Easter 2013!

The last couple of years we have gone to both Easter services and the pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt in between. It makes for a long morning for the kids but the Egg Hunt (and treats) is a nice incentive.  Unfortunately, even though we were there on time and ready to go, there were no eggs left for our little ones.  The bigger kids (and a few of the little ones) along with some kids whose parents swung by specifically for the Egg Hunt got all of the eggs!  I, along with some of the other parents, were so frustrated.  It just didn't seem fair. Thank goodness Keegan didn't quite understand since the poor boy was there for hours on end.  Of course, the most important part of Easter is that Jesus rose again and we are saved.  But still, some eggs would have been nice.... BUT thankfully the kids thought it would be tons of fun to go on a pine cone hunt instead.  I don't even think they realized that wasn't the point!  Keegan and his gal Avery got quite the loot of pine cones! Gotta love 'em!

As for Easter baskets, we didn't go through them until after service. Jay and Kara always seem to get some goodies from the Easter Bunny too....

AND Easter also meant one more week until the Gender Reveal Party!!!!

Amazing Grace - How Bittersweet it is

I still have several posts from the past few months to make and was hoping to post in order but I really feel like I have to post a snap shot of these past two weeks.  These incredibly sad weeks.

We started out last week with the Boston Marathon Bombings on Monday 4/15 and the chaos that ensued.  Then, much closer to home, a dear friend's mother passed away.  On 4/17 there was an explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas.  Finally, on Thursday 4/18 a young lady from church gave birth at 28 weeks pregnant.  Her sweet baby boy passed away the next day after 14 hours in this world.

I went to two memorial services in less than a week's time.

My dear friend's mom's funeral was last Saturday.  She and her husband (his dad) were married for 40 years.  It was incredibly heartbreaking to see the pain her family was in with her passing.  She was such a blessing in this world.  They also talked about how amazing it was that my friend's parents were married for 40 years.  It sure is commendable, especially in today's society.  Marriage can be hard work - I know!  Next summer Jay and I will be married for a decade!  I hope when I pass away "they" can say that through good and bad we stuck together and worked through life together.

Tonight was the memorial service for sweet baby Loretto.  I never did get to meet him.  Baby Lee 2.0 was kicking like crazy throughout the whole service.  I'd like to think she was telling me that Loretto is now doing great and is home with Jesus waiting until his family and we all join him in heaven or at the time of the Resurrection. It was particularly hard for several reasons but two of them include that I was 6 weeks behind her in this pregnancy (thank you Jesus that we are still going strong, I can't even imagine the pain) and also remembering my dear sisters funeral. She passed away 10 days before her 1st birthday.  Baby funerals are hard.

One thing is for sure, the two individuals whose memorial services I attended are in heaven with Jesus waiting.  And as sad as these last two weeks have been, the thing we can take comfort in is God's amazing Grace.

AMAZING GRACE

 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
 

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
 

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
 

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
 

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
 

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

More Fall Fun!

On a lighter note, we tried to take advantage of the beautiful start to our fall and have some fun this last week or so.

Friday Night (10/26) we went to Lehigh Elementary where Aunt Kiki (my sister) works and had a blast with Grandma and cousins Craig and Connor.  There were bounce houses, games, face painting, popcorn, and a fire truck!

THE Famous "Aunt Kiki"

The hand holding melts my heart every time!

After our fun night at the Lehigh Elementary School Fall Festival, the next day was costume day at Music Class!  Keegan and his first love Avery are in music class together.  How cute are they!?!?!

 What's that you said?

It's time for the lullaby?  Time for the lullaby!

Ahhhhshuuuu.....

 

Sunday Keegan had breakfast in bed before church - so spoiled!  Then that evening we went to the Lakes Park Pumpkin Patch where we met Aunt Kiki and then Grandma & Bob stopped by briefly.

More pancakes, pleeeesseee!!!

 

 

 

Tuesday Keegan got sent home from school early.  He had a fever and his cough was back with his bad breathing and snotty nose.  I decided to definitely take him to the doctor in the morning because he seemed even sicker than normal and was a bit lethargic with no appetite.  My poor boy.  I was able to get him an appointment first thing on Wednesday (Halloween) morning.  The diagnosis was.....

Pneumonia!  I couldn't believe it.  It made me so sad.  Worst mom of the year here!  I felt like crying in the doctor's office.  The doctor tried to assure me that it could have just become pneumonia in the last day or so and he most likely wasn't walking around with it for weeks.  He also had fluid in both of his middle ears.  The start of ear infections but not too bad yet.  I told Keegan "looks like you'll miss out on all of the Halloween festivities later" and the doctor actually said once he has his first dose of medicine and some rest throughout the day he should be fine to go out for a little while at night.  So I did what most moms would be appalled at, and I took my pneumonia ridden child to Trunk or Treat to help Kara with our Mickey themed trunk.  Granted, she did all of the work there for the most part.  I was dealing with a very cranky Keegan and seriously doubting my decision to bring him to the event.  The decorating was a joint project for Kara and I.  Here's some pictures of the decor and trunk. Judge me if you must.  It didn't hurt Keegan at all and he was back at school by Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday was another awesome music class and the charity sale at Belk. I managed to do some serious damage - yikes!  Then Sunday was Keegan's sweet Avery's 2nd birthday party at Lakes Park!  I love those kids!

Keegan and the birthday girl ditching their game of "Soccer" to go get cake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jay's actually off this week from work and I have a few days off, so the plan is to get a lot of stuff done around the house (who takes 6 months to move in?!?!?  we do, unfortunately....) and then we are having a get together on Saturday.  I can't believe it, but Keegan's party is only 1 week after that.  Our lil man is growing up!