What an awesome big brother!

Apparently Sarah Joy would not leave Graham alone this morning while he was trying to get his schoolwork done....so he promised her that they would get up on his bunk bed and read books this afternoon. She took advantage of the relaxed atmosphere to grab her pink blanket and her thumb (of course) and snuggled up next to her big brother to hear all about the princess, Gigi. What an awesome big brother!

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover!

Wordless Wednesday

Just Yummy!

We have had just a yummy weekend! The sun was out Thursday and Friday and Saturday...and it was warm! I actually got a little blistered on my arms! We spent Friday evening and Saturday morning participating in Small Group training for Harvest. It was awesome and we were given some great tools to implement in our small group....really refreshing! After the training, Mike and Graham went to see the annual Blue/Gold spring game at Notre Dame....I am not sure, but I think Notre Dame lost (ha!). The girls and I enjoyed a little shopping while the boys were at the game....very sweet! We spent Saturday night hanging out and cooking on the grill with some of our friends. Oh how I love to grill out and hang with friends! Just yummy! And this morning we went to church. I am telling you the truth....our pastor is nailing it! He preached from 1 Thess. 4:1-8 and focused on sexual purity. It takes some boldness for a pastor to preach on this topic without "watering it down".....and he has that boldness! In addition to the great message, my friend, Mal, was there! Very sweet! We enjoyed lunch today with some other friends from Life Action. Mark and Amy Bearden and their kids are here from Texas....so great to spend time with them! This afternoon is kinda rainy and cool....so the girls decided they wanted to make cookies. I thought it was the perfect way to end our yummy weekend!

If you are interested in listening to the sermon Trent preached this morning, you can listen online at

http://www.harvestgranger.org

Hope your weekend was just as delicious!
Leigh Ann

Barefoot with a side of rice

Equals one happy girl!

Monkeys, Bunnies, and Ice Cream

For months and months, the girls have been wanting to go to Build-A-Bear Workshop in the mall. And this Easter, they were surprised to find gift cards in their baskets.....so off we went!
Grace chose a lovely bunny (not a bear...go figure!)

And Sarah Joy chose a beautiful monkey (also not a bear....)
Graham was so awesome! I knew he didn't want to be there....but he was such a good sport and really helped Sarah Joy. Here they are giving her new monkey a bath.
I think she liked it....
And brushing, of course...
Oh! the decisions one must make to clothe these creatures....

And then we registered them in this Build-A-Bear database so that if we ever lose them, they will be returned to us....I think it was just a very clever way for them to get my email address...

The wonderful boxes to take them home in...

And then...my favorite part (and Graham's too)....an ice cream cone!

Easter 2009

Happy Easter! He is Risen! What a wonderful day of celebration!
We went to church this morning, but I didn't get any pictures...sorry! Mike left early for worship team practice and I just didn't have my act together enough to take some pictures before we left home. But...the pictures of our family all dressed up are not the most important part of the day (right??). We want this day to be about Jesus!!
After church, we enjoyed lunch together as a family (missing all of our family back in GA) and then a little egg hunt in the backyard with the neighbor kids. The weather is beautiful here....hey...we are just thankful for the 50s...and we didn't have to wear snow bibs to church!

One of our traditions...

Easter Story Cookies

Ok...I'll be totally honest and say I have never made these before...and I have every intention of doing it this year...but won't beat myself up if it just doesn't happen....

But here is the recipe and I love the idea!!

1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
Wooden spoon (got those stashed in my van!)
Bible
1 tsp. vinegar
Pinch salt
Zipper Baggie
Scotch Tape

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. of vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and add a pinch in the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3. Fold in broken pecans. Drop by teaspoons onto waxed paper covered cookie sheets. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Put the cookie sheet in the oven. Close the door and TURN OFF THE OVEN. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:55-56. GO TO BED! Explain that thy may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Grace and Julie

This must be some sort of April Fools joke....

Our local school system is out on Spring Break....HA!
And guess what....more is coming....
I need sunshine and warmth....SOON!!!!

Dr. Dobson and our Days

Have you seen the book "Mistaken Identity"? I heard a little bit about this book a couple of weeks ago....and then today I heard the families of this incredible story sharing their hearts with Dr. James Dobson on Focus on the Family. I don't want to say too much about it (and give away the story)....but I think you would be blessed to read it. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of it!

As for our family, we have had some good days this week. Some of the highlights were....
Graham got bottom braces.
Mike and I went to see Dr. David Jeremiah with 10,000 other folks at Notre Dame.
Miss Alicia came and "baby-sat" the kids....they love her!
The kids and I went to lunch with Nichole (the wife of our new worship leader).
We have been cleaning and getting ready for a reception that is going to be at our house on Sunday. It is in honor of Micah and Nichole (the new worship leader and his wife). We are expecting about 75-100 people (just reminding ourselves how Jesus fed the 5000 with a little bit of fish and some bread....and he can work this out too!).
We "doubled-up" on our schoolwork this week....completed it all in four days and took the fifth day off. I needed the break from school to focus on the house and the things that need to be done for the reception.
We still have some glimpes of spring...but for the most part, it is still cool, windy, and rainy. We know
that spring is coming though...and I can't wait to get to Varner's and get my hands in this dirt!

Have a great weekend! I probably won't be back for another post until next week. Maybe I'll have a few pics from the reception to share with you.