Easter!

Our Easter weekend was action packed. It started off with a bike parade and Easter egg hunt at the Y. For the bike parade, Harris was going to ride his big wheel and Walker was going to sit in a wagon with his friend and eat snacks the whole way. We were rookies at the bike parade thing. Everyone else had decorated their bikes with balloons. crepe paper, people had flags with their names on it, elaborate helmet decorations, and so on. Harris had nothing at all. A friend took pity on him and taped a balloon to the front "headlight" and he felt better. Walker was going to ride in our friend's wagon, which she'd decorated with pink on one side, for her girl, blue on the other, for Walker. Walker saw the wagon and immediately arched his back and started screaming. So much for that. He saw someone riding in THIS.

He would not rest until he got in that thing, so he had to be taken to the car for an attitude adjustment. He wasn't emotionally stable enough for the easter egg hunt so Harris did it by himself. In the rush to get them ready and out of the house, I totally forgot my camera AND their Easter baskets. So I don't have pics and Harris had to use a re-usable Earth bag tote, haha. Thank you Amanda and Andy for providing decorations and bags for us.
So after the boys went down for naps Tom and I tackled some home improvement projects together. It was by far the most productive Saturay afternoon we've had in years.

Sunday morning we had planned to make it to the 8 am service but it just didn't happen. We got it together for the 9 am though, with time leftover for some pics of those cuties.

Look at Walker's sweet little face. I could just kiss and kiss those sweet little cheeks!

Here's a look back at the past few Easter's...just for fun.

Sunday evening we had an egg hunt and some dinner. Walker is still getting the concept of the "hunt" down. He always heads straight to his slide when we go outside and that's what he did again. There just happened to be an egg on it. Harris was pretty into the hunt this year but only for the candy.

We did Easter baskets and those were a hit.



These egg grabbers immediately became swords. Poor Walker knows to just throw up his hand for protection. In case anyone is concerned, I did put down the camera and intervene before Harris followed through with his plan.



Like everything, Walker's egg spinning toy became a phone. So Harris made a phone call too.

My favorite memory of Easter this year is something Harris told our babysitter. We'd been talking and talking about what Easter is REALLY about and it seemed to be going in one ear and out the other. But our babysitter asked him why we celebrate Easter and Harris told her, "Jesus died on the cross and rose again." As much as a 3 year old can comprehend that, he gets it. I pray that his understanding and awe of that will just deepen as he grows.

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! 

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. – Matthew 28:2-6 (NIV)



April 19, 1995

Texas is home now and I love it here. But I'll always consider myself an Okie. Today I wanted to highlight just one reason why.

Sixteen years ago, the Murrah building was bombed. At the time, it was the worst act of terrorism on American soil. Everyone remembers where they were when they first heard about it. I was in 10th grade and didn't fully understand what had happened until I got home and was able to watch the news. It was terrifying and tragic. But it was also an opportunity for our state to shine. When the bomb went off, people ran TO the building, rather than fleeing. People were asked to donate blood, then asked to stay home because the response was overwhelming. The need for workboots was broadcast and workers would pull up, take off their shoes, and drive away. There's now something called the "Oklahoma dollar" among rescue teams. A worker from out of state said he was leaving with every dollar he brought, because he hadn't been allowed to pay for anything. In its entirety, the response to the disaster was so incredible, it's now known as the Oklahoma standard. The bar was raised by the selfless acts of kindness and service by regular people who had empathy and compassion.

So, if anyone asks, I may live in Texas but I will always be from Oklahoma.

*The photo above was found here and is from the memorial.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

PLANS- I love them.

