Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

It was not just another day. No, it was a day to be celebrated because truly the body was not there. JESUS had risen. The implications for this are immense for EVERYONE; it cannot be denied, ignored, or discounted. It means YOU/WE/I are/am forgiven, loved and adored. We can live victoriously with the power over sin yet not perfected not to sin. We can live knowing we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. (Phil 4:13)

Now lest you think I forgot Easter baskets, you’d be right. Mama to the rescue with PEEPS!!!. (I had other ideas so more later)

Coti was the first to find his LOUD cow toy.

Did I say annoying? OK, Loud.

Mama found a dress for Tatum.

A bouncy light up ball

And off we went to church looking mighty spiffy and adoring

Now, remember, two days a year are “church” days. Easter was going to be a zoo, so Doug kindly got there early to save our seats. Mom, Tatum and I stopped at the cross and wrote our name and strung some string. Connections. Powerful.

The service was absolutely exquisite. I am reminded how fallen we are all and in such need of His Love. He took it all on for us. How humbling.

We came home to ham it up with some pics and then partake of some real ham.

 

After eating, Doug gave us all some Easter goodies.

Note: Tot couldn’t wait to don one of them since she is a DUNK queen (in the bathtub at least)

She also got some Peppa Pig figures. A classroom to play with. I think I bought it for me to enjoy!

Tatum was literally chomping at the bit to finish our Resurrection Egg activity. This is such a phenomenal idea from Family Life Today

Each egg has a significant story behind it that leads from the betrayal of Jesus in the desert to the crucifixion to the resurrection.

We then read the best book about THREE TREES.

The book describes a story of three trees and how their life truly changed to help a KING. It’s a surprise, so I cannot share it (it would ruin the book if I did!)

What a day of joy with my mom, my girl, my guy, my pup, and our Jesus. Family.

Part of the fun of Easter are the bright fun colors! The colors somehow wind up on the eggs with a little help from dunkin’ skills.

Tatum had to warm up with a bunny pop from her Easter bag from school. CANDY!!! She could not wait to get her little hands mouth on this bunny.

OK, now we are ready.

All lined up and ready to COLOR!

 

This little bunny whisky contraption did aid in the dunkin’ enjoyment.

 

Dunkin’ skills at work.

And attention to the dot details

Glittery, glowing and glamorous. The incredible edible EGG!

Eggsellente!

Now we get to look forward to enjoying them on the beautiful day of our risen Christ the KING. Happy Easter!

Today was Tatum’s Easter Egg Hunt at school. I was invited to come, so I got there early to help them hide eggs. It was in a dirt area with ZERO hiding spots, but we made the best of it.

I got there early while they were reading. Tot was right up front listening attentively.

Then she was ready to rally with her bag!

GO TOT!

Sneaky…..yes I did help her a bit. “What is that behind the tree hmmmmm?”

Hooray! Six eggs each.

 

The kids had a great time

Thanks for inviting me.

Yes!! We (I) did it.

These sticks can be quite the challenge. You can make anything from ramps to  animals and everything in between.
Well, Tot picked the dog picture and the pressure was on….

ME

to complete this assignment.

It required much attention and focus!

Voila: The back of the pup

The front!

We (I) did it! Thank you Jesus for your help with our steady fingers. Sheesh!

With music. She sings in the car all the way to church:
“There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Then, she performs for us.

“OK, church! Sing it up! First, introduce yourselves.”

She’s thinking of others and wants all to join in.

After all this fun, she enjoys some ice cream. I painted her a cone and she cut it out. Who needs real food when you have a cut out??

You are a light in the world, Tatum. Go and spread the cheer.

I decided to write a note to Tatum this morning as she watched me pen it out as I spoke it.

I had two reasons for this.

One: I wanted her to know this is another fun and key way to communicate.

Two: I want to model writing while I talk so she could see words in action.

Morning:

Dear Tatum,

We are going to have FUN today.

Love, Mommy

Evening:

Dear Tatum,

I had FUN with you today.

I LOVE YOU.

Mommy

At the end of the day, she copied me and wrote back to me.

I even got a spiky-haired smily face. I am loved.

 

Do we take for granted our eyes?

We see, but do we really?
Do we see the little special nuggets of our day which we might miss?

Like the bevy of quail who just returned to our neighborhood.

Or the little game of “gumball” or “stroller” or whatever imaginative game she invents that is inconvenient at the moment.

Or the request to just “Watch me, mommy” when I’m just sitting down to write   an “important” email.

It’s so easy to miss.

Just recently, I’ve needed to get glasses to see up close. I will now make sure I am seeing CLOSE and squeeze every single morsel out of my day.

Especially when Tatum takes my picture and I think, “NOOOOOO…I’m all ready for bed!” And well, you know, ladies; But it’s important to her.

Side note here: The lighting is better on this one. Trust me.

OK, where was I? I guess she wants to SEE me too. So, I let her.

And now, she wants her own set, so I made her a pair.

Now we both won’t miss a thing.

NOT

ONE

SINGLE

THING!