the easter dragon strikes again

last year, we didn't receive a visit from our beloved friend, the easter dragon.  but this time he flew in for some fun!!

but before he visited, we had a quick game of kick-ball.  it was intense!!

he left papaw paul with the first clue.

the kiddos were mighty quick in solving the clues this year & reading the messages left.

below are the clues he left for them:

“Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!” Psalms 149:3 - World English Bible 

 1.   E-E-E-E-EASTER..E-E-E-E-EASTERTIME! .WHAT DO YOU THINK I SAY?  I LOVE THE SONG “WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?”  IT GETS STUCK IN MY HEAD ALL DAY LONG & MY OTHER DRAGON FRIENDS THINK I AM A BIT SILLY SINGING RATA-TAT-TAT-TAT.    I HOPE YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER THE JOY THAT CAN BE FOUND IN SINGING, DANCING & WORSHIPING OUR LORD.   

MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT DOES THE GOOSE SAY (HINT, HINT)??

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“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-8 

2.. OH, LOVE..I LOVE LOVE – DO YOU?  A WISE WOMAN ONCE SHARED THAT EVERY NIGHT, BEFORE SHE SAID HER PRAYERS, SHE WOULD PUT HER NAME IN PLACE OF “LOVE” AND ASK HERSELF IF SHE WAS ABLE TO DO THE THINGS IN THE VERSE.  I, THE EASTER DRAGON, LIKE TO DO THE SAME & LET ME TELL YOU- I FAIL DAILY.  BUT I KEEP TRYING & HOPE YOU WILL TOO.  AT NIGHT, ASK YOURSELVES, DARBY, BEN & GRACIE IF YOU WERE ABLE TO BE PATIENT AND KIND.NOT RUDE OR ENVIOUS.  IT IS A HARD TASK TO DO, BUT I’M SURE YOU CAN ACCEPT THAT MISSION! 

THE NEXT SURPRISE IS IN A SPOT THAT GRANDMA DEEDEE LOVED TO BAKE FAVORITE TREATS FOR FAVORITE PEOPLE. 

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THOSE “DRAGON EGGS” YOU FOUND ARE FOR YOU TO DECORATE HOW YOU CHOOSE! (OUTSIDE)

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4

3.  THERE’S NOTHING I LIKE BETTER THAN A GOOD BOOK BEFORE BED.  GO CHECK WHERE YOU LAY YOUR HEAD & SEE WHAT IS THERE!

ONE OF THESE BOOKS IS VERY SPECIAL, BECAUSE IT IS A BOOK TO BE WRITTEN BY YOU ABOUT YOU!  YOU CAN WRITE WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE, BECAUSE IT IS YOUR STORY, MY FRIENDS.

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Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

John 11:25-26

4.   I LOVE TO STOP & SMELL THE FLOWERS, BUT SOMETIMES I LET OUT A SNEEZE & END UP CATCHING THEM ON FIRE!  

AS YOU CELEBRATE EASTER & THE ETERNAL LIFE GOD HAS PROMISED US, I COULD USE SOME HELP WITH CREATING SOME BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENTS TO CELEBRATE LOVED ONES WATCHING OVER US FROM HEAVEN.  I STARTED, BUT I KNOW YOU GUYS CAN DO A DRAGONTASTIC JOB FINISHING!

TO FIND THIS, YOU MUST REARRANGE THE LETTERS BELOW TO FIND THE HIDING SPOT:

LLWYHAA ETCOLS 

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Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

5.  HOW DO WE HAVE A CLEAN HEART??  I THINK THIS IS DONE BY GIVING OUR HEARTS TO JESUS & LIVING OUR LIVES FOR HIM.   PRAYER, READING YOUR BIBLE & TALKING TO THOSE THAT LOVE YOU WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT.

I’VE HIDDEN YOUR NEXT SURPRISES IN A PLACE YOU CAN WASH OFF...

I GUESS YOU REMEMBER I’M KIND OF A GERM-A-PHOBE, HUH?  THAT SANITZER & KLEENEX CAN COME IN HANDY THOUGH!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.JAMES 1:17

EACH OF YOU ARE A GOOD & PERFECT GIFT FROM GOD & YOUR FAMILY COUNTS YOU ALL AS SUCH WONDERFUL BLESSINGS. 

  .  TO FIND YOUR FINAL TREASURES, USE THE FIRST LETTER FROM EACH WORD: PAUL,AMAZING,TOYS,INCREDIBLE,OLIVE  IN BELIEVE, ALWAYS, COOK, KOOL-AID

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DARBY, BEN AND GRACIE,

AS YOUR SCAVENGER HUNT COMES TO AN END, ONE MORE VERSE I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES.  IT REMINDS ME TO TRUST IN GOD ALWAYS, TO NOT BE AFRAID & KNOW THAT HE HAS A PLAN FOR ME, AS HE DOES FOR EACH ONE OF YOU.  I ENJOY WATCHING EACH ONE OF YOU GROW INTO THE INCREDIBLE LITTLE PEOPLE YOU ARE BECOMING.  THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIENDS! 

