This Easter was a special one. This was our first Easter as a family of four, and Wyatt's first! I don't find myself as emotionally drained with Wyatt from realizing he is growing up soooo fast. I guess I have come to terms with reality since we have done this all before. Though I'm not about to drive myself from a cliff like I did as a parent of one, I still am awestruck over how it's possible that time could go so fast now. I mean, when I was a teenager I felt like I had FOREVER to live my life. As anyone who is raising/has raised a child knows... not so much. Like a blade of grass for a season... our lives are short as well. Sometimes it takes a growing baby to be reminded of how precious life is. I think the relaxation and sense of ease with your second child is one that allows you to enjoy a little more and embrace a little more vs. freak out over every. little. thing. Or maybe it's just the place God has brought me to in my walk that has allowed me to sit back and experience His blessings fully? Either way, I celebrated this season more thankful than I have ever been before... for His sacrifice on the cross... the one that I nailed Him to.
Kennedy colored Easter eggs with my mom and sister when we arrived in Pikeville on Friday night. She loved it! Leading up to Easter this year, I tried to make the focus about it's true meaning. I never knew when it would happen, but I'm convinced now, that somewhere around 3... kids start to get it. {This theory is also reinforced according to numerous reports from parents via Facebook.} It excites me for all of these children that God is beginning to grow spiritually. It's like God is taking the blinders off of their eyes! They are seeing for the first time!
I was reading my sweet K the Crucifixion story a week before Easter, and Jesus' wounds pierced her heart through her bandaid obsession. She wanted to know if she could give Jesus a bandaid. As I read the story I know by heart, it was as if He was also removing my blinders and I was seeing it all for the first time. How can that be? Her mind turning and her heart stirring gripped my own soul in a way that I have never experienced. She was almost about to cry, but then we read on to the Resurrection, and I tried to explain that "Jesus had to hurt because we do bad things, and He loved us enough to take on the hurt we caused. BUT Jesus doesn't need bandaids because he wasn't in the cave tomb anymore. He was RISEN! He was risen to Heaven to be with God and live forever in our hearts if we accept Him. He did this because He loves us." Shooooo... run-on Gospel. ;)
Anyways, my sweet, sweet K was trying her best to figure it all out. No, she doesn't FULLY understand, but I'm almost certain this was her first true recognition of the Holy Spirit. She felt remorse. She felt sad. She felt sinful seeing "Boo Boo Jesus". Funny, as discussed a week later in my Bible Study, God doesn't reveal our sin to us to hurt us. He wants us to recognize and repent, but it's His kindness that He wants us to see. It's His love for us that He desperately wants us to experience. I'm thankful I witnessed K experience His love for her first time that I'm aware of her understanding.
So yes, this Easter was special for many reasons, and I would stop here with this post, but let's face it... who knows when I'll sit down to post again. After all, I'm pretty sure my mom is the only one reading this much by now! HA! AND I'm in a season of recording what I can... when I can... for my babies to have someday... first and foremost. ;) I apologize to any blog followers for being a mommy version of that teacher "waaaaa waaaaa-ing" from Charlie Brown.
My boy's first Easter! Oh my big, sweet, happy boy!
Again, for me... this Easter had so much depth in my relationship with Christ. Thinking of my only son. Thinking of God giving His ONLY son for MY sins. I don't think I've ever experienced Easter in a more humble place. I can't imagine giving my son's life for anyone. I don't want to, but when I put myself in that place mentally... although I could never FULLY understand... I feel more love from Christ than ever before. I am sure my mind could never comprehend the extent of His love for me, but I'm also sure that I have never before felt the need & joy to share this love that He has given me. I stand in awe & full of praise because "He LIVES within my heart."
What better way to celebrate his 1st Easter than with a bunny on his butt? HA!
My precious Kennedy in her bunny jammies too.
My GREATEST blessings with their Bunny Lovies.
Their Easter baskets.
Love these little personalized bunnies.
K discovering her Easter basket. Both of my babies had a terrible cold, so they weren't feeling their best.
Wy's first Easter morning! He wasn't as concerned with his basket as he was with K sorting through hers.
Big sister giving little brother his bunny. Don't let this fool you. She was much more concerned with his basket vs. her own. She would say, "no this is mine, not "blue baby's." That darn bunny got it all mixed up! ;)
And this picture is hilarious. My mom and I were at the mall several weeks ago where Kennedy refused to sit with the Easter Bunny, but she DID share with my mom that the Easter Bunny told her that he was bringing her the Tangled dress from the Disney Store. Bomma {my mom} saw to it that the Easter Bunny fulfilled his duties, only to feel a bit upset when her favorite item was the loads of candy she received. Oh! And her brother's baby toys! HA! Kids will be kids I guess?