     

 I am a planner. I have been known to lie in bed at night going over minute details of things in my head to coordinate how EXACTLY it's going to happen. Tom calls this stressing, but it's really not. I just feel better when I know exactly the order of things. If I don't know when it's going to happen, then in my mind it probably ISN'T going to happen.
     So it's no surprise that I have the next several months all mapped out. Tom and I were going to go do this thing, then that other thing, then we were going to regroup and make some decisions. It was all lined up. And then it all started to disintegrate before my eyes and for some reason, I have total peace about that. Until a friend asked me several questions the other night, I didn't even realize how little I know about what I'm going to be doing the next few months. And I think that's exactly where I'm supposed to be. Because, though we were prayerful in the "plan-making" I think I was asking the Lord to bless decisions I had already made, not truly seeking His plan. Because they were not bad things at all. They were the way I wanted to serve and things I was excited about. But it's becoming clear that they weren't at all His plans. Though what I wanted was good, it meant I would have had to say no to other things, things that could be better. So right now, I'm trying to keep my heart open to the opportunities that are put in front of me. In the past, I would come up with elaborate strategies to keep the original plans on track and it would usually end up in a mess with all involved irritated about the outcome.  I'm sure everyone reading this is feeling sorry for Tom about now. You should, he's been a good sport. I just re-read this and the word "I" is in here a ton. Clearly, this post was all about me. But it feels good to organize some thoughts at least, and plan to not plan.

Proverbs 16:1
To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Psalm 33:10
The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
Psalm 40:5
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
 Isaiah 14:24
The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Isaiah 28:29
All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

Brother Knows Best

I got the troops ready early for church for the sole purpose of a photo shoot. As usual, Walker had other plans. 

 But Harris was ready for some posing....

After a few takes, he was determined to get Walker back in action. Somehow, he did it peacefully. It started out with chasing Walker up the neighbor's driveway.

Gently yet forcefully turning him around......

There's a close line between a brotherly nudge and an all-out shove, but he stayed sweet.

                                Leading him by the hand in the right direction.

 Still walking sweetly. Notice Walker's right shoe is missing. He's CONSTANTLY taking off his right shoe and only his right shoe. No idea what that's about.

                               Harris turned on the charm for the camera.

After all that, they never sat on the steps and took a pic. By the time they made it to the driveway, it degenerated into this.  

They love to shove on the garage door as hard as they can. They both grunt and push with all their strength. Why would they think that's fun???

So that's what's new with us. The rest of this post is really just for me to remember what Harris said, so feel free to stop reading. The other day I asked him to do something and he told me, "You can count on me, mommy!" He calls everyone his friend, which I LOVE. He was asking me when his friend Daddy was going to be home. And he's still talking about his friend the policeman, who gave him a sticker. He is on a kick of suggesting other things than what I suggest. I offered him a circle sandwich (on those thin round bread things) and he told me, "I can have a parfait, maybe that's a great idea!" Every idea he comes up with ends in "Maybe that could be a great idea."

Walker is really a ham lately. If we're in a store he wants to make eye contact with people, wave enthusiastically, and say "Hiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!" He's all about the "Hiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeee" and "Biiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeee." And he's discovered he likes chips. That makes two little chip fanatics, so Tom has to be careful about getting a bag out of the pantry. He has become really sneaky about it. The CIA has nothing on the parents of observant, tantrum-prone toddlers.

Psalm 145:3

 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Game on.

It's official. Soccer season has started. Woo hoo!! I don't particularly care what the sport is but I've been looking forward to practices and games since I was pregnant with Harris. This part is so much fun. Harris' team is the Green Hornets and it is hilarious to watch the action unfold.



The star pre-game. Not wanting to pose for the paparazzi.



At practice, he was the first to volunteer for everything. He was playing goalie and his favorite move was to stop the ball. He'd put his foot on it, then look around waiting for some applause. He can be a little shy in large groups sometimes, but he was 100% hamming this up.  





Look at that grin! He's much more into it than I expected and chases the ball like his life depends on it. His foot is so wide that a normal soccer shoe can't contain it very well, with the shin guards and thick socks so his shoe comes off periodically. He normally likes to be clean and wouldn't take one step without his shoe, but in soccer he just keeps running like it didn't happen. He definitely has the concept of going for the ball  because he would run after it even if it meant he took out a few of his fellow players. I asked him about that later and he told me "They were in the way. I've got to GET THE BALL." So there have been several talks about that too. I think next game he'll be a little gentler.  He was a man on a mission.

