Easter weekend- He is risen!

Good Friday we enjoyed a beautiful worship time at our pastor's house. Simple scripture reading and singing together by the candlelight with our families. It was a highlight of our celebration!

We spent Saturday at Dad's property- or "Little Farm". We had lunch on the porch. The kids rode ATVs, dyed eggs, played the spoon race and egg toss, and hunted Easter eggs. It was a really fun day to be together!

And on Easter Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful service with more music and a sermon. I could never with a million words describe the gratitude and awe I have in the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. My sin is so utterly overwhelming- but his grace and love are bigger still! He lived and gave me his perfect record. He died and took on the wrath that I deserve for my sin. He arose and defeated death for me!  Hallelujah- what a Savior!

Singing at church

Puberty cliff notes

Fifteen year old Jack said after shuffling through the Bible, "You know what the Bible doesn't address? Testosterone. It would have been nice if Jesus's teenage years were recorded." Bless. He just wants cliff notes for these puberty years. Sorry, buddy. I feel your pain!

Girl time

Always new hair styles

This little one and I spend so much time together. She LONGS for a sister! But she's stuck with me! :)  I hope and pray that all of our time together will be the foundation of a lifelong friendship where God will use me to serve and bless this precious soul!  And I can't help but pray that she will have a daughter too, some day! I love these three sweet children so much- they are JOY givers!

Her sweet encouraging words

Both missing Andy desperately when he travels and sending goofy texts to him together!

Sewing class with her friends

SO MANY CRAFTS!

Learning side by side...day in and out!

Roommates when Andy travels

Those cheeks have collected more kisses....

The mall with these darling girls!

While I was gone to dinner with friends recently, Andy took the kids out shopping to spend some of their Christmas money. Lydia Joy bought these matching necklaces with her money. When she gave them to me she said, "Mommy, you're my sweetheart Mommy and my best big friend." This girl! So full of love!

Hello spring!

An unusually warm winter- picnic with one of her sweet friends

So much for writing more! It has been an eventful winter! A lot of travel for Andy and flying solo for me. Many good school days. A lot of fun events for the children. Life! Yesterday I washed all of our jackets and gathered our heavy coats to go to the cleaners. We pulled out spring and summer clothes. The kids wore sandals/flip flops. And Lydie did her last winter craft. Usually all these things mean it will inevitably be freezing one more time. But I am moving forward any way. HELLO SPRING!!! I love you so much!!

We are coming to the end of this season of renting a house. We are finally ahead of the disaster of selling our beloved "White House" in Atlanta and paying such an ENORMOUS amount at closing (due to the changing economy). Our savings has a down payment stash waiting and our debt is so very low. No car payments currently (Help my old car to continue on, Lord!). We are ready to buy a house and just BE. And we have been so blessed- even in these transition years. Life has been good- trials and all. Because He is good and faithful.

Winter project

After a wonderful year of homeschooling and being together every day, Lydie has decided to return to her little school in the fall. She is extremely extraverted and misses the company of classmates every day. We are fully supporting her and excited for her. Two of my very good friends teach the two 4rth grade classes, and I know she will have a great year! Her best friend is over the moon, and we are praying they get in the same class next year! And I am SO thankful for this special time with her in 3rd grade. I know her as a student so much better. And every moment together- every book read side by side- has bonded our hearts together in a sweeter way as daughter and Mom! I have loved it!

The boys have thrived in the homeschool/co-op life! Joshua doubled up on studies and is skipping his eighth grade year! He has made all As- even with taking double math classes! He will be ready for Geometry in the fall. He is going to begin an amazing Engineering course on-line that will continue with 4 credits by graduation. His academic ability is simply a gift from God. I hope he will always be a good steward of it!

Jack is really doing so well. He has by far found his nitch the most and loves this lifestyle. He will complete his freshman year with three honors classes under his belt. He has a 4.3 so far. He works so hard. Latin, honors classes, ACT practice every day. The boy is compliant and trusts me completely when I give him hard assignments. His willingness to work hard- even when he can't fully understand how it will be rewarded down the line-is amazing. He takes driver's ed this summer and then gets his license on July 31st. That event will mark a brand new chapter in our lives...I'm not quite ready to turn the page.

It has been such a sweet year. So many developmental changes with two teenagers and a preteen. But it has been so good to see them grow in wisdom AND stature. Looking forward to spring with happy anticipation!

Just us

A whole night away with just my sweetheart. Wow, did we need this trip! We spent a quiet night at the lake. Never even got the boat out! Just conversation and time alone.

One of the highlights was brunch on Sunday at The Spring House. Wow, what a beautiful venue and delicious food. We got to see a sweet friend, Marie, whom I disciple in Atlanta there. What a treat! We walked around the property a bit.

We made a friend in a small shop on the way back where we bought a couple of candles and he insisted on giving us a couple of plants. We talked with him an hour- or two. It's amazing how much time there is to linger when it's just us adults!

It is amazing what a little time away will do for a person! I was so refreshed when we picked up the kids and ready for a new week! I am so thankful for this lake condo get-away that my Dad and Mom share with us!

Gospel on the car windows

"Mama, I'm sharing the gospel right now. Wanna know how? I took my finger and wrote on my car window, "Jesus will love you your whole life!"