He is Risen!

 Happy Easter everyone!  This post is late late late, but it has been an insane week!  We had a wonderful Easter weekend!  Saturday, after Caleb got off of work, we took Brianna to a local church for their Easter Egg Drop.  It was VERY interesting and VERY dirty!

They flew a helicopter over the field and dropped thousands of eggs from the sky!  Brianna had a great time getting her eggs!  Carter wasn't as impressed...both kids were covered in dust when we were done, but it was a fun time.

The next day, we had a wonderful service at church!  We volunteered for nursery...we had about 12 babies!  What an experience!  After church, we went to Caleb's parent's house for a very yummy, very large meal...this is the cheesecake that I made!

Brianna went on an Easter Egg hunt with her cousin Hali...they both got baskets full of eggs!  She loves spending time with her daddy! He was a big help to her!

Later that night, we went to Bubba and Nana's house to have an indoor Egg Hunt!  Bri looked all over for the eggs and did a pretty good job finding them!

It was a very busy, but very fun weekend!  Filled with the celebration of our Risen Lord, and lots of great memories with the wonderful family that God has given me!

Pretty Girl!

Ok, the big day is finally here!  Brianna got her glasses!  Actually yesterday, but I didn't have time to write about it.  She is adorable!  They are a little big, but we are working on it.  She seems to be doing really well at keeping them on...for now.  Then the newness will wear off and it will be a battle getting her to wear them!  I am so thankful she can see correctly now.  It hurts a mommy's heart to know that something is wrong with their child, so I am super glad we are getting it fixed!  She is such a cutie-pie, but then, I am biased!

Earth Day/Good Friday

Wow, Earth Day and Good Friday on the same day...that's interesting.  Now I previously stated that I don't really believe that Jesus died on Friday, but hey, it's on the calendar, and people celebrate it, and I'm not going to "preach" against it.  But I find it interesting that the time when we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the same day as the time when people celebrate "Mother Earth".

A friend of mine did a contest to have a t-shirt designed for Earth Day.  I love it.  The simple message is: God Created Earth Day. How cool is that idea?  The time when we as Christians celebrate our freedom, we can also celebrate our Creator!  Now I think there is nothing wrong (although a little strange) with hugging a tree, but while you hug the tree (if you must), thank God for the tree!  Thank Him for this beautiful world we live in. Thank Him that we can have the rain and the sun, the grass and the trees.  Because they are only here because God created them!

Passion week

Easter.  Peeps. Chocolate bunnies.  Easter Eggs.  What does Easter mean for you?  Is it just a day to go to church for your one of two visits a year?  Or is it to celebrate freedom?
Freedom?  Umm, this is Easter, not the 4th of July you may say.  Yes, freedom!  Think about it.  I was bound by chains of sin.  I wasn't free.  But then I asked Christ to be my Savior and take away my sins, and I was made free.  And that couldn't have happened unless the price was paid for my sin.  And that is why Easter is my favorite "religious" holiday.  Christmas is great, don't get me wrong, but the reason that Jesus even was born was for one reason: to die for my sins.  But the way cool part is, He didn't stay dead...He rose again!  I know there is alot of controversy about when Jesus died...personally, my family has always believed it was either Wednesday or Thursday.  My opinion now, however, is that it really isn't that important as long as you remember and celebrate what happened three days later!  HE AROSE!  How incredible is that?!  I mean, how many people do YOU know who have risen from the dead?  Personally, I only know one.  And He's my best friend, my Savior!  It doesn't get any better than that!

This year, I am really trying to focus on sharing this amazing story with my 2 year old.  She's a smart cookie, and I know that she may not understand everything, but I can plant the seed.  She needs to know early on that yes, we get pretty dresses and bows and candy on this day, but that's not the real reason we celebrate this awesome day.  It's because the Lamb of God took away our sin, and HE'S ALIVE!

And it's Monday...Enough Said!

Monday.  Sigh.  Such an eventful day.  Not bad, just eventful.  I went back to work today after having 8 weeks off.  We actually made it on time this morning, with plenty of time to spare.  That was a relief.  I was so afraid we wouldn't!  I walked to my desk, turned on my computer, and wow.  163 emails.  I'm on number 77.  And I will be honest and say I'm not crazy about my job.  Especially after being with my two babies night and day for 8 weeks.  Let me explain.  I work in a library.  That should be explanation enough.  My kids are sweet, but loud.  My library is not.  It was too QUIET!  But it went pretty fast, and now I am back home to my sweet family, all the singing, crying, whining, and laughing.  Music to my ears!  Now it is my favorite time of day: nap time!  

There are my sweet babies.  Sleeping peacefully with their mouths wide open.  Give it about a half an hour, and it will be the sweet chaos that, yes, I do love.  No matter how much they drive me crazy, I love it.


Tomorrow, I will go back to my quiet desk and dream of the noise.  Dream of the clutter and chaos that is home sweet home.

Sunday

I have mixed feeling about Sundays.  I love love love church and worshiping God.  I love my church too!  There is no way to describe the feelings that arise when I just close my eyes and hear the people of God lifting their voices in worship to Him!  I love singing the songs every week and praising God with music.  My church is awesome.  One of the things that I love is how much our church is always reaching out to the community and people in need.  This Easter, they are giving away over 1,000 pairs of Nike shoes to people who need new shoes.  They are washing those people's feet, giving them new socks, and new shoes.  Wow, what a testimony!  What a way to give the gospel!  In John 13, the Lord gives us great example--He washed his disciples feet.  How humbling!  To have the Master and Lord of the universe wash your feet!  He looked at His disciples when He finished, and asked them if they knew why He did it.  Verses 14 and 15 give us some words to think about--If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  Something to think about!

My other feelings about Sunday are a little different, and yes, I feel guilty about them, ha!  My kids schedules get so messed up!  Our nursery is good...sometimes I think too good, because this happens:  He sleeps.  And sleeps and sleeps and sleeps.  But that's ok.  It's totally worth it to get to worship God!

Here's my challenge:  if you don't have a church, find one!  If you have one, get involved!  There is nothing like serving God and worshiping Him.  There is nothing like hearing people praise Him.  Trust me: you will be blessed!

Road Trip!!!!

We recently got to take a trip up to see family in Ohio...let's just say whoever invented the portable DVD player should be a SAINT!

We decided that it would be better to drive at night, so the monkeys would sleep.  They did pretty good!  Brianna developed a new phrase regarding being in her car seat--"I'm stuck!"  But she was soon fast asleep in her comfy pjs.  How she slept like that for 3 hours, I have no clue, but at least she was quiet!  Through the 18 LONG hours it took us to get there, we heard our share of the delightful sounds of whining, mixed with "the bunny, the bunny, oo I love the bunny" (Veggietales), "I have a dream, I have a dream" (Tangled), and some song from The Winnie the Pooh musical that I learned to ignore.  I'm getting good at that!

We made it to Medina Ohio early in the morning and were greeted with...snow!  Something this little monkey from Florida had never seen before.  Needless to say that morning, she was not impressed.  She just wanted to get un-stuck.

I love family, and it was awesome to see some Caleb's family.  We stayed with his brother and sister-in-law, Josh and Mary.  They have two kids, Joshua Jr., 3-almost-4, and Kian, 3-almost-4 months.  Brianna and Joshua hit it off right away, and got into LOTS of trouble and had a ton of fun while we were there.



The kids had a blast with Uncle Josh, and his inner kid came out to play.

Carter and Kian had lots to talk about...  

                   Joshua is a handsome little guy!

On Monday, we went to Findlay to see Grandma Bowman, and Grandpa and Uncle Craig.  It was good to see these awesome people...if you only could meet Craig, he is a riot!  

Brianna had a great time too...he makes a comfy place to take a nap!

  

Tuesday, before we left, we went out with Josh, Mary, and the kids for some burgers...and boy, were they burgers!
Kian and Carter weren't too impressed though. They slept the whole time.

