Because of Him

This evening I was touched by the thoughtfulness of Z. He and Nev were grouped in age together at a local Easter Egg Hunt (dash) and I was watching from a distance. As it started Nev had her basket on her head as a hat. I figured that was going to be a problem but had no way to do anything about it since we were blocked by a bunch of other parents.

I watched as they started the hunt and she ran about 3 steps and then panicked: where was her basket? She couldn't possibly pick up eggs without the basket. Her brother was long gone, of course with task in mind. She turned back searching for me, the expression on her face heartbreaking the parental crowd thinned enough and I went to her, I pulled the basket off her head and handed it to her and told her she was okay (she was crying), and to go see if she could find an egg. I watched as she picked up one and then it was evident that all the eggs had been claimed. Her brother found her as he was charged to do and then from a distance I saw a huddle around her. When they emerged from the group everyone was happy.

They described to me what had transpired when they found me. Now looking through the pictures I am touched even more to see what I couldn't at the distance I was.

Without any adult interference just the sorrow of his sister he took it upon himself to make all things even.

In the pictures I can see her meet up with her brother, shoulders slumped in defeat.

I can see Z's appeal to the other hunters on her behalf. You can see in their faces what kind of a response they received.

He later told me he gave her half his eggs and then asked other kids around him if they would share just one with her.

It's a simple thing. A Christlike thing. A small act that makes me such a happy mom. Because of Him, Because of Jesus Christ my children know how to see a need and fill it, see a broken heart and mend it. They learn to serve as Our Savior served. Z ended up with less eggs than his sister.

Afterwards they had a raffle for a few gift baskets. In a tender mercy Nev's number won the raffle.

Which means that Z was even more unbalanced with the one he worried over, but it was all okay. 

As a parent, standing back and watching my children take care of each other is one of the most rewarding things. Their innocence, and charity is inspiring. 

May the beauty and awesomeness of Our Savior's gift and sacrifice be evidenced in types all around you. 

Happy Easter!

#becauseofHim 

Because of Him I'm a better Mom, Because of Him my children are better people, Because of Him I learn to love more perfectly. 

Halloween encore

We love Halloween.
(that's for the record)
We took the kids to the city trick or treating.

Giddy insisted on bringing Dap the bear with him. He held him under the crook of his arm the whole time.

 

Giddy and Dap

My cute short ones.

Oh how my little ducky loves his bear.

 We then met up with some friends to go door to door trick or treating. Work for their candy a little more.

Z's legs "are too sleepy"

 

Z and his friend Addy: he was such a gentleman pirate he'd put his hand on her back to help her up the curb etc. and holding her hand.

We stopped by our neighbors on the way home and they had prepared a little bag for each child with age and personality appropriate toy. It was so sweet and special for the kids. 

 

 

 This makes me laugh. Gary was joking earlier that we needed more kids to get more Halloween candy... but 4 kids seem to be doing the trick. :)

"those" bloggers and Halloween

I've turned into one of those bloggers... you know the kind. The kind that shows up on your links and under the blog title it says last post was "3 months ago" "6 months ago" or "a year ago."

I've had lots on my plate and mind and figured I'd better just keep it all to myself until I was ready to selectively share. Hence the big gaps in posting this year.

Things are good with us. We enjoyed a full summer with lots of travel and fun things. We have made huge improvements on the property in the past year and feel like Florida is home.

"It's Halloween Day." as my 3 year old says.
As we have already taken in a few Halloween activities here are some pics. My oldest can't dress up for school.... except on red ribbon week. The week before Halloween they had theme days so on the career day she dressed up like a teacher. I like how she picked out shoes that made clack clack noises and added a pair of frames. (I think it's sad they don't let them dress up for Halloween so I made some plans of my own rebellion.)

 Nev, Giddy and Nev's best friend and a church Fall Fling.

 Gary as Timon (a pretty sweet costume his mom made when he was 17 for a play he was in)

 We couldn't keep the kids altogether so I took the photo ops with who I had.

 His mad skeleton pirate face.

 

 Purple haired Mermaid

 Olea witch, Gary, Coretta as an artist (totally last minute costume as we were packing kids in the van), Giddy Duck and Z pirate.

 Haunted Trails, we got there as they were winding down hopefully next year the two events won't be on the same day.

 Giddy was over it all by now and Gary took off his costume thinking that was his issue. Later I found out it was his toe being held down under his foot by a skewed sock. I did not put on his socks and shoes, for the record.

 Carving pumpkins

 Giddy getting out pumpkin guts. Zurich and Nev wouldn't do it.

 She kept making faces at me. I am not responsible.

 two finger pincer is all he would do with the pumpkin guts. Finished product.

 

 Next morning ready for school. See that lil witch hat she has on. It's a hair clip. It's all school dress code passing. Wanna see it closer? Check here: http://corettadeesign.blogspot.com/2012/10/witch-hat.html

Easter Pretties

Decorating Eggs with Gary's help is SOOOO much easier and it's fun to have him around.


Here is my sweet 14 month old Giddy miracle. We are so thrilled how well he is doing. He has been spitting up though again. I assume it is a weak stomach sphincter. We'll see.

Gary got the boys matching little 3 piece suits for Easter. This is not normally a thing a guy does is it? Well, it was the first time here as far as I can remember. I mean it wasn't like I saw them, Gary pointed them out and had their sizes and everything. I was so impressed. :)

Anyway the girls saw them and Olea said, I want an Easter dress Mom. I had just bought a few yard ends in the bargain bin of this smocked fabric in different prints thinking of making Nev some light summer dresses since she hates clothes so much. When I saw the Blue Ariel Fabric, I saw potential for double use. There wasn't any in the ends bin so I had them cut me a few yards. I made a few dresses from the other prints and to test out sleeves. The girls liked them so I started on the blue Ariel fabric and had Gary pick up a few extra yards so I could make a shirt for myself. :) Girls were happy and we all were matching, seriously who doesn't love a matching family? If you don't, I don't care. :) I do.

While Gary hid the Easter eggs I took pics of the kids. I even planned ahead to Mother's and Father's Day. So I kept those under wraps but here are some pics of them.
And then the Easter hunt.
Oh so cute. I love my babies! We got a very sweet compliment today about them, one of those kinds of indirect compliments that says nice things about you and your parenting. A parent needs those every once it a while.

Teaching the kids about the resurrection of Jesus Christ again is always interesting. Olea is starting to get it more, that Easter isn't about freakish bunnies and candy and such, but about Christ and His love for us, His power and our reliance on Him.
Obviously we participate in some of the fun traditions, childhood is good that way.
I want my children to have a good childhood but the balance of true teachings and a foundation of faith.
Happy Easter!