Happy Easter!

We hope that each of you had a wonderful Easter yesterday. We certainly did! We started out very early. The girls and I loaded up around 9am to drive to a small town about 50 minutes outside Amarillo, where Jody was leading worship for the morning. This may sound simple, but it was a little stressful, in all honesty. To get two girls, plus myself, in our pretty Easter clothes and out the door by 9am, was quite the event. Especially since both girls dont usually even wake up until 9am. But we got there, just in time for the service. I am so thankful we have Saturday night church, because getting the family together in the mornings is quite a feat. :) After the service we went to my parents' house for lunch. My grandparents (my mom's parents) were in town for the weekend too. We had lots of fun. The girls loved getting into their Easter baskets and enjoying all the candy. My sister's family was there too, and my brother and his fiance. After lunch, the girls had a great time hunting the Easter eggs we had dyed the Friday before. Mia's been talking about the Easter eggs since we dyed them initially, so I'm glad she finally got to hunt them. Some eggs even had money in them. The girls were so excited over pennies, nickels, and quarters. It was a fast and furious day, but we had a great time. I am so thankful for my family. I just wish my in-laws lived here too. If Jody hadn't led worship this weekend, we probably would have gone to Childress for the Easter weekend. (Maybe next year Becky.) We did miss them though! I hope you each had as much fun making memories as we did! Have a blessed week!

I love it...

I love the sound of Mia and Jody laying in her bed at night, reading a book, then singing songs, then Mia, ever so convincingly saying, "Lets talk about sumthin." as she knows its about time for her to go to sleep. Its just beautiful. As I sit here, I can hear them talking so sweetly. What a joy.

What I don't love, is waking up this morning with a horrible back pain. I'm not sure what happened. I think that during my seriously deep night's sleep that maybe I just turned wrong, and hurt my back. All I know is that I woke up this morning and can hardly walk at times. Its feels the best when I stay in one place for an extended period of time, but then, when I try to move, its all over. And with two kids, that is what happens. Oh well, I survived. I am just praying that its all better by morning. My sister and I are training (if thats what you call just trying to get in shape enough to not fall over during the run.) for our 5k March of Dimes race at the end of April and I can't miss my workout tomorrow. Oh well, we'll see. I will gladly receive any advice offered, on the back pain that is.

Who does she look like???

Okay, so this post is dedicated to my great friend, Ashley. She has been waiting ever so patiently for me to post some pictures of Eisley and baby pictures of Jody and my family. Well, since my mom couldn't quite remember where my baby pictures were at the moment (must be a middle child thing, I wont hold any grudges, just kidding mom!) I did see some pictures of my brother as a baby (only because he is getting married in may and his pictures were out for the wedding slideshow thing.) Wow, I really think Eisley looks like my brother's baby pictures, but I still think that, in person, Eisley is still a spittin image of her daddy! So, tell me what you think. (I didn't ask my brother's permission to post these, but I'm sure he won't mind. Thanks matt!)
Jody at 3 months

Jody at 6 months

Eisley at 4 months

My brother, Matt, at 3 months

Perspective.

Its amazing how life situations so quickly change your perspective on every day life. Earlier this week, Monday actually, we found out that our friend's niece passed away suddenly during nap time. I couldn't believe it. This baby girl was only 2 weeks younger than Eisley. Babies don't die, especially babies you feel as if you know. We had grown to love sweet Lilly, even though we had only known her through Mandy's sweet stories and pictures.

It didn't help that this was the second baby that we know, the same age as Eisley within two weeks that had such sudden deaths. I have really had to battle my thoughts this week. My heart aches for this family and has left my mind in some what of a vulnerable state for Satan to attack. Thankfully, I have recognized these attacks as those of the enemy, and have somewhat quickly taken those "thoughts captive and made them obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians...or is it 1 Corinthians.) Satan will not lie to me or make me fearful of death or take my emotions.

Yes, I will mourn. I will mourn on behalf of parents losing their precious baby girl. I will mourn, as a mother, who can not imagine the pain that would come with losing a child. But, I will also praise the Lord for His sovereignty, even as Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy. Imagine, who knows better than God Himself what it is like to lose a child.

The Lord is my family's protector. Therefore, there is no room in me to fear the unexpected. He is our Rock. And that is the only thing I can rest my hope on. I will continue to pray for the Lord's complete, indescribable peace that passes any kind of understanding for this family.

So, as I carried on life this week, yes, my perspective has been different. I treasure my hugs with my girls far more. The things that would so quickly upset or irritate me don't seem to be that important any more. I want to delight in each day, to praise the Lord each day for the life He has blessed me with. I am blessed!

Here are some pictures we had taken of Eisley on Tuesday. I meant to get them taken at 3 months, but truthfully, I kept waiting for her to get bigger. (which she is, as we went to the dr today and she gained half a pound this week. She is now back to 10 pounds after losing half a pound last week when she was sick.) Good thing we took her pictures when we did because she is now covered with a rash due to a penicillin allergy. Yes, all I can do is laugh at all the things we have gone through with Eisley. Again, Satan has no hold on us, we will rejoice in these trials. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we do.