Easter Week

What a week. I'm still a bit shocked over what all has taken place. I'm praying for all those who lost their homes and loved ones during the storms. I read the stories, and it breaks my heart.



There has been so much lost. I pray that God will be a refuge for all those who are hurting right now.

I'd like to share what a joyful Easter we were able to have. Friday, we all headed to Covington for an Easter weekend with my family and to have Charlotte baptized at the church I grew up in.

We started the weekend events with a traditional Passover Seder meal. My family has done this for as long as I can remember, and I've always enjoyed it greatly. It's amazing to think that Jesus spoke similar words to His disciples so soon before His crucifixion. I hope that Charlotte will one day gladly participate in the service. And I'm not gonna lie; my mom makes the BEST unleavened bread. Thank you Henry for providing it this year.



The girls did very well through the meal and only had an occasional melt down.




Lia: "quit pinching me!" Charlotte: "I'm not doing anything."

Saturday morning I gave Charlotte her Easter basket which I am fully aware she will not remember but for which I worked extremely hard on.




The eggs are made from paper, and the flowers are actually bows snapped to the side. I figured since she can't have candy yet, I would contribute to her ever growing hair accessory collection!

Later that morning the girls (Mom, Dana, Lia, Charlotte, me) headed to a lovely Easter egg hunt at longtime friends' house, the Patton's. The babies were great and although they couldn't hunt, seemed to enjoy watching the event. The rest of the afternoon I slaved away on pink champagne cupcakes with champagne buttercream icing and pink edible pearls. I really hoped they were worth all the effort!



The rest of the day was spent enjoying the company of family...there is really no better way to spend a day.



My niece Lia is a delight, and I'm actually going to do a picture post about her but thought I'd give you all a preview.

I made Ben take pictures of Charlotte and me in our matching outfits...yes, I'm a dork like that.




Sunday morning was a little hectic preparing for the days events, but I had fun arranging flowers for the table and watching as our Easter/baptism table took shape.




All was progressing well until my mom called me to ask about my cupcakes. Saturday, we had placed them in her office. The room was cool, and we wanted to preserve the icing. Well, my brother's dog Dakota had slipped into the office and eaten all but a few of my pink cupcakes, wrapper and all. It's ridiculous, but I'll admit I shed some tears over those cupcakes. It's hard to see hours of work disappear in a matter of moments. However, I got myself under control by singing "Christ the Lord Has Risen Today". There was still so much to be joyful about.




Charlotte looked so sweet in the baptismal gown, and one of my close friends Meghan was kind enough to take pictures of the day's events. Trinity was the place of my baptism long ago and has been an integral part of my journey in Christ. It was a blessing to come back and have my own child be baptized. The service was touching, and I cried as water was washed over her head and as my father and father-in-law prayed for her. My uncle was so kind to video tape it all, and my hope is that I can write down their prayers so that Charlotte can treasure them. After the baptism, Pastor Rob had the elders come up and pray over Charlotte and our family, both for physical healing and spiritual growth. I can't begin to express how much it meant to me. The prayers of both Trinity and Riverside have been such a blessing in my life.




As I ate lunch and celebrated with my family, all I could think was how blessed I am. My hope is that both Charlotte and Lia will one day know the risen King and celebrate Easter as daughters in Christ. I praise God for His Son's sacrifice and rejoice that He arose and reigns on high. Oh, that these two girls would realize this at an early age and dedicate their lives to His glory. That they would sing:

"In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, may all in all-Here in the love of Christ I stand."

"Just us kids hangin' out today; watching our long hair turnin' gray. Not so skinny maybe not so free. Not so many as we use to be"

I had a hard time turning 25. I know it sounds silly. I really liked being 22. It was a good age; young, but without all the hoop-la of 21. And now I'm 26...closer to 30 than 20, yet I'm cool with it. Life is good, and I wouldn't want to go back, even with the wrinkles that are starting to show up and the energy level that is quickly dwindling! Plus, my parents came up to celebrate birthday weekend (my mom's was Saturday) and to squeeze on their granddaughter.

They arrived Thursday, and in honor of our birthdays I baked up brown butter sponge cupcakes with brown buttercream frosting. The consensus was that they were delicious, but it might be awhile before I endeavor to try them again. With a baby, I like to stick to recipes that do not require more than 30min at a time!



