Neglected.

Neglected. Overlooked. Forgotten.

That's what's happen to this little space. But I love it still. And when I can sit and breathe, (which I shouldn't be doing right now because of All. The. Stuff.) I love writing here. Recording memories and sharing thoughts.

I do a lot of that on Instagram now, but in short bursts. I am printing those photos out in ChatBooks, and my sweet boys have loved flipping through the 12 we already have received! But they love the blog books I print each year as well and I'm afraid this year's book will be quite small! Yikes!

Fall is here, though different for me this year. We had a Fall Break the first weekend in October and were out of town the first 2 weekends, which threw me for a loop! I think I finally put pumpkins on our door step the middle of October! We actually added lots more pumpkins (because I can't resist the cute and beautiful and welcoming orange signs of Fall), but I took this before the adding. Needed a photo of our new front doors. I am in love!!! Wish I had a photo of our old ones, but they were cream, with tiny windows at the very top. And, they had the full, black wrought iron storm doors in front of them. Definitely gave our house an older feel. Now, I adore the outside of our house! The pop and open windows----so much more inviting!  Especially when there's a real, live pumpkin waving to you from the doorstep!! ;)

I have lots more to catch up on, but felt like putting down a few thoughts, to shake out the cobwebs up in my mind and to shake them out here on the blog! We are still around! Living, loving life!

Waybe turns 3!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, 

Happy Birthday Dear Waybe, Happy Birthday to you!

And just like that, Way turned 3! It's hard to believe it has been 3 years since the day he was born!

(Of course, this was back at the end of July. Ahem. Playing catch up!)

It's been a family tradition to wake up birthday boys singing Happy Birthday to them, bright and early in the morning! Well, at least the ones who still stay in their beds until we wake them up! Way was the lucky boy this morning, on his 3rd birthday! ;) Clearly, he was a little stunned at first!

But just give him a minute and he was all smiles! Per usual! Sweet, joyful boy!

Because his birthday was during the summer, all of our boys were out of school, which means we went out for donuts!! But, because his birthday fell on a Friday at the end of July, Mommy and Daddy had to leave for an officer's church retreat on his actual birthday. Sooo, we celebrated the night before his actual birthday. Do you know how hard that was for me? Everyone else seemed to be fine and I knew it made sense. It was, realistically, how it had to happen, but there's something about tucking in my babies on their birthday night. It's the sentiment, it's the quiet moments of thinking back to the day/night of their birth. I missed that, but made it through snuggling him the night before!

Mimi, Aunt Mary and Uncle Kevin came over to join us for dinner and of course cupcakes! And sadly, my camera battery wasn't working, so my phone, once again, was my main camera, hence the slightly grainy pics. Way wasn't sure what to do with the cupcakes initially, but once he had that first taste, he was all in! Cupcake didn't stand a chance!

Oh precious Waybe! You have grown leaps and bounds over this summer! You are gaining more words and growing stronger right before our eyes! And, you are brightening everyone's day you see, every single day! You don't meet a stranger! You are definitely our social bug, always waving and say Hi or Bye Bye as they come and go! I'm thankful for how I've grown because of you and for the hearts you grow daily, through the love Jesus has given you! You are truly unbelievable! I have big hopes for you this upcoming year and so I'm handing them to the Lord and will continue to pray that you grow in wisdom and stature! Our biggest prayer, of course, is that you will grow up and love the Lord, bringing Him glory in all that you do. We have no doubt you will! You are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Way! We all love you with all of our hearts! 

the one where our hard has been fought and won

I'm naturally a people pleaser. I don't want to rock the boat. Whatever you choose will be good (and I'll deal with it if it's not). I avoid confrontation and well, I try to avoid "hard" if at all possible.

Yep. And I have a counseling degree. Albeit a school counseling degree, but nonetheless, I once took courses in counseling. You'd think I'd be better at navigating difficult.

Well, I'm not. But I'm having to learn how to be.

Our sweet Waybe turned 3 at the end of July (which reminds me, I gotta write a birthday post)! And at the age of 3, Way graduated from TEIS, our early intervention program in Tennessee. Which means, all of the therapies Way has been receiving (OT, PT and Speech) will now be paid for out of pocket. It also means that he is able to transfer over to the big-boy school system (if we choose to do so) and he gets an IEP, or Individualized Education Program, which is an education plan for a student who will need special education services.