I LOVE YOU ALL,

THE EASTER DRAGON

the kiddos did an amazing job crating flower saddles to go on mamaw barb's & deedee's tombstones.  it was a great to share the love that dee had in making sure to pay respect to those that are no longer here on earth with us.  i know i am worn out from all the fun & am looking forward to celebrating Easter tomorrow at One Life & with family and friends! Happy Easter!!

lori & janet

i may be an only child, but have been blessed with family members that i love just as if they were my sisters and know they feel the same.  always there for advice, a shoulder to cry on, love and just to listen.  some of my favorite memories have been with these gals; be it watching iu win the ncaa way back when steve alford was the coolest dude alive, watching their kiddos grow, having our shopping trips & laughing at the outfits on one another.  unlike most sisters, there have only been a handful of disagreements in life- watching a soap opera over sesame street (sorry janet), gentle persuasions on better way to handle situations, etc.  i love them so. and my kiddos do too, calling them their aunts. (to those not familiar with our family dynamics, it can be a bit confusing).

the last year has been hard & we've dealt with it together & on our own.  talking on the phone or face to face always, always makes me feel better, though tears are usually shed.

i am so proud of both of them.  lori & her mom inspired me to go into a male dominated field, mechanical engineering.  it was a job that was challenging but i really loved.  as long as i can remember, i wanted to do & be whatever janet was.  a cheerleader/ a drum major / you name it.

when their mom passed away, janet was working on creating some common core math books for each grade.  as a family, we all got to help edit the books & help meet deadlines.   it was a added stress for janet, but looking back, it was a great way to focus my grief into something good by helping edit the books.  thank you, jl, for having the confidence in me to help out.

i was so excited to see these on fb today & can't wait to read all the positive reviews.  i truly think these will help parents, teachers, and students better understand the goals of common core in math & how to reach the solutions.

the amazon link to order these books & other awesome books by janet is here: janet's books.  another favorite of our home

we loved it since it was just computer sheets of paper.  a fun, learning math book for boys and girls!

now, i just need to enroll for a semester in school & study abroad so i can enjoy harlaxton with you!! :)

love you always, deedee

november 4, 2012 is a day frozen in my mind.  i still wake up, wishing  it was just a bad, bad dream.  i lost my hero, my rock on earth, the one person that had always been there and could always make everything better. time has yet to heal the heartache i feel everyday. not a day goes by that i don't miss deedee.  
for us, it started out like a normal sunday..daddio had to work, we went to church & then to a ms walk.  i forgot my cell phone and when we got home, our answering machine was full.  daddio got home a few minutes after the kiddos & i and said "dee is gone."  dee who?  not our deedee - no way!  i could not believe it or accept it.  she passed away, selflessly serving others, as she was always doing.  
though i pray a lot every day, i still do not have comfort or peace of her passing.  i know i was so blessed to have the relationship with her that i had and those memories of comfort with her can never be taken away but my heart hurts.  my heart hurts for my kiddos, who also miss her (little g carries a picture with her of deedee everyday).  she had so much more to teach us - i never learned the right way to make those sweet rolls & so much other lessons in life we had to learn from her.
i am so thankful for all the time & love she did give to us & everyone.  she was the best.  (i don't want this to sound ungrateful for my wonderful mom i have or husband or kiddos or other family...we all felt this way about dee).  
after her death, i tried to fill the void by working at preschool & trying to do as she did...but i sure couldn't keep it up.  she spent her life devoted to her lord and savior, doing for others, loving all in her family & doing it all with great joy.  
the kiddos and i made a sign in our home & this perfectly describes dee:

every day, i try.  i do. i really do.  but i fail.  dee will always be my role model & i will keep trying.  & hopefully, someday, i won't have to go to the bathroom to hide my tears from my sweet kiddos.  i love you & miss you, deedee.

to do's in 2014..

oh, new year resolutions, why can i only keep you for a bit (if i even start)???

some things i just can't quit (my diet cokes and dr. peppers when i really want a treat)...but i do want to become a better me in 2014 & love making lists, so here goes my to do's for 2014:

1.  put God first. always.

2.  make sure my kiddos and hubby and family know how much i love them every day by my actions and words.

3.  listen to my kiddos better.  they have a lot to say and if it's important to them, it should be to me.

4.  love more.

5.  forgive. truly forgive those that have caused hurt.
6.  forgive myself.
7.  take the time to eat a healthy breakfast in the morning... not just my diet coke.

8.  $$$$- save it - i don't have to buy it just because it's a bargain.  i repeat, i don't have to buy it just because it's a bargain.  (i might need to tattoo this on my hand!)

9.  get back to reading "little visits with god" every night with the kiddos.  love this book and sharing it with the kiddos.

10.  go to bed at a decent hour most nights (i am typing this at 2:12 in the morning).
11.  exercise.. at least a little bit - yes, gracie girl may like momma's soft belly to cuddle on, but this gal's gotta get in shape.  let's say 1/2 hour a day at least starting out...
12.  say "yes" more to my family with my time.
13.  visit loved ones more often
14.  de-clutter and purge- donate 14 items a week to a new home
15.  make it to life group!

