Easter 2012

Well, this little family enjoyed our Easter this year.

Easter is such a special time for me because of its significance. I love the conversations centered around Jesus and salvation. I love the optimism and the hope. I love how everything is fresh and new and beautiful. And let's be real -- I love the candy.

But I discovered one more incredibly special thing about Easter this year -- sharing it with my son. Yeah, we celebrated Easter last year, but he was still very much a baby blob back then. This year, we really interacted. This year, he was excited about "chuchhhh" and listening to me explain to him what Easter is all about. He even sang along to "He Arose!" with me.

I think the absolute best part of holidays is sharing them with my son.

Cohen's basket this year centered around 3 of Cohen's favorite things: Sesame Street, books, and cars. It may have also contained a few of his parents' favorite things as well: namely, chocolate.

Daddy and I now have a nice little stash of Reese's eggs tucked away in the refrigerator. We're hoping it'll last us until Memorial Day. But truth be told, I'll be shocked if we still have any by the end of the week. Self-control is non-existent when it comes to Reese's.

Cohen zoned in on the cars as soon as he saw the basket. That boy loves his cars. His second favorite item is the beginner Bible which was actually a gift from his grandparents. We spent the entire day playing cars and flipping through the Bible (and reading stories just before bedtime).

And, of course, we ate a lot of chocolate. So much that now my son knows to say "choc-ot" when he wants a bite.

He did some damage to that poor bunny. Although, after he got a mouthful, he was more interested in squeezing the melting chocolate in his fingers and flinging at his daddy. Reason #5063839 why I love that kid.

And for fun, here's a comparison of chocolate-eating pictures from the past two years. Last year, he was 5 months old. This year, he was just shy of 17 months old.

Easter Festival

Saturday afternoon, we packed up the crew and headed out to an Easter Festival. The festival was hosted by a church in a little square in the middle of downtown. They advertised a 4,000 Easter egg hunt, and I'm quite certain they drew in that many people to the tiny square. We were packed in, but Cohen had a blast and we were with family, so we were all happy.

We arrived just moments before the big hunt started, and before we staked out a prime egg-hunting spot, we let Cohen meet some of the fun people -- like this giant elephant.

We scoped out a spot next to a little piece of grass laden with multi-colored eggs. While the MC announced the rules of the hunt, Cohen got sneaky and took a little head start. It's a good thing he did, because within a minute of the official start, all the eggs had been picked up. It didn't phase Cohen one bit, though -- he had a blast dancing to the music while people around him frantically grabbed at eggs.

Cohen walked away with a grand 3 eggs in his basket, 2 of which he picked up "illegally" before the hunt officially started. He was so proud of his little basket.



We spent the rest of the afternoon playing at the park and eating candy. Cohen's favorite? A sucker, preferrably dipped in snow cone, please.

Before we headed home, we decided to let Cohen meet the Easter bunny. As we stood in line, we watched as child after child was placed on the bunny's lap, only to scream their heads off in terror. I mean, I can't really blame those poor kids. The Easter bunny is pretty creepy. But Cohen was a champ. He got really shy at first and dropped his head, but it only took a few seconds and some prompting from Nana and Aunt Tori before he was smiling and happy. That's my boy.

Easter Eggs

He Arose!

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Happy Easter!

Our Year In Review

January

I returned back to work after a 6 week maternity leave, which was way too short, by the way. After the first hour away from my baby, I began to sink into a depression. My first week back was not pretty at all. Then God sent snow just for me, and we ended up having the whole next week off due to the weather. I don't remember much else, being as I was in a pretty deep funk.

February

Still really depressed, so I don't remember much from this month. Husband and I began discussing the possibility of me taking a year's leave of absence from work during the next shool year. We were convinced we wouldn't be able to make it on one income. Sinking deeper into depression. The baby, during all this, gets cuter and cuter. He was dedicated this month, and dada went on his first (and only) multi-day business trip.

March

On his 4 month birthday, Cohen starts eating pureed foods. After weeks of prayer and seeking advice from people we respect, we decide to bite the bullet and step out in faith -- I would take a year's leave of absence. I began praying then that it would be more than a year. I sewed my first baby bibs this month and got the sewing fever. Cohen got his first tooth without us even realizing it.

April

I told my boss I wasn't returning to work next school year. That act alone seemed to be the turning point for me -- I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I spent the entire Spring Break snuggling and loving on my baby. Cohen celebrated his first Easter. I spent my first weeked away from Cohen when we took our student ministry on a weekend trip -- that was excrutiating.