And in July, before Way turned 3, we had to have our first IEP meeting.

I'll keep it short and say the meeting didn't go well and had to be continued. I was told I had to sign some papers or that someone in the school system would get a "bad mark." I didn't sign the papers. I rocked the boat. I didn't let them choose and I didn't avoid confrontation and I didn't avoid hard. Though I wanted to, so badly. I didn't though, because I am Way's advocate and I am his Mommy. Way, unlike our others boys, needs us to stand up for him in ways we don't have to for his older brothers. And some of that has already happened, but it was game on once the IEP meetings rolled around.

Our IEP meeting was finally finalized yesterday. And while I wasn't angry or frustrated yesterday at the meeting, I was very much disheartened. Nothing ideal happened and really, nothing good happened either.

I found myself following the rabbit trails of "What-if's." What if he doesn't get x service? What if he can't ever go to such and such school? What if we can't afford to send him to this and that school? What if we have to move? What if he still isn't walking in a year? What if he falls through the cracks? What if this? What if that?

And let me tell you, the "What-if" game isn't fun.

But, by the grace of God, and after a few tears, I felt peace. I had family and friends praying for that meeting. I knew that their prayers wouldn't guarantee a rosy outcome. I asked them to pray for my peace about the entire thing and for wisdom in my role as Way's advocate. The Lord delivered my peace.

I want to live my life with the big picture before me, His big picture. I want my life to radiate with an eternal perspective! It's a fight, for sure, in this culture we live in. Our culture is dominated by success, money, drive, the best education, the best school, the best, the best, the best. I'm not immune to it. But, I want to be.

I've realized if I'm not living my life with an eternal focus, there truly is no point to this life. He has gone before us and fought for us. He has told us, in His Word,

"that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." --John 16:33

So, life isn't easy. But, the Lord has already won! That doesn't mean that the things of this life, like IEP meetings or decisions about schools, work, houses, health, etc. don't matter. But it does mean, we shouldn't worry. The Lord has also told us he will take care of us. He knows our needs, He loves us and He will provide for us!

"The Lord is my shephrd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. " --Psalm 23

 I'm so thankful the Lord is Way's Shepherd!

Way -- a study of the heart!

Good morning, little cutie! I see you studying that big heart. Wondering what it is. What it does.
You know, hearts keep our bodies alive. They help us thrive. Hearts also represent love.
And love? Well,

"God is love." 1 John 4:8

One year ago today, Mommy and Daddy were studying the heart, too. We were filled with information on your heart and the ASD and VSD, the holes in your heart. And we handed you over to a surgeon, who knew so much more than we did, and prayed the Lord would guide his hands as he mended the holes in your heart.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." 

Psalm 73:26

Last May 6th, was a study of our heart. I remember being at peace with it all, but emotional as you left my arms in your little gown. This surgery, if all went well, was supposed to help you thrive. Ideally, it would relieve your body from working as hard as it was and prevent future complications as well.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way." 1 Thessalonians 3:16

Heart surgery is a pretty big deal. God is an even BIGGER deal! You (and Mommy and Daddy) were showered with love and support! So many friends and family members prayed for you and came by to see you. They came to love on you and love on us. The Lord granted us the prayers we asked. You were a champ and your surgery was a success! 

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him,

 that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." 1 John 5:14

We handed the Lord our hearts and you, Waybe, our little heart. And here you are. 

YOU are a study of the heart!

Happy 1 year Heart-versary, Way! We love you and your smile. You are a joy and a light! Thank you, Lord, for mending our little boy and pouring out love on us! You are Mighty and we praise you!

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night" Psalm 91:2

FYI Friday: Let's celebrate! The future is bright!

It's tough getting back into the swing of things, say not posting for a month, and knowing where to start. But, I'd say a perfect way to pop back into the ol' blog is an FYI Friday! 

Here's what you need to know . . .

1. Tomorrow is World Down Syndrome Day, celebrated on 3/21! Why 3/21? Because individuals with Down syndrome all have 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. Interesting little tid-bit, yes? And celebrate? Yes!! We celebrate because we love people with DS! We celebrate to inform and to spread awareness! There are so many incredible things going on to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. All kinds of Random Acts of Kindness activities, parties, National meet-ups at various locations and some really cool campaigns. I'd highlight them all if I could, but I'm especially excited about . . .

