All I Need

As a reflection on Christ's sacrifice, I have been meaning to write this post since Thursday night. Life has gotten in the way, and I have not had a spare second. But on this Saturday night before we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I want to take a minute to reflect on His sacrifice.

I have always loved Easter. I have said before that it is my favorite holiday. But I don't think we can fully celebrate Christ's resurrection from the cross until we understand why He was on the cross in the first place. It's a beautiful story with a happy ending, but until we understand why we needed that sacrifice to be made, we can't truly be grateful for it.

Michael and I attended our church's Thursday night Tenebrae Service for the first time this year. I don't know why we haven't made this more of a priority in the years past, but I am so grateful that we were able to take that time to reflect on that night. The grief that must have been felt by Christ's friends and family is really unimaginable to us. I don't think we could ever understand the despair they must have felt. All of their hope was in Him, and He was dead. But Christ understood what was happening, and He chose to continue.

As the lights in our church grew dimmer as the service went on, the weight of my sin became heavier and heavier. I could feel it weighing me down. I was able to put myself in the shoes of Judas and everyone else who betrayed Jesus because their sin was the same as mine. And at the same time I could feel Christ take that burden from me. That burden was hanging on the cross.

There have been times in my faith journey that everything has seemed complicated and confusing because I have lost sight of what is most important. It's ironic that the more I grow and the more I learn about my God, the more I realize how little I know and how unworthy I am of the sacrifice He made for me. The more I understand His love for me, the more I understand that I could never earn that love.

I am a big sinner with a big Savior. That I am certain of. He loves me with a love I can not comprehend. His blood on the cross set me free, and it is all I need. All I need. I no longer have to carry that sin burden because He carried it for me.

Every song on Andrew Peterson's new Resurrection Letters cd is amazing, but this one has resonated deeply with me. I play it on repeat, and my boys probably have it memorized as well. If you drive past me and wonder why I have tears pouring down my face, it is probably because I am listnening to this song.

Happy Easter Eve to you and may you be blessed by these words...

All You'll Ever Need
Words and Music by Andrew Peterson

The blood of Jesus, it is like the widow's oil: it's enough to pay the price to set you free. It can fill up every jar and every heart that ever beat. When it's all you have it's all you'll ever need.

The blood of Jesus, it is like the leper's river running humble with a power you cannot see. Seven times go under, let the water wash you clean. Only go down to the Jordan and believe. Only go down in the Jordan and believe. And I need it, I need it. The closer that I grow, the more I come to know how much I need it.

The blood of Jesus it is like Elijah's fire, falling on the altar of your faith. All the wisdom of the world could never conjure up a spark, but no power of Hell could ever quench this flame. No power of Hell could ever touch this flame. And I need it, I need it. The closer that I grow, the more I come to know how much I need the blood of Jesus.

The blood of Jesus, it is like the widow's oil: when it's all you have it's all you'll ever need. It is all you'll ever need.

The adventures of Ben

We moved Ben into a bed about a month ago. He climbed in and out of his crib just like it was a bed so we decided we needed to make the move. While the plan is for Ben and Levi to soon share a room, we wanted Ben to get used to sleeping in a bed before we moved him in. My sister was kind to lend us their toddler bed, and Ben was very excited about his "big boy bed." I let him pick out a new sheet and pillowcase (trains, of course), and he is very proud.

The move has not been without adventure. Ben slept from 7:30pm to 7:30am every night since he was 12 weeks old. He has always been the best sleeper. But for some reason he thinks the bed is a great place to play. The silly little guy sits in there for hours and just plays. I walked in there one night, and he had every light in his room on and was just sitting in his bed playing. And a few nights ago I was cleaning up in the kitchen long after putting all the boys to bed, and I heard someone in the playroom. I assumed it was Michael cleaning up in there (what was I thinking?), but when Michael walked in from the garage I got a bit scared. But I soon found out that it was just Ben. He was playing trains like he didn't have a care in the world. This kid cracks me up! And he's really smart, too, because he never does any of this in a defiant way. Somehow he makes disobedience cute.

