Easter Party Box Decorating

 

"Dats a holiday box rite der. Open it mommy!" 

From the moment Ray brought down our St. Patty's Day and Easter decoration box, Aubrey was fascinated with what she thought might be inside. I think the smile surely says it all. She pulled out the baskets, Easter grass, eggs, rubber duckie with bunny ears, and even a n Easter dying kit. She would open the eggs and put them back in her basket. Closing is still a bit difficult but she did enjoy trying. She even found some Mickey Mouse Easter stickers from last year and quickly decorated her legs and shoes. 

{Easter party box fun}

Let the Easter grass decorating party begin! She loved throwing the colored grass up in the air until she found out she could put it on Mattie. I have to say, Mattie was very patient with her two year old friend for sure. We were all giggles as it was put on mommy, daddy, Mattie, and Aubrey. Yes, I huge clean up job in the making, but all worth the fun!

She would jump in the grass and run back in forth throughout the room as she would squeal about Easter grass and eggs. I cannot wait to celebrate with her and baby brother. I'm so excited to continue our story and tell her all that Jesus has done for her this Easter!

Good, Good Father: Easter Family Addition

Lord,

You are a good, good father

                                                  lyrics by Housefires

 

It's who you are, It's who you are

It's who you are

And I'm loved by you

It's who I am, It's who I am

It's who I am

  Because you are perfect in all of your ways

You are perfect in all of your ways

You are perfect in all of your ways to us

I am perfectly reminded how truly perfect our God is. I am so thankful for a God that is more than I'll ever be. It is by faith that I walk each day and I'm so thankful to share the love of our Father to this baby beauty. I am so head over heels for this crazy life and for this beautiful family. God is good all the time. You are a good, good father.

ABF Service Opportunity: Easter Celebration 2015

On Saturday, Ray and I along with Purpose ABF, and volunteers from Heights in Spanish came together to host our annual Easter Celebration. What a wonderful picture of Christ's love for our Richardson neighbors. We absolutely love these opportunities to serve. My heart's passion is to continue building relationships with families from the apartment complex we serve. As the ENGAGE reps for our Adult Bible Fellowship, we had the distinct privilege of helping host this Easter event. It is an absolute pleasure to partner with such wonderful people at our church. From 2 egg hunts, 2 pinatas, crafts, face paint, a large obstacle course, bowling and games, as well as food, friendships, and evangelism, our afternoon was filled with celebration and fun. Enjoy pictures from our event.

{Our PURPOSE volunteers}

We are so thankful for the service of our volunteers.

We are so thankful for Enid, our church's community outreach leader. It was such a pleasure to partner with her on this event.

 {Heights in Spanish Volunteers}

  {Drawing for door prizes and preparing for the Egg Hunts}

  {games galore}

 {face painting & crafts}

{Pastor Miguel Lopez offered our welcome and gratitude for the event}

 

Each year we see so many familiar faces. It was so great to hear a few boys say, "Hey I know you!" as they pointed to Ray. It is so fun to watch them grow. My prayer is that through these events we will continue to build relationships and show how God is working in our lives. Happy Easter friends!

Ball Hunt Fantlet Play Date

Friday night we had so much fun with these little Fantlet cuties. Our little play date included indoor ball pit play, a game of Twister and Uno, puzzles, a boy's soccer game, a driving/riding race track for our princess car, stroller, and shopping cart, as well as Bryson's game of Ball Hunt. He placed 10 balls around the backyard and ask the girls to cover their eyes. Emily did a great job of listening to her Bubba.:)

Then the Ball Hunt began. We brought out our wooden basket from Christmas, a Halloween bucket, and Aubrey's Easter basket for this year. The babes loved Bryson's game. It was a perfect afternoon for baby play.

It took our girl a few extra minutes to catch on. She would follow her little baby besties for a bit, then she sat down with a book. After a little bit of watching, she began to "hunt" for her books but then quickly followed suit in the game of ball hunt. It was too cute!

Emily and Madelynn did such a great job following their Bubba's directions. He would say, "The balls are not here or here." He was such a good helper with the girls.

Enjoy a few more pictures of our time outside.

After about half an hour later, we decided that we would play with some confetti eggs. (Yes mama fail as my baby has one in her mouth... oops) The kids were so excited and kept saying, "more more."

{Madelynn exploring the confetti}

I loved the way Bryson helped his little (girl)friend.

It was a tiring (per Emily's picture) and exciting afternoon of baby play with our Fantlet friends. 