2. Ruby's Rainbow. Ruby's Rainbow is an organization that grants scholarships to adults with Down syndrome for college, enrichment or vocational classes. They believe that learning doesn't have to stop after high school and they want to help individuals with Down syndrome reach their highest potential!

Who doesn't want that?? And have you heard about their 3/21 pledge? Ruby's Rainbow is setting a goal of raising enough money by March 21st to grant educational scholarships to 21 Rockin' Recipients! How amazing is this? So promising for the future for individuals with Down syndrome!

3. I have taken the pledge and donated $21. Will you read more about Ruby's Rainbow? Will you take the 3/21 pledge?

Sure, our little Waybe is still in a crib. We aren't sending him off to college just yet. But we are all about supporting organizations who believe his future is bright!! Hope you will too!! Take the #321pledge here!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!!

FYI Friday: spotlight on Down syndrome | Day 3

Imagine
Imagine yourself standing on a stage in a pitch black auditorium. You put your arms out in front of you and you can't see your hands waving in front of your face. You spin in a circle and you aren't able to touch anything. So you still yourself and breathe. And pray. Then, bam! A spotlight shines down on you. And then slowly, your eyes begin to adjust . . .

Reality
Two years ago, my husband and I were in the doctor's office for the big 20 week ultrasound of our 4th baby! It was exciting, as they usually are. We were able to see our baby's heartbeat and see our baby squirming around. But, the technician kept looking over and around the baby's heart. I could tell she thought something wasn't quite right. She brought my OB in. Sure enough, something wasn't quite right. They found fluid around our baby's heart. More tests were needed to rule out a few things and to let us know whether our baby would need surgery right away. We were sent to a high risk doctor who wanted to do more testing. We had to wait several days for the results.

The moment I received the phone call from my doctor, the lights went out. Not literally. But I knew when I heard his voice, instead of a nurse's voice, he was going to deliver big news. He told me that our baby had Down syndrome.

Fear was my darkness. My heart was racing and I couldn't see a thing. I was alone in the darkness for the two minute phone call and I was scared. I didn't know anything about Down syndrome. Would our baby be okay? Would we be okay? What would this look like for our family?

Thankfully, our story did not end there. It didn't end with fear. We were not kept in the dark.

Instead, the darkness and fear of a diagnosis of Down syndrome was forced out by the light of the Lord and the blessing of our newest little boy, Way! He was here! He was real and squishy and needy and sleepy. He was just like every other baby, but he was ours!

What should you know
Dpwn Syndrome Awareness Month is a wonderful time to shine a light on Down syndrome. But here's the thing. I might be able to tell you some technical details about Down syndrome that you don't know. But is that what I really want you to know?

No. I'm not concerned whether or not you know that Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by a third copy of chromosome 21.

It's not what you should know, but it's who you should know! All life is precious! Our little boy with Down syndrome is a gift from God. All of our boys are, in fact. But often, a Down syndrome diagnosis brings about fear in people. It's the fear of the unknown. I know. I felt it. It was dark for a little bit. But the unknown doesn't last forever! The light of these blessings, these people, shines through.

In a world today, where prenatal testing often ends lives because of fear, I want you to know someone with Down syndrome. I want you to see that life is good and life is precious! People aren't suffering from Down syndrome. Today, people with Down syndrome are thriving!

I can't possibly tell you all the amazing things Way has added to our life. He's so much more than a diagnosis. He's our little boy---full of joy, and smiles. Determined to be noticed and determined to have anyone in the room with him sing the Itsy-Bitsy Spider with hand motions! Way is not Down syndrome. He is not fear. In fact, there's nothing more peaceful to me than cuddling him in my arms at night, after singing Jesus Loves Me in the dark. Way is a bright shining light!

This month, it's good to be aware, but it's even better to know! The Lord designed our little Way and the Lord makes no mistakes!

 Psalm 139:13-14 says,

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

FYI Friday: Way is 2!!

And just like that he turned. . .

Do I always start birthday posts like that? Because it's true. Every year that comes 'round I am amazed how quickly time flies!