Last weekend Michael and I turned on a movie right after putting the boys to bed. We had Ben's monitor on and after only hearing Ben for a few minutes, I remember commenting that Ben went to bed really easily. But then later that night after the movie, this is what I found walking up the stairs...
Sweet Ben had come out of his room and fell asleep at the top of the stairs. He actually looked pretty comfortable.
But tonight takes the cake. Long after the boys went to bed I went upstairs and noticed Ben's door was open. I assumed he had just opened his door and was sleeping soundly in his bed so imagine my shock when I discovered that his bed was empty. I quickly looked around his room and into his closet, but he was nowhere. I then went into our room and found this...
He had made himself a little bed on the floor right beside our bed. Again, somehow he makes disobedience cute. He didn't cry. He didn't bother us. He just took action and made a bed for himself where he wanted it.
I laughed, made Michael come and see it, took a picture and then moved him right back into his room.
At least he tried.

Spring Break Day 5

Today was definitely fun and filled with activity. Spring break week has worn me out! I think I need a vacation next week.

Michael took the day off today, which was so fun. He took 2 days off this week just to hang out with us. As far as I can remember, he has never done that! His days off have always been for a vacation or some other purpose. He has been working so hard and under a lot of stress lately so I think it was good for him to take some time off and just hang out.

We went to Paradise Park today. It's like a childrens museum and play place combined. Our boys have always loved it there. It was quite crowded today because of Spring Break, but the boys still had a great time. They played in the grocery store, the pizza parlor, in the water and outside. I am happy to report that there were no injuries and nobody was lost today. It's a miracle that Graham wasn't lost because this child walks around with no concern for his parents' location.

The greatest part of the day was watching Levi and Ben play together. They really are the very best of friends. Sometimes I need to be reminded of just how sweet their relationship is. They are both also very protective of Graham, and I know he will soon be a part of this friendship.

Here are some pics of the day...
(I love this picture of Ben even though the camera focused on the water toys instead of Ben's face)
Don't you just love Michael's new bag?!...
We're ending this day with family movie night. Michael and Levi are at Blockbuster right now picking out a movie. Michael called a little while ago and said they had about 25 they were choosing from. I can't wait to see what they come up with and how many they come home with!

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Spring Break!

Spring Break Day 4

I have no pictures from today's events. I'm just thankful that we didn't have any broken bones or hospital visits.

The boys and I hung out at home all morning and then met some friends at the rec center for open gym only to find out that open gym was cancelled for spring break. Of course. Because if all the kids are out of school they shouldn't be able to have anything fun to do.

So we headed to our elementary school to let the kids play on the playground. We were only there for about an hour, but in that time Graham fell off the steps onto his head and then got his finger stuck in the sliding door on our mini-van. Poor guy. He was in a lot of pain and not a happy guy.

Ben and Graham took afternooon naps and then we headed to the pool again for some family swim time. The boys had a blast and Graham actually let me hold him about an inch from my body. Progress.

Michael and I tried to get the boys out of the pool, but they were not happy to get out. They were playing in the shallow end and Ben wanted his bubble (a little floaty on his back) taken off. Thinking they were about to get out, Michael took it off. Ben, however, did not listen to our 10 attemps to get him out and while we were getting Graham dressed he started to float out farther into the pool. We told him to go back the other way, but it didn't take long to realize he could no longer touch and couldn't hold his head up. Michael, already dressed, jumped into the pool and rescued our little guy. Ben was very shaken up but was proud when he told me at bedtime tonight that "Daddy saved me!" I always wondered if my laid-back, easy going husband would be able to act quickly in an emergency, but after tonight I no longer wonder.

Praise the Lord that none of the incidents today were more serious! I'm hoping Day 5 of Spring Break is just filled with FUN!

Spring Break Day 3

Today was a low-key day. The boys and I ran errands this morning. I know...that isn't very exciting. But Von Maur, one of the stores we visited, has a train table and play area, so that counts, doesn't it?! There was definitely some excitement when I lost Graham in the store for about 3 minutes. He was nowhere to be found. The nice sales associate and I ran through the store searching for him. It was the longest 3 mintutes of my life. He was found, though, and he never knew he was lost. Phew.

The kids behaved well during our errands so they were rewarded with chick-fil-a. Do you see how something easy and common can turn into something special for Spring Break?! I'm so tricky. These kids are just too easy to please.

