He Is Risen

 Good morning and welcome back to another Monday.  I am sipping on my second cup of coffee, which is odd because I usually only drink one.  Today feels like a two cup day, what do you think?  

Easter is now behind us but the reminder of what Jesus did for us on the cross stays in my heart forever.  

It was a blessed day for us yesterday.  We were awake early and arrived at church as 6:00am for the sunrise service.  It was foggy and misty so we didn't see the sun but the sky did get lighter as we were there.  Watching it go from dark to light, knowing this was about the same time our Savior rose from the dead was just an amazing experience.  We sang songs and listened to the pastor give a brief message on the resurrection.  We went home for a little bit of rest and then back to church for a breakfast (in place of Sunday School) and then regular service.  

My kids played in the orchestra during the service.  My boy on the trumpet and my girl on the French horn.  They did a beautiful job.  

My parents joined us for a ham dinner at home and we ended the night painting eggs.  Well, just me and my girl painted eggs.  

I was so thankful to have time at home with family.  I'm also forever grateful and blessed for the gift of Salvation.  Thank you, Jesus! 

It's Not Just April Fools

 While everyone is all about pranking each other today, I'm thinking of my grandma on her birthday and it's no joke that I miss her terribly.  Growing up she was indeed my second mother and best friend, or "best buddies" as she would say.  I am not sure if I've shared these pictures on the blog before but the first one was of her holding me, the second is of us when I was in my twenties, and the other was the last time I had seen her and the only time she saw my son.  

She had left Long Island and moved to Pennsylvania with my grandpa before we made the move.  We made the move because of them.  My grandfather died first, before my son was born.  After her cancer diagnosis, my grandma moved in with my aunt in Connecticut for awhile and then spent the end of her life back on Long Island with my other aunt.  I didn't get to say goodbye.  I knew her time was coming and the phone call from my dad that she had passed was not a shock.  

In my childhood she was my rock.  She was the one I went to for advice and we always hung out together.  I wish she lived long enough to have met both of my children and they would have had a chance to know her.  She was the kind of person who would tell you exactly how she felt, even if it hurt, but she could get away with it.  She also gave the best hugs.  I miss her.  I miss her so much.  

Holy Week

 It truly feels as though we were celebrating Christmas yesterday and here we are preparing for Easter.  

My daffodils are in full bloom and it makes me happy to see.  

And so are the two trees that stand in front of my house on each end of the driveway.  I'm not sure what kind of tree it is because they were already there when we moved in but I just love the white flowers.  

My son purchased the entire Left Behind series and I decided to join him.  These books have been out for years and I did read Left Behind a long time ago.  I finished that one and almost finished with this one, Tribulation Force.  I think my son is working on book 5 so I need to catch up.  It's a fictional story but it does give a lot of Biblical information and insight on what will happen during and after the Rapture.  It's very interesting and well done.  

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and we went to Sunday School, regular service and the evening service.  Our pastor talked about what Palm Sunday was but unfortunately our church doesn't hand out palms.  That was one thing I looked forward to getting at church when I was growing up and my mother taught me how to turn them into crosses.  Fun memories.  

The house is decorated for Easter.  There are plenty of bunnies to be found around here but we do celebrate the one, true reason for the season.  Jesus!  We will be going to a special service on Thursday, then a sunrise service on Sunday and then back again for a breakfast and Resurrection service.  My kids will be playing in the orchestra.  I'm excited for it.  I just hope the rain holds off for the sunrise service.

I can't believe how quickly March has passed through.  There's only a few days left and then it's April.  How does time move so fast?  As a child I remember it feeling like it was dragging on forever but now, even my children notice how time zooms by.  

I started the day with the usual housework and it's always the same - laundry, unloading the dishwasher, straightening up the mess from the weekend and so on.  I need to plan the meals for the week; which seems to be a difficult task.  With a husband who has a diet restriction and two kids who are picky, meal planning has it's limits and it can be frustrating.  I love cooking but I do not like trying to figure out what to make.  I need to do better.  My husband always tells me I need to take time for myself, and what he means is time for me to exercise.  I've been lacking in that area lately.  Now that the weather is finally getting nicer I will start getting my butt outside for walks.  The treadmill is alright but it does get boring.  I'll usually do that while listening to the Bible app or a podcast and that helps.  

Well, friends, happy Monday and Happy Holy Week!  

Hello SPRING!

 

We did it, everyone!  We got through winter.  To see the sun shining and the birds chirping makes me happy, happy, happy.  I do love all of the holidays and events that fall brings but spring is my favorite season.  The snow has melted, my daffodils are starting to bloom, and I can feel that winter depression leave my body.  

Spring is a time where new life blossoms and I'm ready for it!

I was going to do a 5 for Friday listing 5 things about my winter but, honestly, I just want to quickly put that season behind me.

Not because it was terrible, it wasn't, but because I'm ready to embrace this new season.  Did I get through all of the things I said I was going to do this winter?  No, not all.  And that's okay.  

Even my made-for-winter Siberian Husky is excited for spring.  

She was having a blast running through the yard this morning.  

So, what is on the agenda for spring?  Today Rita's is giving away free Italian ice so when everyone is home from school and work we'll be getting one.  It's our yearly tradition.  Track season has started and yesterday was their first meet.  Both of my kids did great.  

Of course, it's time for spring cleaning and I can't wait to get all of the winter dirt, dust and germs out of this house.  I tried keeping up with it the best that I can but there's just something about a good deep cleaning in spring that just feels appropriate.  The end of the season will be a high school graduation for our boy and I'm not ready for that at all so I'm trying not to think of it too much right now.  

Oh, spring, I'm just so happy you're here!