FYI, our little Waybe is 2 years old! I look at him and feel so blessed that we've had him in our arms for 2 years now! I can remember his birth story to the detail and I love it!! Isn't it nice how we can forget the pain of childbirth once a little time has gone by? Actually I remember that too, but especially love that little Way was our only boy to come on his own! Glory!!! And obviously my favorite part of the story is having him here with us!

This year of Way's life has been full! He's had tubes (again) and heart surgery and he's now scooting around and finding fascination with almost everything! He's intrigued by the dishwasher--what toddler isn't? He's also turned into a tornado and in a flash he can empty a toy box and spread its contents all across a room!

At the same time he's happy to be moving, he's still so very content staying put and even happier not to work too hard! We've had some turnover in therapists (with people moving or changing jobs) and we had a therapy break after surgery, so Way has had a little set-back. He's easy-going and laid back, and while I'm thankful for that so far, our job now as his parents and advocates is to make sure Waybe is stretching and reaching his full potential! So with a new schedule and new therapists around the corner, I'm prayerful and hopeful this next year of his life is going to be awesome and one of growth in many areas! And now a letter to Way. . .

Sweet Waybe,
We always start everyone's birthday off with a birthday photo and sing Happy Birthday. You were wondering, "What in the world is going on here?" So cute!

We had breakfast with balloons and your brothers had the best time bopping them around the house! Luke wasn't with us today, he was out of town, on his way to London (yep), but he wanted to celebrate with you yesterday! He made sure we had cupcakes yesterday too, so you've actually celebrated your 2nd birthday twice!

 

We kept things low-key this year, which was nice, and actually what we all needed! It's been a busy summer!  You loved us singing Happy Birthday, and let Daddy put some icing in your mouth, but that was about it. Still not wanting finger foods, quite yet!

 

We had fun opening presents with you, too! Your brothers were especially helpful! And once the toys were out, Miles and Charlie even taught you how to use them! And while my camera flash kept boycotting the event and some of these aren't the best quality, I think you can see that we all had fun celebrating with you, Way!

 

Little Waybe, you hold our hearts! There isn't a day that goes by where someone isn't trying to elicit giggles from you--and when we get those giggles, it's like we've won the most treasured prize! Not a soul likes to see you sad (which happens occasionally) and often brothers jump to turn your frown upside down! Hope you won't be too spoiled!! 

You have a few signs under your belt--"More", "All-done", "Doggy" (maybe your fave), "Car", "Bye-bye", and sometimes ball, milk and pray when you want to use them! You especially love showing us the motions to "Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" so we will all spring into action and sing them right along to you! You love your Puppers (lovie) still and seeing pictures of loved ones and babies. You are learning how to blow kisses and will give and accept hugs by leaning in (and kisses too)! You are growing right before our eyes!

Way, you are a true gift from the Lord! He created you and made you perfectly! You have so many people who love you, but know your Father in Heaven loves you even more! Happy, happy 2nd birthday! Thank you for your smiles and laughter that melt us, and your unconditional love that encourages us! We love you with all our hearts! Love, Mommy (and Daddy and your brothers)

Here I Am! Send me. (off on a mission trip in less than a week!)

Back in February, our church had our annual World Missions conference. The weekend is always one of my very favorite weekends of the year. I am inspired, enlightened, encouraged, challenged, and always heart-pricked each and every year. And this year's conference left me feeling no different. But this year, at the end of the conference, I felt a nudge from the Lord, telling me there was something more He wanted from me.

After several conversations with a sweet friend, who is leading a team to Kazakhstan, I found myself actually praying and asking the Lord if He wanted me to go on this trip. There were several reasons I wanted to go, but several reasons I was hesitant to go for 2+ weeks (leaving my 4 littles, one who would have just had heart surgery, and my Hubby behind, just to name a few). While I wasn't trying to find excuses to stay, I surely kept finding His answers that led me to go!

It seems like ages ago that I committed to going with a team of  6 other women to Kazakhstan. And now, I leave in less than a week! I am thrilled to be going to a couple of days early to Kyrgyzstan to meet with families who have children with Down syndrome. I will be sharing about our Way and his life and our life with him. I will be sharing about joy! These families we will be meeting with, live in a culture that believes people with Down syndrome and other special needs are cursed. It is heartbreaking and crushing and hopeless. We want to minister to them and also provide them with resources and information they don't receive from their government. We want them to see potential and possibilities in their children's future! I cannot wait!

