What a Difference a Year Makes

Lily with Uncle Travis before his Junior Prom last year

Lily with Uncle Travis before his Senior Prom this year

Push-Ups

Easter Weekend

Our plans for celebrating Easter were pretty much decided for us since Daddy and Lily were both sick with the crud (and still are!).  We were glad that we ended up doing no traveling and just sticking close to home base for the weekend.  Justin and I enjoyed Good Friday by watching a little bit of Passion of the Christ and sharing what God is doing in our lives.  I'm so thankful for those conversations with the man of God that is leading our family!  On Saturday evening, Justin stayed home with Lily so I could attend our church's Easter drama & service.  As always, it was amazing.  The worship at the end was incredible and I was emotional as we sang my favorite song of all time, Jesus Paid It All.  Then Sunday morning, we switched and Justin was able to go and enjoy the service as well.  Since we weren't able to see family, our good friends Jon & Kristen invited us over to their home for lunch on Easter.  These two really are like family to us and we were grateful to be in their company to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.  And Jon can bake a ham, by gosh! :)  After Lily's afternoon nap, we went outside for some fresh air & sunshine.  I think it's what the doctor ordered for our sick little girl - she has been cooped up in the house for days! Next year, we'd like to do the Resurrection Eggs with Lily.  That's one of the many things I love about being a parent - through teaching my child about Jesus, it always ends up teaching me more about Him too.  What a beautiful thing that as Christians, we truly do celebrate Easter every single day!  He is Risen!

The Sun

 "Every time you feel in God's creatures something pleasing and attractive, do not let your attention be arrested by them alone, but, passing them by, transfer your thought to God and say: 'O my God, if Thy creations are so full of beauty, delight and joy, how infinitely more full of beauty, delight and joy art Thou Thyself, Creator of all!" - Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain

While driving to church this evening, it was one of those times that the sun is glowing ever so brightly and I tend to want to gaze at its beauty but the magnificence hurts my eyes.  You can't look directly into the sun more than a second without having to turn away.  Its light is much too powerful.  It caused me to think about seeing God's face.  Scripture tells us that we cannot see God's face this side of Heaven and live.  We read about this when Moses encountered God - "Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live." Exodus 33:18-20. Moses saw God but not God's face.  Our earthly eyes cannot behold the full depth of His glory.  I've been reading the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn and it has stirred praise in my heart to ponder on the idea that on the New Earth, we will in fact see God's face. For then, we will be fully in His presence and no longer limited in any way, shape or form in our relationship with Him.  The author states, "Not only will we see his face and live, but we will likely wonder if we ever lived before we saw his face!  To see God will be our greatest joy, the joy by which all others will be measured."  How incredible!  Never before have I experienced such a longing and anticipation for Heaven as I have in recent days.  And seeing the sun today in all it's glory was only just a glimpse of what God's glory will look like.  How could this not affect the way I live out my days until I'm Home with Him?  For soon, my King is coming!  Soon and very soon.

Rollin' In Style

Shades are a tad crooked in this one. :)  Is it just me or does she look way too grown-up, toting her sippy cup along for the ride?!  I'm still trying to get used to the fact that my baby is now a toddler!

Little Helper

Assisting Daddy with putting the groceries away.  

She loves to "help" do things.  If I had to guess, I think one of her love languages might be Acts of Service.  Such a fun age!

Sleeping Beauty

Huggable

Lovin' the Outdoors

 

Movin' On Up

I think I had a harder time with tonight's milestone than Little Miss did.  Lily moved up from the infant room at church to the toddler room!  She seemed like such a grown up little girl amongst those "big kids" walking around, playing with bubbles, sippin' on their sippy cups and enjoying snacks.  I know, big stuff, right?  When we picked her up, they said she did great and fit right in. :)  Then while we chatted with friends in the foyer, she proceeded to go up to multiple groups of people and flash her irresistible smile or reach out for a high-five.  Pretty sure she's going to be an extrovert.

With one of her teachers, Rachel.  Say goodbye to infants!

Hello younger toddlers room!

First Pigtails

These pictures don't really do it justice - Lily was SO ADORABLE sporting her first piggies!  *Sigh* She's growing up so fast.

Lily & Tyler

So we had just laid down the rules in our previous post...no dating!  But then Tyler came over and boy were these two cute playing together.  Justin thought this first picture was a preview of what they might look like as a family of three. Can't you see it 25 years from now?.....

And then of course a kiss goodnight!