Sunday, March 31, 2013

Dressed Up For Easter!

Easter, at the beach, didn't stop us from dressing up!!!  It's not what we planned to wear to church, but it's still Springy.  I love this color scheme, especially against the green palm trees.  Some of these photos crack me up.  Oh Tyson!  He's like Mr. Jeckyll and Hide.  Lilah is definitely interested in the camera lately.  She loves to pose.  And Jax... well, he's just simple, happy, lovable, and cooperative Jax.  Who could ask for anything more?
I couldn't decide which photos I liked best, so I included them ALL!
The above photo truly shows my children's overall personalities.  Oh-Tyson! LOL!  It actually makes me laugh out loud for some reason.
Everywhere we went, people commented on this trio today.  I guess the color coordinated outfits caught the attention of many or maybe it was an eye sore.  He he.  It was a family effort. I wish someone would have offered to take a family pic. 
I'm not sure why these photos appear so grainy :(  Double click on them to see clear photos.

Easter At The Beach


It's seems to be a tradition to spend, at least, every OTHER Easter in Myrtle Beach. Yes, Easter is the BIGGEST holiday we, as Christians, celebrate, but being gone on Easter doesn't diminish our faith or our love for Christ.  We are NOT the family that visits church once a year. We are a family that worships our God and celebrates His birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection DAILY, so we don't make going to church, on Easter Sunday, a legalistic thing.  If we are in town, it's a no brainer.  If we are NOT in town, we set aside time, as a family, to make Christ's work on the cross of first importance to our Easter Sunday.  
The kids woke up bright and early (7:00 am).  They were so ecstatic to see their Easter baskets had arrived (thanks Easter bunny). They also were happy to see mounds of colorful eggs hidden everywhere.  I told the kids the baskets/egg hunt had to wait.  I took this opportunity to get back into bed and snuggle with the kids while watching a few animated youtube videos on Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.  The crucifixion, even though animated, was a tad grueling for the little viewers, but there is just no way to begin grasping the magnitude of Jesus' death without a visual.  Lilah would squeal out saying, "Awe! That is so sad!!!"  I reminded her that while Jesus' death appears sad, it's actually a GOOD thing.

After the videos, we allowed the kids to open their baskets and partake in the egg hunt. Later, Darren did a family devotional with us. 
 Jax's favorite thing out of his Easter basket was his Wolverine mask.
 Ty's was his Peyton Manning football figurine.
 My diva gir loved her princess glasses and lipgloss.
 
The Easter bunny is NOT the only one who brought treats.  Mommy and daddy gave a little something too.
The night before Easter, I filled over 75 eggs to hide.  I thought capturing them in a fish net was most appropriate being we are at the beach.  LOL!  The eggs contained: whoopie cushions, punching balloons, rings, lipgloss, angry bird collectables, dollar bills, candy, gold fish, teddy grahams, yogurt covered raisins, pistachios, and stickers.
Love the fish egg.
I made each kid hide in a bedroom.  I counted to three and off they went...
I loved watching them run throughout the beach condo in excitement, as they searched high and low for Easter eggs.
 
A few of the items I purchased for their baskets didn't fit, so I color coded the bar code and hid them also throughout the condo.

I think they each had 4 items to find.
If they found something that was NOT their assigned color, they were instructed to put it back. 
 One could only guess who's shirt this is? No, not Cohen's, but Jax's.
Each year, after the egg hunt, my kids love to sort/organize their items.
 
 Like mother, like sons/daughter.  Don't agonize. Organize!!!!
I discovered that Tyson stole the golden egg, after telling him that we were about to hide it.  I guess he thought I would just forget this aspect of the egg hunt.  To punish him, I did NOT allow him to look for the golden egg.  He wasn't very happy.
But the twins were.  They were looking for the golden egg together, as a duo, SURPRISE!  They weren't doing a very great job catching on to the clues.

Clue #1: "I love palm trees and the beach!"
 Clue #2 - "Behind the picture lies the gold."
Eventually, Jax found it.  Look closely... it's not any ordinary dollar.  It's a real dollar bill with the Easter bunny in the middle.  Thanks Gram for sending us something to use in our egg hunt.
Happy Easter to all.  Although these activities were fun, we are thankful that we celebrate a more meaningful story behind Easter. We hope you do too!!!

Recognizing HIS Crucifixion and Resurrection!

Before Aeila left, I was so thrilled to go over the true meaning of Easter with everyone (including her).  We sat down at the dining room table and did the traditional resurrection eggs.  It was a tad intense trying to keep 5 children, between the ages of 8 months old - 7 years old, quiet and focused, but we completed going through all of the eggs. I am amazed at how well these children know the gospel.  I am thankful that, although not yet saved, the seeds are being planted and the children are able to retain the good news.
After we finished the resurrections eggs, the reward for listening and answering questions were these educational jelly beans :)  Thanks to our dear friend Ashely, who blessed the kids with an Easter treat, we had another opportunity to drill some more theology into their little heads.  Anytime you mix soul food and physical food together, you can't go wrong.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

He is God!


He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the architect of the universe and the manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and the leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, the people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, 
The overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. 
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.

His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me AND
Never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.

Happy Easter to ALL!  I am so happy to serve such an amazing God!!

Aeila & Lilah Dance Together

It was so much fun having my sister and her beautiful children with us for 10 days.  It worked out well because we were able to stick to our normal weekly routine (including working out, cooking, cleaning, ballet, FUN etc.).  Ashely was a good team player and works at the same pace as I do.  Aside from her having to contend to an 8 month old baby, she was my right-hand wo-MAN all week.  I already miss her like crazy.
Aeila joined Lilah at ballet on Tuesday.  She seemed to really enjoy it.  It will be difficult going to Miss Mona's next Tuesday because we will feel like someone is missing :(

Monday, March 25, 2013

The Twins' Actual BIRTH-day!

So far they...

Blew out candles on their breakfast toast.

Went to the YMCA

Ate lunch at Chick-fil-a with Big Brother Ty and cousin Aeila, which included a birthday diet coke splurge!!! (Their favorite, like mommy!)
While eating lunch, Lilah said, "I want to call my daddy! I miss him."  I was dialing his phone number and he literally appeared at our table.  I had no idea he was coming!!!

Bowling.
It's been a fun day!  A little snooze is taking place now, to restore their energy and smiles.  

After nap...

Presents.
Cake.





Nails.