Easter "Fun" 2008

Easter Sunday brought a visit from the Easter Bunny. Or was it the Easter Ferret? Dude, what happened to your ears?! I quess that's what happens when you spend the other 364 days of the year stuffed in the back of a '98 Jeep Cherokee.

I'm not sure which was funnier...Alex as the Easter Bunny (complete with bowling shoes) or...

the paparrazi taking pictures to use as blackmail at a time and place to be determined.

The day before Easter Maria got to decorate her first batch of Easter eggs. I was so glad Don made it home to help with this. Mommy doesn't "do" eggs or jack-0-lanterns.

Here's a picture of the "pro" getting it done!

It was a great weekend with everyone home. I realized recently that I was so concentrated on my men all being home that I'd forgotten that Maria is "home" for the first time this year. In some ways it seems like she's always been here. The pain of bringing her home is quickly becoming a distant memory.

So the whole family was together for Easter. Even better we all sat together at church. There aren't many things that make me quite as happy as when we all sit together in the same pew to worship our Risen Savior.

Simply stated: He is risen indeed!

Rocky Road

Parenting can certainly be described as a "Rocky Road" especially during the teen and pre-teen years. We've got three of them! Add into the mixture an almost six year old who is adjusting to life in a new country, with a new family, and a new language and it's time to fasten our seatbelts.

However, in the midst of all the worries and hassles over things like grades and the internet, driving and curfews, friends and hormones, dirty laundry and even dirtier bathrooms (there's a reason why we call it the man cave), are those precious moments that bless a mother's heart. They're not the particularly triumphant moments that the world would see as worthwhile. Still, they are significant none the less.

Here's my top 10 list of seemingly small yet significant blessings just in the past two days:

10. getting to hear Zack play drums at church
9. having Alex agree to pick up Caroline from choir so we can attend community group
8. being joined at lunch on Sunday by 8 of the boys' friends
7. watching both of my daughters hold hands as they walk into Sunday school
6. hearing Caroline and Maria laugh, tickle, and play
5. getting a spontaneous hug from Caroline
4. having Maria kiss my boo-boos
3. seeing Alex use his gifts to serve on the AV team at church
2. watching Alex and Zack play video games together

and the #1 blessing.

1. having Zack walk in the door after a long day of school, track practice and a church meeting carrying a half gallon of "rocky road" ice cream because he remembered I had a craving two days ago!

Simply stated...I am a blessed woman!

Stacie