Our big event of the day, however, was making flubber. Yes, flubber. It was so much fun to make. If you haven't done it, here is a youtube video that shows you how to make it. Someone from my MOPS table passed this on to me. It is so easy and only takes a few ingredients...elmers glue, water, food coloring and borax. It takes all of about 5 mintues. The kids were amazed! They really are easy to please.

Levi wanted it to be red so we used red food coloring, but as you can tell, it turned out pink. The flubber only kept Ben's attention for about 10 minutes, and he was done. He didn't want to touch it. Levi, however, loved it and played with it forever.
Levi had a friend over this afternoon, and the two of them played with the flubber for a while. Apparently I didn't supervise them adequately because this is what I found on my couch this evening. Actually, Levi came into the kitchen and said, "Mommy, I need to show you something in the other room. It was an accident." I definitely learned my lesson...next time the flubber stays at the kitchen table!! It isn't messy unless it sits on a couch for several hours!

We ended the day with a family trip to the swimming pool where the boys take lessons. Ben started crying when he saw the swim trunks and didn't stop until he realized that his swimming teacher wasn't there and we were just there to play. Then he got in and swam around the pool like a little fish. We had a lot of fun, although Graham wasn't so sure about it after not being in the water since last summer. I think I have marks on my neck from his death grip.

I'm hoping tomorrow leaves fewer scars on me and our furniture.

Spring Break Day 2

Our adventure today was a trip to the zoo. We have lived here 3 1/2 years and have yet to go to the zoo. We have been to other zoos during that time, but not our zoo. So we took the plunge today and went. Michael took off most of the day and went with us.

Today was another gorgeous day. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. The kids had a lot of fun and were completely worn out by the end of the day. Driving home I could hardly remember any of the animals we saw - all I could remember was the walking. Wow, the Kansas City zoo is spread out! While I was tucking Ben in tonight he told me about all the animals he saw. I kept saying, "oh, yah. I forgot about that!". He remembered all of them! Maybe that's because he got to ride in the stroller most of the time while I pushed him around.

I wasn't quite as camera-happy today, but here are some pics of our zoo day...

The camera was accidentaly set to black and white and it took us a while before we realized it, but here are the boys and I. Notice Levi with his arm around Ben. Don't think this is something that happens often. I have no clue what prompted that but I'm sure there was hitting or screaming soon after...

Ben looking at an exhibit...
Levi posing for the camera...
All the boys taking a break in front of the kangaroos...(Levi really wanted to see the kangaroos, but he was disappointed when none of them were carrying their baby in their pouch.)
Ben was a bit scared of these sheep. One of them tried to lick him, and this was his reaction. Michael thought it was hilarious, but Ben wasn't laughing...
Eating lunch...
Playing on the playground...
Graham loved the animals and especially enjoyed "talking" to them...
Who is this big kid walking around with no concern for where his parents are?...
Getting a ride from Daddy...
Life is tough...
Not sure how this one got in the stroller...
And I'm really uncertain about how all 3 got in the stroller (and there's Levi with his arms around Ben again. Wow, I'm really seeing a new side of my children through these pictures!)...
Ben really liked the crocodiles. i wasn't sure we would ever get him to leave...
I could eat him up...
Levi insisted that he was taller than the giraffes...
So I guess maybe I was camera-happy today. I planned to post just a few, but I couldn't stop. Sorry.

Ben and Graham got to take a short afternoon nap before we headed off to a first birthday party/St. Patrick's Day party where the boys dined on a nutricious dinner of cupcakes and sprite. And then they proceeded to be on their best behavior and wrestle right there in the backyard. I was so proud.
Happy St. Patty's Day!
I promise tomorrow won't involve so many pictures.

Spring Break Day 1

I know I only have one child who goes to school, and he only goes 2 days a week, but Spring Break is still a big deal around here. It not only means that we don't have school, but everything else is cancelled as well. In an effort to avoid complete boredom (for all 4 of us!), I am going to attempt to plan something exciting and fun for each day of this week. I might lose the desire and momentum by Wednesday, but we'll see how it goes...

Today was a gorgeous day and the perfect day to spend some time at the Arboretum with some dear friends, Mindy, Meredith and Allie. We had a picnic, enjoyed the sun and let the kids run wild. It was a perfect day. And I was very camera-happy so here are some pictures of the day...