 I think this was the only time all 5 of our players were on the field at once. There are lots of snack/water breaks and random melt-downs. 45 minutes is a long time to keep 3 year olds engaged. The poor ref and coaches have so much patience.

Here's Harris zoning out.

I am so so proud of our Harris' attitude about this. He tries to listen to what's being asked of him and cheers his friends on. AND, he scored the ONLY GOAL for his team. I was cheering like he just caught the game winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, so there are no pics but he stood there for a good minute, basking in his moment. 

Walker spent most of the game going up and down a hill.That poor little guy is going to be sick of this by the time the season is over.

Go Green Hornets!

⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Deuteronomy 6:5-8



Gateway Fellowship

     I'm linking this to Kelly's Korner blog. It's a chance to let other people know how much you love your church! You know I don't miss an opportunity to talk about how awesome our church is. One of the obvious way it's different is that we meet in a movie theater. The church started about 3 years ago and has been growing ever since. It started meeting in someone's living room, then an elementary school cafeteria, now it takes up 5 movie theaters every Sunday morning. The word is spreading that it's fantastic. This church has brought us back to walking with the Lord. made San Antonio home for us, and brought us more blessings than I could ever name.
   The unofficial motto is "Love finds a need and meets it." When we first started going in 2008, gas prices were outrageous. So some members went to local gas stations and helped people fill up their tanks. We have done free car washes, picked up trash, cleaned up inner city streets, had food drives, met needs in our own church, adopted inner city families. ADOPTED ORPHANS (my personal fave :)), provided meals to homeless ministries, and the list could go on and on. The message you hear on Sunday morning is about taking the word of God, establishing a relationship with him, then GOING OUT and putting it into practice. Our church has already planted a Spanish speaking church and is working on one in the inner city, the poorest zip code in the state of Texas. It would be super easy to put that off until we have a building of our own, but that isn't the priortity. Missions and serving others is the priortity and the leadership lives that by making decisions aligned with the priorities of the Lord and not of men. The Lord is absolutely using this church to transform lives in our community and it's awesome to be a part of it.
     Tom and I were not very lovable when we started going to Gateway. We were overwhelmed, under energized, crabby (well, maybe that was just me), and a little rough around the edges. It didn't matter. We were shown the love of Jesus from the time we drove into the parking lot. It was such a change from the norm that it was a little hard to take. I thought the people were faking it. But we went back anyway. Tom SHOVED me out the door to go to a women's dinner that I didn't want to attend but ended up being glad I did. Little by little we got more involved. And I am so incredibly thankful that we did. We went to a fellowship team and saw what godly marriages and friendships looked like and those people loved on us too.

     Another thing I like about our church is that it's fun! Every month there's an outdoor, healthy, family activity. This month it was hiking Enchanted Rock. The fundraising things coming up are a 5k run and an off-road triathlon. That's more exciting than a pancake dinner. No offense. But it is.  And I haven't even mentioned the worship yet!. Oh my goodness, the worship is incredible. A few different people lead worship. One band won the Battle of the Bands in San Antonio last year and were featured on Great Day SA recently. They're awesome. Our asst. pastor also leads, plays several different instruments, sings, and makes it all look easy. They really know what it means to worship the Lord and how to lead others to do the same. I hate being late for church because I don't want to miss the opportunity they give to exalt our God.
     Tom and I LOVE our church family and are so thankful for them every single day. I love that they are the hands and feet of Christ. I love that they selflessly love others. And I love that they've embraced us and become our Texas family.

 Acts 2 :42-47
⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Here are some pics that show how we roll. Thank you to Veronica and Allison because I shamelessly stole every single one off their facebook pages!!


Planting a garden in Helotes



Climbing Enchanted Rock

Cleaning up the inner city

Dancing on girls night out.

Mountain Biking

Bringing sweet children home. This one makes me cry every time.

Disc Golf

Dedicating babies.