Easter Sunday

Easter has never been a big "basket" holiday for us. We celebrate the life and death of Jesus Christ every single Sunday, every single day. It is not (in my opinion) something we just think about on Easter Sunday, it should be in out thoughts Every Sunday, Every Day....always! That said, we do fix baskets although our baskets are not a huge deal. In Seth's words, "I know dad is the bunny thing". lol:) True. Dad is the bunny thing who shares his blessings with his children. This year, as we have several times in the past, the baskets held a Bible and a bunny. We have several kids who have Bibles they love and in those cases we got devotional books. I am happy to say my kids were all thankful. I have to note that Chelsea stood in a huge bookstore in Georgia and helped me "shop by phone". She then gave me all the neat Bibles and books when we met to pick up Caleb.

These are the kids after worship service Sunday morning:

Seth, age 9:




Victoria, age 11. I imagine this is the last year she will wear a "little girl" dress. I loved the head band with the bunny:)



Ryan, age 12:


Daniel, age 12. Daniel is one day older than Ryan:


Lita, age 13:


Isabella, age 13:


Michael, age 13. Michael and Bella are twins and Lita is just 3 weeks younger:


Tasha, age 14:


Samuel, age 14:


Rosie, age 14 (15 in May):


Mercedez, age 15:


Carlton, age 16:


John, age 18:


Jacob, age 19:


Caleb, age 20:


Goodness at the personalities and life in these kids! God made them each and every one unique!!

I was really glad to have Doug and Nolan head home for lunch, after going to church in Henderson. They led the egg hunt hiding 120 eggs in the front yard:)


These guys were the hiders ....(btw..I have NO IDEA what John was doing!! lol)


And these were the hunters......












I love special days, I love having my kids all together, I love being with my family:)

Oh how sweet!

The older I get the sweeter I find true family time. I know I get seemingly 24/7 family time, but there is a difference. When I have my chicks all in the hen house? Well, when I have the chicks I can find and drag to the hen house? Oh how sweet! I could sit all day and listen to my big boys talk. They are funny and they are witty and they remember every ones "worst possible moment" and "best possible moment". Pure Joy.

When my big kids show the little ones how big brothers or sisters are suppose to act? WOW! I LOVE those teaching moments that are really wrapped up in too much fun for anyone to think they are learning!

I am like the prodigal father who had a party and killed the fatted calf, except that my prodigal son is not a prodigal at all! Caleb is actually the opposite of prodigal...He's awesome. So we are really having a good time:)

I love that Sarah and Paden were at Opening Day with us, Sarah continues to be such a huge help to me!! I am SO SO SO SO going to miss her when Nursing School starts next week!!

I love that Doug brought home his buddy Nolan this weekend. Nolan's family lives in Florida (to far to go home for Easter). I love opening doors and living BIG...haha...which is what we do when we crowd more people in. But, there are times that MORE IS MERRIER and times JOY is multiplied.

And I love that Stuart went to Benton Kentucky to be with the church he will spend the summer interning with....I am so proud of him and the direction of his life and study!!

What a wonderful weekend!

PS I am expecting a wonderful lot of days....Chelsea and Bo will be here tonight...yeah!

Opening Day

Opening day was on Saturday at the ball field. We spent several hours there with the kids. Ryan and Seth both taking part in the Home run Derby, Fastest Pitch and Fastest Run competitions. Scott worked at the Fastest Run and I worked for a short time at the Home run Derby field.

These were from the Fastest Run....





These were from the Home run Derby field...



These are just some of my favorites pictures:





And these? Caleb passed out all the awards...



More? Caleb threw out the opening pitch.... The first pitch of the season:) Hummm.....Was that redundant? I think so:) Caleb grew up in Savannah (born here and lived here his whole life). Caleb, seemingly not long ago, played little league on these fields. So many of the parents and kids know him, it was a really neat homecoming! And he did a GREAT job!!!

CALEB!

We waited on Caleb at the Atlanta Airport....we being those people above plus me and Scott. Last August was a LONG time ago and we were so excited! Especially me (I can say that because I cannot speak for anyone else..lol)!!

Then we spotted him.....


Caleb did not travel in uniform (which Sarah said made the homecoming not nearly as tearful). I was not teary (surprisingly) I was so thankful and happy to have him here...I imagine tears when I take him back to the airport!



In a crazy twist of fate, Lisa Johnson, whose husband is the minister at the PTC Church and so dear a friend of Chelsea and Bo, was traveling back into Atlanta and Chelsea saw her. We talked and she waited with us. She has a son and daughter-in-law who are also in the military. She took the above picture and was so kind to Caleb too. Very special to be able to share your joy with others!!

Of course we took these pictures too:











Then we got his bag and headed home!!




We did stop at the Chick Fil A Dwarf House (a first for Scott and I). It was so nice to be able to share the first hour or so with Chelsea and Bo too! In spite of the long drive we were so glad to be close enough to have them with us!

Now we're just enjoying!!!

Caleb and the Gann family:)

I have blogged before about our friends the Gann's who live in Germany. Chris and David worshipped with us for many years when Caleb was young. David is also in the Army and we appreciate so very much having them close to Caleb when he is back at his home base. This weekend they took Caleb with church, fed him and took him sightseeing. They added these pictures this week...I LOVE seeing my fellow!!