Mom Monday- Exciting week ahead

We've got an exciting week ahead of us. 

In fact, this week we're going to be enjoying Sky VBS! 



Elizabeth is super excited, especially after she saw the experiments we'll be doing. Below is the Fizzy Flyer, let's just say, the kids are going to have an explosive time. Mark and I are teachers this year, and we can't wait to begin.

We're also continuing our Kindermusik classes, which Elizabeth is loving.  Below is a video of her singing the mosquito song.  It's become her favorite.  When she ask me about the itching, I told her how mosquitoes bite and eat blood.  She is now fascinated by what they do, not scared mind you, but fascinated...

 

My little scientist.  

On tuesday, we're hoping to take some more family pictures.  Last time Evie was out of sorts because of a lack of nap, so I'm hoping a change in time will do better for us.

We'll finish this week with a trip to the farmer's market and some wonderful shopping at the Amish food store.  And of course, lots of family time out in the garden and with the animals. A great week ahead!

Thoughtful Thursday

I've joined a local BSF group, and I'm learning so much about my God and faith.  I thought I would share a few nuggets of wisdom that I receive each week.  Not the whole thing, mind you, just something that struck me as a wonderful thought or truth.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and hopefully I will represent the organization well.  Here goes:

This week might be very applicable to a lot of people.  I know it applies to me.

While the church universal is commanded to love, it doesn't always work that way.  Too often the church hurts the people, and it not only results in the church seeming hypocritical, but it tarnishes God's love. 

Why? 

Because we are His representatives on this earth and are called to display His love in every moment.  When we hurt people in the name of our faith, we trivialize our faith, making it something to be ridiculed and disrespected.  And truly, can you blame those that have been so hurt by the church? 

So with that in mind,

When we dedicate our lives to Jesus, we must give him our all!

Not just on Sunday and not just to people we want to love.  

Being a follower of Jesus means stepping forward and being public about your faith.

Not because you are eager to quote scripture to people or to tell them how their lives fall short of God's commands...

but because you live a lovely life!  A life filled with love for everyone.

The church truly is the demonstration of God's love, and when we love completely,

we attract people to Christ.

Getting Ready

I can't believe it...Evie is almost 6 months old. 

This was the age that we got Elizabeth baptized. So it's time to start planning Evie's baptism as well.

The good news, I already have the most beautiful dress, all courtesy of my mom. 

Elizabeth in the dress

I also have gotten the date nailed down.

Mom and I believe we have a menu for the luncheon afterwards, so that just leaves
-getting paper invites out
-having the pre-baptism talk with our Reverend
-fixing up some things in and around the house before guests arrive
-and picking out some clothes for myself (this will be the easiest, as I just bought some new dresses I love).

I'm looking forward to the day.  There is nothing more special than watching someone join God's family. 

"I have held thee in the palm of my hand."    Isiah 51:16

VBS

Next week we're doing VBS with the girls.

I'm SUPER excited.

We're doing Shake it up cafe, which is great because Elizabeth loves to cook...well, more like taste. ;)

Either way I know she will enjoy it.   I'm excited too, since both Mark and I have volunteered to help out.  I think it's going to be a great experience for us. 

I'm sure we'll be posting pics from it next week. Looking forward to fun!!

Belated Post- Easter Fun

I know, I know.  I'm a little late posting this, but if you had my work week you'd totally understand.  Anyway, here's our Easter!

So Friday we went to church for the Good Friday service.  It was wonderful.  So serene and inspiring.

Saturday I'm afraid we didn't really participate in any Easter fun, instead we went to an amusement park.  It was Elizabeth's first time.  She. Loved. It.

Elephants!!

Piggy Parade!

Sunday we did Easter baskets for Elizabeth, my sister, and Evie.  Yes, if you come to my house to visit you get treats or Easter baskets in this case, even if you are an adult.

Easter Bunny trail to the goods.

The basket!

Melissa's basket complete with Elizabeth art, Evie's basket, and Mark's candy carrot.

Checking out the goods.

Bunny baby!

You can't top this cool.

Bunny Baby 2!

After Easter baskets and breakfast, we headed to a lovely service a church followed by lunch at my parent's house.  We did family portraits there.

My parents

My parents, kids, sister, and myself.

Mark and I with the girls.

 Last was the egg hunt.  Elizabeth knew to find eggs, but she mainly followed my sister around and tried to steal her eggs.  Yeah, I have that child.  ha ha.

All in all a wonderful weekend.  The best part- He has Risen!   He has Risen, Indeed!!