May

I packed up my classroom and bid farewell to the teaching profession for at least a year. Finally I can breath again. Cohen starts crawling on the very first day that I am home with him. We spend Memorial Day weekend at my parents' pool.

June

Cohen starts pulling up to standing position and gets into everything. I join a mom's group to meet other moms with babies and within the day get an email from a sweet mom inviting me to a playdate. Cohen and I meet our new favorite friends. We are both very happy. Cohen's sweet cousin Ava is born at the very end of the month.

July

Cohen starts using the Bumbo to walk across the floor -- it's only a matter of time now until he's walking. We take a wonderful family trip to the beach and discover that Cohen hates the ocean. We have a couple playdates with our favorite friends and spend most of our time in diapers (well, he does, not me).

August

The blog is born! I participate in my first consignment sale and have lots of fun buying all kinds of winter clothes for Cohen. Cohen stands up on his own, and the same day, he takes his first step. I get my first (of three) baby-takes-off-diaper-in-crib-and-poops surprise. Cohen gets his first little sickie bug and has a fever for a day (and scares me to death).

September

We go to the park for the first time and discover that Cohen loves to swing. We enjoy some fall weather and turning leaves. Cohen impresses his doctor by walking into his 10 month well baby check up. We have fun playing with bathtub paint.

October

We take a trip to Tennessee for a family reunion and participate in a Right To Life rally. Asher Bracelets starts up with the hope and prayer to raise enough money to pay for one surgery for a baby in Uganda (3 months later, we've got enough money to pay for 12 surgeries!). I host my first giveaway and have to most perfect day ever with my family. Cohen goes trick or treating and takes his candy like a pro. Husband gets three job offers in the span of 2 weeks (without even looking for them-- praise the Lord!).

November

Cohen turns ONE! I decide to get real. Husband accepts a new job. We enjoy Thanksgiving and Black Friday madness.

December

We started the month out right by visiting Santa and ministering to our community. Husband and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary and Cohen got really sick. We had a wonderful Christmas with family.

All in all, it's been a pretty great year. We've had our bad times (especially at the beginning), but without them, I wouldn't appreciate these good times so much. I have been able to witness God working in and through my life so clearly this year, and that is very exciting. I cannot wait to see what He has in store for our family in 2012!

A Very Merry Christmas, Indeed.

Merry Christmas! What a wonderful few days we've had around here. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the family time we've gotten lately.

We kept our gift-giving simple this year. Partly because we've been flat broke, but also partly because we're starting to really appreciate that the best gifts are not always expensive or full of the newest technology. The best gifts are usually the ones that celebrate family and give back to others.

This year, we really focused on those two concepts. We gave photobooks full of pictures from our most recent family photo shoot. Now that the recipients have their books, I can't wait to share some of those precious pictures with you.

We also gave Asher Bracelets. Those bracelets were so special to give, and I loved sharing about how God is using this ministry to save people's lives. Asher Bracelets have currently raised $6,000 -- that's enough money to pay for 6 life-saving surgeries for babies in Uganda. And the organization that is performing the surgeries, Cure International, is matching the donations. I am so blessed just seeing what God is doing with a few beads and some scraps of fabric.

We spent our morning at church celebrating the birth of our Savior. What a special time it is when Christmas falls on a Sunday!

Afterwards, we headed over to Dada's parent's house to eat breakfast and exchange gifts. Cohen was very impressed by the tree and the mound of gifts.

He didn't really get it at first. He doesn't care much for pretty boxes, but once he saw that inside those boxes sat fun toys for him, he became more interested. My sweet boy was so overwhelmed by all his presents. He didn't know what to do.

Afterwards, we made to trip to my family's house for dinner and even more presents. By now, Cohen was beginning to master present opening, and by the time we were done, he was a pro.

We took a break from presents to play with the robots. Cohen did not like seeing the robots punch each other, and he was constantly trying to break up the fights. My little peace-maker.

This cracks me up. Cohen got a giant tub of cheese balls. Cohen loves it, and he will put his hand in and take one at a time.

My little music man got lots of musical instruments. He loves banging on his drums and dancing. We're learning how to sing into the microphone, too.

All ready to help Dada cut the grass!

Happy Birthday, Jesus! I hope you were honored through our celebrating. Thank You for the best gift no one else can give -- the gift of salvation!