All in all, we had a great trip, and I am SO glad to be back again...I love family, and I can't wait to see them all again!  In June, the whole Bowman clan will be together in Tennessee...I'm sure there will be TONS of interesting posts about that trip!

Daddy's day off

Well, today was Caleb's day off...somewhat of a break for mommy, because daddy gets a shadow for the day!  Brianna loves her daddy.  It makes my heart happy to see the two of them together.  And after last night, I needed that "break".

Our sweet little angel (ahem) was playing innocently (mmm hmm) in her room, when I walked by and smelled the strong scent of baby powder.  Now understand this...I do not use baby powder...don't care for it, don't want my kids breathing it.  If you do, that's cool, your choice.  But I had earlier (after a lotion incident-another story) removed everything from her room that she could make a mess out of, and there was nothing in there she could possibly use...so I have no clue where she got it from.  Anyway, I walked past her room and smelled the powder, and lo and behold, it was all over her bed, her clothes, and her face.  To my chagrin, I didn't get pictures.  Rats, because it was cute.

All that to say, I love daddy's day off.  And I am thankful for a husband who takes interest in our children and loves spending time with them.  I am so blessed to have this wonderful man in my life!  Caleb, I love you!

I can see clearly now...

Wow, two posts in one day!  You might think I have no life, hee hee...

I took Bri to the eye doctor today.  Lately, one of her eyes has been wandering a little, so of course, I panicked, called her Pediatrician, and scheduled an appointment.  They referred me to a pediatric ophthalmologist, and today was the big day.

Poor baby had no clue what these strangers were doing to her!  They dilated her eyes, and of course that was the end of the world!  Praise the Lord, her eyes are healthy, she just is VERY farsighted and has astigmatism.

So our little monkey gets glasses.  They are cute, don't get me wrong, I just never thought my child would have to get glasses so early!  It is something that I am really having to rely on the Lord to help me deal with it.  I know it's going to be a huge battle to get her used to them, and that thought alone is wearing me out!  But I know God is faithful, and He's not going to give me anything that He doesn't think I can't handle.  So now on to this new chapter in our lives...a little clearer now!

Babies

You gotta love babies.  I mean, how can you not?  They are squishy, soft, cuddly, and all around cute!  I have three babies.  I love them with all my heart!


My first baby is Brianna.  She is 2.  In every sense of the word.  Potty training, into everything, giggly, and 2.  That should explain everything.
She is a bundle of energy!  We have our moments, but overall, she is a good girl!  She is smart, sweet, and funny!  You will probably notice in the future that most of my posts will be about her!


My second baby is Malachi.  Malachi is waiting for us in Heaven.  We never got the chance to hold this precious baby, but he is our baby nonetheless.

He went to be with Jesus on March 21, 2010.  It was a very difficult time in our lives, but I can honestly say I wouldn't trade that time in my life for anything.  It brought me closer to my family, and closer to God.


Out of the sadness that visited our lives that day in March, only two months later, we got the news: baby #3 was on the way!  It was quite a surprise, but a welcome one!  I can honestly say that it helped my heart to know that I would get to have another chance to hold a brand new baby.

February 18, 2011, this beautiful baby boy was placed in my arms.  Our precious Carter came into the world and stole my heart!  I love my baby girl, but there is something special between a momma and her little boy!  He is a sweet boy, and his big sister adores him!  She is such a mommy to him!  He is just starting to smile, and, this may be a fluke, but he slept for 7.5 hours last night...I'm crossing my fingers, hoping it will happen again!

So there you have it...my babies!  I love them sooo much!!!!

I love my family

Seriously, I do!  They are funny, loud, adorable, and mine.  Well, they are on loan to me, from God.  And I couldn't imagine it any other way!  

This blog is my way of documenting all of the events in this crazy little life of mine!   Hopefully I will keep up with it.  I'm sure I probably won't, but you are welcome to join me as I travel through life and experience the boogers and boo-boos that come my way!