The weather was icky on Friday, so we lounged around. Unfortunately, that means my pictures were all taken inside. I much prefer natural light and have hardly turned on my flash...probably cause I don't know how to use it properly :)

It's awesome to see my dad interact with his granddaughters!



She is such a little goober.




And let's not forget about ChiCha. I think she is starting to prefer my mom to me! ...She is more fun...




We dined at Salt for our birthday meal, and I would highly recommend it. We then stayed up way to late watching funny YouTube videos...yep, that's how we role.

Saturday, we had an awesome day planned visiting plant nurseries in Huntsville. I was in the market for vegetables. We hit Bennets first, and although we nearly froze, we did not come out empty handed. Then it was on to the Greenery. If you haven't been there, GO! When we lived in Hampton Cove, I used to go and just walk around like you would at a park. It's lovely.






I mentioned I was looking for vegetables. I did get some, but I also cam home with a couple of annuals and two rose bushes. I have a rose addiction...I can't help it. I see their beautiful petals and revel in their bouquet, and then I start envisioning how lovely it will be in my yard. I need help people...is there a hotline for this??



Sunday, our church held a picnic and Easter egg hunt. What better way is there to spend your birthday than eating a smorgasbord full of food, lounging in pristine Spring weather, and watching as joyful children scramble about to find yet another egg.





Honestly, it was hard for me not to grab a few eggs myself! My other addiction is candy...oh yeah, and then there's ice cream and...well I have a lot of addictions I need to get control of :)






Ada, a child after my own heart. She searched for ONLY pink eggs! LOVE IT!



Bubba got a bit over heated in all the excitement



Best treat of all was a visit from Kay Kay and Bob.



All in all a very delightful Birthday!

However, it was followed by not such delightful times. Monday and Tuesday Charlotte fussed almost non-stop...and woke up at 4am. I did manage to catch a few fun and happy moments.




Charlotte takes after me. She loves corn!



Cute, right? Unfortunatley most of the day looked like this:



But I can't complain too much. She does know how to make my heart melt...

So, I'm going to do something I'm not prone to do: picture posting!!! I've been delving into photography ever since Charlotte was born and finally decided to get a new camera. I LOVE it!!! And I thought my friends and family might want to take a peak at my meager photography skills. Yesterday the camera came in, and in between playing with Charlotte and scrubbing the bathtub (my arms are still soar- I HATE soap scumb!), I played around with the settings on my camera.



I thought the roses in my garden would be a good place to practice.



After Charlotte woke from her ten second nap, she was rather grumpy, but I was dying to snap away...




You would not believe how hard it is to get a clear shot of batting hands!



MANY pictures came out blurry!



She finally gave up the go, and photo session ended long before I was ready. We spent the rest of the day cleaning bathrooms and making a tablecloth for my dining room.

Mike (PawPaw) and Mary (Nana) came over for a quick visit before dinner and of course I once agian started clicking away with the camera...in my PJs. Fortunately, my in-laws are great and forgive me when I don't get around to putting on something other than pj pants and worn out t-shirts.



I think Charlotte is starting to look a good bit like her Nana.



Charlotte loves hanging out with her Grandparents



She did get a little sleepy; probably because she was up at 4am yesterday!



She loves her Nana to pieces!



Whenever I look at pictures that I have taken of Charlotte, I have to laugh at how huge her cheeks are! To borrow from my brother's girlfriend Nadia, "She looks like a chipmunk storing nuts for winter."



Yesterday evening, Ben and I decided to polish off the oysters he had brought back from a fishing trip with my dad and brother. We ate outside on the back porch and enjoyed the last rays of the sun. Charlotte was a trooper and seemed to understand we needed a little time to enjoy the air. She watched the commotion of shucking oysters from her bouncer and occasionaly cracked a smile as Lilly ran around chasing bumble bees.




My wonderful husband did all the dirty work of shucking the oysters and let me sit back and enjoy the bounty.




I know many are disgusted by oysters, but for me, it was a perfect meal.




The corn wasn't the best I've had but it didn't stop me :)



Before I know it Charlotte will be asking me to pass the cocktail sauce...it all happens much too quickly.



For now, I'm trying to savor every moment, even the one's where she gets me up at 5am to start the day. That's why God invented: