouquet.

YOU have spent time showing and teaching Abigail about God and about worship.

YOU went on Abigail's first carrousel ride...and both of you had a blast.

YOU have welcomed your girls to "work" at your office with you.

YOU have slid down countless slides at a certain toddler's request (well, demand).

YOU have shared your "brown chair" with your girls...they love to recline like Daddy.

YOU have explained over and over what things are and what things mean to a very inquisitive 2 year old...and have been so patient doing so.

YOU have been patient as Bethany worked through her colicky stage...and as Mommy adjusted to life with two.

YOU have given countless Band-Aids to A to decorate her "booboos" with.

YOU only have to give a look to light up Bethany's face.

YOU always help with bathtime and bedtime, even after a very long day.

YOU have played "dinosaur" with Abigail on your back over and over.

YOU have become quite the ballerina as Abigail makes you dance for her almost every night.

YOU have prayed with both your girls and encouraged Abigail to pray on her own...

and now she follows your lead every night.

YOU have loved them well, Parker.

AND THEY LOVE YOU.

YOU are an amazing Daddy. I am seriously in awe of the blessings God has given us in our two precious, beautiful little girls.

And I am also in awe that He gave them such an amazing Daddy.

YOU will always hold an untouchable, prized spot in their hearts.

I am blessed to watch the mutual love and adoration you have for each other.

I am blessed that you are their father...and THEY are blessed that you are their Daddy.

Happy Daddy's Day.

we all love YOU.

Mother's Day "Tea"

Today was a little Mother's Day "tea" (aka lemonade) at Abigail's MDO class...

my heart has been waiting for this all week. I realize that sounds silly because she's only 2 years old, but still! I was so excited to go...

Lots of moms turned out for it, which was so neat to see! When the kids came in from the playground, and all their mommies were standing around...their faces all just lit up!!

Lemonade, cookies, and biscuits were served.

I made some cream cheese chocolate chip cresent roll bites to share

(thats a mouthful to say...and eat!). yumm.

Abigail was SO proud that I was there, and kept saying "MY Mommy is right HERE!".

We were presented with their "gifts" for us...

a paper purse, which Abigail LOVED giving me, and a ceramic heart they painted!

Abigail took her heart over to show Baby what she had made. "Look Baby! See, I made a heart for Mama!"

She had so much fun with Mommy being there. But I think MY heart had a little more fun. :)