My mom was giving K an earful about the dress and my dad was basically doing everything BUT putting the dress on HIMSELF to get her to notice it! {I'll add here that she DID love it very much after the hype of everything else died down.}
My man... Dave the camera man. He was doing his job... because he knows how bad I've been getting onto him about NOT videoing. HA! Poor Dave!
Is it obvious our kids don't feel well? This picture says it all. My poor babies.
We went to the early church service with my parents at their church. I couldn't begin to tell you the level of stress that is involved in getting ready for church. Like God cares if we all are in our new outfits with fixed hair on Easter? HA! Really... right? I know Satan truly uses this time to attack my family. Like every Sunday, we had an "on edge" morning. We made it...late.
We say we AREN'T going to let Sunday mornings get sinful no matter HOW chaotic they can be... BUT somehow they always do. I believe if we consistently started our morning out in prayer as a family and focused on why we are going and not what we are wearing or what time we get there {God loves tardy people too. ha!} that we would come prepared to worship with a more genuine heart & focused brain. Nevertheless... I've rambled so much.. thought I might as well add this tidbit in as well too. HA!
My dad and Madison ended up having to stay with Kennedy & Wyatt in the nursery since they were both not 100% feeling well and in a new place. Im thankful that Dave & I got to go and worship in the church I spent a big chunk of my life in. Aunt Mad {pictured above} helps out sooo much. She's the best aunt. My kids are blessed.
My precious K on her third Easter.
Happy Wyatt.
My little man.
Typical photo op with my kids. Ha! {God's joke on me. Like He was really going to provide divine intervention for a happy picture in our aggravated frame of mind. Ha!}
The moments not usually caught on camera.
The above was before church.
And these family photos are from after church. Perfect description of our morning. ;)
My beautiful family.
and my handsome "daddy."
Funny aside: I call Dave 'Daddy' now because of K. On the phone with my dentist office, the receptionist asked me who the name of the main provider on our Insurance was and I said, "my dad". Ha! I quickly corrected myself & explained to her. So then I started calling him Dave again, but Dave has been all over me to stop. K has started calling him Dave now! "Look Mommy! Dave is home!" is not what you want to hear coming from your little girl! Can't say I blame him. So funny tho!
Love this picture of my baby.
Wyatt didn't do much "hunting" for eggs, but he sure enjoyed being outside with everybody.
Kennedy, on the other hand, LOVED the egg hunt this year.
My papaw Ted celebrated his FIRST Easter as a Christian. So sweet seeing his new demeanor in Christ. He continued with the Easter Egg tradition. He hides, and the kids hunt. Kids=Kennedy this year. No one was placing bets on who would find "The Lucky Egg". It was an obvious favorite. HA!
She had a lot of fun.
So did Wyatt looking at the decorations my mom had put up, and being passed around like a sack of potatoes.
Kennedy would check in with papaw to see if she had found them all!
And lo and behold! I couldn't believe it! After a weekend long battle of trying to get K to pose for a picture...out of nowhere she stops and strikes a pose with Bear! HA! Bear is our dear friend's dog. We were so happy they were all able to join us this year!
Wy exploring with Great Aunt Kim.
And guess what? She did it! K found the lucky one! She proudly cashed in her egg for her reward of $5 from my Papaw Ted, who's hand I have been on the receiving end many a lucky year prior. ;)
Do you see the pink petals on the ground? My mom has the prettiest tree. We don't know what it is, but it blooms pink flowers & then they all fall off. BUT when they do... it makes for a beautiful pink snow that is the perfect scene setter for Easter. The wind blew and the petals would dance from the sky. My mom told Kennedy to hold her hand ups and try to catch them and make a wish.
She did.
We asked her what she was wishing for?
She said, "Ava."
Her dear friend always stays close to her heart. ;)
Here is the Toddler Country Club. HA! My mom always sets up the most fun play area for K. Can you blame K for loving Bomma and her house so much?
The pink petals fall.
The tree.
And then there's Bill.
Poor Bill.
Poor. poor. Bill.
Don't worry... no animals were harmed in the making of this post.
My sister got a little duck. Bill could play the perfect star character from the book, "Are You My Mother?" He just is looking for a mom to follow. Kennedy gladly was willing to take responsibility. HA! Oh, poor Bill!
I LOVE this photo of my Granny Lorene with Wyatt. She is a stroke victim and can't move well anymore. He is a BIG boy! I love that he is actually a little easier for her to try and hold now that he can sit up a little better! I just think this is a good picture of them both, AND he was born on the same day as her mother... my great grandmother who passed away.
Dave and I made it back home on Monday only to head straight to the doctor with two sick babies. Both had sinus infections and Wy also had a touch of bronchitis. Whew! Our life is definitely more busy and more chaotic, but I don't think we could've ever imagined while spending our first Easter together as a couple the way God would bless us. I love celebrating when there is any excuse to be surrounded by loved ones, but Easter is so special. Nothing like celebrating & praising our Savior on Resurrection Day!
I hope you had a GREAT Easter!
