Big World

Anna participated in her first horse riding competition today! She rode 'Abigal'. Not her first choice, but 'Shade' was being difficult, so at the last minute Anna had to switch to 'Abigal'. Anna rode Abigal great! There were three events and the pair made no mistakes. Didn't knock over a barrel or pole, went straight to each event without redirection from the assitants on the field.

Anna and her good friend, Ashton, hold up the ribbons!

Holly, just want you to know its a big world out there. Competitions, like this one Anna was in today, will come up all along. Some are more important than others. Do your very best and you can't go wrong. It's a big, big world out there.

Mini Cakes

SPRING

A very good friend of ours has been sending dinner over quite regularly. As a thankyou, I made this mini cake, just for her. She loves to garden and sew. The tulips were inspired by a pillow that she made for me when we moved into our home. Not exactly the same, but "inspired by"!

As you can see, I am still having difficulty getting the corners on cakes juuuust right. Still in my desire for a simpler life, I am not deterred! Is there anything simple about this project? Maybe it was just simply the fun I had making the four cakes from one. And the joy in seeing my boys excited that I made cakes for them too. And Anna's delight in creating her own design, all by herself.

CHOCOLATE SPRING

WILD SPRING

MILD SPRING

In Asheboro, there is a gourmet kitchen whose motto I have to borrow for the moment:

Don't postpone joy!

Happy Easter.

A few of my favorite things...

Just like the song says, thinking of your favorite things is a very happy thing to do.

• Everyday, while Lee A is completing his school work at the table, Holly will go and poke him. The chair has a woven back with holes in it. She is attracted to the holes, and the fuss Lee makes over her when she starts poking him. It is very funny.
• Just this week, Holly has been able to lay in our bed with us in the morning. Monday, I picked her up and brought to our room instead of the playroom. She was a little active for 5 am, crawling all over the bed. But by today, she laid still for 5 minutes. Not much, but something to build on. So sweet!
• Anna finished her crochet project in plenty of time for Easter. The caplet was perfect for her dress and I am very proud of her.
• Dad is taking off work for a few days next week to help with Holly while I test the other children. Having Daddy around is always a good thing!

Happiness.

Easter Baby

Our peace is in His mercy. His Mercy. Our peace.

Last year I so very much wanted "a Kodak moment." (I know it's not all about me, topic for another time) But Holly had just had her surgery. So no beautiful baby Easter pictures in cute dress and shoes.

But in His Mercy, I have these photos from this year. What more could I really want? Happy, healthy children, family, love and Mercy.
Thanks, Laura K, for the very happy reminder!

Happy Easter

Easter Vigil Cake (inspired by CakeCentral.com)

Oh, I wish I could tell you I made this most of this Lent. That I prayed and fasted and that had made a difference in my life. But what I will tell you is that I did not give up. I have kept trying to do better, be better, answer God's call to holiness. I have not let my failures keep me from believing that Jesus is the answer.

Let this Easter be a day to recommit yourself too. The tomb is empty. The Christ is alive. He loves us even when we fall. Wishing you Peace and Joy!

Passion Sunday

Is it not enough that I KNOW how weak I am, how much I fail, how I am so totally a sinner? Do I have actual read aloud the part of the "chorus" in the readings this week?

It is very humbling to read along with the crowd, crying "Crucify him, crucify him." Every year I stumble through these readings. Praying that I would have been different, that I would not have been swayed by the crowd. Still, I know that every time I choose to sin, I am in fact turning my back on God. And believe me, I have lots of opportunities to choose not to sin everyday. To choose patience, compassion, understanding, patience...

Anyway, check out the passion narrative in Matthew and try to picture yourself in crowd. Then join me in praying this week : Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Another good reflection on Passion Sunday.

The CUTEST thing EVER

Have you seen Bakerella's Easter Cake Pops?

Almost as cute as: