Easter Day 4

Tonight we read parable of the ten virgins. It was fun to talk with the kids about the second coming and feel the hope of Easter. We usually read from the Book of Mormon every night so it has been interesting reading the Bible with the kids.

Not related to Easter but to Spring Break... we went to see How to Train your Dragon today... it is really cute and a good story about hope and courage.

Keep it Going

So, I have been ready to give up on this blog. I rarely post anymore as I am busy running a business and keeping up my website and photog blog. But, I really like that I can print it at thte end of the year and have a journal for the family. So, I have decided to keep it going but keep it simple. So, I went back to basic blog templates and small photos. I am going t o just post my photos SOOC (straight out of camera) because by the time I run my photos through Light Room and save them to my portable drive it feels like so much work to go back and blog... so sorry about the poor quality of the blog but it will be good enough to keep a journal for my family ;)

Our Candle Light Dinner

I thought this was too funny... we had crab for dinner and by accident Bryce was wearing his Joe's crab shack shirt!

Bryce was determined to blow out our candles. So, we did have a really dark dinner.

Jeremiah read out of 3rd Nephi to us while we ate and then we had dessert in the light just like the people finally were rewarded with a visit from Christ after the darkness.

Day 2 of Easter Week

For FHE we read in Matthew 21 and talked about Christ riding in on a donkey. Then the kids each colored a picture of the Savior to give to the families tomorrow.

Day 3 of Easter Week

We delivered our pictures and Easter messages with little baskets to 2 families. We also watched an Easter movie... Veggie Tales (it is a good one for the kids). Then, last night we read about Christ clearing out the temple.

It has been a nice experience to teach the kids about the true meaning of Easter.

Darkness before the Light

"When the brother of Jared sought a remedy for the darkness, he put his mind and muscle to the solution and “did molten out of rock sixteen small stones, white and clear.” I have tried to imagine the work and ingenuity it would take to molten stones. What kind of grueling labor in those times was required to create a heat source that can molten stones, sweat dripping from your brow? Did he fell trees and make a fire? Did he fashion a furnace? Were the stones heavy that he lugged up to that mountain top?

Yet still, after all the brother of Jared could do, after hard labor and effort, and the best solutions of his own mind, still he had only 16 dark stones. They were only able to shine when they were touched by the finger of God.

I am worker; I labor with diligence. It is tempting to take off each morning like a shot, and run my weary distance on my strength alone, but I have found, with the brother of Jared, that my work comes to nothing and the stones of my labor are left cold and dark unless God touches it with his light. I can do nothing without Him. He is the source of light; “And the light which shineth which giveth you light is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things” (D&C 88: 11-13)." I found this from an article Meridian Magazine, Maurine Jensen Proctor, A Divine Homesickness that my MIL posted on her blog.

This is just a piece of a great article. A piece that fits me... I am a worker and often try to work everything out or fix everything on my own. This week my Dad called me and I knew by the tone in his voice something was very wrong. As his message hit me...my first thoughts were what can I do to help... why didn't I "fix" this earlier... but as the week has progressed I have found there is nothing to "do" on my own. Instead I must turn to My Savior and allow him to strengthen me. Through the prayers of my family he has comforted me. I am so grateful for the gospel and my testimony of the Savior. I am looking forward to this week before Eater. I plan to teach my children about the Life of Christ and draw near to him as we prepare for Easter Sunday. I also look forward to listening to the words of the Prophet at Conference on Sunday. I know when we do all we can the light of the Savior is there to make even the darkest nights turn to day.

We will start our week with a candle light dinner tonight and a reading of the 3 days of darkness before Christ's visit to the Americas.

FIrst Wedding On My Own

I have started to try out wedding photography... I LOVE it!!! I have found another part of photography that I really enjoy. I have spent the past 2 Saturdays shooting weddings and I hope there will be many more!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Lucky the Leprechaun left a mess and some treats in our kitchen this morning... Top O the Morn'

Then we played catch the Leprechaun with some friends... and ended the day with some green eggs and ham!

Jump for JOY

About to make a SPALSH... with my new logo/watermark... what do you think???

Longer Days

As the days grow longer so does the playing around here! Our cul-de-sac dumps into a park where you can find a few of the kids from the ward and lots of neighbor kids playing each evening. I love spending the closing moments of daylight at the park with the kiddos.

Free Give Away

Don't forget to check out my photog blog! The 1st of each month I hold a contest and give away free packages! This month is FREE family photos :)