Easter weekend

We had a wonderful, sunny Easter weekend together as a family. I had wanted to do some fancy egg dying but settled for a late night of dipping them in solid colors so little man could get to bed. Bad planning on my part, but I was determined he'd at least get to dye some.

We're still trying to figure out exactly how our family wants to celebrate different holidays. I LOVE tradition and want everything to have meaning and memories behind it. This year we decided to ditch toys and such (don't they have enough of those anyway?) and opted to fill the Easter baskets with new books for spring! And baby girl got her pink bunny I had been looking for. N has a matching lamb from when he was born.

I have no idea what we'll do in the future, but if you have some great traditions I'd love to hear them. And if you have any tricks for getting a little man to keep his shirt tucked in, I'd love to hear those too!

Our desire for our family is to really focus on, and teach, what Easter is all about -- the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We decided to do a Resurrection Easter egg hunt this year which N loved. He was excited to get to collect all of the eggs and open each one up as they revealed the story of Easter in a tangible way.

Since it was just our little family this year, and the weather was beautiful outside, we cooked ham and pineapple on the grill for lunch. Yum! The cheesecake birds nests I made were from this new blog.

Thank you, Jesus, who died and rose again on Easter to break us free from our sin, and nothing else.

Deep and Wide

We've been working on teaching the kids some of the typical Sunday school songs. You know, the ones with the marching and motions that make you work up a sweat? These are the expressions I received while I marched to "I'm in the Lord's Army."

Yep, I can't tell you how much those joyful faces give me the motivation to keep on going and not feel like a dork. But don't worry, N was up and moving for "Deep and Wide."

Have you seen?

Have you seen the newest clothing and home line carried by Target called Liberty of London? Super cute!

And I love that they carry the clothing all the way from baby to women. They have a little Anthropologie flare to them at a much more affordable price. I know Anthropologie is all the rage in the blogging world. I'll probably get shot for saying this (trust me, I love all of their stuff), but I always had a hard time justifying paying the price for non-sale Anthropologie clothes because they just didn't seem like they were all that well made. I did have something fall apart on me after it was washed. Who am I kidding? Even if they were well made I couldn't justify paying their price. Please don't send me hate mail for saying that. So I was excited to see some of the new things Target is putting out there for prices like $9.99. I was desperately trying to think of a reason why I needed some of the home decor line but came up with nothing.

I did however come up with this reason...

...to come home with this.

I've had to take a little break from the computer over the last couple of weeks due to some health problems. But hopefully I can get back in the game and you can forgive me after seeing these photos of my cutie-pies.

Baby girl started to roll over two weeks ago. She wasn't thrilled when she did a face plant into the carpet.

But once she realized her accomplishment and saw mommy's face she was all smiles.

We headed to the Ostrich Festival in Chandler a couple of weekends ago. We just made it in time to see the end of the ostrich and camel races. Hilarious.

All it takes are some weird looking animals to keep this two-year old entertained. And the weather couldn't have been better.

At the festival there was also a petting zoo, which N loved. We couldn't believe how excited he was to get to feed the goats (although he called them dogs at first).

He even let them lick his hands and munch on his little fingers.

Rainy and lazy days mean bringing out the creative projects and games. I kept trying to teach N how to line them all up but he'd knock them down after a few. I eventually gave up.

I'm not sure there is anything sweeter than a content baby just happy to be next to you.

With our little girl's excitement to roll over and sit up she's pretty much done with being content to just lie around. It's time to bring out the monstrous exersaucer.

The intentional life.

Are you living an intentional life? And most importantly, are you living an intentional life that is pleasing to the Lord? This is what the Lord has really laid on my heart as to what the "theme" for my family's life will be in 2010. I'm not a New Year's resolution kind of gal (hence the fact that it's March and I'm just now writing this post). I do love the thought of the new year bringing freshness, changes and self-evaluation though.

My hope is that throughout this year I can share with you ways the Lord is showing my family how to be more intentional with the various aspects of our lives, and to share some resources that are helping us pursue them. I know this won't go without struggles, and am quite positive this will be a lifelong process and not just a year-long one. But I'm excited to grow and change, and to do so with my family.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

I came about this theme after being tired of living in a rut. Being tired of wanting to be somewhere else when I am forced to be in the present. And I was just plain tired of being discontent. Thinking that if this would happen, then I'd be happier. I began to ask myself, what are you going to do about it?

I knew I didn't want the answer to be buying more things or immersing our family into the land of busyness. Over the course of a couple of weeks I began to think about the thought of living a more intentional life. What does that look like? What does that mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, intention means a determination to act a certain way. In my own words, to have a purpose behind it. I like how intend can mean to have in mind a purpose or goal. I find I am the type of person that life runs more smoothly for me if I have some sort of plan and routine that I'm following.

Are you being intentional with your children?
Are you being intentional with what you read to your children?
Are you being intentional with what toys are brought in to your home?
Are you being intentional with how you spend your time? (gulp)
Are you being intentional with how you spend your money? (double gulp)
Are you being intentional with what you read?
Are you being intentional with what you watch?
Are you being intentional with what you listen to?
Are you being intentional with how you celebrate holidays?
Are you being intentional with how you celebrate birthdays?
Are you being intentional with your job?
Are you being intentional with your spouse?
Are you being intentional with your family?
Are you being intentional with your friends?
Are you being intentional with your home?
Are you being intentional with God?
Are you being intentional with what you eat?
Are you being intentional with your physical health?
Are you being intentional with what you wear?
Are you being intentional with your words?
Are you being intentional with your talents?
Are you being intentional with the environment?

Wow. Seems like a lot of items on the list to self-examine, but as I've been beginning this journey, and if you journey with me, I think you'll realize they're all mostly connected. If I'm working on being intentional about what I am watching, I'm most likely going to be more intentional about what my child is watching. And if what I'm watching is wholesome and good for me, my thoughts and words are most likely going to be pleasing to God.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14.

Do you want to live a more intentional life? If so, I hope you'll join me on this journey. I look forward to the end of this year when I can compare notes and see how my family's life has changed from the beginning of 2010 to the end.

The kids

After neglecting to post for a couple of weeks, and at the request of my mom to "see her grandbabies" I'm finally able to sit down and show you what has been going on for the last two weeks.

Valentine's Day was a busy day. We started the day off right with heart shaped waffles. And then it was off to get dressed in our Valentine's attire.

We cheered hubby on as he ran in his first half marathon. N kept yelling, "Go Daddy Go!"

I'm continuously thankful for the way N is with his sister. He wipes her drool off with his own blankie, throws her diapers away for me once she's been changed and tells her "it's okay" if she starts crying.

I look forward to when they will be able to play together. Little guy constantly wants to share his trains and teach her everything that he knows.

All smiles, all the time.

First time in the kitchen with N making pizza. Mmmm....

Our little rolly polly.

She's almost there.

Little Loves

We've been busy little bees over here lately. Just wanted to pop in with a few photos of my loved ones.

Sweet time in prayer before bed.

Love how these two love each other.

M's 3 month stats:
Weight: 14 lbs (90th percentile)
Height: 23.5 Inches (50th percentile)
Yep, she's a big girl!

N's 2 year stats: (25th percentile)
Weight: 27 lbs
Height: 34 Inches