While we are over there, we will also be in Kazakhstan ministering to moms of children with special needs. Some of these mothers have never been away from their children for one minute of their 20+ year old children's lives. They need encouragement and they need a break. They need to know how much the Lord loves them and their children!

There's so much more I want to share, but I hope to be able to update during our trip! For now though, I would so appreciate your prayers. I can share specific prayer requests if you email me @ lindleyjackson@aol.com or you can pray generally for travel safety, families staying back and holding down the fort and that the Lord would use us to glorify Him!

Thank you for following along and especially your prayers and support! Now, off to get ready . . .!

Things I learned in May. . .

Ahhhh, there are so many things I learned in May, but one of the things I did not learn in May is that I can't remember things that happened yesterday---I learned that a while ago! Ugh! So here are just a couple of the things I learned. . .that I remember. . .

1. Children are resilient. Period. Our sweet Waybe had open heart surgery, as many of you know, at the beginning of May. He was on Tylenol and no other pain meds by the end of Day 2. What? Amazing! The Lord is good! And here he is, nearly 4 weeks later!

2. I, on the other hand, not being all that young am not as resilient. I'm leaving in just two weeks to go to Kazakhstan on a mission trip (more about that coming) and had to get a Tetanus shot and a Hep A shot. Receiving the shots was not a big deal. But the next day I had chills and was aching all over. Sheesh!

3. I can still read a book in a day. Okay maybe technically in 27 hours, but who's counting? I haven't done that in a long time, but put me on a beach and I learn it can still happen! My latest book to conquer was Jeanne Damoff's Parting the Waters: Finding Beauty in Brokenness. She is going on the mission trip to Kazakhstan with me and I wanted to read it before I meet her! Cannot wait to meet her! I can't do the book or her story justice, but it's a heart-wrenching and heart-warming true story. You can look it up here. Parting the Waters made me cry and it made my heart smile. Strangely enough, I felt lighter and more comforted after reading it! If you want a faith-inspiring book, you must read this!

4. And on a much more trivial note. . . there's not much on TV these days, except the BEST new show out there! It's on HGTV and it's called Fixer Upper. Really cool aside, is it's created from a married Baylor alum couple! Go Baylor Bears! Chip and Joanna Gaines turn houses that need some lovin' into something AH-mazing! I love everything about her style and I'm busy trying to think of ways to get her to come to Memphis!!! Surely, Hubby and I, both being Baylor alum, could work some magic? And we both have 4 children! Isn't that something??? LOVE this show!!! Thursday nights at 10pm. Follow her on Instagram-- JoannaGaines --for a peek into some serious farm style!

(Linking up with Emily today, better late than never!)

FYI Friday: Way's heart surgery update!

I think this FYI Friday calls for a Waybe update!

It has now been over a week since our little Way had open heart surgery for a complete AV canal defect--which is a congenital heart defect--which means surgeons patched two holes in his heart. We've had a lot of people ask us if this is because he has Down syndrome. It's not. Everyone can have holes in their heart and many people do. However, your chances are greater if you have Down syndrome. All the technical jargon aside, I truly cannot express how I am feeling because it is difficult to put into words. But, here's a go at it. I think I speak for Hubby too, saying we are thankful, relieved, exhausted, amazed, a tad nervous and absolutely overwhelmed (in a good way) from the prayers, love and support of family and friends all over!

We've been home since Saturday afternoon, meaning I was able to be at home with all four of our boys on Mother's Day! It was sweet after a rough week. We checked into Le Bonheur Children's Hospital on Monday, the 5th, at noon and spent the rest of the day getting Way prepped for his surgery the next morning. Miles hung out with us too, so he was able to get the lay of the land and had a fun time playing with Way up in his hospital bed!

And then Tuesday morning we were down ready for surgery by 8 am. The doctors prepped us for a 3-5 hour surgery and Way was out of surgery in under 1.5 hours! His surgeon was incredible and we hear one of the best in the world! Day 1 was rough, particularly his first night. He really wasn't responding well to one of his drugs, so they took him off that the next morning once we realized how agitated it made him feel. He was off his breathing machine by Day 2 and even his IV at the end of the day. Day 3, he took a baby step back and had to be put back on oxygen and the IV again, because he wasn't eating, but his catheter was removed and several other things too. And then, other than a few small details, each day we saw more progress and Way was on his way to a speedy recovery!

