A special date

 Johnathan and I went to the Easter play at Kendra's church. The Lawrence Chapel Church of God is also the church that Brody and Briggs' grandparents attend. We feel at home there! We decided that Jayne Elizabeth wasnt ready to watch a dramatic play visualizing the brutal death of Jesus, but the boys have been openly discussing this all week. However at the last minute Joseph decided he had germs and didnt want to get anyone else sick! Johnathan and I had a fabulous date. He is becoming a true southern gentleman. Complete with complements "mommy my like the flowers on your dress, you look very pretty." Also to complete the southern charm he took me to Sonic for a cherry limeade and we shared a banana! ha! The Easter play was truly wonderful. The time to reflect on the death of Jesus, while holding my precious son had me in tears. Johnathan had several good questions and also amazingly accurate comments while watching the play. My answer is always "we will have to read the Bible and find out." Our goal as a family is that the Bible will be the most valued HISTORY book, not just a story book. As always my continuous prayer is "Jesus draw them close to you."

Easter Cookies

Thankful for Spring weather, and treats! God is so good. I am enjoying the simple things: riding bikes, looking at tulips, special snacks, and matching children's Spring clothes! Enjoy!

He is Risen Rolls!

RESURRECTION ROLLS! ( HE IS RISEN ROLLS!!! at our house!)

This has been such a blessing to me this Easter! Fellow moms and blogs have shared this before, and I am thrilled to have done it tonight!  The snack/activity was fun, easy, educational, and tasted good too! I am so thankful for times like this with these sweet kids.  May Jesus draw near to them each day!

Ingredients:

1/2 stick of butter (melted)

1 can of large refrigerated rolls

Large marshmallows (8 of them)

A bowl of cinnamon and sugar mix

These little fingers were everywhere!! Anthony was gone at a conference, so there was alot of tasting happening here!

We took the white marshmallow, and discussed how Jesus was pure and sinless like this marshmallow.

Johnathan, Joseph and Jayne Elizabeth rolled the marshmallow in butter and then in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. The butter represents the anointing oil and the cinnamon-sugar mixture represents the spices--both items were put on Jesus' body before they laid him in the tomb. After this Jayne Elizabeth lost her focus, but she did well through the beginning!

We wrapped the biscuit around the marshmallow and sealed the dough around it. This was a very important step --make sure the dough is completely sealed around the marshmallow. Some of ours caused quite the smoke in the oven from not being sealed!  After they put Jesus in the tomb, there was a large stone in front of it to seal it.

 They rolled the ball of dough in butter and then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Jayne Elizabeth was able to gain her attention back to us when the rolls were on the tray!

 We placed the tray of rolls in oven for about 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees or until done.

 Then the kids opened the tomb to look for Jesus. Where is he? He has risen!

How do the He Has Risen! rolls taste? "Taste and see that the Lord is good..." Psalm 34:8

The rolls taste sweet, of course. Easter is a time to celebrate the sweetest gift of all--our salvation through Jesus. Although he was blameless, he died on the cross for our sins; was buried in a tomb from three days; then rose from the dead. Our greatest desire for our children is to have a personal relationship with Jesus at a young age!! It has been humbling and emotional to watch and hear Johnathan and Joseph truly begin to understand the death and amazing life of Jesus Christ this Easter season! To Him be the Glory!

Daddy's ballet class

When we were pregnant with a little girl Anthony was super excited about girl things!!! Actually, he really wanted a daughter! So today when Jayne Elizabeth asked for Daddy to take her to her last ballet class this semester, I wasnt surprised when he said "yes" to the Mommy and Me ballet class!!! Anthony is such a good Daddy, and I wasnt offended at all that I had dressed her complete with a side pony tail and bow, and then she wanted Daddy to take her! ha! I guess it will be back yard ball for me this afternoon with the boys! These moments are priceless.

Warm heart swirlings!

Yes, it is after midnight and I am up blogging!!! I am happy for many reasons, but first of all the boys are still in their beds, AND in the same bed!! When I went to check on them they were in the same bed all snuggled together....precious!!! ( not so precious was me in the dark room frisking the bed down trying to find out what was going on, and who was who!! then they moved positions. ha!!)  I did what anyone would do, go grab my camera!! Seeing them makes me smile for serveral reasons. Since Joseph still has a few sensory issues, he does not want Johnathan to snuggle. Johnathan frequently asks Joseph to come over to his bed! So this night the thought of them upstairs sleeping in the same bed makes this Mommy have warm heart swirlings! I love these kids. It is crazy how a simple picture can make me so proud. Joseph has come a long way since sleeping in incubators! :)

 Now,  I must get to bed. This sweet little girl will be up early, just in time to greet me for my morning run! She does not stay in her bed very long in the mornings, the boys say they feel sorry for her because she doesnt have a twin to share a room! ha!

***dont you love the ability to crop a photo!!*** ha ha!

fun x 3

Leotards and Tutus!

We took Jayne Elizabeth to her "mommy and me ballet" class!! I must say my favorite part is the apparel!!! She is sooooo cute! It makes me smile to see her in the pink leotard, tutu, tights and slippers! The class is more like "dance and tumbling." It is super laid back, and more just fun! I think the "structure" of ballet will come at an age later than two! ha! Jayne Elizabeth is very attentive, and listens to instructions intently! It is super fun to watch these little girls run all over the place in these frills!

The funniest picture taken, her brothers "stuck" in ballet! Tough on boys when Daddy is oncall!

 Precious feet.....thank you Jesus for these dancing toes!

 This is her focus when listening! So funny!

 Good job Jayne Elizabeth!