Mom and I had fun with plaid yesterday! 

Happy Easter!

It's Easter evening and we've had a good day. Nate's Grandpa Brown had the service this morning. One of the high points for me was when he brought up the brief, but meaningful point that Jesus could come back today. Not just theoretically, but He really could come back today! Can you imagine? Grandpa Brown said he wondered what it would be like if we lived every day with this expectation, what our countenances would be like, what hope and joy we would have! He is coming soon and then tears and pain will be done!
On a lighter note, my mom and dad have been down for the weekend. Mom and I have enjoyed shopping together and decorating Easter eggs, as you can see, and Daddy and I have been enjoying our deep talks together as well as our usual silliness and laughter.
So, I hope and pray everyone has had a good day reflecting on what God has done, His promises that have been kept, and the ones that will be fulfilled!

Oops

Brad has told me that, with my lead foot, it's just a matter of time before I get a speeding ticket. Well, today it happened.
I saw the flashing lights behind me and pulled over thinking he wanted to pass me, but when he slowed down with me, I knew I was in trouble. The officer was very kind though. He asked how I was and I smiled nervously, "I'm doing good...I think...?" He laughed and explained that I took a hill a little too fast. I can't believe I didn't cry. I always thought I would. The hardest part was the waiting while he went back to his car with my license and registration. He finally came back...with a ticket. He very kindly apologized for being the bearer of bad news and sent me on my way. Needless to say, I crept through the rest of my day. I do not want to go through that again!

It's Been One of Those Days...

You know how sometimes in the grocery store you pass someone with a squeaky cart? You either get annoyed by the sound, or you think to yourself, "I'm glad that isn't me!" Well, today, it was me. If I went slow enough it wasn't bad, but I was in a hurry, so of course it was loud and annoying. I felt like everyone was looking at me and you all know how much I like to draw attention to myself!
Then, my day continued at the gas station. I think there is something wrong with our what-do-you-call-it thingy that stops the pump when your tank is full. I was standing there enjoying the day, glad to not be wearing a coat, when it dawned on me that I had been there a while...so I looked to see how many gallons I'd pumped and it seemed close, so...well, to make a long story short, when I pulled out the nozzle there was a splash of gas down by my feet! Cute. I've heard all of these horror stories where cars explode if there is a spark of static electricity near the gas, so I was very careful when I climbed into my car!
I drove away with a sigh of relief to have that done and headed toward the car wash. No real adventure here until I pulled out and got ready to head down the road toward home. As I said, I'd been enjoying the day and the good weather, and decided to open my sunroof. Big mistake. Water came pouring down over my head and onto my suede jacket in the passenger seat! Duh! Boy did I feel dumb!
So there you have it, and we haven't even left for Fairwood yet...

Further Up and Further In!

Yesterday I finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia to the children. We've read them all over the last few months, from The Magician's Nephew to The Last Battle in chronological order. We were sad to come to the end and wishing there were more to enjoy. I had a hard time keeping the tears at bay while I read about Aslan's Country. The more beautiful, more real Narnia within Narnia, with the colors and smells and breezes far better than the imagination can handle. I especially loved the description of being able to swim up a waterfall with no effort at all. All the time I was reading aloud, I was longing to be there in heaven myself. To see Andrew again and laugh with him again, and to see others that I miss so much, and most of all to see Jesus. Further up and further in, my friends. It won't be long now!

Harold (5) eating an orange! 

Brown Paper Packages...

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I help out a Christian home schooling family. They have eleven busy children. I have to say we have a lot of fun. Today, the excitement of the day came about mid-morning. I and four of the children were sitting around the dining room table busy as bees on schoolwork, when someone yelled "The UPS truck is here!!!" Gasps of excitement came from all around the table and we all eagerly looked toward the front of the house. Then someone said, "Oh, it's Peter's new cello case!" Peter himself came clattering down the stairs and out the front door. As this was happening, one by one my students went darting to the front windows. All of this happened within a matter of moments and the truck had barely come to a complete stop! So, then, Peter came in with his huge box and with the help of many eager and excited hands had the box open and the case out of it's plastic bag. It's a beautiful metallic blue hardcover case, with handles all over the place and even shoulder straps. Very exciting!

Snow

Spring is my favorite season. All winter, every time it snows, every time the temperature drops, every time we have to deal with driving in icy conditions, I gripe and complain, wishing spring was here. While I still feel that way, this weekend, I must admit, I have been enjoying this latest snow storm. It's the sticky kind that covers everything and the trees are beautiful! The windows in our apartment in Paul and Laura's basement, all look out onto the woods. It's actually breathtaking. I'm sure that tomorrow, when I have to face the cold again, I will be back to my normal self, longing for spring, but today I am thankful for the beauty of the snow.

A day in the life of a happy marriage...

Have you ever been in the middle of an argument and burst out laughing? Before last Saturday, I didn't think I ever would. I've always been too mad when Nate and I fight to find anything funny. Well last Saturday, Nate and I were having a "discussion" and he was talking and I impatiently burst out, "What's your stinkin' point!"
He burst right back, "My stinkin' point is..."
And I burst out laughing. We laughed so long and so hard that we totally forgot what we were arguing about.

Here we go!

I'm giving in to the peer pressure to start a blog. We'll see what happens! I'm already going through my daily routine thinking, "Oh, I could write about that!" If nothing else, it'll be a great journal for me.

Must flee...