School Spring Fling/Easter Celebration

Friday afternoon, Auby celebrated her school Easter Party and Egg Hunt with her classmates and teachers. It was so fun that mommy and daddy could join in the special celebration. At 3PM we came with her Easter bucket in hand and made our way to the small children's playground. She would pick up an egg or two and place it in her bag. Then quickly turn the bag over. She was so excited.

After a bit of trial and error egg hunting and then tossing them out, she began to realize that special candy treats were inside. It was so fun to watch the kids' excitement.

 {Ms. Tish helping our Auby}

It was so funny to watch how dainty she was picking up each egg. She would look at the candy and then place it in her bag. Her little friend, Charlie, was covered in melted chocolate and even shared a few pieces with Auby. They were too cute together.

It was fun getting to see my sweet girl in action. It just makes this mama's heart so full to see how much she's grown and changed.

 {My big girl's basket}

 

{Egg Hunt Love}

 {Daddy/Daughter egg hunting fun}

After the Egg Hunt, we made our way indoors for an Easter Party snack. She loved her special treats from cookies, Easter themed donuts, cheeto puffs, cheese and crackers, and juice. My girl was on a pure sugar high and oh so happy.

 

{Cute Easter themed donuts}

  

{Easter Party Platter}

 {Our Family of 3}

What a wonderful Spring Fling and Easter celebration at school with our babe. I just love this sweet picture of Aubrey and her teacher, Ms. Tish. She sadly will be leaving Auby's school. We wish her all the blessings in the world on her new adventures. She will be missed oh so much! Thank you Ms. Tish for caring for our sweet girl!

Easter 2014

 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. 

                                 Jeremiah 29:11

My heart was absolutely filled this Easter Sunday. Being a wife and a mommy has been my greatest love. I thank my heavenly Father today and every day for this gift and the grace that has been provided to me. Let His name be lifted higher and may we remember our true gifts this Easter Sunday.

After the arrival of the Easter bunny... (Mommy and Daddy shared a basket this year)

and a quick morning song with Auby, we were dressed and ready to go. That morning, the Prius was not in working order. I sent several messages in fear we wouldn't make service. But as our friends were about to head our direction to pick us up, our car began to work. Service was amazing. It was so fun to see all the families and children dressed up in Spring outfits. Talk about adorable. Our church also provided free family photos after the service. I love that Ray always talked about his family's church Easter picture each year. Now we have our very own little tradition as well.

We had been invited to share Easter this year with our sweet friends from church, The Ogles. Sadly once home, the car began to have trouble and the battery would not work. Erin came to our rescue and picked up my family of three. They are such sweet friends. 

For brunch, we had a beautiful array of brunch foods from egg casserole, bacon, grits, chicken salad sandwiches, fruit, and red velvet cake for dessert. 

After brunch we took a fun family photo opt. Here are some of my favorites from this afternoon with friends. 

 {Our sweet family of 3}

  {Ray and our beauty}

 

{The Ogles}

 {Richard, Ray and the girls}

 {Aubrey 6 months and Eva Mae 10 months}

 {Erin and I with our littles}

 {Erin and her beautiful blue eyed babe}

 Our babes enjoying the Spring weather. We were supposed to have bad weather, but it was a perfect afternoon. The rain waited for us until our return home.

This Easter season, we began a new family tradition. It is called our letter to heaven. Each year Auby will get a balloon on Easter and will "write" a letter to God and send it to heaven. We of course will write it until she's old enough, but I am so excited about this new little tradition. I am hoping this will be a great way to remind her that Easter is more than chocolate candy bunnies. Since we were sharing this Easter with friends, we decided to get their little girl a balloon as well. Let's just say that our first attempt at our notes to heaven was a bit more comical than I had imagined. Eva Mae loved playing with the balloon string while Auby thought that eating the note was more fun. These pictures absolutely crack me up. I love the sweet little relationship they are forming.

  The gents had to help us out.

Our letters were sent

We are so thankful for what God has done and is continuing to do in our lives, the people He places, and the paths that we've taken. If He is for us who could stand against us... I have always loved those words in the song. I also wanted to give a big thanks to our dear friends for letting us borrow their car for a few days. It was more than we could ever have asked for and exactly what we needed this week.

Today also marks 12 years of dating my husband. 12 years has taught us oh so much and I couldn't be more thankful that God has blessed me with both my best friend and husband as well as our daughter. Without Him, I wouldn't have them! 

I wish you a blessed Easter and all the days to follow.