So Blessed! Thanks to everyone!

What a wonderful weekend!! It was exhausting, but great.  First a lot of family came into town, which is always nice.  Then on Saturday, we went to my Aunt's 50th wedding anniversary party.  Great food and we got to see a lot of family we don't see very often.  We had a blast!

The next day we headed to church (a lot of our family came with us) and right after the service we had a baby shower!  It was so much fun, and I was so amazed.  They have only known us a few months, and yet our church put together such a great party.  The cake and punch was delicious, everyone was so generous, and the fellowship was so wonderful.  We have been truly blessed with such a wonderful church, not to mention friends and family who are so supportive (and also generous!!).  I couldn't believe all the stuff we brought home: cloth diapers, wipes, sheets, clothes, breastfeeding items, handmade clothes and shawls, gift cards and toys.  Elizabeth also got a ton of toys as so many people wanted to keep her involved.  I can't thank everyone who came and gave us such wonderful gifts enough though.  Not to sound like a broken record, but it was so generous, and we are very blessed to have so many people who love us.

I wish I had some photos, but was unable to take any since we were busy opening gifts. ;)  However, I'm sure we'll be getting some from the ladies of the church soon (which I'll post later).  However, I did take a quick photo of some of the cupcake cake and regular cake we brought home with us.  It's doesn't adequately show how super cute these cakes were, but I wanted to show something from the party.  I'll post some pics later of some wonderful gifts too, but in a nesting moment Mark and I put a lot of it away before taking some pictures.  Whoops!

Yummy cake and cupcake cake. So adorable!!  I'll get a pic of the whole thing later on.

Elizabeth got a Barbie doll that day to play with.  She already loves it.

Valentine's celebration dinner

So last night we headed over to our church for their Loving Hearts Banquet.  It was phenomenal.  So much fun and great food.  In fact, it was the first full meal I have had since getting sick.  Elizabeth ate really well, devouring her green beans, apples, dressing, and even the pork loin. Though everyone was surprised that Elizabeth didn't like potatoes.  I don't know what it is, but I have the ONLY child in the world that doesn't like potatoes.  Not fried, mashed, or baked.  The only fry she will ever eat is from Pal's and even that doesn't happen all the time.  The only problem I have with this is every kid's meal comes with fries...I mean they never consider that some kids will eat more than just fries.  It's like they want kids to be picky.  Anyway, that's a whole other story.

Back to the banquet.  Like I said, it was so much fun.  In addition to a great meal and fellowship with our fellow church members, we also were entertained.  People sang, did some comedy, and they gave out prizes too.  All of the kids got little chocolate candies to take home and some coupons to some local restaurants.  Elizabeth was so excited when they called her name to get her chocolates.  She raced up to the front and almost ran off without all of her prize. It was super cute.  I have to say, I can't say enough about how much I love our new church.  Everyone is so kind and loving, it really displays what God is...LOVE!

The blessings of joining such a wonderful church.

So on top of welcoming us so warmly into the church, the folks at Kendrick's Creek United Methodist Church have again shown us so much love.  Today I was approached by one of the ladies of the church and asked for dates for a baby shower.  I can't tell you how touched I was...we just joined the church and already we've been shown such love and kindness.  My only hope is that I will be able to return this kindness to them.  What a blessing it has been to meet such great people!

Joining the Flock

We have officially joined Kendrick's Creek United Methodist Church!  Mark and I are very excited to have found a wonderful church home.  Mark is planning to join the basketball league, and I'm hoping to join in their crochet club (crocheting for charity).  Next Sunday we hope to go to a new Sunday School class too.  We couldn't be happier, especially since we love the people, Reverend Susan, and the fact that there are other little kids for Elizabeth to play with.  I'm excited to introduce Baby Poppy to the church as well, and this will be the church that she is baptized in.  I'm sure we'll do it about the same age Elizabeth was ~6 months or so.  We'll definitely post lots of pics when that day comes.  Until then, enjoy some older pictures of Elizabeth in her baptismal gown, which is the same one that Baby Poppy will wear (Sorry it's a shameless plug of my Mom's talent, she made the gown and it is gorgeous).  :)

My mom with Elizabeth, she made the beautiful gown.

The three of us.  You can slightly see the embroidery on the hem in this picture.  It has the blessings of God embroidered on it.  GORGEOUS!

Close up of baby and the top of the dress.  The neck line was smocked and the sleeves are embroidered.  The bonnet is a handkerchief that she can carry on her wedding day.  You can also see her cross necklace, all were gifts from Grammy for her special day.