16.  create more memories with my family.
17.  read more.
18.  less tv/computer time...
19.  play more.
20.  cook more homemade meals than not each week (may have to get some new batteries for that smoke alarm)
21.  deep clean one room a week
22.  sew.  and help gracie girl on her sewing skills.  how i cherish the memories of learning to sew with mamaw and deedee.
23.  call pap at least once a week.  and visit with the kiddos.

24.  blog.  at least the kiddos will have this since their baby books haven't been touched in a few years..
25.  work out my brain..on things more challenging than 2nd grade homework.
26.  learn to play guitar with my kiddos (daddio is a great teacher:) )
27.  volunteer more.  continue helping out in g's class, the backpack program & find other opportunities to make a difference.
28.  have a date time once a month!

29.  have some friend time once a month!
30.  organize our craft supplies.
31.  organize the bathroom.
32.  organize the basement - the bottomless pit.
33.  don't take things too seriously or personally.
34.  do a good deed for another every day.
35.  start new traditions with our family...what they are, i don't know yet.
36.  clean out the swagger wagon & keep the mess down to 1 bag (this will be a hard one!)
37.  eat lunch at school with the kiddos at least once a month.

38.  create a chore chart for our family and stick to it!
39.  write letters to friends or family.  let them know i am thinking of them.
40.  lose weight.  the pounds have really packed on lately, thanks to the yummy holiday food and some medication.  size 6, how i miss you but will see you again before 2015.
41.  enroll the kiddos in an activity they both want to explore.
42.  let it go & give it to God.
43.  make homemade gifts for special occasions.
44.  greet my love at the door with a kiss and hug each evening.
45.  recycle more.  we pay to do it - but sometimes still put recyclables in the trash.

46.  create with the kiddos.  they are so creative & there's nothing better than their art in my eyes!
47.  clean off the kitchen counter of clutter every night.
48.  put the laundry away after i fold it.
49.  clean out the kiddos' closets
50.  remember to thank God in all circumstances..even those that don't make sense to me.  He has a bigger plan.
51.  ask namaw to teach me to knit. and learn.
52.  continue to pray as a family.
53.  worship as a family.

54.  clean myself up once in a while..oh, how i love my sweats & tees, but a little makeup and jeans wouldn't hurt me :)
55.  make sure daddio keeps his doc appointments.
56.  let my light shine!
57.  wear sunscreen

58.  spend more time outside.
59.  make a meal plan for each week.. freezer meals, crock pot?? can i do it? yes, i can!
60.  be more patient with my kiddos..
61.  provide more opportunities for our kiddos to grow spiritually, mentally and socially.
62.  remind myself "what would deedee do?"  & remember the great example she always was in my life.

63.  keep the flowers nice at mamaw's grave.
64. dance more.

65.  don't give up.

some details i still need to work on, but a pretty good start for my to-do's in 2014, if i do say so myself :).

holiday season 2013

as always, the holidays seemed to sneak up on me... i really struggled to get into that holiday spirit missing loved ones that are no longer with us & changes that have happened to relationships over the past few years.  but, we forged on & the kiddos had a fun thanksgiving, great 8th birthday for benj (playing laser tag with some buddies), lots of playtime in the snow & a very merry CHRISTmas.  for me, this momma had to change her attitude to that of gratitude and realize how truly blessed we are and have been to have had such special people in our lives that i miss so much.

over thanksgiving weekend, daddio got a new to him ride, a sequoia, that is pretty sharp & has the kiddos' approvals.

 since this momma wasn't feeling well, i stayed home for thanksgiving. i had the tree set up & ready to decorate as soon as my sweeties got home.

my little guy is now eight years old..he is such a special soul (not just this momma's opinion).  he cares for others, smart as can be, and quite a funny little dude.  it seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home & i was praying each day we could make it until daddio got home.  somehow, we have all survived. :)

the beginning of december brought lots of snow.  for once, thankfully, our power didn't go out.

 playing at home in the snow..

 snow angel in action

we used this picture for our Christmas cards (that i still don't have out...)

and we went sledding, not one day, but two down hills by the kiddos' school.  the second day of sledding was basically going down a sheet of ice!

 no need for a sled!

 i love that smile!!

 gracie hit the sticks a time or two, but it didn't stop her!

once they were back in school, preschool for momma got really busy.  i love those little jumpstarters & am so happy i get to be a part of their learning and discovery.

momma's stocking had to be refashioned for itsy, our guinea pig. gracie did a fine job on it!

 Christmas time was loads of fun.  good food, fun time with families and friends. 

 a guitar!!

  beano's favorite gift was his wii u 

  gracie gal's was her princess bears.  she loves her stuffed animals.  

the kiddos' had a sleepover that they had been planning since this summer.  the little sisters traded homes for the night & played with benj & alaina.  they all had a blast & are still recovering today!

it's hard to believe 2014 is right around the corner.. looking forward to the new year, new experiences and making more memories with my family and friends.  happy holidays to all our family and friends!  xoxox- sara