His nurses were all so sweet and I quickly became attached to each one (even the ones that had us up at 1 and 4am), and was sad when their 12 hour shift ended! I'm sure it's different for them, having other patients and just doing their job, but for me, they were taking care of our little baby and we were just grateful and wanted to get to know them!

The near-week at the hospital was surreal. It seemed like forever, but yet went so quickly. Our older boys came up to see Way on Wednesday afternoon and we took Way on wagon rides here and there to change his scenery. It was tiring and emotional at times, but we had SO many visitors and texts and emails and phone calls--we were just flooded with love!

In the weeks before Way's surgery, I felt a heaviness from the upcoming event, but yet a peace that only comes from the Lord. I tried not to think about it, because I thought I would worry, and the Lord prevailed, as always, and gave me comfort. Way had so many people praying for him and we did too. Still do. And my heart is overflowing!

Way has a 6 week recovery period. That means, no therapies (maybe speech) and no lifting him under his arms. We now have to scoop him up, whenever he pick him up. A hard thing to do and to remember! Before his heart surgery, he had just started inching and scooting on his tummy for toys. We were concerned we would have to prevent him from being mobile. Turns out, if it hurts him, he won't do it. And guess what? We've seen him inch around already! Incredible! Children are so resilient!!

So Way is recovering quite well! We are so thankful and filled with joy! He's barely missed a beat, smiling and dancing and of course, grabbing our hands and insisting we sing The Itsy-Bitsy Spider every second of the day! We love him with all of our hearts!!

Home, post-surgery on an unbelievably cool day in mid-May, and still all smiles!!

All ready to go! Way's heart surgery . . .

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3

As I type this, Im guessing that only my friends with newborns have the potential of being awake. It's 4am, and I've slept three hours total in 1.5 increments tonight. Good thing I got started at 10:30 last night!

I'm writing from the hospital, as sweet Way is doing his best to get a little more shut eye before his heart surgery at 8:30 this morning. It's been a flurry of activity around here and the machines Way is hooked up to are not being kind to the weary, breaking and beeping and ensuring we will be rocked later today! I'm pretty sure one of our night nurses would rather skip her night shift and be at home sleeping, but at least one of them is cheerful and sugary and everything my mom was to me as she tried to wake me for school when I was younger!

This was us when we checked into Le Bonheur yesterday, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

But sleep or no sleep, we have truly felt a peace from the Lord as surgery day has been approaching! We've also had such an outpouring of love from family and friends, who are all praying for Baby Way too! What a blessing and treasure it is to be surrounded--even from far off places--by those who love us!

So, maybe I can try to sleep a tad more--the machines have ceased beeping! Surgery will be here soon! We will be here around a week, so I hope to post again with an update on our little Waybe! Thank you so much for your prayers!

Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered!

Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered!

I cannot stop repeating these lyrics and singing this song, by Keith and Kristyn Getty! We sang this song yesterday in our Easter service at church, and I just love their hymns and worship music! 

And while I love the Getty's music, we went to a free outdoor concert at the Levitt Shell on Easter Eve and it seems that Myla Smith may have a new fan! Way so enjoyed himself and was just dancin' to her music all night! We all enjoyed being together and with friends and have loved the past couple of years of Easter Eve concerts!

 

And then Easter Sunday! What a beautiful day it was! Hubby took the older two boys on a walk to sunrise service. One of these days, we will all make it! But I stayed back with our younger two boys and started getting ready for our service at church! But in between services, we did find a little time to hunt for Easter eggs! These boys are so quick and I couldn't keep up with them, but all 14 eggs were found, which hasn't happened every year! Good for them, and us!

After church we snapped a few photos and then headed over to my parents for lunch and swimming (can you believe it was that warm?)! We had a wonderful time with them, my Biffer and Kevo, and Auntie joined us for lunch too!

It was a sweet Easter day and night! Even though I was completely tuckered out, Hubby led us through the last of our Resurrection eggs and the conversations and discussions with our boys just spurred me on---to continue to look to the Lord for His guidance and wisdom as we grow our little boys in His love!! 

Happy Easter! He is risen!!