Stones

Reading Trail to the Tree over the last few weeks  was really helpful in bringing the significance of the Cross to our Easter.   There were times frustration wondering if the kids understood.   But remembering that it's not up to me to open their hearts.   And He is good to give signs to encourage.



















Our branches are dead...

so is the cross.

Our eggs are hollow...

so is His tomb.




















Then the stones...

Sat. we carried dark stones to remember the tomb and to give us hope as we waited for Resurrection Sunday. 

Sunday we exchanged the dark stones of waiting for clean white stones to give us hope for our future with Him.  Rev.2:17


121. dead trees
122. hanging Savior
123. waiting Sat.
124. Risen Savior
125. Easter Sunday worship
126. 2 yr olds saying "He is Risen!"
127. 13 years - 5 kids - 1 dog - 2 houses - 6 cars...  Gods grace, all of it!
128. simply stating his love of God in a public school hallway.

Isn't She Lovely...

About 3 years ago Claire asked me if she could get her ears pierced.   I had my hands full with Maggie and didn't want anything else to keep up with so to buy myself some time I threw out a number...

10

In July she'll be 10. 

So when we found ourselves at the mall...

just us girls...

Why not!

before

during

Not sure...  we told her they would use a 'gun' so we're thinking she thought it would be really loud.  heehee

after

She's so cute and excited to tell all her friends.

but it's not her ears that make her lovely.

Trying Not to Wish Time Away

Just waiting for dinner to cool.  Kids play outside and a mower is going across the street.  I'm sitting here trying so hard not to wish the next 2 days away.  Spring break has been a long time coming and it seems to get harder and I seem to care less the closer it gets.

But I don't want to miss anything...

There might be some bit of beauty, a good laugh or even a lesson learned in the next two days that if I'm just plowing through for the sake of it...

might get missed.

I don't want to miss anything.

Kids are fighting now.

Here are some things we've been doing...

Claire's Challenge class had their 'Bridge Building Comp.' last weekend.  I was completely dreading it...
5 Babetz kids + me + 80 gazillion other kids who's parents aren't really paying attention usually doesn't add up to a good time.  But we really had fun! 

This is how they tested the bridges and out of the 3 built from Claire's class 2 made it past 30lbs.  But weren't pretty enough to win any awards. 

Then they had little tables all over with activities for the kids and this is where we ended up...
really, is anyone surprised? 

 Then, of coarse they helped clean up because as long as it's not their rooms they are happy to help.

 We also made our first trip to the zoo for the season with some new friends. 

 And I've been  making these...

 My girls love them, and they're really easy to make, but would anyone else like them??? 

 

 Then just playing outside.  It's been so pretty this spring.

 

Signs of Spring

92. Him opening my eyes to understanding Scripture
93.Old white churches on back roads

94. girls with glasses

95. signs of spring
96. sidewalk chalk

97. sweeping...    dirt in the house means happy play outside

98. blowing dandelions

99. ice pops

100. skinny, pale legs hanging out of shorts

101. scooters

















 102. sandals

notice the webbed toes

103. blooming...  feels like the dogwoods and azaleas have been blooming for weeks...  or maybe I'm just paying more attention this year.  Either way it's been a beautiful spring here in the SC.

When it Gets Quiet...

I find things like this:

or this:

OR, I find these kind of pictures on my camera:

or

Why yes, that is Lego Han Solo {Hoth}  as a matter of fact.

and yes I'll be docking the maids pay for the condition of those base boards...